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Warmwater Streams Chapter 19

Explore the characteristics, classification, and management strategies for warmwater streams. Learn about the challenges of sedimentation and water quality, and the importance of maintaining a balanced community for sport fish. Discover the key factors in creating a suitable habitat for diverse fish species. Find out about stocking practices and the need for specific regulations for warmwater streams.

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Warmwater Streams Chapter 19

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  1. Warmwater StreamsChapter 19

  2. Warmwater Streams • Water temperatures high enough to prevent salmonids from remaining throughout the year, reproducing- >24°C • Coolwater, warmwater

  3. Warmwater Streams • Many different game fish • Multi-species assemblages

  4. Warmwater Streams • Classification of warmwater streams • Based on physical, biological factors

  5. Longitudinal ZonationRiver Continuum Concept

  6. Longitudinal ZonationRiver Continuum Concept

  7. Longitudinal ZonationRiver Continuum Concept

  8. Longitudinal ZonationRiver Continuum Concept • Headwater - tolerant, good recolonizers, small • Midreach - greater diversity (habitat, species) • Biological regulation becomes more important • Mainstem - greater diversity, body size

  9. Major Historical Problems • Sedimentation • Water table alteration

  10. Management • Differences from coldwater streams: • More affected by humans - habitat, water quality • Multi-species recreational fishery • Lack of ecological data on fish, other biota

  11. Species Management Approach • What’s good for top carnivores should be good for entire stream

  12. Community Management Approach • Stresses balance of taxonomic or ecological groups • What’s good for community should be good for sport fish

  13. Habitat • Many considerations: • Depth • Structure • Riparian vegetation • Sedimentation • Hydraulic stability

  14. Habitat • Depth: • Cover • Low-water or winter refuge • Habitat for forage fish

  15. Habitat • Structure: • Woody snags • Channel diversity • Cover • Invertebrate habitat

  16. Habitat • Riparian vegetation: • Buffer strips

  17. Habitat • Sedimentation: • Watershed vs. streambed, banks (50%)

  18. Habitat • Hydraulic stability: • Discharge patterns • Channel stability

  19. Habitat • Major goals: • 1) maintain, restore hydraulic stability • 2) improve diversity of depth, structure

  20. Stocking Warmwater Streams • Not a general policy • No perceived need • Unnecessary

  21. Stocking Warmwater Streams • May help in some situations • Deal with inconsistent reproductive success • Expand fishing opportunities in western warmwater streams (too warm for salmonids)

  22. Regulations • Usually no special regulations • Usually identical to lake regulations • Only 4 states or provinces with extensive warmwater stream regulations • Others with special regs for only few streams

  23. Regulations • General failure to acknowledge warmwater streams as deserving of habitat-specific management for recreational fisheries

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