As part of the Episodic Response Project (ERP), we studied the effects of episodic acidification on fish in 13 small streams in the northeastern United States: four streams in the Adirondack region of New York, four streams in the Catskills, New York, and five streams in the northern Appalachian Plateau, Pennsylvania. In situ bioassays with brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and a forage fish species (blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), or slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), depending on the region) measured direct toxicity. Movements of individual brook trout, in relation to stream chemistry, were monitored using radiotelemetry. Electrofishing surveys assessed fish community status and the density and biomass of brook trout in each stream. During low flow, all streams except one had chemical conditions considered suitable for the survival and reproduction of most fish species (median pH 6.0‐7.2 during low flow; inorganic Al < 60 μg/L). ERP streams with suitable conditions during low flow, but moderate‐to‐severe episodic acidification during high flow, had higher fish mortality in bioassays, net down‐stream movement of brook trout during events, and lower brook trout density and biomass compared to nonacidic streams, and lacked acid‐sensitive fish species (blacknose dace and sculpin). Movement of trout into refugia (areas with higher pH and lower Al) during episodes partially mitigated the adverse effects of episodes. Recolonization from alkaline tributaries or microhabitats can maintain low densities of fish in streams that experience severe acidic episodes, but it is not sufficient to sustain fish densities and community composition at levels expected in the absence of these episodes. Fish responses to acid‐base chemistry were fairly consistent across regions. In general, trout abundance was reduced and acid‐sensitive fish species were absent from ERP streams with median pH < 5.0‐5.2 during high flow and inorganic Al > 100‐200 μg/L. We conclude that episodic acidification can have long‐term effects on fish communities in small streams.

Brook trout Salvelinusfontinalis. mottled sculpins Cottus bairdi. and slimy sculpins Cottus cognatus occur in many Pennsylvania streams that have depressed pH and elevated aluminum concentrations during episodes of high stream discharge (acidic episodes). We performed 20-d in situ cage exposures with these species to determine their relative sensitivities to field conditions. We also exposed fish in the laboratory to synthetic soft water, without added Al, to elevate possible effects of Al on sodium flux rates and pH toxicity. Exposures were in five streams: two with high pH (>5.60) and low Al concentrations (<80 Mg/U and three with low pH (usually between 5.0 and 5.5) and high Al levels (124-294 Mg/L). Exposures were during two low-discharge fall periods, when pH tends to be seasonally higher and Al concentrations lower, and two relatively high-discharge spring seasons, when lower pH and higher Al concentrations are typical. Few fish died (generally < 10%) in the two streams that had higher pH and lower Al concentrations, whereas mortalities typically exceeded 20% and were as high as 100% during spring exposures in the streams with lower pH and elevated Al concentrations. All three species had higher mortality rates in spring, 20-100%, than in fall, 0-29%. Mottled sculpins and slimy sculpins had similar mortality rates and both had lower mortality rates than brook trout when exposed to similar conditions. We compared Na flux rates of mottled sculpins to those of brook trout in laboratory exposures at pH 4.0,5.0, and 6.0 to determine if low pH alone could account for mortality rates in the field. Because Na flux rates at pH 5.0, without added Al, were similar to flux rates of the controls for both species, high Al levels were believed to have contributed to the increased mortality observed in streams.

The southwestern edge of the natural range of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu contains streams that become disconnected pools during summer primarily owing to hydrogeologic conditions, including high evapotranspiration rates. These conditions may complicate fisheries management by affecting fish behavior or mortality rates. The objectives of this study were to characterize summer habitat use by smallmouth bass, estimate the changes in the extent of available habitat, describe summer movement patterns, and estimate summer survival rates. Radio transmitters were implanted into 60 smallmouth bass during May 2006, and the fish were tracked until October in the forks of the Illinois Bayou, which drains a portion of the Ozark National Forest. Habitat characteristics were measured as the summer progressed, and during this time most riffle–run habitat dried completely, resulting in a series of disconnected pools. The decreases in wetted area exceeded 55% in certain 2‐km study reaches; however, smallmouth bass were consistently found at a median depth of 0.80 m. Boulder habitat was preferred when it was available; however, cobble, gravel, and bedrock substrates were also used. By July, velocity was below detection levels and water temperature occasionally exceeded 30°C. The average distance moved by smallmouth bass was 270 m in May, decreasing to 54 m by July. The distances moved were greater on average but more variable in streams with larger losses of wetted area, as fish moved away from drying areas. The survival rate was lowest in the stream most accessible to anglers. Dryness appeared to increase mortality, as survival estimates were lower than expected from published studies of streams with continuous summer flow. The effective management of fisheries under such hydrologic conditions may require preserving continuous surface flow and the quality of remnant pools as well as implementing more restrictive harvest regulations in summer.

A tmospheric deposition has been linked to short-term et al. 1990). Assessing effects of acidic deposition on fish decreases in pH and increases in A1 concentration requires howledge of how fish respond to the rapid temporal during high stream discharge (Sharpe et al. 1984). variation in water chemistry. Furthermore, within an acidic These acidic episodes have been widely documented in poorly stream network, spring seeps and tributaries can potenbuffered streams (Reader and Dempsey 1989; Wigingtsn tially act as more alkaline microhabitats s f higher pH and lower Al concentration (ere.. Briscoll et a%. 198%: Shame . -.

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