Poplar River Macroinvertebrate and Habitat Survey

Abstract

We surveyed the biota and stream habitat of the lower mainstem of the Poplar River in August 2007 to obtain baseline information on stream assemblages as part of a TMDL (total maximum daily load) study for turbidity. Four sites were selected along the Poplar River within the last 3 km before it enters Lake Superior. Data collected included macroinvertebrate community composition, in-stream habitat structure and stream bottom substrate types, and sediment particle size distribution. Poplar River data generated from each sample site were compared to data from 24 other North Shore stream sites to better place the Poplar River’s condition into a regional context.