March 20-22, 2018 Lied Lodge and Conference Center

Nebraska City, NE

2018 Missouri River Natural Resources Conference

Poster Abstracts

More Than Just A River

Runs Through It

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Presenter

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MRNRC Conference 2018 More Than Just A River Runs Through It

Poster Abstracts

1

Title: Spatial Patterns in Vegetation Composition within a Novel Reservoir Delta on the Missouri River, USA

Author(s): David L. Galat

Mailing Address of Presenter: David L. Galat 3951 County Road 259 Fulton, MO 65251-3042

Email Address of Presenter: galatd@missouri.edu Abstract: Reducing jeopardy to pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River is a fundamental objective of the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP). Uncertainties related to potential management actions for how to accomplish this are expressed as “Big Questions”. We conducted a survey to inform MRRP interests of how Upper and Lower Missouri River pallid sturgeon professionals prioritized these Big Questions. Email lists from the Upper and Middle Basin Pallid Sturgeon Work Groups constituted pallid “experts’. Each group was surveyed independently and each was asked to rank the six Upper or Lower basin Big Question across seven levels ranging from Most Important to Least Important and also requested to write-in their own Big Question if an important issue was considered absent. Drift Dynamics (34%) and Spawning Cues (31%) were ranked as most important by Upper Basin respondents. However, 44% identified an additional Big Question as the most important issue. Sediment Augmentation (31%) and Population Augmentation (24%) were ranked as Least Important. Lower Basin respondents identified Food and Forage (39%) as the Most Important Big Question, although most respondents (44%) again ranked their additional Big Question as Most Important. Decline in pallid sturgeon condition was ranked highest by 5 of the 8 respondents as their Most Important Additional Big Question. Temperature control (25%) and Population Augmentation (14%) were ranked as Least Important by Lower Basin respondents. Results can help decision makers prioritize management actions to reduce pallid sturgeon jeopardy and identify additional issues considered significant by sturgeon professionals.

Title: Research Framework to Support Missouri River Adaptive Management: Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project 2018–2020

Author(s): Aaron J. DeLonay, Patrick J. Braaten, Kimberly A. Chojnacki, Caroline M. Elliott, Susannah O. Erwin, Edward J. Heist, Mather L. Rugg, and Casey A. Hickox

Mailing Address of Presenter: Aaron J. DeLonay U.S. Geological Survey - Columbia Environmental Research Center 4200 New Haven Road Columbia, MO 65202

Email Address of Presenter: adelonay@usgs.gov

Abstract: The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP) is an ongoing multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to support information needs for pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management actions, including channel re-engineering, flow modification, and pallid sturgeon population augmentation. The CSRP science is developed building on previous years’ work, results of the Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon Effects Analysis (EA), and ongoing prioritization discussions emanating from the Missouri River Science and Adaptive Management Plan (MRSAMP). The project consists of several interdependent and complementary tasks that engage multiple disciplines. Planned research in 2018–2020 emphasizes information related to reproductive migrations, spawning, and embryo development, hatch, dispersal and retention. Studies include refined understanding of reproductive cues, characteristics of functional spawning habitats, spawning patch dynamics, and the interrelationships between physical processes and survival during critical early life stages. Physical and biological understanding will be used to refine existing models and to develop new models of spawning, dispersal of free embryos, and interception of young-of-year sturgeon into supportive habitats. Technologies will be developed to improve the use of telemetry and remote monitoring of sturgeon responses at the patch, bend and segment scale. Additional studies will assess fundamental questions about pallid sturgeon genetic structure, variation within subpopulations, effective population size, and hybridization frequency and extent. Information provided by CSRP will be collaboratively synthesized and assimilated into the science and adaptive management process.

MRNRC Conference 2018 More Than Just A River Runs Through It

Poster Abstracts

2

Title: Historical Patterns and Impacts of the 2011 Flood on Redcedar Distribution along the Missouri River

Author(s): Nadeesha Dilrukshi Illeperum Archchige Done, Mark D. Dixon, and James E. Vogelmann

Mailing Address of Presenter: Nadeesha Dilrukshi Illeperum Archchige Done University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069

Email Address of Presenter: nadeesha.illeperumaa@coyotes.usd.edu Abstract: Dam construction along the Missouri River has reduced flooding, altering geomorphic processes and flood-plain vegetation. A major threat to riparian habitats is the spread of invasive species. Over the last several decades, eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.), a native upland species, has invaded the understory of cottonwood forests along the Missouri River. A major flood in 2011, however, caused significant die-off of redcedar at some locations. Our goal was to map the historical spread of redcedar, assess the impacts of the 2011 flood on redcedar abundance, and determine where significant post-flood recovery of redcedar has occurred within the Missouri National Recreational River. To accomplish this, we used ArcGIS and remote sensing techniques, including the use of spectral vegetation indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)), to map redcedar abundance in the study area from the 1980s to present. We determined the relationship between NDVI values with redcedar canopy cover using 2017 satellite images and field data. Results indicated a linear relationship between redcedar cover and NDVI values (P-value: 0.0001, R-square: 0.88). Historical time series maps which were generated from NDVI images showed that redcedar cover was detectable on less than 10% of the woodland and grassland area in 1982, expanded to nearly 55% by 2010, and then declined by nearly 10% after the 2011 flood. Our results show the utility of remote sensing methods for tracking cedar invasion and suggest the importance of historical floods for constraining invasion and maintaining native forest communities.

Title: An Introduction to the Electrified Dozer Trawl for Sampling Silver Carp in a Lotic System

Author(s): Logan Holder, Jeremy Hammen, Emily Pherigo, Jason Goeckler, and Wyatt Doyle

Mailing Address of Presenter: Jeremy Hammen - US Fish and Wildlife Service 101 Park DeVille Drive Suite A Columbia, MO 65203

Email Address of Presenter: jeremy_hammen@fws.gov

Abstract: Notorious for being highly elusive, invasive Silver Carp are increasing in abundance throughout the Missouri River basin. The ability to sample multiple life stages of this fish species in a variety of habitats is very important for assessment and management. Swift currents and diverse habitat use limit a gear’s ability to effectively and thoroughly sample a river or stream system. Recent interest has developed in modifying push trawls to capture a large size range of fish over diverse habitats in flowing systems. Combining traditional electrofishing with a rigid frame push net reduces the bias associated with each gear while combining the advantages of both techniques. An electrified push net, referred to as an electrified dozer trawl, captured Silver Carp at a rate twice that of traditional electrofishing while providing a similar length frequency. Sample sizes needed to assess a Silver Carp population could be decreased by nearly 1/3 when using an electrified dozer trawl compared to traditional electrofishing methods. The increased catch rates of Silver Carp, reduced bias in sampling different size indicates that the electrified dozer trawl is a flexible and robust tool for fisheries managers.

MRNRC Conference 2018 More Than Just A River Runs Through It

Poster Abstracts

3

Title: Immobilization Thresholds of Small Silver Carp Relative to Different Electrofishing Settings

Author(s): Ryan W. Long and Jahn L. Kallis

Mailing Address of Presenter: Ryan W. Long - US Fish and Wildlife Service 101 Park DeVille Drive Suite A Columbia, MO 65203

Email Address of Presenter: ryan_long@fws.gov Abstract: Invasive Silver Carp populations, which negatively impact native species, have increased throughout the Mississippi River basin. A common sampling technique used to control and manage these invading species is to utilize electricity. To properly capture these species with electricity, it is important to understand what amount of energy is needed to immobilize the species. We designed a laboratory study to determine 1) what frequency and duty cycle of the four we used is most effective in immobilizing Silver Carp and 2) how many volts per centimeter is needed to immobilize small Silver Carp (170 – 206 mm) using pulsed direct current. Four electrical settings were considered, including 30-15, 60-20, 60-25, and 80 Hz-40 duty cycle. We found that mean immobilization thresholds were highest using 15% duty cycle with 30Hz at .316V/cm and relatively low using the other settings .234-.268 V/cm. Information gained from this study will help determine what settings to use when sampling for Silver Carp. To further advance our knowledge to effectively manage and control these species.

Title: Assessing Electrotrawling Techniques Targeting Silver Carp and Their Ability to Assess Fish Community Relative to Electrofishing

Author/Presenter: Emily Pherigo, Jahn Kallis, Jeremy Hammen, and Jack Niemeyer

Mailing Address of Presenter: Emily Pherigo - US Fish and Wildlife Service 101 Park DeVille Drive Suite A Columbia, MO 65203

Email Address of Presenter: emily_pherigo@fws.gov Abstract: When evaluating a technique for its ability to capture a specific fish species, such as invasive Silver Carp, the potential impact as well as the ability to assess fish communities should be considered. In 2016 and 2017, two electrotrawling techniques (electrified dozer trawl and paupier) were compared to a traditional boat electrofishing technique that is currently being used for the management and monitoring of Silver Carp. Five-minute transects were randomly conducted in backwaters of the Illinois River and fish were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated. The mean species richness per 5 minute transect for paupier, electrified dozer trawl and traditional boat electrofishing was 7.75 (n=305; SE=0.149), 5.24 (327; 0.177) and 3.37 (322; 0.228), respectively. A total of 92 species were captured during this study with 19 species captured in 10% or more of samples. The addition of rare, unique, or species of conservation concern added to the overall species richness of each gear with paupier capturing 78 species, electrified dozer trawl capturing 72, and traditional boat electrofishing capturing 59. Overall, paupier and electrified dozer trawl were able to increase species richness with less effort than traditional boat electrofishing. In addition to assessing Silver Carp populations, novel electrotrawling techniques have further utility to assess pelagic fish communities.

MRNRC Conference 2018 More Than Just A River Runs Through It

Poster Abstracts

4

Title: Age-at-stocking Effect on Recruitment, Growth, and Condition of Pallid Sturgeon

Author(s): Landon L. Pierce, Daniel A. James, and Dylan R. Turner

Mailing Address of Presenter: Landon L. Pierce - US Fish and Wildlife Service 420 S. Garfield Avenue Suite 400 Pierre, SD 57501

Email Address of Presenter: landon_pierce@fws.gov

Abstract: Federally-endangered Pallid Sturgeon are stocked to prevent extinction until sufficient natural reproduction and recruitment occurs. Initial survival of hatchery-reared Pallid Sturgeon (HRPS) increased with stocking age in the upper and lower Missouri River, but how stocking age affects performance of HRPS in the middle Missouri River remains unclear. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the age-at-stocking effect on recruitment, growth, and condition of HRPS in the middle Missouri River. Over 4,000 HRPS from the 2008 year class were stocked into the middle Missouri River that included 3,410 age-0 and 637 age-1 fish. We used recapture data of these individuals from standardized surveys within the Pallid Sturgeon Population Assessment Program to evaluate the effects of age-at-stocking on the number recaptured, growth in length and weight, and body condition. We recaptured 34 (1% of stocked) individuals stocked at age-0 and 31 (4.9%) individuals stocked at age-1. Length, weight, and body condition did not differ among stocking ages at any age. Age-0 stockings will likely recruit to the population and perform similar to age-1 stockings, but stocking age-1 individuals is preferred because increased survival rate and likely reduced variability in survival rates between year classes of age-1 stockings result in more predictable effects of stocking on population size and genetic structure (i.e., effective population size).

Title: Plovers Silver Carp Harvest: a Tool Applicable for the Missouri River Basin

Author(s): Josey Ridgway, Zachary Sanders, Emily Pherigo, Wyatt Doyle, and Jason Goeckler

Mailing Address of Presenter: Josey Ridgway - US Fish and Wildlife Service 101 Park DeVille Drive Suite A Columbia, MO 65203

Email Address of Presenter: josey_ridgway@fws.gov

Abstract: To reduce Silver Carp concentrations downstream of the electric dispersal barrier on the upper Illinois River, targeted harvest in the Marseilles and Starved Rock pools are coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The USFWS—Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) has participated in this effort using an electrified butterfly trawl (paupier) which captures a wide size range of Silver Carp from a variety of habitat types including low flow. In 2016, the Columbia FWCO harvested Silver Carp at a rate of 1.8 tons per day (11,103 Silver Carp; 16 days). Because daily tonnage in 2016 was limited to the paupier’s capacity to hold and haul carp to the processing/disposal station located off site, capacity and logistic adjustments were made in 2017. A result of mechanical winch improvements, the addition of a tender boat and crew, and a hauling trailer with totes located at a nearby boat ramp, Silver Carp daily removal increased to 4.8 tons per day (19,116 Silver Carp; 11 days). Although more labor hours (crew time on the water) were expended in 2017 (392 hours) than in 2016 (290 hours), we were more cost effective in terms of Silver Carp biomass per labor hour in 2017 (269 lbs/labor hour) compared to 2016 (193 lbs/labor hour). Silver Carp harvest with the paupier is applicable to other systems including the Missouri River Basin where fish are concentrated and when logistics are considered.

MRNRC Conference 2018 More Than Just A River Runs Through It

Poster Abstracts

5

Title: Movements of Native Fish Species at Intake Dam on the Yellowstone River, MT Author(s): Mathew L. Rugg, Eric Best, David Trimpe, Eric Best, Caleb Bollman, and Mike Backes Mailing Address of Presenter: Mathew Rugg - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 907 N. Kendrick Ave Glendive, MT 59330 Email Address of Presenter: mrugg@mt.gov Abstract: Intake Dam (Intake) was constructed in 1905 on the Yellowstone River to provide irrigation water to Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. The dam was constructed as a wooden crib and rock structure that spans the river channel and has impeded fish movements since completion. Additionally, the leading hypothesis to the lack of wild recruitment of the endangered Pallid Sturgeon in the Upper Missouri basin is inadequate larval drift distance from spawning habitats to the headwaters of Lake Sakakawea. Federal agencies have proposed a fish passage project at Intake to promote passage of native species, specifically Pallid Sturgeon, thereby increasing the potential larval drift distance for progeny from individuals spawning upstream of the dam. Here, we aimed to document current fish passage at Intake to provide a baseline to which post passage project completion could be compared. Radio transmitters were implanted into five native species (Pallid Sturgeon, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Blue Sucker, Paddlefish, and Sauger) in a 10km reach downstream of Intake and a 10km control reach upstream of Intake. Individuals were tracked with ground based logging receivers as well as boat-mounted telemetry equipment. Passage rates as well as routes at Intake varied between species; most Blue Suckers encountering Intake moved upstream over the dam, whereas only 4 Pallid Sturgeon passed upstream of the dam exclusively by navigating a high-flow side channel. Implementation of a fish passage alternative at Intake Dam has the potential to impact the ability of Pallid Sturgeon and other species to move past the site.

Title: Accuracy and Precision of Age Estimates of Hatchery-reared Pallid Sturgeon from Scute Marking Author/Presenter: Kyle R. Winders Mailing Address of Presenter: Kyle R. Winders - Missouri Department of Conservation 15302 LIV 2386 Chillicothe, MO 64601 Email Address of Presenter: kyle.winders@mdc.mo.gov Abstract: Scute markings have been used for tagging hatchery-reared Pallid Sturgeon since 2006 as part of the Pallid Sturgeon tagging plan for the lower Missouri River. These scute markings were used to estimate ages of Pallid Sturgeon captured by Pallid Sturgeon Population Assessment Program crews. Age estimates using scute markings were validated for 712 individuals through either a hatchery-implanted PIT tag or by assessing parental genetics. Accuracy of age estimates averaged 95.6%. Percent error of multiple readings averaged 1.59% and coefficient of variation averaged 2.16%, indicating relatively high precision. Voucher images of scute markings read by a panel attributed 37.5% of incorrect estimates to interpretation errors and 62.5% to tagging errors. We conclude that using scute markings is a validated method to obtain age estimates. However, we provide recommendations for future tagging and scute marking efforts that would improve the accuracy and precision.