Fish Surveys & Fish IBI Determinations - Dam Removal Project
Electro-Fishing Surveys were provided for a Dam Removal and Stream Corridor Restoration Project. Surveys were conducted both before and after project construction. Surveys were performed by Living Waters Consultants with Illinois DNR. Over 31 hornyhead chub in all life stages were captured after dam removal compared with 0 before dam removal. This species inhabits relatively moderate-gradient or steeper streams which have riffles and pools. One central stoneroller was captured after dam removal. This is an important finding since this species only inhabits moderate-gradient or steeper streams which have riffles and pools. The proportion of blackstripe topminnow, a species which inhabits quiet pools, wetlands and backwater areas increased 233%. Central Mudminnow also was found after dam removal. This species, like the topminnow, inhabits quiet pools and wetland areas. The proportion of largemouth bass increased 592%. The proportion of bluegills dropped 91%, indicative of a conversion from pool habitat before dam removal into free-flowing stream habitat after dam removal. Another new, desirable species at the site was Johnny darter which were not found before dam removal. In all, 8 new fish species were found using the restored site upstream of the dam after dam removal. Seven (7) of these fish species were not found at any locations (upstream or downstream of the dam) prior to dam removal. The total number of fish species increased 55% to 17.
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