Pitch In

Stream Team #2945 members have handed out countless litter bags to canoers and visitors at the LaRussell Access Point this summer. The largest category of litter (that we find on the ground) is from beer cans. Without a trash container, the Stream Team members tie liter bags to metal posts in hopes of discouraging liter on the ground. Thank you to those who Pitch In. If everyone does their part, we can make a difference.

Update on Seedlings

Here are photographs taken September 23 of the five varieties of seedlings, planted April 15, 2007.

Wild Plum, 60" height. Best growth on north side of river, approximately 3' above water level.









False Indigo, 50" height. All seedlings in rocky/sandy river bed, only 12" above (normal) water level.









Roughleaf Dogwood, 24" height. Disappointed in growth, possibly due to wet/humid conditions all summer.









Aromatic Summac, 30" height. Best growth in rocks vs. soil.










Blackberry, 24" height x 24" across. The seedlings are all exhibiting more horizontal growth pattern than expected.

What do Hellgrammites, Mayfly Nymphs and Leeches Have in Common?

Question: What do Hellgrammites, Mayfly Nymphs and Leeches have in common?
Answer: We collected them today in the seine.

La Russell Stream Team #2945 members conducted their first Water Quality Survey (also known as Macro invertebrate survey) on the site today. The protocol for Biological Monitoring was followed.

We also found Caddisfly Larvae, Hellgrammites, Mayfly Nymphs, Stonefly Nymphs, Clams, Crayfish, Aquatic Worms and Leeches. The survey indicated a Water Quality Rating of 18. A score in the range of 18-23 is considered 'good'.

The USGS water gauge indicated 2.76' today. The sampling may have been affected by the 6-8" of rain received 14-16 days ago. The river is not back to the pre-September 6 depth of 2.08'.

Flooding, Sept. 6-9, 2007

Excessive rain Thursday morning (September 6), along with rain Friday evening-Saturday morning (September 7-8) resulted in flooding in Spring River. These pictures were taken at 2:15pm, Saturday, September 8, 2007, with water guage indicating 11.06' (and rising). Rain totals have been reported between 6-8" in the area.

USGS Water Guage at LaRussell indicated an increase in river depth from 2.08' (at 3:15am Thursday, Sept 6) to 5.29' (at 3:30pm on Thursday) and an increase from 2.78' (on Saturday, Sept 8 at 3:15am to 11.37' (at 4:00pm on Saturday).


Blackberry and Wild plum seedlings under water, south side of river, east side of bridge. [click on photographs for enlarged view]






Looking south from north side of river, east side of bridge.







Looking north, from driveway ramp, west side of bridge, south of river.







Looking down at seedlings, east side of bridge, south side of river.







Aromatic Summac seedlings, south side of drive embankment







Looking north from Gum Road, east side of bridge, south of river.

More Colorful Sites

This is a collection of flowers, wildlife and other things that have been observed on the La Russell Access site (along Spring River). I hope that you enjoy them as much as the Stream Team members have.

You may want to visit the Missouri Flora webpage for additional information about these plants. (click on photographs for close up)





Gaura biennis, blooming late August-early September


Lespedeza virginica blooming late August-early September








Lespedeza stipulacea, blooming late August-early September










Polygonum cespitosum Blume, blooming late September







Aster pilosus Willd., blooming late September








Helianthus hirsutus Raf, blooming late September








Oxalis dillenii Jacq., blooming early October.








Sumac [Family: Anacardiaceae, Genus: Rhus] reddish drupes, called Sumac blobs







Milkweed [Family: Asclepiadaceae] (click on photograph to enlarge) Notice the milkweed beetles, Tetraopes tetraophthalmus.