Hydrological variation along the Missouri River and its effect on the fish community

149 Pages·2016·2.75 MB·English

Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
Dissertations
2000
Hydrological variation along the Missouri River
and its effect on the fish community
Mark Alan Pegg
Iowa State University
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Pegg, Mark Alan, "Hydrological variation along the Missouri River and its effect on the fish community " (2000).Retrospective Theses
and Dissertations. 12712.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/12712
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Hydrological variation along the Missouri River
and its effect on the fish community
by
Mark Alan Pegg
A dissertation submitted to the graduate &culty
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Major: Fisheries Biology
Major Professor: Clay L. Pierce
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
2000
UMI Number 9977351
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Graduate College
Iowa State University
This is to certify the Doctoral dissertation of
Mark A. Pegg
has met the dissertation requirements of Iowa State University
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F6r the Graduate College
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1
Introduction 1
Dissertation Organization 4
Literature Cited 5
CHAPTER 2. EFFECTS OF CHANNELIZATION AND IMPOUNDMENT ON
FLOW IN THE MISSOURI RIVER: A TIME SERIES ANALYSIS OF
DAILY MEAN FLOW 8
Abstract g
Introduction 9
Methods 13
Results 14
Discussion 16
Appendix 1. Time Series Methods 23
Literature Cited 26
CHAPTER 3. CLASSinCATION OF REACHES IN THE MISSOURI AND
LOWER YELLOWSTONE RIVERS BASED ON FLOW CHARACTERISTICS 39
Abstract 39
Introduction 40
Methods 43
Results 46
Discussion 49
Literature Cited 55
CHAPTER 4. nSH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN THE MISSOURI AND
LOWER YELLOWSTONE RIVERS IN RELATION TO FLOW
CHARACTERISTICS 65
Abstract 65
Introduction 66
Methods 68
Results 71
Discussion 77
Appendix 1. Morf^logical, Functional, and Life-History Characteristics
for Fish Species Caught Along the Missouri and Lower YeUowstone Rivers 85
Literature Cited 90
iv
CHAPTER 5. GROWTH RATE RESPONSES OF MISSOURI AND LOWER
YELLOWSTONE RIVER nSHES TO A LATITUDINAL GRADIENT 106
Abstract 106
Introduction 107
Methods 109
Results 112
Discussion 115
Literature Cited 121
CHAPTER 6. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 136
General Discussion 136
Literature Cited 139
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 141
1
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
IntroductioD
The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States stretching nearly 4,400 km
from western Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi river in Missouri The Missouri
River system is also one of the largest drainages in North America as it drains nearly one-
sixth of the total area of the United States (Bemer 1951). The Missouri River was
characterized as a meandering, turbid river laden with islands prior to aheration in the mid-
1900s (Funk and Robinson 1974). Fk>w management, however, has changed much of the
lower two-thirds of the river. Reservoirs buih in the mkldle portion of the Missouri River
have created a more lacustrine habitat; whereas, in the tower reaches, channelization efforts
have made the river a relatively narrow, swift channel
Human use of the Missouri River has a k>ng history that can be traced to well beyond
that of the Lewis and Claric expeditwn in the early 1800s. However, the more modem
methods used to control the river in the early to mkl-1900s has had the largest affect.
Channelizatwn of the river from the confluence with the Mississippi River to Sk>ux City, LA,
was authorized to allow passage of deep-barge traffic asa n ahemative to railroads
(Schnekkrs 19%). The actual channelization project lasted over 40 years (1927 -1969) and
has changed a river that was once diverse in habitat, meandering, andw ell connected with its
floodplain to one that is relatively uniform. The channelized portion of the river was actually
shortened by 125 km and bst near^ 64% of the wetted area( Whitley and Campbell 1974).
2
Additional concern also arose about controlling spring floods and storing water
within the basin for times of need so six mainstem impoundments were constructed between
1937 and 1963 (USACOE 1994). Over one-half of the upper 2,500 km of the Missouri
River was impounded upon completion of the final dam (Morris et al. 1968). The river was
then effectively divided into three hydrological zones. The upstream most zone, being least
altered, has historically had the least amount of human influence. The middle, inter-reservoir
zones and the lower channelized zone however, have been heavily impacted human needs.
Flow modifications are commonplace human disruptions to river and stream
environments (Bain et aL 1988). These disruptions can have seriouse ffects on the fish and
wildlife species who are dependent upon unaltered conditions to survive. The Missouri River
is no exception in this regard as many native fish populations are thought to be in general
decline throughout the river (Hesse 1996). One native Missouri River fish species, pallid
sturgeon Scanhiriivnchus albus. is already federally endangered and there could be as many as
20 others along the river that may be threatened (Whitmore and Keenlyne 1990). This
includes species such as paddlefish Polvdon spatula, blue sucker Cvcleptus etongatus.
sturgeon chub Macrfavfaopsis gelida. sicklefin chub meekL fiathead chub Platvaobio
gracilis, and two snecies of the oentis Hyhngij^thus. Many of these at risk q)ecies are
strongly associated with the benthic habitat throughout the system thus indicating more
informatun on this subset of native qwcies was warranted. With the exceptnn of a few
sport and commercial fish species, the benthic fish community atong the Missouri River has
rare^ been studied (Russell 1965; Kallemeyn and Novoti^ 1977;L atka et aL 1995). This