Angler Science Driftless Area Program

You’re going to be out fishing, so while streamside why not help TU characterize water quality conditions and identify stream disturbances throughout the Driftless Area by making an observation with the WiseH2O App. Not already participating? See the Get Started Section below for how to get started with the WiseH2O app. Tips and instructions on the WiseH2O app use are available here.

In 2023, anglers and scientists made 788 observations in the Driftless Area, adding to the 1070 made in previous seasons. Thanks go to all the participants, with a special shout out to the Kiap-Tu-Wish, Twin Cities, and Hiawatha TU Chapters for making the program so successful. A summary of the angler activities is presented in the activities report. We continue to collect information, so join in to help the effort.

The Driftless Area Scorecard summarizes the WiseH2O app findings for anglers and resource managers to be aware of the water quality conditions, issues, and potential mitigating and restoration opportunities to address issues.

Curious about the reported data? See the observation results and download the data below in the Observations Section. The section also includes a document outlining the data processing methodology and the computations and ranking methods supporting the Driftless Area Scorecard.

If you missed the 2024 “kick-off” webinar, you can view the slides here.

2023 September Sampling Blitz

During the Blitz, 34 participants made 121 observations. Congratulations to our winners:

  1. Rainbow Berry (Kiap-TU-Wish TU)

  2. Eric Hanson (Hiawatha TU)

  3. Mitchell Abbett (Twin Cities TU)

Did not participate or win? Stay tuned for the 2024 September competition and a chance to win prizes while contributing to the monitoring of the Driftless Area water quality conditions!

About the Program

Building on the 2019 Angler Science Pilot, Trout Unlimited (TU) has expanded the Driftless Angler Science program to include the entire Driftless Area. 

Source: http://darestoration.com/gallery.html

Source: http://darestoration.com/gallery.html

The program continues to allow anglers to make stream-side observations using the WiseH2O app, including screening water quality, identifying stream disturbances that impact fish habitat (e.g. stream bank erosion, fish barriers), and providing general water conditions (e.g. level, clarity).  Anglers in the field are informed of the importance of water quality on stream habitat and the data is stored for use in improving fish habitat.  Benefits of the Driftless Angler Science Program are:

  • Characterization of water quality conditions and identification of stream disturbances throughout the Driftless Area,

  • Information helpful in selecting habitat restoration sites,

  • Increased understanding of waterway characteristics useful to resource management agencies (e.g. TU, DNRs, US FWS),

  • Increased awareness of water quality issues and fish habitat conditions by participating anglers.

Now spanning the entire Driftless Area, the program includes anglers from 14 TU chapters, as well as biologists and resource agents from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources .  Given the collaborative effort, we bring greater understanding and education about stream conditions in the greater Driftless Area. 

TU Anglers screening water quality with the WiseH2O app. Photo: John Weiss

TU Anglers screening water quality with the WiseH2O app. Photo: John Weiss

Progress Dashboard

With a goal of 2000+ observations by 2023, we are 92% there. Do your part and make an observation in the Driftless Area today!

Following a successful pilot project conducted by the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter in Pierce County, WI in 2019, the Trout Unlimited (TU) Angler Science Program with the WiseH2O App expanded to the entire Driftless Area in 2020-2023.  The goal of the program is to engage anglers and TU chapters to become more informed and collect actionable data on Driftless Area trout streams.  The Activities Report provides an overview of the program’s activities and effectiveness at collecting data and engaging anglers and TU Chapters towards the goal. 

Observations

As of October 31st, 1063 observations have been made in the Driftless Area with the WiseH2O app. Check out the map below summarizing results

If you’re having difficulty navigating the map in this view (sometimes its slow), you can visit https://arcg.is/1b4X5T.

If you’re a data enthusiast, then you can download the observation results (2019-2023) in an Excel format below. Documentation on processing and proofing the data is also available for download.

Get Involved

Everyone is welcome to contribute to understanding the water quality in the Drifltess Area.  Follow these simple steps to get started and click on the Get Started Guide below for more details:

1.       Downloading the App:   

  • Android version can be found on the Play Store by searching “WiseH2O”  

  • iOS version can be found on the Apple Store by searching “WiseH2O”    

2.      Obtaining test kits

3.      Making an observation in a waterway!

If you want to learn more about how to download and use the WiseH2O mApp, visit the WiseH2O App webpage

If you have more questions, please contact Carter Borden (MobileH2O)

Kent Johnson taking a water temperature reading. Photo: John Weiss

Kent Johnson taking a water temperature reading. Photo: John Weiss

sponsors

We would like to thank the Angler Science Driftless Area Program sponsors and participating TU Chapters, organizations, agencies, and individuals.  Financial contributors include Trout Unlimited’s Coldwater Conservation Fund, TU Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TUDARE), US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and National Fish Habitat Partnership.  Finally, we would like to thank all the TU Chapters and their members for contributing their time towards helping to characterize the trout stream conditions in the Driftless Area.