Exploring Michigan's Waters: MiCorps Stream Sampling in Action
This past week in Insect Ecology, our classroom shifted from desks and microscopes to the cold, flowing water of Devil’s Creek and Big Canon Lake. Before our departure, Paul joined us that morning to walk us through Au Sable’s annual participation in MiCorps stream monitoring—a hands-on effort to track the health of our local streams and ensure the campus isn’t unknowingly contributing to their decline. After he detailed everything we would be doing, we gathered our supplies and headed off!
Once we got into the creek, it took a bit to get the hang of it—using the D-frame nets, disturbing the streambed, and trying to collect macroinvertebrates without losing half of them downstream. It was messy and a little chaotic, but once we brought the samples back to shore and started sorting through leaves and gravel, I was surprised how quickly things came to life. It was exciting to recognize organisms we’d discussed in class and to realize they weren’t just textbook examples, but actual indicators of stream health.
Pictured are Zach and Aaron collecting a sample at Big Canon Lake.
We had split up into two groups and took turns working a 300-foot section of each stream, following standardized protocols that ensured our data was scientifically valuable.
Here’s what the process looked like:
Site Assessment
We began by evaluating the physical characteristics of our stream section: How fast is the water flowing? What’s the streambed made of—gravel, silt, sand? Are there signs of erosion or human activity nearby? These details help interpret the biological data we collect.
Collecting Macroinvertebrates
Using our nets, we sampled various habitats within the stream—riffles, pools, submerged roots, and leafy debris. We stirred up the bottom to dislodge insects and other critters, which floated into our nets.
Sorting and Identifying
Back on shore, we sorted through the mixture of leaves, gravel, and aquatic life, picking out macroinvertebrates with tweezers and identifying them with the help of our professor.
Submitting Data
Every invertebrate we found will then be counted, recorded, and submitted to MiCorps. From there, experts will analyze our examination as a starting point to identify any noticeable concerns and determine if further action is necessary.
Pictured is the Insect Ecology class leaving to return collected samples to Au Sable.
One thing that stuck with me was how much information these small organisms hold. I had a basic understanding that some bugs are more pollution-tolerant than others, but identifying them on-site really drove that home. It felt like reading the stream’s report card through its insects. Clean water meant diversity, especially of the sensitive species. And if those are gone, something’s probably wrong upstream.
These small, spineless creatures—like mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies—are especially sensitive to pollution and changes in water chemistry. Here's what different groups can tell us:
From these findings, MiCorps generates a Stream Quality Score (SQS). This metric helps agencies like the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) detect early signs of pollution or determine where restoration is needed.
I appreciated how the process combined observation, teamwork, and analysis. It made me see the stream not just as scenery, but as an ecosystem full of relationships and signals, if you know how to look for them.
Pictured is the section of Devil’s Creek where we sampled.
More than anything, this experience reminded me that ecological fieldwork is often about asking the right questions and being willing to dig around (literally) for answers. It was humbling in the best way. I walked away with cold feet, dirty hands, and a deeper respect for how much a tray of tiny bugs can reveal about an entire watershed.
Sources:
Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) – Lake & Stream Monitoring
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