True Cost of Reservoirs : What happens to the aquatic fauna?

1. True Cost of Reservoirs:What happens to the aquatic fauna? Judy Takats Senior Program Officer World Wildlife Fund Saturday, 27 February 2010

2. Who is WWF? An international conservation organization that is supported by almost 5 million members globally, 1.2 million members in the United States and over 110,000 in the Southeast Rivers and Streams ecoregion.

3. Places of Focus Places of Focus Alabama + Tennessee = 70.9% area Coral Triangle About 10.8 million people rely on the waters – projected to grow 266,483 km2 (102,890 mi2) Amazon Madagascar The diversity of life isn't evenly distributed around the globe. It is concentrated in certain areas, making them a greater priority for conservation. Goal: By 2020, WWF will conserve 19 of the world's most important natural places and significantly change global markets to protect the future of nature.

4. Lay of the Water - The Southeast Rivers and Streams Outside of the Amazon and Mekong, the Southeast Rivers and Streams of the United States is the most aquatically biodiverse. The highest number of fish, snail, mussel, crayfish, amphibians species in North America.

5. Lay of the Water - Native Fish Columbia River Basin 33 Native Fish Species Conasauga – 76 Paint Rock – 79 Clinch – 126 Lower and Upper Colorado River Basins Cahaba - 131 Duck – 147 25 Native Fish Species

6. Lay of the Water - August 2008 (Fishes)

7. Why Are So Many Species in Decline?

8. Dams/Impoundments

10. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration dam!

11. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam?

12. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam? • Sediments

13. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam? • Sediments • Mussel and snail species

14. 12 species of mussels and 26 species (63%) of freshwater snails were lost when the river was dammed and modified. • Currently, • 7 threatened or endangered fish • 10 threatened or endangered mussels • 3 threatened or endangered snails Pleurobema decisum Gary Peeples, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

15. relationship

19. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam? • Sediments • Mussel and snail species? • Water Flow

20. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam? • Mussel and snail species? • Sediments • Water flow • Water Temperature

21. Impacts to Aquatic Species

22. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam? • Mussel and snail species? • Sediments • Water flow • Water Temperature

23. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam? • Mussel and snail species? • Sediments • Water flow • Water Temperature • Dissolved Oxygen

24. Impacts to Aquatic Species • Barrier to migration • Benthic diversity downstream of dam? • Mussel and snail species? • Sediments • Water flow • Water Temperature • Dissolved Oxygen • Certain recreational fishing

25. Impacts to Aquatic Species