Seasonal use of two unregulated Lake Superior tributaries by lake sturgeon

Ecclestone, Andrew; Haxton, Tim; Pratt, Thomas C.; Wilson, Chris; Whillans, Tom

doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2020.06.008

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The temporal mismatch of optimal migration temperatures may be a factor allowing some individuals to migrate in both rivers during a single spring. Previous studies have documented multiple spawning runs within a single tributary (Bruch et al, 2016), residency in two unregulated tributaries in the same year (Ecclestone et al, 2020) or reproduction in multiple tributaries over unknown timescales (Homola et al, 2012). However, we know of no other published study documenting potential Lake Sturgeon reproductive migrations in multiple tributaries in the same spring season.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lake sturgeon seasonal movements in regulated and unregulated Missouri River tributaries

et al. 2021

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Spatio‐temporal movement patterns of aquatic organisms drive many ecological processes. However, dams block migrations and alter the hydrologic and thermal regimes influencing movement behaviour of freshwater fishes. In North America, many recovering southern Lake Sturgeon populations occur in rivers with hydroelectric dams, but few studies have examined the impact of hydrologic alteration on their seasonal movements. We conducted a 3‐year telemetry study of 96 adult and subadult Lake Sturgeon to compare their migratory responses to temperature and hydrology in adjacent regulated and unregulated tributaries of the Missouri River. Many other populations of Lake Sturgeon use tributaries primarily for spring spawning; however, in our study, Lake Sturgeon used Missouri River tributaries during 78% of the year. Differences in river size, hydrologic and thermal regimes in the regulated Osage River may have contributed to the greater year‐round residency, later initiation, more frequent directional changes and longer duration of spring migrations compared to the unregulated Gasconade River. Lake Sturgeon made spring upstream migrations at temperatures of 13–19°C and elevated discharges in both rivers. However, Osage River migrants responded less to changes in discharge or temperature during spring migrations, especially those that overwintered at upstream locations. Fall tributary migrations occurred in the Osage River at rising or high discharges but were uncommon in the Gasconade River. Our identification of the influences of abiotic variables on the timing, duration and extent of Lake Sturgeon seasonal migrations can help guide management of habitat and hydrology in regulated rivers to recover migratory fishes globally.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lake sturgeon seasonal movements in regulated and unregulated Missouri River tributaries

et al. 2021

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“…The temporal mismatch of optimal migration temperatures may be a factor allowing some individuals to migrate in both rivers during a single spring. Previous studies have documented multiple spawning runs within a single tributary , residency in multiple rivers in the same year (Ecclestone, Haxton, Pratt, Wilson, & Whillans, 2020), or reproduction in multiple tributaries over unknown time scales (Homola et al, 2012). However, we know of no other published study documenting potential spring reproductive migrations in multiple tributaries in the same spring season.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spatiotemporal variation in Lake Sturgeon movement and habitat selection in Missouri river tributaries : implications for the management and recovery of populations at range margins

Moore¹

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Lake Sturgeon were nearly extirpated from Missouri by the 1970s leading the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to list the species as endangered within the state. Recovery efforts commenced with the publication of the first edition of Missouri's Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan in 1984. Since, growing populations of mature individuals have been documented; however, information gaps regarding habitat selection and movement in the Missouri River Basin portion of its range hinder MDC's efforts to establish a self-sustaining population. In this project we focused on the following research objectives: (1) elucidate the factors that influence movement patterns of Missouri River Lake Sturgeon, (2) investigate survival and dispersal of stocked age-0 Lake Sturgeon from four stocking locations, (3) define seasonal habitat selection in multiple life stages of Lake Sturgeon and illustrate spatial availability of suitable habitats across the study area. I monitored movements 96 subadult and adult Lake Sturgeon over 3.5 years and 187 age-0 juvenile Lake Sturgeon during the fall/winter of two years. Missouri River tributaries were important habitats for adult and subadult Lake Sturgeon throughout the year. Lake Sturgeon use of the Osage River was greater in all months compared to the Gasconade River. Use of the Osage River was highest in the summer and lowest in the winter, and in the Gasconade River it was lowest in the summer and highest in the spring. In each month tributary occupancy was [greater than] 70 [percent]. Spring upstream migrations occurred in each tributary and were correlated with above average discharges and temperatures from 13 to 19 [degrees]C. Fall migrations only occurred in the Osage River but were also correlated with intermediate temperatures and above-average discharges. A few individuals were detected as far upstream as Bagnell Dam at river km (rkm) 129 in the Osage River or rkm 241 in the Gasconade River. In the summer and winter, tributary habitat use for [approximately] 95 [percent] of Lake Sturgeon was restricted to three reaches of deep pool habitat in the Osage and Gasconade rivers which may serve as thermal refugia. Spawning was not documented in either river, although some aggregations of Lake Sturgeon were observed around rocky shoals during the spring in the Osage River from rkm 50 to 80. Upstream migration distance was variable among individuals and years in the Gasconade River precluding the identification of potential spawning sites. Habitat selection was relatively similar in both tributaries and driven by selection for deep habitats [greater than] 7 m in all seasons. Suitability models suggest that preferred summer and winter deep water refugia may be limited to [less than] 5 [percent] of the mapped portions of each tributary but that preferred depth and coarse substrate for reproduction is relatively common at [greater than] 32 [percent] of tributaries. Dispersal directions and distance for age-0 Lake Sturgeon differed among the four stocking sites. Individuals stocked at upstream sites mainly dispersed downstream to overwinter in similar locations as individuals stocked at downstream sites from rkm 10 to 50. Overwinter survival rates were estimated from 40-55 [percent] and were not significantly different among stocking sites. Age-0 Lake Sturgeon selected shallower depths than adults or subadults in both rivers and slightly swifter current velocities in the Gasconade River. Habitat suitability models for the juveniles were able to predict age-0 habitat use and suggest that the greatest availability of nursery habitat occurs in the lower 11 km of the Osage River or in the reach from rkm 9 to 18 in the Gasconade River. These results can be used to inform management decisions designed to meet restoration objectives for Lake Sturgeon in Missouri and across its southern range margins such as: Managing hydrology of regulated rivers, protecting fish when they are vulnerable to harvest or injury in seasonal refugia, promoting resilience under shifting thermal and hydrologic regimes due to climate change, revealing sampling locations for population monitoring or spawning validation, allocating future stocking to suitable habitats, and directing habitat restoration and protection efforts.

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“…A. fulvescens migrated annually from the lower Kaministiquia River to Kakabeka Falls from late April to early July and spawned from mid‐May to late June. Overall, the timing of spawning migrations was consistent with other studies examining A. fulvescens spawning migration within the Great Lakes (Ecclestone et al ., 2020; Haxton, 2008; Thiem et al ., 2013; Thomas & Hass, 2002). The 800 m spillway, however, which is a migration corridor to the historical spawning site at the base of Kakabeka Falls, proved to be a barrier to migration when scenic flow was provided (2007) and when the initiation of spill (14 m 3 s −1 ) was delayed (2010 and 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The historical spawning site at the base of Kakabeka Falls is the only known natural A. fulvescens spawning site on the Kaministiquia River and, given their proclivity to this site, likely offers optimal spawning conditions for larval production (refuge for adults, depth, velocity and prime substrates), which is the foundation for successful recruitment, population growth and persistence. Spawning migrations that end at the first barrier (i.e., natural rapids or waterfalls) are typical spawning behaviour for this species (Ecclestone et al ., 2020; Scott & Crossman, 1973). In this study, the authors describe the complex and variable reproductive life history of A. fulvescens using water temperature data and define the spawning flows required, to reconnect this important riverine habitat feature to the “river” downstream of the generating station.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the effects of controlled flows on historical spawning site access, reproduction and recruitment of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens

Friday

Haxton

2021

Journal of Fish Biology

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Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens spawn at the base of Kakabeka Falls, a 39 m waterfall on the Kaministiquia River, a tributary to Lake Superior. Access to this historical spawning site can be restricted or delayed due to hydroelectric flow fluctuations that coincide with the A. fulvescens spawning season. The objectives of this study were to determine (a) the necessary flow conditions that facilitate spawning site access; (b) quantity and duration of flow required for successful spawning and dispersal of larvae; and (c) evaluate recruitment of juvenile A. fulvescens in relation to flow. A. fulvescens spawning migrations were tracked using a stationary telemetry receiver that logged the movements of 166 A. fulvescens fitted with radio‐transmitters. Unrestricted access to the spawning site was facilitated when spawning flow was controlled at 23 m3 s−1 in 2004 and 17 m3 s−1 in 2006. Fluctuating (0.5–8.5 m3 s−1) and delayed spawning flows resulted in restricted and delayed access to the spawning site. Flow duration for successful egg incubation, hatch and larval dispersal was determined by sampling larvae using drift nets and quantified using cumulative temperature units (CTU). Over 10 years, 10,083 larvae were captured between 31 May and 20 July with 97% of the drift occurring prior to 30 June. From the date of first spawning to the end of larval dispersal took an average of 38.6 days, and the mean CTU value was 398.6. In general, a minimum flow of approximately 14.5 m3 s−1 from the date of initial spawning to the accumulation of c. 400 CTU ensured successful hatch and larval dispersal. During the timeframe of this study, recruitment was variable. This study described the complex and variable reproductive life history of A. fulvescens and defined spawning flow requirements ecologically, which can be used to develop operational provisions at hydropower facilities to ensure successful reproduction.

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Seasonal use of two unregulated Lake Superior tributaries by lake sturgeon

Cited by 18 publications

References 44 publications

Lake sturgeon seasonal movements in regulated and unregulated Missouri River tributaries

Lake sturgeon seasonal movements in regulated and unregulated Missouri River tributaries

Spatiotemporal variation in Lake Sturgeon movement and habitat selection in Missouri river tributaries : implications for the management and recovery of populations at range margins

Evaluating the effects of controlled flows on historical spawning site access, reproduction and recruitment of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens

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