WC Wisconsin News

When the City of River Falls sought expertise for ecological monitoring during the removal of the Junction Falls and Powell Falls Dams, faculty and staff from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls responded by forming a student-led research group. The Data Analysis and Monitoring Crew (DAM Crew) is a two-week summer program where undergraduates are trained by river restoration professionals to study the effects of dam removal on the Kinnickinnic River.

This effort contributes data to a 10-year Kinnickinnic River Monitoring Plan, originally developed in 2021 by the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Inter-Fluve. The DAM Crew completed its fourth year of fieldwork in August, with this year’s participants including seven students from UW-River Falls and one from UW-Eau Claire.

“DAM Crew participants learn hands-on, workforce-ready skills in stream geomorphological and ecological monitoring from practicing professionals while filling a critical knowledge need for the regional community,” said Jill Coleman Wasik, plant and earth science professor at UW-River Falls and creator of the DAM Crew.

The students worked with partners such as the Kinni Corridor Collaborative, Trout Unlimited, Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, and city officials. Training was provided by a geomorphologist from Inter-Fluve to help collect information used to predict and monitor how dam removal affects river conditions.

In addition to fieldwork, students gained experience in data management and assessment related to dam removal projects. They also learned about advocacy efforts needed for successful ecological outcomes.

"Being part of the DAM crew gave me the opportunity to dive headfirst into real-world research and water monitoring, allowing me to contribute my passion for science to a meaningful community project," said Cass Hoffmann, an environmental science major from Apple Valley, Minnesota.

Each spring, students are recruited from all 13 Universities of Wisconsin institutions. Their findings not only support local planning but are also presented at regional or national conferences.

There are nearly 3,900 dams in Wisconsin according to state environmental authorities. Many structures are aging and may require removal. Coleman Wasik indicated that DAM Crew alumni will be able to address this increasing demand for skilled professionals in dam removal and river restoration across Wisconsin.

The program is run collaboratively between UW-River Falls, Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Kinni Corridor Collaborative, and Inter-Fluve. Funding comes from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.

“Kiap-TU-Wish has had the pleasure of engaging with DAM Crew students and faculty to assist with this incredible learning process for all involved,” said Kent Johnson of Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “The monitoring plan is largely a volunteer-driven initiative, and the UW-River Falls DAM Crew has been a critical partner for implementing the pre-restoration monitoring work during the past four summers.”

In July, funding was secured from Freshwater Collaborative for six more years so that student teams can complete work outlined in the 10-year plan.