Predicting Flow and Temperature Regimes at Three Alasmidonta heterodon Locations in the Delaware River
Cole JC, Townsend PA, Eshleman KN. 2008. Predicting Flow and Temperature Regimes at Three Alasmidonta heterodon Locations in the Delaware River. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR—2008/109. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Northeast Region. Philadelphia, PA
The federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon, requires certain habitat conditions for survival, which may include specific temperature and flow regimes. Dewatering caused by chronic drought and increased water demands of the New York City metropolitan area may threaten A. heterodon populations in the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (UPDE) by reducing flow levels and increasing water temperatures, particularly during summer months. This study evaluated the discharge and temperature relationships between mainstem Delaware River USGS gages and three known A. heterodon locations in order to develop models that will assist managers in preventing detrimental impacts to mussels. Data from this study indicate that Site 3 (Callicoon) is the most vulnerable of the three sites based upon USGS Callicoon gage discharge levels required to: 1) maintain flow into the site, 2) maintain the minimal wetted perimeter, as well as 3) maintain the fully wetted perimeter. The study also showed that if Site 3 is protected then the other two sites would remain protected as indicated by the lower USGS Callicoon gage discharge levels required to maintain similar conditions in Site 1 and Site 2. Depending upon how management objectives relate to A. heterodon in the Delaware River, different flow targets would be justified.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Cole, Jeffrey; Townsend, Philip; Eshleman, Keith
- Date of Issue
- 2008-07
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Northeast Region
- Units
- DEWA , UPDE
- Keywords
- Alasmidonta heterodon, Delaware River, Discharge, Endangered, wedgemussel
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Invertebrates