Kansas Reservoirs Research Articles

Regional Factors Affecting Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass Recruitment in Midwestern USA Reservoirs

ABSTRACTRegional factors correlated with recruitment of black bass (largemouth bass; Micropterus nigricans and smallmouth bass; Micropterus dolomieu), two important fishes, are rarely studied, despite the importance of recruitment variation in influencing fish populations. We sought to identify factors that drove variation in age‐0 and age‐1 black bass abundance. Age‐0 or age‐1 black bass catch per unit effort (CPUE) in reservoirs in Kansas and Illinois, USA, was positively correlated with local short‐term (i.e., mean April precipitation) environmental variables. In contrast, age‐0 or age‐1 black bass CPUE was generally negatively correlated with long‐term environmental variables and river regulation metrics (i.e., reservoir elevation) in the Mississippi and Missouri river reservoirs. Our findings highlight that consideration of spatiotemporal scale is important when managing black bass populations.

Evaluating Exploitation of White Crappie and Black Crappie in Three Southeast Kansas Reservoirs

White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) and Black Crappie (P. nigromaculatus) were studied in three southeast Kansas reservoirs to assess exploitation and determine if current regulations were conducive for sustainable populations. Trap nets were used to sample crappie in Elk City Reservoir, Big Hill Reservoir, and Parsons City Lake. Crappie measuring 210 mm and greater received Floy FD-94 tags that served as entries for rewards to encourage tag reporting. Harvest and angler demographic information were collected when tags were reported. Postcard surveys and motion-sensed cameras were used in conjunction to estimate angler effort and reporting rate on Parsons City Lake. Annual exploitation rates (i.e., percent of fish harvested) determined by tag returns and corrected for nonreporting and tag loss were 28.3%, 21.8%, and 3.9% on Elk City Reservoir, Big Hill Reservoir, and Parsons City Lake, respectively. Overfishing was not occurring, so current statewide regulations were likely appropriate, and no changes may be necessary.

What’s It Worth? Estimating the Potential Value of Early Warnings of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms for Managing Freshwater Reservoirs in Kansas, United States

Cyanobacterial blooms are an issue drawing increasing concern in freshwater lakes and reservoirs in the United States due to the real and sometimes perceived harms they can cause through cyanotoxin production or other effects. These types of blooms are often referred to as cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). Cyanotoxin exposure can potentially lead to human health effects through recreation and consumption of drinking water and may impact fisheries, wildlife, domestic pets, and livestock. Characterizing the societal impacts of cyanotoxin production, exposure, and effects and estimating the potential value of information of an early warning system can inform and support freshwater lake and reservoir management decisions and future research directions. A Bayesian decision tree analysis was utilized to identify uses, users, and benefits of the information provided by this research. Specifically, the potential value related to a cyanoHAB early warning system, based on potential toxicity, was analyzed that would provide information two additional days earlier relative to cyanoHAB toxicity. The evaluation considers the application of this information for freshwater lake management - whether or not to post an advisory or warning to avoid recreational water contact. The model was parameterized with data from the state of Kansas and the value of avoided foregone recreation and avoided health effects was derived. The estimated annual value of information ranges between $565 thousand to $2.3 million (2018 United States Dollars (USD)) for the state of Kansas alone based on provided assumptions. The results demonstrate a lower bound of the value of a cyanoHAB early warning system and suggest additional research to understand how the use and value of this information could support research prioritization and further illustrate the return on research investment. This analysis does not incorporate the full suite of potential societal costs that may be associated with a cyanoHAB event such as drinking water treatment, impacts to irrigation, or power generation.

An Evaluation of Goldeye Life History Characteristics in Two Kansas Reservoirs

AbstractGoldeye Hiodon alosoides are native through much of Canada and the Mississippi River drainage in the United States. Life history characteristics have been described for several commercially important populations in northern portions of their range, but there is a paucity of information available for more southernly populations. Milford and Lovewell Reservoirs are in the Kansas River basin and harbor the only two lentic Goldeye populations in Kansas. Further, anecdotal observations suggest declining population abundance. We sought to examine temporal trends in relative abundance and describe current size structure, body condition, and population dynamics of these two remnant populations. Both populations had decreasing relative abundance over the previous 24-y period, although decreases in the Lovewell population were most profound. In Milford Reservoir, the median total length of sampled Goldeye was 268 mm (minimum = 235 mm; maximum = 431 mm). The estimated maximum observed age for Goldeye was 8; however, age-1 Goldeye were the most abundant year-class that we collected, accounting for 80% of sampled fish. We fit a von Bertalanffy growth model to back-calculated length at annulus formation with parameter estimates of L∞ = 402 mm, K = 0.93, and t0 = 0.29. We collected two individuals at Lovewell Reservoir; therefore, no analyses were conducted. Overall, this study provides cursory knowledge of two remnant Goldeye populations in Kansas. These results can be applied to promote better understanding of their ecological role in these reservoirs and other midwestern impoundments with remnant populations.

Use of the North American Standard Gill Net for Sampling the Invasive White Perch: Information from Three Kansas Reservoirs

AbstractThe invasive White Perch Morone americana occurs intermittently throughout Kansas and is ubiquitous in three Kansas reservoirs. However, a paucity of information on the effectiveness of sampling gears for providing accurate and precise estimates of size structure and relative abundance for White Perch precludes reasonable assessments of the effectiveness of control measures. The North American standard gill net has been used to sample White Perch in Kansas since 2010. Previous studies have provided selectivity curves for several species that are sampled with this gear to mitigate overall size bias, which is inherently present in gill‐net catches. However, White Perch populations have not been included in these initial studies. We fit selectivity models to catch data from three Kansas reservoirs to adjust the gill‐net catch data for contact selectivity. We used the most parsimonious selectivity curve to adjust the values for White Perch capture at length for 10 years of catch data. Most of the adjusted samples resulted in meaningful changes to the length distributions. To test for the effectiveness of the North American standard gill net for sampling White Perch populations, we measured the precision of the relative abundance estimates for White Perch and the frequency of obtaining 100 stock‐size fish with a standard sampling effort from 9 to 10 years of historical gill‐net samples. Our results suggest the North American standard gill net provides precise and robust estimates for the relative abundance of stock‐sized White Perch, but a correction factor that is derived from the selectivity curve might be needed to accurately estimate relative abundance for small individuals and to evaluate population size structure.

Evaluating Growth Rates of Two Newly Introduced Populations of Blue Catfish in Kansas

Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus have been introduced into many of Kansas reservoirs since 1972. They ranked sixth in terms of favorite fish to catch and target among licensed Kansas anglers in 2013 despite limited management. Blue Catfish were sampled and aged from two reservoirs located on the northern and western periphery of their current distribution.Fish were sampled using experimental gill nets, low frequency electrofishing, and float lines. Ages were assigned to a subset of captured fish by a panel of three independent readers examining a thin section cut from the articulating surface of a pectoral spine. Rapid growth was observed in Lovewell Reservoir with Blue Catfish reaching 659-mm by age 6. Growth of Blue Catfish was slower in Wilson Reservoir (552-mm by age 6) but comparable to other populations in the United States. Recruitment of stocked fish was variable but more consistent in Lovewell Reservoir. Year classes established by stockings that contained larger individuals at greater densities were more prevalent in both populations. These results demonstrate inconsistent recruitment patterns of Blue Catfish population development when stocked in large reservoirs.

Seal Properties of the Carbonate Reservoirs in Southwestern Kansas for Geological Co2 Storage

Seal Properties of the Carbonate Reservoirs in Southwestern Kansas for Geological Co2 Storage

Carbonated water injection (CWI) for improved oil recovery and carbon storage in high-salinity carbonate reservoir

Abstract Carbonated water injection (CWI) is a promising alternative of conventional CO2 flooding which requires smaller amounts of CO2. Currently, most the CWI research focuses on the micromodel and sandstones, but a comprehensive study of the application of CWI in carbonate reservoir is missing in the literature, especially when the reservoir fluid has high salinity. A feasibility study is carried out in this work to design a workflow to thoroughly understand CWI mechanisms for improved oil recovery (IOR) in such reservoirs with the example of Lansing Kansas City (LKC) Group carbonate reservoirs of Kansas and the composition of the produced water. We literature survey and propose approaches for measurement and model of CO2 solubility in brine, so as to establish the apparatus for measuring CO2 solubility in brine to verify or modify existing models of high-salinity solubility. Also, we propose the approach to measure the contact angle when processes of dynamic wettability alternation and substrate dissolution in different minerals and natural carbonate rock occur. Further, we examine and predict outcomes of the micromodel experiment for exploring mechanisms contributing to additional oil recovery, contact angle measurement of carbonated-brine/oil/rock for observing rock wettability alternation and calcite dissolution, and core flooding experiment for observing oil recovery performance as a tertiary method or secondary method.

Comparison of Diploid and Triploid Saugeye Recruitment, Growth, and Condition in Kansas Impoundments

AbstractSaugeyes (Walleye Sander vitreus × Sauger S. canadensis) are stocked by natural resource agencies to provide angling opportunities and biological control of abundant small‐bodied fishes. Concern has been raised regarding the stocking of fertile diploid saugeyes in Kansas waters due to potential genetic introgression into wild parental stocks and unintended natural reproduction in ecologically sensitive systems. As such, triploid saugeyes have been stocked in Kansas since 2006 but with minimal evaluation. We compared relative recruitment, growth, and condition of diploid and triploid saugeyes after stocking equal numbers of 3–6‐d‐old diploid and triploid saugeye fry in four Kansas reservoirs for 3 years. Saugeyes were sampled from study reservoirs annually (2014–2016) with autumn night electrofishing, and flow cytometry was used to determine the ploidy of sampled fish. Throughout the study, diploid fish composed approximately 80% of sampled saugeyes. Age‐0 year‐classes consisted of 67–100% diploid fish, depending on the study reservoir and sampling year. As saugeyes reached ages 1 and 2, similar patterns in relative recruitment were indicated, with diploids outnumbering triploids by approximately four times. At individual study impoundments, diploid saugeyes composed 75–87% of fish from all study year‐classes. Mean length of diploid saugeyes was generally greater than that of triploids at age 0, whereas mean lengths at ages 1 and 2 were similar for the two groups. Our results indicate that diploid saugeye fry represent a more efficient stocking option than triploid fry and that managers should carefully balance consideration of the relative recruitment of diploid and triploid saugeyes with potential genetic integration between Sander spp. when conducting supplemental stockings.

Examining Storage Capacity Loss and Sedimentation Rate of Large Reservoirs in the Central U.S. Great Plains

Reservoirs created by impounding sediment-laden streams infill over time, reducing storage capacity and altering water quality. Increasing freshwater demand on a limited supply is adding pressure on reservoir water storage and management across much of the western and central U.S. Determining sedimentation rates is helpful to ensure a reliable and sustainable clean water supply for drinking, irrigation and recreation purposes. In the state of Kansas, located in the central Great Plains, bathymetric surveys have been completed recently for many major state and federally constructed reservoirs. In this paper, we examine sediment infill rate and storage capacity loss for all 24 federally operated reservoirs in Kansas. As of 2016, these reservoirs have an average age of 52 years and collectively have lost approximately 17% of their original capacity, with the highest single-reservoir loss of 45%, the highest annual loss rate of 0.84%, and the highest annual sediment yield of 1688 m3/km2/year. Results from this paper provide baseline information pertinent to the development, prioritization and assessment of remediation and mitigation strategies for addressing the sediment infill problem in Kansas, with general implications for other large reservoirs across the Great Plains as well as other climatologically and ecologically similar regions around the world.

Precision of Three Structures for Saugeye Age Estimation

AbstractWe evaluated the precision of age estimates obtained from sagittal otoliths, scales, and dorsal fin spines from 341 saugeyes (Walleye Sander vitreus × Sauger S. canadensis) collected from six Kansas reservoirs. Between‐reader agreement was greatest for otoliths, followed by dorsal spines and then scales. Coefficient of variation (CV) values for between‐reader comparisons were 1.3–3.1% for otoliths and 13.8–18.2% for dorsal spines. Between‐reader comparisons for scales were the most variable, with CV estimates between 19.9% and 23.1%. Age estimates from otoliths aligned with age estimates from scales more often than with estimates from dorsal spines, although age estimate comparisons between structures were generally variable. Between‐reader agreement for scales and dorsal spines decreased with increasing estimated age; however, agreement for otoliths generally remained high (i.e., >80%) through age 10. Given greater precision relative to other structures, we recommend the use of sectioned otoliths to estimate ages of saugeyes, especially when sacrificing the fish is not a concern.

Freeze Brand Retention in Channel Catfish and Channel Catfish × Blue Catfish Hybrids

AbstractWe evaluated freeze brands on Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus) to determine suitability of the technique for identification of year‐class on ictalurid catfishes. Freeze brands were applied to fish in a hatchery setting, and adipose fins were removed as a secondary mark. Marked fish were stocked into two Kansas reservoirs within 3 d after marking. Fish were sampled with a suite of gear types for 3 years after the initial stocking in 2013. All captured catfish were observed for the presence of a freeze brand and an adipose fin. A logistic regression model estimated 80% brand retention for Channel Catfish through 460 d. The logistic regression model for hybrid catfish brand retention as a function of days at large was not significant, but retention remained near 80% throughout the 3‐year study period. Results suggest that freeze brands are suitable for marking Channel Catfish and hybrid catfish in natural systems when marks should be retained for at least 1 year and up to 3 years.Received March 6, 2017; accepted September 14, 2017Published online October 30, 2017

Pilot Scale CO2 EOR in Mississippian Carbonate Reservoir at Wellington Field in South-central Kansas

CO2 EOR effectiveness and CO2 retention and storage efficiencies in application to Mississippian carbonate reservoirs in Kansas were successfully tested with this small scale field project. Total of 1,101 truckloads, 19,803 metric tons, average of 120 tonnes per day were delivered over the course of injection that lasted from January 9 to June 21, 2016. Current incremental average oil production rate is 34 bbls/day and a total of incremental 6,300 bbls of oil were produced as a result of CO2 injection. Only 12% of injected CO2 was produced back currently (3 months since injection stopped CO2).

A suite of standard post-tagging evaluation metrics can help assess tag retention for field-based fish telemetry research

Telemetry can inform many scientific and research questions if a context exists for integrating individual studies into the larger body of literature. Creating cumulative distributions of post-tagging evaluation metrics would allow individual researchers to relate their telemetry data to other studies. Widespread reporting of standard metrics is a precursor to the calculation of benchmarks for these distributions (e.g., mean, SD, 95% CI). Here we illustrate five types of standard post-tagging evaluation metrics using acoustically tagged Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) released into a Kansas reservoir. These metrics included: (1) percent of tagged fish detected overall, (2) percent of tagged fish detected daily using abacus plot data, (3) average number of (and percent of available) receiver sites visited, (4) date of last movement between receiver sites (and percent of tagged fish moving during that time period), and (5) number (and percent) of fish that egressed through exit gates. These metrics were calculated for one to three time periods: early ( 5 days early in the study. On average, tagged Blue Catfish visited 9 (50%) and 13 (72%) of 18 within-reservoir receivers early and at the end of the study, respectively. At the end of the study, 73% of all tagged fish were detected moving between receivers. Creating statistical benchmarks for individual metrics can provide useful reference points. In addition, combining multiple metrics can inform ecology and research design. Consequently, individual researchers and the field of telemetry research can benefit from widespread, detailed, and standard reporting of post-tagging detection metrics.

Utility of Reservoir Characteristics to Determine Minimum Sampling Effort Needed to Assess Sport Fish Populations in Kansas Reservoirs

AbstractEffective reservoir fisheries management requires fish samples suitable for addressing objectives. These samples are typically attained with fish sampling gears using standardized protocols. Some standardized protocols for sampling reservoir fishes promote objective‐based sampling, and many include a minimum number of gear deployments. This minimum number is often a function of reservoir surface area. However, reservoir size may not adequately predict the number of gear deployments needed to reach sample objectives. We used multiple linear regression to determine the relationships between the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of reservoirs and the number of gear deployments needed to reach two sample objectives: (1) collecting 100 stock‐length fish (N100), and (2) attaining relative SE of stock‐length catch per effort (CPE) ≤25% (RSE25). These analyses were conducted using data from 34 Kansas reservoirs and six fish species. We used Akaike model averaging from a confidence model set (ΔAIC ≤ 2) to develop an average model for each sample objective (N100 and RSE25) and target species. Recent CPE was identified in N100 models for six target species and in RSE25 models for five. Conversely, reservoir surface area was identified in only one model for N100 and two for RSE25. These results suggest that reservoir characteristics other than surface area, particularly recent CPE, should be considered when developing minimum sample sizes for objective‐based fish sampling protocols. This approach would allow managers to most efficiently allocate sampling effort while still collecting representative and precise fish samples.Received March 6, 2015; accepted November 30, 2015 Published online March 22, 2016

Distribution and Density of Zebra Mussels In Four Kansas Reservoirs

Abstract We assessed zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) distribution and density in four newly infested manmade reservoirs in the upper Neosho River Basin, Kansas, from March–November 2011. Density was estimated via monthly plankton samples to monitor veligers, visual searches to detect recruited zebra mussels, and colonization substrates to monitor settling zebra mussels. Infested impoundments upstream were likely the source of zebra mussels dispersing into downstream impoundments in the basin. Marion Reservoir had greater veliger densities downlake than in its upper region while veliger densities in the other three reservoirs were not significantly different among lake regions. Veliger and adult densities were less in the outlet downstream from Marion Reservoir than in the downlake portion of the reservoir. Differences among reservoirs could reflect differences in time since infestation as well as variability in temperature and local physicochemical factors.

Reservoir Sedimentation Challenges Kansas

Kansas faces the challenge of reduced surface water storage in eastern Kansas caused by sedimentation of its reservoirs. The 24 federal reservoirs in Kansas have an average age of about 50 years and current estimates indicate that 17% of their collective storage capacity (originally 3.2M ac-ft.) has been lost to sedimentation. Six of these reservoirs are already more than 33% infilled. So basic in all ways is ecology and hydrology to the functioning of a region that changes in water storage and movement and how both may be managed must be carefully followed. Also we discuss the merits of four types of remediation for addressing reservoir infilling, recognizing that combinations of methods can be used, and that water conservation is essential. Also we describe the important role of research and monitoring facilities at research stations in Kansas where controlled experiments identifying cause and effect relationships can provide insight for reservoir management.

Evaluation of Precision and Sample Sizes Using Standardized Sampling in Kansas Reservoirs

AbstractWe evaluated the precision of samples and the number of stock‐length fish collected by means of standard methods used for sampling North American freshwater fishes from 2010 to 2013 in Kansas. Additionally, we used resampling procedures to determine the number of gear deployments needed to achieve a relative standard error (RSE) of 25% for the CPUE and collect 100 stock‐length individuals. Median RSE of electrofishing samples was generally less than 25% for Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides in all sizes of reservoirs and for Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus in medium (251–1,000 acres) and large reservoirs (greater than 1,000 acres). The RSE estimates were generally >25% for Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and crappies Pomoxis spp. collected in trap nets and palmetto bass (female Striped Bass Morone saxatilis × male White Bass M. chrysops) and Walleye Sander vitreus sampled in gill nets. With few exceptions, 100 stock‐length individuals of all target species (e.g., Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, crappies, palmetto bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye) were not sampled at current levels of effort. Resampling procedures indicated that fewer than 20 deployments were usually needed to obtain an RSE ≤ 25% and 100 stock‐length fish for Largemouth Bass in smaller impoundments (i.e., <250 acres); however, more than 20 deployments were needed in larger impoundments. The median effort needed to achieve an RSE ≤ 25% for Bluegills and crappies in trap nets varied and may exceed what some biologists find practical. Fewer gill‐net deployments were needed to reach an RSE ≤ 25% for palmetto bass and Walleyes than to collect 100 stock‐length fish. Our results indicate that more samples than are currently prescribed are generally needed to precisely sample sport fishes by means of standardized protocols in Kansas reservoirs. In some instances, obtaining precise samples may not be logistically feasible. In these situations, biologists should be aware of the potential shortcomings of sampling protocols and set objectives accordingly.Received May 12, 2014; accepted August 23, 2014

Evaluation of empirical models coupled with EUTROMOD for water quality prediction in Kansas reservoirs

Agricultural land use contributes high nutrient and sediment loads to nearby streams, lakes, and reservoirs, which can lead to excessive algal growth and increased siltation. Future intensification of agricultural production could further aggravate water quality concerns. To objectively evaluate the effects of agricultural intensification on future water quality, modeling tools must be able to quantitatively predict the degree to which land use change will affect the trophic state of water bodies. This study evaluated the water quality model EUTROMOD as well as several national and regional in-lake empirical water quality models as predictive tools for analyzing and estimating water quality in 28 Kansas reservoirs of varying size and watershed land use. Model-predicted nutrient loading was used with several in-lake empirical models to predict values for total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and chlorophyll a concentrations. Predicted values were then compared to long-term water quality measurements obtained from the Kansas lake and reservoir monitoring program. All models over-predicted concentrations of TN and TP in Kansas reservoirs; however, predictions from the Bachmann TN and Canfield-Bachmann TP in-lake empirical models were most closely coupled to observed trends and had the least error. Two possible sources of model bias were identified: the sedimentation coefficient in the in-lake empirical models and the nutrient loading estimates from the watershed model. Areas of further research are suggested for determining the dominant source of model bias and improving quantitative predictions of water quality in the Midwest, USA.

Effects of invasive zebra mussels on phytoplankton, turbidity, and dissolved nutrients in reservoirs

Few experiments have quantified the effects of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on man-made reservoirs relative to other aquatic habitats. Reservoirs, however, are the dominate water body type in many of the states that are at the current front of the zebra mussel invasion into the western United States. The objective of this research, therefore, was to determine how zebra mussels affected phytoplankton, turbidity, and dissolved nutrients in water that was collected from three Kansas reservoirs that varied in trophic state (mesotrophic to hypereutrophic), but all experienced frequent cyanobacterial blooms. Laboratory mesocosm experiments were conducted to document the effects of zebra mussels on cyanobacteria and general water quality characteristics in the reservoir water. Zebra mussels significantly reduced algal biomass, and the total biovolume of cyanobacteria (communities were dominated by Anabaena) in each reservoir experiment. The effects of zebra mussels on other major algal groups (diatoms, flagellates, and green algae) and algal diversity were less consistent and varied between the three reservoir experiments. Similarly, the effects of zebra mussels on nutrient concentrations varied between experiments. Zebra mussels increased dissolved phosphorus concentrations in two of the reservoir experiments, but there was no effect of zebra mussels on dissolved phosphorus in the mesotrophic reservoir experiment. Combined, our results strongly suggest that zebra mussels have the potential to significantly impact reservoirs as they continue to expand throughout the western United States. Moreover, the magnitude of these effects may be context dependent and vary depending on the trophic state and/or resident phytoplankton communities of individual reservoirs as has similarly been reported for natural lakes.