Suitability of the Maumee River for spawning of bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.)
Patrick M. KocovskyUSGS Great Lakes Science Center
Sandusky, OH
Duane ChapmanUSGS Columbia Environmental Research Center
Columbia, MO
Photo: Steve Morse, University of Missouri
Asian Carps in North America
• Imported in 1970s for aquaculture and sewage treatment
• Escapees in Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers by mid 1970s
• Reproducing populations throughout lower Mississippi drainage
http://nas2.er.usgs.gov/viewer/omap.aspx?SpeciesID=549
Asian Carps Invading the Great Lakes – CSSC
• eDNA beyond barrier – Jerde et al.
- One bighead carp captured in canal system above barrier
- One bighead carp captured just below barrier
http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/AsianCarp/BarriersFactSheet.pdf
Asian Carps Invading the Great Lakes – Eagle Marsh
- links Wabash and Maumee basins near Ft. Wayne, IN
- Barrier fence erected to block passage during floods
Asian Carps Invading the Great Lakes – Grand Lake St. Mary’s
To Wabash To Maumee
- Roush dam on Wabash prevents unassisted passage
-Spawning behavior observed near dam
Asian Carp Invading the Great Lakes
Lake Erie
NNNN
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Capture locations of bighead carp
Maumee River
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/collectioninfo.aspx?SpeciesID=551
Question: Do conditions favorable for spawning of Asian carp exist in Lake Erie and the Maumee River?
Methods
• Examined literature from native and introduced populations to determine spawning requirements:
1) Minimum accumulated heat - maturation – 2,685 ADD- onset of spawning – 655 ADD15, 919 ADD15
2) Flood event- typical cue for spawning
3) Sufficient drift distance- function of velocity and water temperature
Examination period: 1990-2009
Methods
Minimum accumulated heat:
Calculated total degree days (sum of mean daily temperatures) to determine when and if thermal requirements met from Leamington, ON municipal water intake (lake)
Flood events:
Examined USGS flow data (water.usgs.gov)- identified all flood events with minimum velocity 0.7 m/s- determined dates, event duration, peak velocity
Drift distance:
Calculated total length of passable river- Passable = dams have passage structure or head lower than flood stage- Predicted stream temperature from thermal model- Predicted velocity from discharge
From USGS Water Resources:
4-14-2011
Q =167 m3/s (provisional)
V ≈ 0.92 m/s
Stage ≈1.09 m
Descending limb
4-21-2011
Q = 954 m3/s (provisional)
V ≈ 1.7 m/s
Stage ≈ 2.7 m
Ascending limb
Grand Rapids DamGrand Rapids DamGrand Rapids DamGrand Rapids Dam
RKM 54RKM 54RKM 54RKM 54
Median daily Q=360 m3/s
Photo: Patrick M. Kocovsky, USGS
Photo: Patrick M. Kocovsky, USGS
Methods
Drift distance:
Calculated required length of stream (D, km) given incubation time and velocity:
D = 3600VI/1000 = 3.6VI
where: V=velocity m/sI=incubation time, h3600=s/hr1000=m/km
If D < maximum length of passable river, event suitable for spawning
Thermal requirements
• Minimum for time series 3,974 - 48% higher than minimumWestern Lake Erie is thermally suitable for maturation
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Thermal requirements
• Thresholds for spawning:
onset of spawning 655 DD>15 degreesreached on average 23 June ± 7 d
mass spawning 919 DD>15 degreesreached on average 5 July ± 7 d
Thresholds reached in early summer, similar to timing in native and invaded habitats
Temperature model
Mean temperature: 23.4Time to hatch: 31 h
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- 44 flood events after
threshold for onset of
spawning (655 DD)
2.2/yr
- 27 flood events after
threshold for onset of mass
spawning (919 DD)
>1/yr
Flood events
85% of years had at least one
flood event after thermal
threshold for spawning
achieved
65% had multiple events
80% had at least one flood
event after thermal threshold
for mass spawning achieved
45% had multiple events
Most years had at
least one flood event suitable
for spawning
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Drift distance
y = 0.1513x0.353
R² = 0.9799
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locity
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/s)
Discharge (m3/s)
Passable distance: 209 kmHighest V on 23 August 2007: 2.1 m/s
D = 3.6VI = 3.6*2.1*31 = 234.4 > 209 = V too fast
2nd highest V on 10 July 2003: 1.85 m/sD = 3.6VI = 3.6*1.85*31 = 206.5 < 209 = V sufficient
Length of open river suffices for nearly all floods
Conclusions
• Maumee River is thermally and hydrographically suitable for spawning of bigheaded carp
- no major impediments and suitable drift conditions- Maumee Bay excellent rearing environment
• NOT known: - locations and suitability of spawning microhabitats
e.g., nature of flow (turbulent, laminar)
• Additional research needed to identify potential spawning locations or to determine entire length is suitable for development of mitigation options
• Method is being applied to six other major tributaries: Sandusky, Portage, Huron, Vermilion, Black, Grand (OH)
Acknowledgements
• Gary Dunmore, Ontario Clean Water Agency
• Keith Banachowski and Rodney Tornes, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Andrea Stoneman, Delaware State University
• Jim McKenna, USGS
• USGS Great Lakes Science Center and Columbia Environmental Research Center