Freshwater Fish and Habitats
Freshwater Fish and Habitats
The streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed provide critical habitat for freshwater fish such as brook trout and migratory species such as river herring, American shad, and American eel. These species have declined owing to degrading stream conditions and barriers preventing migration. The USGS supports restoration efforts though the multiple efforts listed below.
Filter Total Items: 24
Altered flow affects the biological health of streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Issue: The natural cycle of water flow, known as the flow regime, is one of the primary habitat conditions needed for healthy biological communities in streams. However, human activities have drastically altered the natural flow regime of most of the world’s rivers and streams, including those in the Chesapeake watershed, which has resulted in changes not only to the natural habitat but also...
New Review of Sediment Science Informs Choices of Management Actions in the Chesapeake
Issue: The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is pursuing restoration efforts to improve habitats and associated water quality for fisheries, both in the watershed and estuary. Excess sediment decreases light in tidal waters for submerged aquatic vegetation, harms oysters, carries contaminants, and impairs stream health throughout the watershed. The CBP is implementing management actions and policies...
Effects of introduced species on native brook trout: a guide to the scientific literature
Issue: Native brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) are of great ecological, cultural, and economic importance in eastern North America, and their restoration is a focus of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Introduced, non-native species can jeopardize native brook trout, and more information on these effects are needed.
Changing Freshwater Flows Affect Fish Populations in the Potomac River
Issue: Millions of people rely on the Potomac River for drinking water and recreational opportunities. The Potomac is Maryland’s most popular freshwater fishing destination, and the second largest river that enters the Chesapeake Bay. Restoring fisheries is also an important goal for the Chesapeake Bay Partnership restoration efforts.
Assessing stream health and fish habitat in streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Streams and rivers provide habitat for a diverse array of aquatic and semi-aquatic species. However, human alteration to landscapes and riverscapes has affected this habitat resulting in its degradation and thus loss of habitat and associated sensitive aquatic species. While this relationship has been known for many years, only recently has the availability of data and analytical capabilities...
USGS Chesapeake Bay Topic Leaders
USGS Chesapeake Bay studies are carried out by integrated teams of scientists located across the watershed. The leaders of these teams are listed below. Click on a scientist's name to be taken to their staff profile.
Videos Highlighting USGS Chesapeake Bay Activities
A list of Chesapeake Bay Program videos highlighting USGS Chesapeake Bay Activities.
Temperature changes affecting brook trout populations
By the Numbers: 23 The maximum temperature, in degrees Celsius, that brook trout can tolerate.
Provide science to support the conservation and restoration of freshwater fisheries and aquatic habitats
The streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed provide critical habitat for freshwater fish such as brook trout and migratory species such as river herring, American shad, and American Eel. These species have declined due to degrading stream conditions and barriers preventing migration. The USGS informs restoration efforts by (1) assessing habitat conditions and change; (2) the relation to habitat...
Brook Trout
Land and climate changes are expected to adversely affect aquatic ecosystems and conditions for brook trout and other freshwater species.
USGS Expands Studies of Brook Trout
The USGS has established an experimental stream lab in the Leetown Science Center.