Researcher says dams can make it harder for native fish to survive drought
Keith Gido, a Kansas State professor, says sediment from wildfires can prolong the damage to fish communities.
Based on reporting by Utah Public Radio. Read the original story →
Continuing story: The Colorado River and Utah's water
Dams and other barriers can make it harder for native fish to survive drought, according to Keith Gido, a distinguished professor at Kansas State University who studies freshwater fish communities, Utah Public Radio reported. Gido said fish communities have survived droughts historically, but humans have fragmented rivers and streams so fish can no longer move around to find refuge. [1]
He said barriers such as dams, bridges and culverts can also slow recovery after severe drought. When drought overlaps with wildfires, which can send sediment into waterways, the damage to fish communities can last longer, Gido said. [1]
Gido said that when restoring an entire river system is not realistic, conservationists may need different strategies for different systems, from habitat restoration to hatcheries or off-channel habitats that keep threatened fish populations alive. He also presented research on removing accumulated sediment from aging reservoirs, alongside a seminar on drought and native fish conservation. [1]
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This story was written by AI from the report by Utah Public Radio, which has the full story. How we write stories.