Great Lakes Tributaries Research Articles

Abundance and movement patterns of age-0 juvenile lake sturgeon in the Peshtigo River, Wisconsin

In Great Lakes tributaries, age-0 juvenile lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens use riverine nursery habitats during their first summer of life and migrate to adjacent lakes after a seasonal decline in water temperature. We used mark-recapture data collected during this river-residency phase to monitor patterns in juvenile abundance and movement in the Peshtigo River, Wisconsin, during 2006 and 2007. Jolly-Seber and multistate models were used to estimate abundance and describe the probability of movement between river sections. Juvenile abundance was higher in 2007 than in 2006; however, in both years, abundance at the end of the sampling season was lower than at the beginning. Downstream movements were observed more frequently than upstream movements, and the probability of a downstream movement was higher than the probability of an upstream movement. The lower abundance later in the sampling season and propensity for downstream movements suggests that some age-0 juvenile lake sturgeon may leave the natal river before a seasonal decline in water temperature.

Variation in larval sea lamprey demographics among Great Lakes tributaries: A mixed-effects model analysis of historical survey data

Understanding variation in fish populations is valuable from both a management and an ecological perspective. Great Lakes sea lampreys are controlled primarily by treating tributaries with lampricides that target the larval stage. Great Lakes streams were divided into four categories based on their regularity of parasitic lamprey production inferred from the historic regularity of chemical treatments. This categorization was intended to direct future assessment efforts, but may also reflect differences in early demographics. We analyzed assessment data collected from 1959 to 2005 using mixed-effects models and variance components analyses to test for differences in recruitment and growth to age 1 among stream categories. Recruitment was twice as large in regularly treated streams as in irregularly treated streams, indicating that age-1 year-class strength is correlated with consistent chemical treatments. We found no differences in length at age 1 among stream categories; however, Lake Superior streams with irregular treatment histories exhibit more variation in length at age 1 than streams that are treated regularly. The majority of variation in length at age 1 was due to within-year variation, which was fairly consistent across stream types within each lake. Our results indicate that early life history differs among subsets of the Great Lakes sea lamprey population, and management practices should be modified to account for these differences. Mixed-effects models and variance components analyses are useful tools for analyzing large historical datasets for patterns of demographic variation within and among populations, whether the ultimate goal is pest control, harvesting, or conservation.

Secondary invasion of the round goby into high diversity Great Lakes tributaries and species at risk hotspots: potential new concerns for endangered freshwater species

The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) first invaded North America in 1990 when it was discovered in the St. Clair River. Despite more than 15 years of potential invasion, many Great Lakes’ lotic systems remained uninvaded. Recently, we captured the round goby from several Great Lakes tributaries known as species-at-risk hotspots. With a combination of field sampling of round gobies and literature review of the impact of round gobies on native taxa, we assess the potential impacts of the secondary invasion to native species using three mechanisms: competition; predation; and indirect impacts from the loss of obligate mussel hosts. We estimate that 89% (17/19) of benthic fishes and 17% (6/36) of mussels that occur in these systems are either known or suspected to be impacted by the secondary invasion of round goby. In particular, we note that the distribution of potential impacts of round goby invasion was largely associated with species with a conservation designation, including seven endangered species (1 fish, 6 mussels). As these recent captures of round goby represent novel occurrences in high diversity watersheds, understanding the potential impacts of secondary invasion to native biota is fundamental to prevent species declines and to allow early mitigation.

Development of the MESH modelling system for hydrological ensemble forecasting of the Laurentian Great Lakes at the regional scale

Abstract. Environment Canada has been developing a community environmental modelling system (Modélisation Environmentale Communautaire – MEC), which is designed to facilitate coupling between models focusing on different components of the earth system. The ultimate objective of MEC is to use the coupled models to produce operational forecasts. MESH (MEC – Surface and Hydrology), a configuration of MEC currently under development, is specialized for coupled land-surface and hydrological models. To determine the specific requirements for MESH, its different components were implemented on the Laurentian Great Lakes watershed, situated on the Canada-US border. This experiment showed that MESH can help us better understand the behaviour of different land-surface models, test different schemes for producing ensemble streamflow forecasts, and provide a means of sharing the data, the models and the results with collaborators and end-users. This modelling framework is at the heart of a testbed proposal for the Hydrologic Ensemble Prediction Experiment (HEPEX) which should allow us to make use of the North American Ensemble Forecasting System (NAEFS) to improve streamflow forecasts of the Great Lakes tributaries, and demonstrate how MESH can contribute to a Community Hydrologic Prediction System (CHPS).

Diet, Feeding Rate, Growth, Mortality, and Production of Juvenile Steelhead in a Lake Michigan Tributary

AbstractSteelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss support valuable sport fisheries in the Great Lakes but are largely sustained by stocking. In many Great Lakes tributaries, steelhead spawning and nursery habitats are limited by hydropower dams, and natural recruitment may be supplemented by habitats in adjacent coldwater creeks. In 1998–2001, we investigated the potential for natural production of steelhead in the Muskegon River, Michigan, a tributary to Lake Michigan, through analysis of parr diet categories, consumption, growth, survival, and production in the main‐stem Muskegon River and in Bigelow Creek. We used electrofishing surveys to estimate parr growth and survival from changes in fish weight and density over time. We estimated diet from gut content analysis and consumption from bioenergetics model analysis. Average fall density of parr in Bigelow Creek was 20‐fold higher than in the Muskegon River. Average summer daily mortality rate of parr in the Muskegon River was nearly threefold higher than in Bigelow Creek. Overwinter mortality rates of parr were low in both habitats. Few yearling and older parr were present in the Muskegon River relative to Bigelow Creek. Age‐0 parr primarily consumed benthic invertebrates. Macroinvertebrate prey densities were sufficient to support high parr growth rates in both rivers. Parr grew at similar rates but consumed 84% more per day in the Muskegon River, which had higher water temperatures than Bigelow Creek. Age‐0 production was fivefold higher in Bigelow Creek than in the Muskegon River. High mortalities of parr in the Muskegon River were correlated with summer water temperatures exceeding 21°C. Average summer temperatures in Bigelow Creek (17°C) were optimal for parr survival. Our results were consistent with data from other Great Lakes tributaries and suggest that small tributary creek habitats contribute disproportionately to steelhead recruitment from large impounded watersheds by providing optimal thermal refugia for parr during summer.

Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for the greenside darter,Etheostoma blennioides(Percidae)

AbstractThe greenside darter,Etheostoma blennioidesis a small benthic fish found in fast‐flowing streams in eastern North America. In Canada, this species is native to three, and introduced into one, Great Lakes tributaries in southwestern Ontario. It is currently listed as a species of Special Concern. To characterize population genetic structure and diversity in the Canadian populations of greenside darter, eight polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the species. The polymerase chain reaction primers were tested between 32 and 60 individuals from the Sydenham River and yielded a high number of alleles (four to 42 per locus), and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.14 to 0.82.

Comparison of Larval Sea Lamprey Life History Characteristics in a Lampricide‐Treated Tributary and Untreated Tributary System of Lake Champlain

AbstractControl of sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus in Lake Champlain and the Laurentian Great Lakes is dependent primarily on selective lampricides that reduce the density of sea lamprey larvae in tributary streams. After lampricide treatment, recolonized larval sea lampreys may experience enhanced growth from density‐dependent factors, which may lead to transformation at a larger size and younger age than would have occurred before treatment. In this study, the effects of lampricide treatments on larval sea lamprey life history characteristics were compared between Lewis Creek (Vermont), a treated stream, at 4–5 years posttreatment and the untreated Pike River–Morpion Stream system (Quebec, Canada). Sea lamprey habitat was measured in each stream at approximately 100 randomly selected transects, and larval density was determined using a backpack electrofishing unit during 1999 and 2000. Larval sea lamprey density was approximately threefold higher in Lewis Creek than in the Pike River and Morpion Stream in both years. Growth measured in length and weight indicated that neither treatment nor low density created conditions for faster growth. During 1999, transformers were, on average, shorter and younger in Lewis Creek (131 mm; 100% age 4) than in the Pike River–Morpion Stream (143 mm; 100% age 5). During 2000, the majority (75%) of transformers were age 5 in all streams. Weights of age‐4 transformers in Lewis Creek (1999 and 2000) and the Pike River (2000) were higher than those of age‐4 ammocoetes in those streams. Our results suggest that the first year‐class to become reestablished after lampricide application may transform at a younger age and smaller size than fish of the same age‐class in an untreated stream. Treatment intervals must adapt to changes in age at transformation to prevent transformers from leaving Lake Champlain and Great Lakes tributaries.

Natural and anthropogenic sources of nutrient and sediment to a Great Lakes tributary stream

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image sizeKey words: nutrient loadsediment loadphosphorusnitrogenTSSwatershedGreat Lakes

Simulating effects of hydro‐dam alteration on thermal regime and wild steelhead recruitment in a stable‐flow Lake Michigan tributary

AbstractHydroelectric dams may affect anadromous fish survival and recruitment by limiting access to upstream habitats and adversely affecting quality of downstream habitats. In the Manistee River, a tributary to Lake Michigan, two hydroelectric dams potentially limit recruitment of anadromous rainbow trout (steelhead) by increasing tailrace water temperatures to levels that significantly reduce survival of young‐of‐year (YOY) fish. The objectives of this study were to determine whether proposed restoration scenarios (dam removals or a bottom withdrawal retrofit) would alter the Manistee River thermal regime and, consequently, improve wild steelhead survival and recruitment. Physical process models were used to predict Manistee River thermal regimes following each dam alteration scenario. Empirical relationships were derived from historical field surveys to quantify the effect of temperature on YOY production and potential recruitment of Manistee River steelhead. Both dam alteration scenarios lowered summer temperatures and increased steelhead recruitment by between 59% and 129%, but total recruitments were still low compared to other Great Lakes tributaries. Considering only temperature effects, bottom withdrawal provides the greatest promise for increasing natural steelhead recruitment by decreasing the likelihood of year‐class failures in the warmest summers. Results of this study may allow managers to evaluate mitigation alternatives for Manistee River dams during future relicensing negotiations, and illustrate the utility of physical process temperature models in groundwater‐fed rivers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of Repeated TFM Applications on Riffle Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four Great Lakes Tributaries

As part of the sea lamprey control program in the Great Lakes, a suite of about 150 sea lamprey producing streams have been regularly treated with the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) every 3 to 5 years since 1958. State, provincial, and tribal agencies in the basin supported the use of TFM and urged that the risk to nontarget organisms be minimized. To determine the response of riffle macroinvertebrate communities to repeated TFM treatments over several years, paired samples were taken at control and treatment sites during 1986 to 1995 on four Great Lakes tributaries: the Bois Brule, West Branch Whitefish, Boardman, and Sturgeon (tributary to Cheboygan River system) rivers. Macroinvertebrates were collected in spring and fall by a standard traveling kick method. The communities were described with several metrics, and general linear models were used to test for different patterns of response in the paired control and treatment sites. Relative abundance of the class Oligochaeta, relative abundance of the genus Ephemerella, the Bray-Curtis similarity index (at the taxonomic level of order), EPT genus richness (the number of genera in the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera), and total genus richness all increased more at the treatment sites than at the control sites after TFM application. The greater increase in abundance, similarity, and richness at the treatment sites was an indication of recovery in the treatment sites, where a short-term response to TFM was followed by a several-year rebound. TFM treatments in this study during the 1980s and 1990s had no long-lasting effects on riffle macroinvertebrate communities.

Techniques and Methods for Estimating Abundance of Larval and Metamorphosed Sea Lampreys in Great Lakes Tributaries, 1995 to 2001

Before 1995, Great Lakes streams were selected for lampricide treatment based primarily on qualitative measures of the relative abundance of larval sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus. New integrated pest management approaches required standardized quantitative measures of sea lamprey. This paper evaluates historical larval assessment techniques and data and describes how new standardized methods for estimating abundance of larval and metamorphosed sea lampreys were developed and implemented. These new methods have been used to estimate larval and metamorphosed sea lamprey abundance in about 100 Great Lakes streams annually and to rank them for lampricide treatment since 1995. Implementation of these methods has provided a quantitative means of selecting streams for treatment based on treatment cost and estimated production of metamorphosed sea lampreys, provided managers with a tool to estimate potential recruitment of sea lampreys to the Great Lakes and the ability to measure the potential consequences of not treating streams, resulting in a more justifiable allocation of resources. The empirical data produced can also be used to simulate the impacts of various control scenarios.

Effectiveness of Using Backpack Electrofishing Gear for Collecting Sea Lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) Larvae in Great Lakes Tributaries

The effects of water depth, larval density, stream conductance, temperature, lamprey length, and larval escapement were examined to determine the efficiency of sampling sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) larvae using direct current (DC) backpack electrofishing gear. A higher proportion of larvae of all sizes were collected per unit sampling effort when sample sites were shallower, contained fewer larvae, or were in streams of lower specific conductance (P < 0.001). Temperature did not affect the efficiency of sampling lamprey larvae in this study. The investigation of the effect of larval escapement on observed catch was inconclusive. Similar length distributions were found between lamprey larvae collected using electrofishing gear and those collected using either a suction dredge or collected during a lampricide treatment. These results have implications for the development of a sampling protocol that uses a single-pass electrofishing technique to estimate the overall abundance of sea lamprey larvae in a stream. This estimate is critical to determining the number of larvae with the potential to metamorphose as parasitic lamprey the following year, and consequently, the prioritization of streams for lampricide treatment.

Agreement Among Observers Classifying Larval Sea Lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) Habitat

Estimates of larval sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) abundance are used to rank Great Lakes tributaries for lampricide treatment. Observers subjectively stratify habitat into three categories: type I = preferred, type II = acceptable, type III = unacceptable. Agreement was evaluated among eight observers classifying habitats in small discrete plots in two Lake Superior tributaries, the Rock and Chocolay rivers, and among four observers classifying and measuring the amount of each habitat type along random transects in the Rock River. Agreement among the eight observers classifying habitat plots was high (Chocolay, κ = 0.742 and Rock, κ = 0.785). The amounts of types I, II, and III habitat estimated were statistically different among observers. However, the amount of variability found in the classification and measurement of habitat by observers had little effect on the ranking of 51 streams considered for lampricide treatment.

The Sterile-Male-Release Technique in Great Lakes Sea Lamprey Management

The implementation of a sterile-male-release technique from 1991 through 1999 and evaluation of its effectiveness in the Great Lakes sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) management program is reviewed. Male sea lampreys were injected with the chemosterilant bisazir (P,P-bis(1-aziridinyl)-N-methylphosphinothioic amide) using a robotic device. Quality assurance testing indicated the device delivered a consistent and effective dose of bisazir. Viability of embryos in an untreated control group was 64% compared to 1% in a treatment group. A task force developed nine hypotheses to guide implementation and evaluation of the technique. An annual average of 26,000 male sea lampreys was harvested from as many as 17 Great Lakes tributaries for use in the technique. An annual average of 16,100 sterilized males was released into 33 tributaries of Lake Superior to achieve a theoretical 59% reduction in larval production during 1991 to 1996. The average number of sterile males released in the St. Marys River increased from 4,000 during 1991 to 1996 to 20,100 during 1997 to 1999. The theoretical reduc-stertion in reproduction when combined with trapping was 57% during 1991 to 1996 and 86% during 1997 to 1999. Evaluation studies demonstrated that sterilized males were competitive and reduced production of larvae in streams. Field studies and simulation models suggest reductions in reproduction will result in fewer recruits, but there is risk of periodic high recruitment events independent of sterile-male release. Strategies to reduce reproduction will be most reliable when low densities of reproducing females are achieved. Expansion of the technique is limited by access to additional males for sterilization. Sterile-male release and other alternative controls are important in delivering integrated pest management and in reducing reliance on pesticides.

Evaluation of Three Methods for Estimating Numbers of Steelhead Smolts Emigrating from Great Lakes Tributaries

We compared three techniques for estimating the number of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss smolts emigrating from the Betsie River in northwestern Michigan and evaluated the effect of sampling effort on estimates of annual production of smolts. In May and June 1993–1996, we used visual observations, time-lapse videography, and mark–recapture to estimate the number of emigrating hatchery and wild steelhead smolts. Based on the proportions of each species captured by trapping, hatchery and wild steelhead smolts composed 30–61% of all emigrating juvenile salmonids, which also included brown trout Salmo trutta, coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, and chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Annually, wild steelhead composed 12–52% of all steelhead smolts. Mark–recapture estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for steelhead smolts ranged from 13,836 (13,219–14,495) in 1995 to 56,660 (50,721–63,834) in 1993. Mark–recapture estimates yielded results that were up to nine times greater than those from observational methods. Estimates of smolt abundance (±2 SEs) from visual observation and videography were similar to one another and ranged from 3,097 (±690) in 1996 to 11,118 (±3,882) in 1994. A random sampling protocol with different levels of effort for nightly sampling demonstrated a trend for estimates that exceeded the confidence intervals when less than 75% of the nights were sampled. With additional refinements, surface view videography is a promising technique for use in monitoring emigrating smolts. We recommend that assumptions on marked-fish behavior be confirmed to avoid overestimating fish abundance in mark–recapture applications, such as for trapping efficiency or estimates of smolt abundance. When considering a study design for estimating smolts, the desired levels of precision for the data should be considered in determining the costs and benefits of sampling with high intensity.

PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF HEADWATER STREAMS THROUGH INNOVATIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, COOPERATION AND POLICY

PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF HEADWATER STREAMS THROUGH INNOVATIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, COOPERATION AND POLICYThe headwaters of three major Great Lakes tributaries are found in Livingston County located west of Detroit, Michigan. These streams provide significant aquatic habitat, which supports a diversity of aquatic life including threatened and endangered species. Livingston County is currently experiencing significant development pressure. The current level of growth, under existing development...Author(s)Erich P. DitschmanBrian JonckheereSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 21 - Case Studies in Effective Public Involvement and CollaborationDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2000ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20000101)2000:6L.2006;1-DOI10.2175/193864700785149747Volume / Issue2000 / 6Content sourceWatershed ConferenceFirst / last page(s)2006 - 2021Copyright2000Word count230

Evidence for Early Metamorphosis of Sea Lampreys in the Chippewa River, Michigan

Abstract We determined age at metamorphosis to the juvenile or parasitic phase for sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus in a highly productive Great Lakes tributary to determine if the age at metamorphosis was earlier than expected. Ages determined from statoliths, a structure analogous to otoliths in teleost fishes, indicated that many sea lampreys collected from the Chippewa River, Michigan, in September 1995 were undergoing metamorphosis at age 2, at least 1 year earlier than previously observed. In all, 141 newly metamorphosed lampreys were examined, and 81% were estimated to be only 2 years old. The length-frequency distribution of newly metamorphosed sea lampreys in the Chippewa River also indicated the possibility of metamorphsis at age 2, but to a lesser extent than indicated by statolith aging. The Chippewa River is a highly productive stream that might require more frequent treatment than previously suspected. More careful examination of other highly productive streams is needed to determine if, and ...

Effect of Juvenile Steelhead on Juvenile Brown Trout Habitat Use in a Low-Gradient Great Lakes Tributary

We investigated habitat use of wild brown trout Salmo trutta in Gilchrist Creek, Michigan, with and without a parallel cohort of introduced steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss. This stream is typical of the region, having a low-gradient, stable discharge and a high sand bedload. By snorkeling, we evaluated seasonal habitat use in two stream reaches before and after steelhead introduction to one of the reaches. Age-0 brown trout occupied stream margins soon after emergence, using cover provided by aquatic vegetation growing on sand and silt substrates. By summer and fall, brown trout moved into deeper water and used more diverse cover types. From summer to fall, the smaller age-0 steelhead used lower current velocities than did age-0 brown trout. Similar water depth, substrate, and cover were used by the two species. At the densities studied, age-0 brown trout habitat use did not change in response to the presence of age-0 steelhead. We believe that three factors minimized the effect of steelhead: (1) the larger size of the brown trout, which gave them a competitive advantage; (2) vertical habitat segregation with steelhead suspended in the water column and brown trout near or at the bottom; and (3) temporal differences in habitat ontogeny with shifts of older, larger fish to deeper, faster water. These factors may permit these two species to coexist in low-gradient rivers.

Application and Modification of an Auger Trap to Quantify Emigrating Fishes in Lake Ontario Tributaries

Assessments of natural reproduction, rates of survival, and patterns of migration by Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. in Great Lakes tributaries require quantification of emigrating smolts. Auger smolt traps were modified and tested during annual downstream migrations of juvenile chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, coho salmon O. kisutch, and steelhead O. mykiss in three eastern Lake Ontario tributaries. The traps were scaled to fit small- to medium-sized streams (third or fourth order) that had fluctuating flows and high debris outputs. During periods of reduced discharge, up to 85% of the streamflow was sampled by one trap. The fraction of migrating smolts captured (efficiency) was determined with wild and hatchery-released fish. Site choice played a major role in determination of trapping efficiencies, which ranged from 1.3 to 17% for wild salmonids. The highest efficiencies were found for wild chinook salmon smolts (11–17%) in a tributary of the Salmon River, New York. No salmonids appeared to be injured by the trapping mechanism on any of the streams sampled from 1988 to 1991. The traps also proved effective at capturing brown bullheads Ameiurus nebulosus and golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas that were migrating to Lake Ontario from ponds and beaver impoundments in the drainage.

Contaminants in fishes from Great Lakes-influenced sections and above dams of three Michigan rivers. I: Concentrations of organo chlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxin equivalents, and mercury.

Fishes of the Great Lakes contain hazardous chemicals such as synthetic halogenated hydrocarbons and metals. These fish can move from the lakes into the Great Lakes tributaries of Michigan. In doing so, they transport concentrations of contaminants which may represent a risk to wildlife. Concentrations of mercury (Hg), total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ), total DDT complex, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, hexachlorobenzene, cis-chlordane, oxychlordane, endosulfan-I, methoxychlor, trans-chlordane, and trans-nonachlor were determined in composite samples of fishes from above and below Michigan hydroelectric dams, which separate the fishes which have access to the Great Lakes from fishes that do not. Mean concentrations of total PCBs, TCDD-EQ, DDT, and most of the other pesticides were greater in composite samples of six species of fishes from below than above the dams on the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon Rivers. Concentrations of mercury, were the same or greater above the dams than below. However, this difference was statistically significant only on the Au Sable. Mercury concentrations ranged from less than 0.05 mg/kg to 0.73 mg Hg/kg, ww. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 0.02 to 1.7 mg/kg, ww. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents varied among fishes and locations. The concentrations of TCDD-EQ ranged from 2.4 to 71 micrograms/kg, ww, with concentrations in carp being the greatest. Concentrations of TCDD-EQ were greater than the concentrations which would be expected to occur, due solely to the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), and technical mixtures of PCBs.