How do fish deal with the high water? There are many species of fish in the Green River. They have the ability to move locations as water temperatures rise or fall, river levels rise or fall, ice conditions change in the winter, food resources become more or less available, etc. All are looking for places where the water temperature is acceptable/ideal, food is available/abundant, relief from the current can be found, and most importantly if you are a small fish, where you are less likely to be eaten by a large fish or other predator. Small fish tend to turn in to larger fish if they live longer. Side channels, or channels off of the main channel, can provide much of this for juvenile fish during high water events and also during the winter months. Existing side channels with active flows are limited through the Refuge, however historic side channels exist where the flows can be restored. Several of these have been reflooded through constructed rock sills across the main channel of the river. This technique is relatively expensive and there are a very limited number of locations to use this technique. A number of additional side channels have a small plug at their head created by ice jams and other river sedimentation events. These plugs can be removed with a relatively low cost and the flows functionally restored, providing additional juvenile fish habitat. Refuge staff, in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Dept and Trout Unlimited, are exploring opportunities for restoration of additional sidechannel habitat on Seedskadee NWR. In addition, this restoration technique improves conditions for cottonwoods, willows, and other riparian vegetation to become established or maintained, providing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Photo 1 - Aquatic Habitat Biologist surveying sidechannel for potential restoration Photo 2 - Restored sidechannel providing winter fisheries habitat Photo 3 - Juvenille kokanee salmon using slower water Photo 4 - Little fish tend to make bigger fish All Photos Tom Koerner/USFWS
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 00:00:24 +0000
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