Low-Head Dam Removal Positive Affects on Macroinvertebrate Community Structure

Presentation Type

Poster/Portfolio

Presenter Major(s)

Biology

Mentor Information

Eric Snyder, snydeeri@gvsu.edu

Department

Biology

Location

Henry Hall Atrium 5

Start Date

13-4-2011 11:00 AM

End Date

13-4-2011 12:00 PM

Keywords

Environment

Abstract

Dams are added to rivers for many reasons, including flood prevention and reservoir creation. Many of these dams are reaching the end of their life span, and must be either repaired or removed. We studied the removal of the Nashville Dam on the Thornapple River in Barry County, MI, by comparing three up- and three down-stream reaches. One year post-removal, we found that the percent EPT on artificial substrate increased from an average of 27.07 to an average of 63.77 at all sites below the former reservoir. Further, in 2009 Isopods dominated the site directly below the dam, exceeding 2,000 individuals per artificial sampler, while an average of 222 Isopods were found at all downstream sites. In contrast, in 2010 we found an average of 4 isopods per artificial sampler at all of the downstream sites combined. Our results demonstrate that the removal of a low-head dam improved the macroinvertebrate community immediately below the dam. This was in contrast to a decline in habitat quality.

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Apr 13th, 11:00 AM Apr 13th, 12:00 PM

Low-Head Dam Removal Positive Affects on Macroinvertebrate Community Structure

Henry Hall Atrium 5

Dams are added to rivers for many reasons, including flood prevention and reservoir creation. Many of these dams are reaching the end of their life span, and must be either repaired or removed. We studied the removal of the Nashville Dam on the Thornapple River in Barry County, MI, by comparing three up- and three down-stream reaches. One year post-removal, we found that the percent EPT on artificial substrate increased from an average of 27.07 to an average of 63.77 at all sites below the former reservoir. Further, in 2009 Isopods dominated the site directly below the dam, exceeding 2,000 individuals per artificial sampler, while an average of 222 Isopods were found at all downstream sites. In contrast, in 2010 we found an average of 4 isopods per artificial sampler at all of the downstream sites combined. Our results demonstrate that the removal of a low-head dam improved the macroinvertebrate community immediately below the dam. This was in contrast to a decline in habitat quality.