This week, Fish and Game's fisheries habitat expert John Magee gives an overview of recent habitat protection and restoration efforts in New Hampshire.
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Fish Habitat - Protection and Restoration By John Magee, Fish Habitat Biologist
People don't always think of New Hampshire's waterbodies as "habitat" -- but that's what our rivers and streams, lakes and ponds are to fish and other aquatic creatures. One of the Fisheries Division's responsibilities is to monitor, protect and restore important habitats throughout the state. We've been making good progress on a number of fish habitat issues this season.
In terms of protection, NH Fish and Game staff have recently authored, with help from a diverse group of stakeholders and experts in the field, a comprehensive guidance document on the design and construction of stream crossings. Stream crossings (culverts and bridges) can impact stream habitat by altering the natural flow of water, wood and sediment, and can fragment fish populations by creating impassable barriers to fish.
There is plentiful data on what kinds of conditions at stream crossings -- in general -- prevent fish from moving upstream. Fish and Game began a research project with the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and US Geological Survey's Conte Lab, with 100% funding from the USFWS, to evaluate the passability of two culverts in the Nash Stream Watershed. One objective of this research is to determine what effect the culverts throughout the watershed have had on the genetic integrity of wild brook trout there.
That research project ties into the Nash Stream Restoration Project, which is a joint effort between Fish and Game, the Division of Forests and Lands (NH Department of Resources and Economic Development) and Trout Unlimited. This is truly a watershed project in that the objective is to restore fish habitat, specifically for wild brook trout and Atlantic salmon, along nine miles of the mainstem of Nash Stream to the entire watershed. Furthermore, the project will ensure that there are no human-created barriers to fish movement in the watershed. We are currently in the assessment stage for the mainstem restoration, and anticipate on-the-ground restoration of Nash Stream to start in summer 2008 and continue into 2011. By next summer, we plan to remove two culverts in the watershed, and replace another with a bridge.
We have also been working on a number of dam removal projects. Two are specifically to restore fish passage to two large rivers in the state. The Homestead Woolen Mills Dam on the Ashuelot River in Swanzey is in disrepair and the owner wishes to remove it. The Ashuelot is an important river for American shad, river herring and Atlantic salmon, and restoring fish passage there is an important component of Connecticut River anadromous fish restoration plans.
The Merrimack Village Dam in Merrimack is on the Souhegan River, a tributary of the Merrimack River. Removing this dam will provide fish passage to about fourteen miles of the Souhegan River and five miles of its tributaries. American shad, river herring and Atlantic salmon -- migratory fish that need to travel upriver to complete their reproductive cycles -- will once again be able to access more of their historical spawning and rearing habitat.
Working with the Piscataquog Watershed Association, the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and the Town of Weare, the Fish Habitat Program plans to construct a small water control structure at Lake Horace Marsh to minimize the impacts that the winter drawdown of Lake Horace currently causes in the marsh. Because of the drawdown, only several aquatic plant species thrive in the marsh, and surveys by Fish and Game have documented that the spawning and rearing habitat for yellow perch and chain pickerel are nearly nonexistent in the marsh. Providing a more natural water level regime will allow the necessary aquatic vegetation to proliferate and the fish habitat (and fish populations) to be restored in the marsh. Construction is planned for 2008. We are currently finalizing the engineering designs and permitting. Fish and Game has committed to provide up to $35,000 for the project from the fisheries habitat fund, with most of the project costs coming from NHDES and the Town of Weare Conservation Commission.
ANGLERS - HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF "ROCK SNOT"
If you're fishing New Hampshire's rivers, keep a sharp eye out for the aquatic nuisance algae known as "Didymo" or "rock snot." This nasty invader has been discovered in the northern reaches of the Connecticut River and potentially is on the move in New Hampshire. Dydimo can infest new areas by even just one cell of the alga breaking off and drifting downstream. It is very easily spread by waders, fishing gear, paddles and any equipment that touches the bottoms of streams in infested areas, so it is critical to check and clean your fishing gear. Do your part to protect New Hampshire's waters.
If you observe Didymo in New Hampshire, contact Amy Smagula at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services: 603-271-2248 or asmagula@des.state.nh.us.
REMINDER FOR LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE BASS ANGLERS:
N.H. Fish and Game continues to count on help from anglers for an ongoing study of the movement of largemouth and smallmouth bass after bass tournament release. Angler captures of tagged bass are the major source of information for this study. Bass are being tagged upon release from tournament weigh-ins at Ames Farm Inn on Lake Winnipesaukee, identified with a numbered yellow tag at the base of the fish's dorsal fin. IF YOU CATCH A TAGGED BASS - PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE TAG!!
Bass Movement Study contact: Gabe Gries, Fish and Game Warmwater Fisheries Project Leader: NHFG Region 4, 15 Ash Brook Court, Keene, NH 03431; phone 603-352-9669; fax 603-352-8798; or email ggries@nhfgd.org.
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