Effects of highway-construction sediment on salmonid redds in an old-growth forest stream in California
Meyer CB and Coey RM. 1997. Effects of highway-construction sediment on salmonid redds in an old-growth forest stream in California. Redwood National Park
This paper discusses effects of excess sediment on salmonid reproduction, using Prairie Creek (Redwood National Park) as the study site. Examination of egg and fry survival shows the strongest relationship is with peak streamflow and the abundance of oligochaete worms. Although worms are known to have been in the study streams for many years, the authors suggest that silt and clay fractions of fine sediment (difficult to measure in the field) may have increased the effects. They also suggest that a protective sand seal may have aided reproductive success during 1993, a year of high streamflow. Includes data tables (fines, egg pocket measurements, number of fry, comparison of artificial and natural redds). Figures illustrate the analyses.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Meyer, Carolyn; Coey, Robert
- Date of Issue
- 1997
- Publisher
- Redwood National Park
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- 1991, 1992, 1993, aquatic worms, Construction, Discharge, egg predators, Environmental Impact, Fish Studies, Fluvial, Haplotaxis ichthyophagous, native fish stocks, Oligochaete worms, Oncorhynchus kisutch, Prairie Creek, Prairie Creek Bibliography, Redds, Rivers, Salmonids, Sediment, Streams, Survival Rate, Worms