Mayfly hatches could be come more common in coming weeks

Hatches are a sign of a health river

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – You may see a sign of river health in our area.

In the past few days, Mayflies have been spotted on buildings along the Mississippi River.

Those insects have even been noticed on National Weather Service radar.

Because the mayflies are sensitive to pollution, a good hatch is a sign of a healthy river.

If it seems like you’re seeing them earlier this year, there could be a reason.

“Usually we see a hatch around the week before, the week after the fourth of July, but this year because the water level was lower and we’ve had such high temperatures, that could be why we’re seeing the hatch early,” said Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge visitor services specialist Katie Julian.

While a big hatch could be coming in the next month, hatches can happen throughout the summer.

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