Growth, Condition and Survival of Three Forage Fish Species Exposed to Two Different Experimental Hydropeaking Regimes in a Regulated River

摘要: Hydroelectric dam operation can alter discharge and temperature patterns, impacting fish populations downstream. Previous investigations into the effects of river regulation on have focused a single species within river, yet different results among studies suggest potential for species-specific impacts. Here, we compare impacts two hydropeaking regimes relative to naturally flowing three ecologically important members forage community: longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). Annual growth, estimated from otolith back-calculations, was higher each in regulated but did not differ between regimes. Condition assessed using weight–length relationships differed rivers species, sculpin. Survival lower comparable trout-perch. growth significantly related mean summer water slopes indicate responses alterations. This study demonstrates biological general, as well specific Future should focus multiple indicators health more fully characterize downstream communities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.