Associations of Channel Form with Spawning Riffle Quality and Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Small Restored Spring Creeks of Western Montana

Pierce, Ron.; Podner, Craig.; Sullivan, Sean

doi:10.3955/046.091.0308

Cited by 3 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Excess fine sediment reduces bed permeability affecting the essential delivery of water and dissolved oxygen to developing embryos, which can asphyxiate eggs or entomb fry within the redd resulting in high egg‐to‐fry mortality (Gard, 2002; Jensen et al, 2009; Reiser & White, 1988). Though the strategic placement of gravel can improve spawning success (Sear & DeVries, 2008), surprisingly few long‐term restoration studies relate gravel augmentation to biological outcomes (Joyce & Hubert, 2004; Pierce et al, 2017). Moreover, few restoration field studies relate spawning habitat improvement to salmonid egg‐to‐fry survival rates (Joyce & Hubert, 2004; Pierce et al, 2017; Pulg et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though the strategic placement of gravel can improve spawning success (Sear & DeVries, 2008), surprisingly few long‐term restoration studies relate gravel augmentation to biological outcomes (Joyce & Hubert, 2004; Pierce et al, 2017). Moreover, few restoration field studies relate spawning habitat improvement to salmonid egg‐to‐fry survival rates (Joyce & Hubert, 2004; Pierce et al, 2017; Pulg et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interestingly, both SMI and FSBI scores were consistently lower than the surrounding ecoregion (Grafe, 2002; Relyea et al, 2012). These lower values likely reflect the distinct fauna of spring creeks versus that of basin‐fed streams (Bollman, 1998; Pierce et al, 2017; Stagliano, 2005), as well as the influence of higher channel gradients and lack of geomorphic stratification associated with the development of the various indices (Grafe, 2002, Relyea et al, 2012). Like findings in a Montana study, regional indices should be interpreted cautiously when applied to spring creeks (Pierce et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These lower values likely reflect the distinct fauna of spring creeks versus that of basin‐fed streams (Bollman, 1998; Pierce et al, 2017; Stagliano, 2005), as well as the influence of higher channel gradients and lack of geomorphic stratification associated with the development of the various indices (Grafe, 2002, Relyea et al, 2012). Like findings in a Montana study, regional indices should be interpreted cautiously when applied to spring creeks (Pierce et al, 2017). Conversely, the FSBI appears to be more sensitive to habitat integrity and restoration effectiveness in spring creeks (Pierce et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Livestock overgrazing (Fleischner, 1994; Kauffman & Krueger, 1984; Trimble & Mendel, 1995) and channelization (Emerson, 1971) have resulted in incised streams with lowered water tables and altered riparian communities due to aridification of riparian soils (Hammersmark et al, 2009; Martin & Chambers, 2001). Poor irrigation and grazing systems have also adversely impacted wild trout and other aquatic biota (Decker‐Hess, 1989; Neudecker & McMahon, 2012; Pierce et al, 2017) by diminishing streamflows, restricting fish passage, entraining fish to irrigation ditches, and degrading water quality and habitat (Meehan, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wild trout and hydrologic response to restoration of incised streams with improved water use for ranching and fisheries

Pierce¹,

Rosgen²,

Geenen³

et al. 2022

Ecosphere

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In the face of climate change and dwindling water supplies, this long‐term monitoring study examines the effectiveness of restoring two incised and degraded streams (Crystal Creek and Black Slough) to benefit livestock ranching and wild trout populations in a spring creek and wetland complex, central Idaho, USA. By raising the incised streambeds and connecting to historical floodplains, the restoration aimed to raise groundwater levels to create subsurface saturation conditions to sustain grazing forage and hay production without flood irrigation; diverted flows from the Big Wood River previously used for flood irrigation were instead routed through the restored systems. The restoration used natural channel design methods to reconstruct 5.2 km of Black Slough and 8.4 km of Crystal Creek to emulate a downstream reference reach (Willow Creek); within the relic incised channels, off‐channel oxbow ponds and wetlands were created while filling other segments. Additionally, screened gravels were placed in the reconstructed channels. We monitored before–after restoration changes in channel morphology, groundwater levels, wetlands, instream flows, spawning substrates and redds, fish populations, and invertebrates for the restored creeks and reference reach over 10+ years. Following restoration, average groundwater levels increased by 0.35 m, mean annual flows at Willow Creek (receiving stream) increased from 0.64 to 1.11 m3/s, and average days per year that baseflows were below 0.28 m3/s decreased from 44.5 to 5.4 despite a decrease in average annual precipitation (16.97 to 11.53 cm). Moreover, residual pool depths increased (<0.18 to >0.90 m), spawning substrate sizes increased (0.1 to 19.0 mm), and egg‐to‐fry trout survival rates increased from <20% to >90%. Six years after restoration, fish diversity increased from three to seven species, matching reference conditions. We also found dramatic increases in Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout redd counts (7 to 161 and 17 to 143, respectively) and relative abundance (0.013 to 1.166 trout/m and 0.029 to 0.222 trout/m, respectively). Invertebrate indices of restoration effectiveness were positive for both restored streams but negative for the reference reach. Overall, this study exemplifies how restoration reduced consumptive water use, created sustainable streams with hydrological connections and ponds and wetlands, and improved trout populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Wild trout and hydrologic response to restoration of incised streams with improved water use for ranching and fisheries

Pierce¹,

Rosgen²,

Geenen³

et al. 2022

Ecosphere

Self Cite

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Natural Channel Design for River Restoration

Rosgen¹

2019

Encyclopedia of Water

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The Natural Channel Design (NCD) approach to river restoration aims to establish a self‐regulating, functioning river system associated with physical, ecological, and chemical components by emulating the natural stable form within the constraints imposed by the larger landscape conditions. The NCD method has evolved over five decades to restore impaired rivers using principles from fluvial geomorphology and ecology to meet clearly defined restoration goals. NCD incorporates analog, empirical, and analytical methods through 10 sequential phases that serve as a design framework to guide users through the minimum requirements and specific procedures to successfully implement a restoration design. An appropriate reference reach must be selected to direct the natural channel design and determine the physical and ecological departure of the impaired reach from the stable and functioning reference condition. Designing a multistage river system is also an integral part of NCD based on the appropriate stream type for the fluvial landscape. The NCD approach has successfully offset many of the adverse impacts from land use activities and traditional river works by implementing sustainable designs that are intended to work in harmony with river systems.

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Effects of Livestock Exclusion on Stream Habitat and Aquatic Biota: A Review and Recommendations for Implementation and Monitoring

Krall

Roni

2023

N American J Fish Manag

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To inform riparian restoration, research, and monitoring and to provide management recommendations, we reviewed published studies evaluating the physical and biological effectiveness of livestock exclusion and grazing reduction on various metrics in riparian and aquatic areas. We identified 95 North American studies that reported the effects of livestock grazing reduction on physical habitat (channel morphology, mesohabitats, substrate, and bank stability), biological assemblages (riparian vegetation, macroinvertebrates, fish, and birds), and water quality metrics (temperature, nitrates, phosphorus, and turbidity). Most studies reported that methods to reduce or exclude livestock decreased channel width, width-to-depth ratio, bank erosion, soil bulk density, bare ground, water temperature, nitrogen, and phosphorus and increased riparian vegetation (cover, height, productivity, biomass, and abundance), riparian bird abundance, and youngof-the-year fishes. Results for channel depth, instream substrate, mesohabitats, water depth, juvenile and adult fishes, and macroinvertebrates showed no consistent response to exclusion. Project success was influenced by the time since exclusion; whether there was complete exclusion or continued grazing; and local climate, geology, and soils. Apart from bank erosion and stability, most of the physical and biological metrics took more than a decade to respond to livestock exclusion. However, coupling exclusion with planting and other restoration measures decreased the recovery time. Complete exclusion of livestock produced more consistent improvements in riparian condition and other metrics than rest-rotation or other grazing management strategies. Understanding how physical and biological metrics respond to livestock exclusion will require (1) focused, long-term studies using before-after or before-after, control-impact designs; and (2) monitoring of metrics that most consistently respond to exclusion. Ultimately, the design of exclusions should be driven by local climate, geology, biophysical conditions, and management history. Our results highlight the need for watershedscale approaches to excluding livestock from broad areas and the need for implementation monitoring to ensure that fencing and other exclusion measures continue to exclude livestock and produce the desired responses.

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Associations of Channel Form with Spawning Riffle Quality and Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Small Restored Spring Creeks of Western Montana

Cited by 3 publications

References 39 publications

Wild trout and hydrologic response to restoration of incised streams with improved water use for ranching and fisheries

Wild trout and hydrologic response to restoration of incised streams with improved water use for ranching and fisheries

Natural Channel Design for River Restoration

Effects of Livestock Exclusion on Stream Habitat and Aquatic Biota: A Review and Recommendations for Implementation and Monitoring

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