Responses in Fish Community Structure to Restoration of Two Indiana Streams

• DOI: 10.1577/m02-012
• Publication Date: 2004-06-09T17:54:02Z
• Authors: Ashley H. Moerke; Gary A. Lamberti
• Keywords: Stream Restoration; Channelized; Restoration Ecology; Electrofishing; Biota; Fish habitat

Stream restoration has accelerated in the Midwestern United States during past decade, but effects of on stream biota are rarely evaluated. From 1997 to 2000, we studied responses fish communities attempted two channelized streams (Juday Creek and Potato Creek) northwestern Indiana, each which received new meanders a 1-km reach length. The restored Juday also major improvement instream habitat, bank stabilization, silt control. In contrast, only reconnection historical meanders. Fish were monitored for 3 years after reconstruction by use electroshocking salmonid redd surveys. Creek, trout size-class distribution broadened construction increased reaches. However, most metrics reconstructed reaches did not surpass levels years. Continued sedimentation from upstream sources, reduced habitat quality, likely counteracted positive restoration. unanticipated geomorphic changes led decreased current velocity highly altered community structure. American brook lamprey Lampetra appendix, sensitive species, was collected restoration, changed rheophilic species tolerant, slow-water species. Overall, structure revealed strengths weaknesses contemporary approaches, findings that will aid future efforts.