Rapid Creek is still feeling the effects of a recent boom of the Didymo Algae bloom, which sucked oxygen and other nutrients out of the water, effectively decreasing the amount of trout living in the stream.
Dr. V.P. Sundareshwar has been studying Didymo in Rapid Creek for the past four years.
"It is a big problem because it has been impacting fisheries and other aesthetic values and recreational values," Sundareshwar said.
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Professor of Bio-geo-chemistry says the algae occurs naturally in Rapid Creek and other waterways in Northern North America. His recently published research suggests that a boom in the algae bloom is causing other wildlife in the creek to suffer.
Rapid City Fisherman Ron Kringer says he's been fishing Rapid Creek for 30 years. He says around four years ago, when Sundareshwar began his research, the Didymo was the worst he has ever seen. Kringer says the impact the Didymo had on fishing pushed him to other waterways.
"There have been streams that have been impacted greatly and Rapid Creek is of course one of them," Kringer said.
The recent high water flow may also have an affect on the Didymo. Sundareshwar says the increased water flow will either bring more nutrients to the algae, increasing its growth, or it can rip it from the rocks and flush it down the creek.
But Rapid Creek is just one of many areas that are facing problems with Didymo lately. In 2004 the algae inexplicably jumped to the Southern Hemisphere where it now wreaks havoc on indigenous eco-systems.
"In New Zealand for instance, the impact could range in tens of millions of dollars," Sundareshwar said.
Sundareshwar says understanding the algae better is key to learning why its having a big effect on the environment, and he says the research isn't too bad either.
"It's been a lot of fun, a lot of new discoveries, both scientifically and recreational value as well," Sundareshwar said.
Sundareshwar's research during the past 4 years was funded by the National Science Foundation and the State of South Dakota. He is currently writing a new proposal to continue research into the Didymo algae.
Dr. V.P. Sundareshwar fishes for River Snot in Rapid Creek.
