Fish use of artificial dike structures in a navigable river

Abstract

Artificial structures have been used to potentially increase fish production by providing cover, feeding and spawning areas. In some rivers, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has constructed dikes to provide additional habitat for river fishes and to mitigate for navigation impacts to young fishes. This study was designed to test whether such structures function as viable habitats as evidenced by increased abundances relative to reference areas lacking artificial dike structures. Dikes and reference sites in the Kanawha River, West Virginia were sampled 21 times between July 2002 and October 2003. We found a difference in taxonomic composition among fish using dikes relative to reference areas. Artificial dike structure use was most important among Centrarchidae species, especially juveniles, including black bass and several species of Lepomis. Further, distribution of fish between areas with and without dikes appears most affected by water temperature in 2002 and by short-term river flow in 2003. These patterns suggest these artificial structures are viable mitigation measures that target and benefit fish of economic interest.

Fish Assemblages at Engineered and Natural Channel Structures in the Lower Missouri River: Implications for Modified Dike Structures

“…Species richness was consistently greater in wing dike habitat for adult and age‐0 fishes in the upper Mississippi River when compared with the higher velocity waters at main channel border habitats (Barko et al , ). Generalist species, such as Centrarchids, may use dikes because they simulate more lentic conditions (Barko et al , ; Hartman and Titus, ) , whereas areas of swift current, such as near wing dike tips, may be important for adult fluvial species such as blue sucker, flathead catfish ( Pylodictus olivaris ), and sauger ( Sander canadense ) (Sandheinrich and Atchison, ; Madejczyk et al , ; Barko et al , ). Therefore, dike structures may provide suitable habitats for both lentic and lotic fishes.…”

Attraction to and Avoidance of instream Hydrokinetic Turbines by Freshwater Aquatic Organisms

“…For example, Proboszcz and Guy (2006) found that constructed wooden half-logs were selected habitat by spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus). Hartman and Titus (2009) reported that artificial dikes were beneficial to centrarchids (black bass and sunfish), cyprinids, and catostomids by providing velocity shelters and cover; these fish were more abundant near the dikes than at reference areas. Abundance and species richness of juvenile fishes were high near pile fields in the lower Hudson River estuary, but low under large piers (Able et al 1998).…”

Shoreline hardening affects species composition and condition of larval fishes in the Yangtze River: Implications for conservation and inshore habitat restoration

“…In consequence, the biodiversity of the characteristic riverine fish species greatly declines (Ramler & Keckeis, 2019;Stoffers et al, 2022;Wolter, 2001). Inshore habitat restorations have been carried out in some river systems with the aim to balance the conservation of fish biodiversity and the shoreline stabilization for flood control and navigation security (Hartman & Titus, 2010;Pander & Geist, 2018;Ramler & Keckeis, 2019;Sheehan & Rasmussen, 1999). Detailed knowledge of the responses of fish to altered inshore habitats and of their habitat requirements is an important basis and prerequisite for designing effective and sustainable restoration measures (Lake et al, 2007;Stoffers et al, 2022).…”