By 1980 there were 1,608 reservoirs (over 202 ha each) with a surface area of 4 million ha in the United States. Construction of new reservoirs has decreased in recent years because of the lack of suitable sites and the opposition of environmental interests. Reservoirs have characteristics of both lacustrine and riverine ecosystems. Reservoirs have been segmented into riverine, transitional and lacustrine zones for simulation modelling.Fish and plankton production increases rapidly after initial impoundment and then decreases and stabilizes at lower levels. Decreases in the number of fish species and in fish biomass following impoundment are caused by reduced quantity and quality of spawning and nursery habitat and decreased detrital input. Plankton populations can be followed downstream in a series of reservoirs and increases in abundance were associated with the inundation of vegetation or the introduction of nutrients.In addition to water level management, the most effective fish management programs have included introducing new fishes, developing vegetation or building structures on the reservoir bottom. Considerable progress has been made in predicting the effects of environmental parameters on fish production.
