Habitat Trouble for Shortnose Sturgeon in Northeastern States
from the National Fish Habitat Partnership's 2015 Through a Fish's Eye Report
Summary
The Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), the smallest of the three sturgeon species that occur in the eastern United States, requires clean rock or rubble above the head of tide for spawning. It has suffered from the construction of dams in the region. This species migrates upriver from lower reaches of river systems or from upper estuary areas to spawn, but has been blocked from reaching spawning areas by dams. Other spawning habitat has been impaired by water flow changes from water withdrawals and dam operations, particularly peaking power operations. Sturgeon species, in general, are very sensitive to changes from the natural water flow conditions.
Summary
The
Shortnose Sturgeon (
Acipenser brevirostrum), the smallest of the three sturgeon species that occur in the eastern United States, requires clean rock or rubble above the head of tide for spawning. It has suffered from the construction of dams in the region. This species migrates upriver from lower reaches of river systems or from upper estuary areas to spawn, but has been blocked from reaching spawning areas by dams. Other spawning habitat has been impaired by water flow changes from water withdrawals and dam operations, particularly peaking power operations. Sturgeon species, in general, are very sensitive to changes from the natural water flow conditions.
The U.S Geological Survey (USGS) is partnering with the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) to produce the 2015 report entitled, "Through a Fish's Eye: The Status of Fish Habitats in the United States 2015". The information contained within this item is a product of NFHP. The Bureau is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy or the use of the scientific content within this item. This content is considered preliminary pending subsequent review and approval.
