Hydrologic Variability Influences Local Probability of Pallid Sturgeon Occurrence in a Missouri River Tributary

Hamel, Martin J.; Spurgeon, Jonathan J.; Pegg, Mark A.; Hammen, Jeremy J.; Rugg, Matthew L.

doi:10.1002/rra.2850

Cited by 10 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The overriding importance of the magnitude, timing and duration of flows within the LPR, along with the plastic nature of channel catfish diets (Hubert, ), may enable channel catfish to withstand hydropeaking flow conditions, at least to an extent. Similarly, the ecological responses to hydropeaking flows may manifest as responses other than growth including changes to timing of life‐stage transitions (Bond et al ., ), movement (Puffer et al ., ) and distribution (Hamel et al ., ) that warrant further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The Lower Platte River (LPR), defined as the lower 160 rkm of the Platte River (Fig. ), is undammed with limited channelisation or bank armouring (Hamel et al ., ). Nevertheless, within the LPR, daily hydropeaking does occur as a result of the Loup River power canal system that diverts water from the Loup River and returns daily oscillations in flow to the LPR not commensurate with historical flow patterns (Hamel et al ., ; Spurgeon, Pegg & Hamel, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…), is undammed with limited channelisation or bank armouring (Hamel et al ., ). Nevertheless, within the LPR, daily hydropeaking does occur as a result of the Loup River power canal system that diverts water from the Loup River and returns daily oscillations in flow to the LPR not commensurate with historical flow patterns (Hamel et al ., ; Spurgeon, Pegg & Hamel, ). Base flows are largely maintained through flow contributions from two large tributaries including the Loup River (combined with Loup power canal flows) and Elkhorn River.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Juvenile growth of a macrohabitat generalist tied to hydrological character of large‐river system

Spurgeon

Pegg

2016

Freshwater Biology

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Summary Characteristics of river hydrology, including components of the natural flow regime, have been used to describe fish growth patterns. Contradictory growth responses among species, life‐stages within species and river systems suggest that eco‐hydrological relationships may not be scalable to all species and river systems; thus, increased knowledge regarding growth–flow relationships among a greater diversity of taxa and river systems may aid conservation and management of riverine fishes. We used channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus: Ictaluridae), and a set of candidate mixed‐effect linear models to assess juvenile fish growth in relation to components of the flow regime within the Lower Platte River (LPR), Nebraska, U.S.A. The LPR is subjected to extremes in river flow conditions from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and provides a model system with which to assess growth–flow relationships. Juvenile channel catfish growth was influenced by the duration, magnitude and timing of in‐channel flows. Specifically, sustained high‐flow periods during the spring increased growth; whereas, reduced growth occurred during prolonged periods of low‐flow conditions within the LPR. Differences in juvenile channel catfish growth with respect to changing flow conditions may be due to changes in river productivity between low‐ and high‐flow conditions; thus, we discuss the applicability of alternative river production models with respect to juvenile fish growth in wide braided river systems such as the LPR. Reduced duration and changes to the timing of high‐flow periods may result in a myriad of deleterious effects including as our study shows, exacerbating slow growth of juvenile channel catfish and potentially other fishes with similar flow requirements. Conservation and management of large‐river species may benefit from water management policies that consider the complex and often contrasting growth responses of lotic fishes as well as the importance of using multiple aspects of the flow regime when assessing ecological responses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Juvenile growth of a macrohabitat generalist tied to hydrological character of large‐river system

Spurgeon

Pegg

2016

Freshwater Biology

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“…; Hamel et al. ), yet the lack of data encompassing both low‐ and high‐water periods for the same population makes it difficult to understand specifically how water‐level conditions can affect fish populations. Matthews and Marsh‐Matthews () reported much of what we know about the influences of low‐water periods on fish species through short‐term studies (≤1 year), but there is a lack of knowledge on fish populations over longer periods, particularly for long‐lived riverine species that may experience both climatic conditions (i.e., wet and dry years) throughout their life spans.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population Characteristics of Shovelnose Sturgeon During Low‐ and High‐Water Conditions in the Lower Platte River, Nebraska

Hammen

Hamel

Rugg

et al. 2018

N American J Fish Manag

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Cycles of low‐ and high‐water periods (i.e., years) in river systems are natural occurrences, but a clear understanding of how cyclical climatological patterns affect fishes, especially long‐lived species, is lacking. We compared Shovelnose Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus population dynamics between a low‐water period (2001–2004) and a high‐water period (2009–2012) in the lower Platte River, Nebraska. Low‐flow periods in the lower Platte River can cause disconnections between upstream and downstream reaches, resulting in isolated pools and elevated water temperatures that create stressful situations for aquatic life and potentially lead to mortality. Our data showed no measurable differences in key population indices between flow condition periods, which is consistent with current paradigms for long‐lived fish species. Shovelnose Sturgeon relative weights were generally greater than 80 during both low‐ and high‐water periods, and size structure did not differ between the two periods. Shovelnose Sturgeon abundances, however, were significantly greater during high‐water conditions compared to low‐water conditions. Shovelnose Sturgeon may have migrated to more suitable habitats during low‐water periods to seek refuge, later returning after conditions improved. Shovelnose Sturgeon and other riverine fishes have evolved in a variable environment and have been able to endure relatively minor anthropogenic changes within the lower Platte River. Rivers like the lower Platte River that have retained much of their original physical features and flow regimes are likely key components for the resistance and resilience of riverine species. However, as alterations to landscapes continue, and given the uncertainty surrounding future climate predictions, it is unknown how these riverine species will be able to adapt to future changes. Reducing anthropogenic changes that disrupt flow regimes and increasing connectivity among river systems could provide greater amounts of refuge for fish during stressful conditions, thus helping to protect these riverine species.

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“…Angler distribution and exploitation data are limited for much of the Platte River system, but fishing effort is thought to be concentrated near these two urban areas that provide two of only three public access locations to the lower Platte River. The Fremont location is subject to lower water quantity and extreme diel fluctuations in the hydrograph as a result of hydropeaking from a hydroelectric dam on the Loup River power canal that diverts water from the Loup River prior to flowing into the Platte River (Hamel et al., ; Spurgeon et al., ). The Louisville site has a more stable hydrograph and greater discharge due to flow from the Elkhorn River.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of a channel catfish population in a large open river system

Blank

Hamel

Spurgeon

et al. 2017

Fisheries Management Eco

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Estimates of dynamic rate functions for riverine channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), populations are limited. The open nature and inherent difficulty in sampling riverine environments and the propensity for dispersal of channel catfish impede estimation of population variables. However, contemporary population models (i.e. robust design models) can incorporate the open nature of these systems. The purpose of this study was to determine channel catfish population abundance, survival and size structure and to characterize growth in the lower Platte River, Nebraska, USA. Annual survival estimates of adult channel catfish were 13%-49%, and channel catfish abundance estimates ranged from 8,281 to 24,261 fish within a 10-km sampling reach. Channel catfish were predominantly (90%)

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Hydrologic Variability Influences Local Probability of Pallid Sturgeon Occurrence in a Missouri River Tributary

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Juvenile growth of a macrohabitat generalist tied to hydrological character of large‐river system

Juvenile growth of a macrohabitat generalist tied to hydrological character of large‐river system

Population Characteristics of Shovelnose Sturgeon During Low‐ and High‐Water Conditions in the Lower Platte River, Nebraska

Assessment of a channel catfish population in a large open river system

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