Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP): Importance of

ecological connectivity at road/stream crossings.

Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP): Importance of

ecological connectivity at road/stream crossings.

Mark HudyMark HudyTransportation EcologistTransportation Ecologist

USDA Forest ServiceUSDA Forest Servicehudymx@csm.jmu.eduhudymx@csm.jmu.edu

Mark HudyMark HudyTransportation EcologistTransportation Ecologist

USDA Forest ServiceUSDA Forest Servicehudymx@csm.jmu.eduhudymx@csm.jmu.edu

Aquatic organism passage: it’s not just dams & salmon anymore!

Aquatic organism passage: it’s not just dams & salmon anymore!

Road crossings of all types are prevalent

everywhere and number in

the 100,000’s.

Road crossings of all types are prevalent

everywhere and number in

the 100,000’s.

RoadsRoads

Historically road/stream crossing design & installation typically do not address the needs & abilities of aquatic organisms to freely move along stream corridors.

Historically road/stream crossing design & installation typically do not address the needs & abilities of aquatic organisms to freely move along stream corridors.

RoadsRoads

Road crossings can negatively impact aquatic organisms by prohibiting re-colonization of upstream habitats and restricting movements to locate food, habitat or spawning areas.

Road crossings can negatively impact aquatic organisms by prohibiting re-colonization of upstream habitats and restricting movements to locate food, habitat or spawning areas.

Fragmented HabitatsFragmented Habitats

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

1.1. Aquatic speciesAquatic species

2.2. Life stage of speciesLife stage of species

3.3. Barrier typeBarrier type

4.4. Stream flowStream flow

1.1. Aquatic speciesAquatic species

2.2. Life stage of speciesLife stage of species

3.3. Barrier typeBarrier type

4.4. Stream flowStream flow

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Aquatic species:thousands of speciescomplex life cyclesvariety of movement needsmany rare and threatened

Aquatic species:thousands of speciescomplex life cyclesvariety of movement needsmany rare and threatened

© Greg A. Syverson

Kenneth Catania

Radu Guiasu

Scott Jackson

Scott Jackson

Barry Wicklow

© 1999 Joyce Gross

Robert Jenkins & Noel Burkhead

Micrographia

Micrographia

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Life stage movement needs:can be local-daily, weekly, seasonally or yearly to meet a variety of needs for reproduction, colonization of available habitat, chemical or thermal refuges or to seek out available food.

Life stage movement needs:can be local-daily, weekly, seasonally or yearly to meet a variety of needs for reproduction, colonization of available habitat, chemical or thermal refuges or to seek out available food.

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Stream flow conditions for passageStream flow conditions for passageAlways metAlways met

Frequently metFrequently met

Infrequently metInfrequently met

Never metNever met

Stream flow conditions for passageStream flow conditions for passageAlways metAlways met

Frequently metFrequently met

Infrequently metInfrequently met

Never metNever met

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Aquatic organism passage

is complex !

Barrier types:jump

velocityexhaustiondepthbehavioral

Barrier types:jump

velocityexhaustiondepthbehavioral

Today a road that crosses a stream or river with minimal ecological impact is often the goal for new construction and maintenance or mitigation of existing road/stream crossings.

Today a road that crosses a stream or river with minimal ecological impact is often the goal for new construction and maintenance or mitigation of existing road/stream crossings.

These low ecological impact designs simulate natural streams and rivers. Stream simulation designs often don’t require extensive studies on target species at target times and flows because the design mimics the stream.

These low ecological impact designs simulate natural streams and rivers. Stream simulation designs often don’t require extensive studies on target species at target times and flows because the design mimics the stream.

Why is AOP, Ecological Connectivity and Stream Simulation important at road/stream crossings?

Why is AOP, Ecological Connectivity and Stream Simulation important at road/stream crossings?

1.1. $$ Less maintenance$$ Less maintenance

2.2. $$ Reduced overall long-term costs$$ Reduced overall long-term costs

3.3. Regulatory- Clean Water ActRegulatory- Clean Water Act

4.4. Regulatory – Endangered Species ActRegulatory – Endangered Species Act

5.5. Regulatory – National Forest Regulatory – National Forest Management Act Management Act

6.6. Ecological – long-term ecological Ecological – long-term ecological integrity “Right thing to do”integrity “Right thing to do”

1.1. $$ Less maintenance$$ Less maintenance

2.2. $$ Reduced overall long-term costs$$ Reduced overall long-term costs

3.3. Regulatory- Clean Water ActRegulatory- Clean Water Act

4.4. Regulatory – Endangered Species ActRegulatory – Endangered Species Act

5.5. Regulatory – National Forest Regulatory – National Forest Management Act Management Act

6.6. Ecological – long-term ecological Ecological – long-term ecological integrity “Right thing to do”integrity “Right thing to do”

Think AOP!

Think Ecological Connectivity!Think Stream Simulation!

Think AOP!

Think Ecological Connectivity!Think Stream Simulation!

Clean Water Act: Nationwide Roads Exemption BMP 40CFR 232.3 c(6)

Clean Water Act: Nationwide Roads Exemption BMP 40CFR 232.3 c(6)

The design, construction and maintenance of the road crossing shall not disrupt the migration or other movement of those species of aquatic life inhabiting the water body.

The design, construction and maintenance of the road crossing shall not disrupt the migration or other movement of those species of aquatic life inhabiting the water body.