Monitoring the Fish Community on an Engineered Backwater of the Missouri River.

摘要

The fish community of the newly created Gunderson Backwater habitat was monitored by a South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks crew of biologists during the open-water period of 2008. In the winter of 2007/2008, a backwater was excavated by hydraulic dredges on land (adjacent to the Missouri River) owned by the State of South Dakota near Vermillion, SD. The dredge spoil was used to enhance nearby sandbars (avian habitat) and the backwater may provide habitat for fish, birds, amphibians, and more. Monthly fish community sampling was conducted April – November 2008. Bag seines, modified fyke nets, mini modified fyke nets, gill nets, and electrofishing were utilized. A total of 191 gear deployments were completed in the 2008 season, producing a total catch 38 species of fish and 3 species of turtles. Sampling data from the 2008 season will be used as baseline data to note changes in the fish community associated with habitat succession.