14 Nebraskaland • October 2026
It's always worth a stop.
When fall arrives, I often find myself laying prone along a
Pine Ridge stream photographing leaves that have gathered
at an obstruction in the water's flow. The cottonwoods,
willows, maples and whatever other trees reside in the area
project the diversity of a riparian area at leaf jams through
reds, golds and browns, accented by the shimmering rush of
the water, in a small package.
These leaf jams, or packs, not only make for nice fall
imagery, but more importantly play a role in a stream's health.
As microscopic fungi and bacteria break down the leaves,
they become a source of nutrition for the stream's creatures
at the lower end of the chain. These macroinvertebrates,
such as caddisflies and mayflies, later serve as food for fish,
amphibians and birds. Similar to other obstructions in a
stream, leaf packets can also function as a place for fish to
hide and rest.
As fall turns to winter, these leaves slowly release nitrogen
and carbon — essential building blocks for stream life.
Researchers often take a close look at leaf packs to
assess a stream's health, as the presence and absence of
certain macroinvertebrates can determine how pristine, or
degraded, the water is. Some creatures are more tolerant to
pollution than others.
Fu n g i . B a c te r i a . Ma c ro i nve r te b ra te s. Re se a rc h e rs.
Photographers. For being such a model of serenity, these
little jams have a way of packing in a lot of activity. Be sure
to stop and take it all in. Or, just take a picture.
In the Field
Water flows around fallen leaves caught on an obstruction at First Woman Creek in Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area.
Autumn Jams
Leaves in streams are inviting to photographers … and much smaller creatures
By Justin Haag
