Suitability of the Maumee River for spawning of bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.)

Patrick M. KocovskyUSGS Great Lakes Science Center

Sandusky, OH

Duane ChapmanUSGS Columbia Environmental Research Center

Columbia, MO

Photo: Steve Morse, University of Missouri

Asian Carps in North America

• Imported in 1970s for aquaculture and sewage treatment

• Escapees in Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers by mid 1970s

• Reproducing populations throughout lower Mississippi drainage

http://nas2.er.usgs.gov/viewer/omap.aspx?SpeciesID=549

Asian Carps Invading the Great Lakes – CSSC

• eDNA beyond barrier – Jerde et al.

- One bighead carp captured in canal system above barrier

- One bighead carp captured just below barrier

http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/AsianCarp/BarriersFactSheet.pdf

Asian Carps Invading the Great Lakes – Eagle Marsh

- links Wabash and Maumee basins near Ft. Wayne, IN

- Barrier fence erected to block passage during floods

Asian Carps Invading the Great Lakes – Grand Lake St. Mary’s

To Wabash To Maumee

- Roush dam on Wabash prevents unassisted passage

-Spawning behavior observed near dam

Asian Carp Invading the Great Lakes

Lake Erie

NNNN

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Capture locations of bighead carp

Maumee River

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/collectioninfo.aspx?SpeciesID=551

Question: Do conditions favorable for spawning of Asian carp exist in Lake Erie and the Maumee River?

Methods

• Examined literature from native and introduced populations to determine spawning requirements:

1) Minimum accumulated heat - maturation – 2,685 ADD- onset of spawning – 655 ADD15, 919 ADD15

2) Flood event- typical cue for spawning

3) Sufficient drift distance- function of velocity and water temperature

Examination period: 1990-2009

Methods

Minimum accumulated heat:

Calculated total degree days (sum of mean daily temperatures) to determine when and if thermal requirements met from Leamington, ON municipal water intake (lake)

Flood events:

Examined USGS flow data (water.usgs.gov)- identified all flood events with minimum velocity 0.7 m/s- determined dates, event duration, peak velocity

Drift distance:

Calculated total length of passable river- Passable = dams have passage structure or head lower than flood stage- Predicted stream temperature from thermal model- Predicted velocity from discharge

From USGS Water Resources:

4-14-2011

Q =167 m3/s (provisional)

V ≈ 0.92 m/s

Stage ≈1.09 m

Descending limb

4-21-2011

Q = 954 m3/s (provisional)

V ≈ 1.7 m/s

Stage ≈ 2.7 m

Ascending limb

Grand Rapids DamGrand Rapids DamGrand Rapids DamGrand Rapids Dam

RKM 54RKM 54RKM 54RKM 54

Median daily Q=360 m3/s

Photo: Patrick M. Kocovsky, USGS

Photo: Patrick M. Kocovsky, USGS

Methods

Drift distance:

Calculated required length of stream (D, km) given incubation time and velocity:

D = 3600VI/1000 = 3.6VI

where: V=velocity m/sI=incubation time, h3600=s/hr1000=m/km

If D < maximum length of passable river, event suitable for spawning

Thermal requirements

• Minimum for time series 3,974 - 48% higher than minimumWestern Lake Erie is thermally suitable for maturation

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Thermal requirements

• Thresholds for spawning:

onset of spawning 655 DD>15 degreesreached on average 23 June ± 7 d

mass spawning 919 DD>15 degreesreached on average 5 July ± 7 d

Thresholds reached in early summer, similar to timing in native and invaded habitats

Temperature model

Mean temperature: 23.4Time to hatch: 31 h

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- 44 flood events after

threshold for onset of

spawning (655 DD)

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- 27 flood events after

threshold for onset of mass

spawning (919 DD)

>1/yr

Flood events

85% of years had at least one

flood event after thermal

threshold for spawning

achieved

65% had multiple events

80% had at least one flood

event after thermal threshold

for mass spawning achieved

45% had multiple events

Most years had at

least one flood event suitable

for spawning

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Drift distance

y = 0.1513x0.353

R² = 0.9799

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Discharge (m3/s)

Passable distance: 209 kmHighest V on 23 August 2007: 2.1 m/s

D = 3.6VI = 3.6*2.1*31 = 234.4 > 209 = V too fast

2nd highest V on 10 July 2003: 1.85 m/sD = 3.6VI = 3.6*1.85*31 = 206.5 < 209 = V sufficient

Length of open river suffices for nearly all floods

Conclusions

• Maumee River is thermally and hydrographically suitable for spawning of bigheaded carp

- no major impediments and suitable drift conditions- Maumee Bay excellent rearing environment

• NOT known: - locations and suitability of spawning microhabitats

e.g., nature of flow (turbulent, laminar)

• Additional research needed to identify potential spawning locations or to determine entire length is suitable for development of mitigation options

• Method is being applied to six other major tributaries: Sandusky, Portage, Huron, Vermilion, Black, Grand (OH)

Acknowledgements

• Gary Dunmore, Ontario Clean Water Agency

• Keith Banachowski and Rodney Tornes, Ohio Department of Natural Resources

• Andrea Stoneman, Delaware State University

• Jim McKenna, USGS

• USGS Great Lakes Science Center and Columbia Environmental Research Center