In November 1999, an artificial reef composed of granite rubble was built in southwestern Lake Michigan to attract smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu. Adult fish communities were sampled at the artificial reef site and a nearby reference site before (1999) and after reef construction (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003) to determine whether the artificial reef attracted sport fishes. The total number of fish observed along scuba transects was higher at the artificial reef than at the reference site during 2000-2003. Smallmouth bass, rock bass Ambloplites rupestris, round goby Neogobius melanostomus, and yellow perch Perca flavescens were most commonly observed by divers at the artificial reef site, whereas the round goby was the most prevalent species observed at the reference site. Mean annual total gill-net catch per unit effort (CPUE) did not differ at the two sites after reef construction. Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, yellow perch, and salmonines were commonly caught at both locations. The presence of several of these taxa was related to water temperature but not location. Smallmouth bass presence was related to location; CPUE was greater at the artificial reef than at the reference site during 2000-2002. Rock bass CPUE also was greater at the artificial reef than at the reference site during 2002. Smallmouth bass association with the reef was seasonal and correlated with temperature. Although anglers were aware of the artificial reef, fishing effort and success were low, in part because few anglers targeted black bass Micropterus spp. Because water temperature strongly influences the use of structure by centrarchids in deep, cold lakes like Lake Michigan, care must be taken to site artificial reefs in zones of the most suitable water temperature for these species.
Competitive interactions among stream salmonids in resource-limited environments have been linked to reduced success for many species. Few studies have focused on interactions at scales larger than individual fish or stream reach. We chose to focus our study on these larger scales to provide information for managing species that have complex life histories transcending multiple scales. Our objective was to explore age-0 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) growth and survival in relation to trout abundance (introduced rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and native brook (Salvelinus fontinalis) trout) and prey resources at 24 stream reaches across two Vermont watersheds that flow into the Connecticut River. Simple linear and multilinear regressions were conducted on response and predictor variables related to fish and invertebrate prey. Age-0 Atlantic salmon survival was greatest at the site with highest trout abundance; however, no linear relationships to trout abundance were detected possibly because Atlantic salmon growth and survival were highly variable across sites. In contrast, a positive significant multivariate relationship was identified among age-0 Atlantic salmon survival, the abundance of age-1+ brook trout (i.e., 100130 mm), and benthic prey abundance. These results suggest that stocking streams based on trout abundance may not increase Atlantic salmon growth and survival during the first summer of life.
Steam powered electrical generation, and nuclear generation in particular, requires significant water resources. Water resources throughout the world, and in many geographic areas in the United States, are challenged to meet environmental needs and the requirements of a steadily growing population including uses for the production of essential societal needs (food, hygiene, electricity). In Florida, ecosystem restoration is also recognized as a priority and places additional claims on a limited resource. Siting of a new nuclear generation facility in South Florida poses a considerable challenge, but also offers a unique opportunity. Florida Power & Light Company is proposing a new two unit AP-1000 project in southern Miami-Dade County that has included regional water issues in the conceptual design process. The project has selected reclaimed wastewater as its primary cooling water supply and, through specifically engineered mitigation projects, seeks to support regional ecosystem restoration projects. Disposition of power plant waste streams will be conducted by deep well injection, the first application of this established method for an operating nuclear facility. This paper identifies the design challenges presented by these regional issues and how they have been addressed by the engineering team.
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