Why Protect Spring Brook?
History
Watershed
Brook Trout Habitat
Conservation
GIS Maps
Threats
Sense of Place
Conclusions
Methodology
Literature Review
Works Cited
| Spring Brook and a Sense of Place |
Photo: Spring Brook as it approaches its confluence with the Cannon River (Jeff Jasperson)
The focus of our environmental
studies senior seminar is the "Cannon River region and a sense of
place." The contribution of Spring Brook to a "sense of place"
will certainly vary with personal interests. For anglers, this
stream provides the opportunity to fish for trout, an opportunity that
no other stream in Rice County offers. For those who appreciate
wildlife, Spring Brook provides habitat for one of the native and now
rarest species of fish around. For those who value environmental
diversity and environmental quality, Spring Brook provides a unique
natural attraction in a region where many valuable environmental
resources have been permanently degraded. The definition of a
"sense of place" is vague, and in my opinion, is for each individual to
define on their own.
In order to better understand the connections that people have to Spring Brook, I asked for the input of a couple of individuals who have made the protection of Spring Brook a priority in their lives......
Chris Robbins, Former employee of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership and member of the Spring Brook Committee....
In order to better understand the connections that people have to Spring Brook, I asked for the input of a couple of individuals who have made the protection of Spring Brook a priority in their lives......
Chris Robbins, Former employee of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership and member of the Spring Brook Committee....
"I have gotten
permission to walk Spring Brook a few
times, and I enjoyed the beautiful stream valley and
the sight of the "redds"
where the trout spawn. Since I am
not a fisherman, I would probably
enjoy the stream even if it were not a
trout stream, but I've heard DNR biologists
getting very excited about this trout
population, so that kind of rubs
off on me. I think of
Spring Brook and Heath Creek more for
their potential than for the
present usefulness as recreational
assets. Having lived in planes that
had stream corridors as part of the
park systems, I hope these streams will eventually become greenways in
the community. It would be
great if Spring Brook could also
continue to support trout."
Justin Watkins, Current Cannon River
Watershed Partnership employee and avid fly fisherman........
"It's an
amazing place to hang out - the
confluence with the Cannon is absolutely
beautiful - you can sit on the
railroad culvert and stare into the pool just
downstream - see snakes, frogs,
trout. Also - walking fishing easement is
outstanding. It's good to know that just a
few minutes
from our growing
town, we can experience a clear, cold
stream - it's kind of a symbol in that sense. So, yes - I definitely have recreational and
emotional connections
with the stream."
My personal feelings of how Spring
Brook contributes to "sense of place"......
When I first heard that such a trout stream existed in Rice County, I was pleasantly surprised. Growing up on the trout streams on the North Shore of Lake Superior, I could not imagine such a precious brook trout stream in an area so dominated by agricultural land-use. I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to walk and fish Spring Brook, and when the chance finally came, I felt an immediate connection to it and a strong desire to learn more about the conservation efforts that the stream has sparked.
One memory of the stream that I will never forget is standing at the confluence Spring Brook and the Cannon River, staring into the exact point at which the two streams converged. As I watched, I noticed the stark contrast between the two streams. Spring Brook enters the Cannon as a cold, clear brook trout stream, but after only a few feet, the transparent water becomes one with the dark, lazy flow of the Cannon River. It was at this moment that I truly started to appreciate the unique qualities of Spring Brook, and the importance of it as a landmark worthy of protection in the Cannon Valley.
Note: The quotations above are responses to an e-mail questionnaire sent to these two individuals. The content is used with their permission.
Rivers, Trout, and a Sense of Place....
My personal connection with rivers and trout was greatly enhanced after reading the book A River Runs Through It by Norman MacLean. I feel that the connections portrayed with trout streams in that true story exemplifies what it means to find a "sense of place" through an appreciation of these aquatic habitats. My connection, and I believe it is the same for Norman MacLean in his book, is not so much about the act of catching trout, but rather it is about an appreciation of a place to pay tribute to these fish and their pristine stream habitats.
When I first heard that such a trout stream existed in Rice County, I was pleasantly surprised. Growing up on the trout streams on the North Shore of Lake Superior, I could not imagine such a precious brook trout stream in an area so dominated by agricultural land-use. I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to walk and fish Spring Brook, and when the chance finally came, I felt an immediate connection to it and a strong desire to learn more about the conservation efforts that the stream has sparked.
One memory of the stream that I will never forget is standing at the confluence Spring Brook and the Cannon River, staring into the exact point at which the two streams converged. As I watched, I noticed the stark contrast between the two streams. Spring Brook enters the Cannon as a cold, clear brook trout stream, but after only a few feet, the transparent water becomes one with the dark, lazy flow of the Cannon River. It was at this moment that I truly started to appreciate the unique qualities of Spring Brook, and the importance of it as a landmark worthy of protection in the Cannon Valley.
Note: The quotations above are responses to an e-mail questionnaire sent to these two individuals. The content is used with their permission.
Rivers, Trout, and a Sense of Place....
"I sat there and forgot and forgot, until
what remained was the river that went by and I who watched. On the
river the heat mirages danced with each other and then they danced
through each other and then they joined hands and danced around each
other. Eventually the watcher joined the river, and there was only one
of us. I believe it was the river."
-Norman MacLean, A River Runs Through It
-Norman MacLean, A River Runs Through It
My personal connection with rivers and trout was greatly enhanced after reading the book A River Runs Through It by Norman MacLean. I feel that the connections portrayed with trout streams in that true story exemplifies what it means to find a "sense of place" through an appreciation of these aquatic habitats. My connection, and I believe it is the same for Norman MacLean in his book, is not so much about the act of catching trout, but rather it is about an appreciation of a place to pay tribute to these fish and their pristine stream habitats.