The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018

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March 29, 2019

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

Columbia Environmental Research Center

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

March 29, 2019

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

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September 21, 2018

Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology

CERC fish biologists study migrations, reproductive cues, and spawning behaviors of reproductive wild and hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon (HOPS) in the Missouri River Basin.

Species Management Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology

September 21, 2018

Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology

CERC fish biologists study migrations, reproductive cues, and spawning behaviors of reproductive wild and hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon (HOPS) in the Missouri River Basin.

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Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016 Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016

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August 1, 2018

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP) is a multidisciplinary project conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery Program–Integrated Science Program. CERC scientists are working with river scientists and managers to develop methods, baseline information, and research approaches that are critical contributions to recovery success of the...

Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)

August 1, 2018

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)

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Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017 Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017

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July 15, 2025

Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) Free Embryo Drift and Dispersal Experiment Associated with the Fort Peck Dam Flow Test in the Upper Missouri River, Montana, June 2024 Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) Free Embryo Drift and Dispersal Experiment Associated with the Fort Peck Dam Flow Test in the Upper Missouri River, Montana, June 2024

The data set contains sampling and catch data associated with an experiment to examine dispersal and short-term survival of endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) free embryos in the Missouri River of eastern Montana. The experiment was conducted as part of a flow test from Fort Peck Dam, when warm surface water from Fort Peck reservoir was released over the spillway to...

Columbia Environmental Research Center

May 15, 2025

Water temperature in the Upper Missouri, Milk, and Yellowstone Rivers, and associated air temperature and discharge data Water temperature in the Upper Missouri, Milk, and Yellowstone Rivers, and associated air temperature and discharge data

The data set contains measurement locations and measurements of daily and sub-daily water temperature, daily river discharge, and daily air temperature for several sites in the Upper Missouri River basin of Montana and North Dakota, 2001-2022. Water temperature sites include: the Missouri River upstream from Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana; multiple locations through a 351-km reach...

Columbia Environmental Research Center

January 30, 2023

Invertebrates enumerated from the diets of larval pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus) in the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota in 2019 Invertebrates enumerated from the diets of larval pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus) in the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota in 2019

An inventory (enumeration and taxonomic identification) of diet items consumed by wild-caught larval pallid sturgeon and larval shovelnose sturgeon, based on the examination of gut contents from fish that were collected in the Upper Missouri River drainage of the U.S.

Columbia Environmental Research Center

October 13, 2021

Pallid sturgeon free embryo drift and dispersal experiment data from the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota, 2019 Pallid sturgeon free embryo drift and dispersal experiment data from the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota, 2019

The data set contains sampling data, catch data, and biological data associated with a broad-scale experiment to examine free embryo dispersal and larval settlement of endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River of eastern Montana and western North Dakota. On 20190701, two age groups of pallid sturgeon including 771,707 1-day post-hatch (dph) free embryos and...

Columbia Environmental Research Center

Filter Total Items: 29

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September 15, 2025

Water temperature regimes and thermal drivers in semi-natural and flow-regulated rivers of the northern Great Plains Water temperature regimes and thermal drivers in semi-natural and flow-regulated rivers of the northern Great Plains

Rivers of the northern Great Plains have lacked long-term, continuous water temperature assessments, and there is limited information on thermal regimes of these systems and factors driving water temperature. We collected and assembled 2001–2022 water temperature data from 18 sites on four reaches of three rivers that differ in anthropogenic impacts: semi-natural Yellowstone River (YR)...

Authors

Patrick Braaten, T. David Ritter, Tyler M. Haddix, David B. Fuller, John R. Hunziker, John G. Hargrave

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

January 1, 2025

Haploid gynogens facilitate disomic marker development in paleotetraploid sturgeons Haploid gynogens facilitate disomic marker development in paleotetraploid sturgeons

Acipenseriformes (sturgeons and paddlefishes) are of substantial conservation concern, and development of genomic resources for these species is difficult due to past whole genome duplication. Development of disomic markers for polyploid organisms can be challenging due to difficulty in resolving alleles at a single locus from those among duplicated loci. In this study, we detail the...

Authors

Richard Flamio, Dominic G Swift, David S Portnoy, Kimberly Chojnacki, Aaron J. Delonay, Jeffrey Powell, Patrick Braaten, Edward J. Heist

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

November 1, 2024

Warmwater fish in rivers Warmwater fish in rivers

In addition to the gears described in the previous version, this edition includes an updated water body definition that is inclusive of Mexico and Canada as well as standard methods for the use of cast nets in warmwater rivers. There were organizational changes in the trawling and hoop-net sections to make them consistent with the format for this edition, but the methods themselves have...

Authors

Brenda M. Pracheil, Patrick Braaten, Everardo Barba Macias, Christopher S. Guy, David P Herzog, Martin J. Hamel, John C Justice, Alison R Loeppky, Jon M Mollish, Jeffrey W Simmons, Sara J. Tripp

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

June 5, 2023

Dietary comparison of age-0 sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus sp.) between upper and lower Missouri River basins Dietary comparison of age-0 sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus sp.) between upper and lower Missouri River basins

Understanding potential limiting factors affecting population growth of the endangered pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus, is important in the upper (UMOR) and lower Missouri River (LMOR) basins. The UMOR is upstream of several reservoirs and generally has more natural habitat features, whereas the LMOR is downstream of these reservoirs and has been channelized to support navigation...

Authors

Alin González, James M. Long, Nathan J.C. Gosch, Anthony P. Civiello, Todd R. Gemeinhardt, Jerrod Hall, Patrick Braaten

Cooperative Research Units

October 27, 2022

Diet composition and overlap of larval pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon from the upper Missouri River, USA Diet composition and overlap of larval pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon from the upper Missouri River, USA

Early life stages of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus are rarely collected, and thus information on their biology and ecology is extremely limited. We sampled 75 larval pallid sturgeon (25-110 mm) and 148 larval shovelnose sturgeon S. platorynchus (15-95 mm) by trawl from the upper Missouri River (USA) in 2019. Stomach contents were identified to compare food use and diet overlap...

Authors

Colt Taylor Holley, Patrick Braaten, Barry Poulton, Edward J. Heist, Levi Umland, Tyler M. Haddix

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

August 11, 2022

Growth and survival rates of dispersing free embryos and settled larvae of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota Growth and survival rates of dispersing free embryos and settled larvae of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota

We released nearly 1.0 million 1-day post-hatch (dph) and 5-dph pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) free embryos in the Missouri River on 1 July 2019 and sequentially captured survivors at multiple sites through a 240-km river reach to quantify daily growth and survival rates during the early life stages. Genetic analysis was used to assign captured fish to released family lots and...

Authors

Patrick Braaten, R.J. Holm, J. A. Powell, E.J. Heist, Amy C. Buhman, Colt Taylor Holley, Aaron J. Delonay, T.M. Haddix, R.H. Wilson, R. B. Jacobson

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

May 25, 2021

Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables

A multiweek standardized sampling regime during 2004–2016 in a 60-km reach of the Upper Missouri River assessed reproduction and catch rates for Sturgeon Chub Macrhybopsis gelida and Sicklefin Chub Macrhybopsis meeki. We sampled age-0 Macrhybopsis (primarily Sturgeon Chubs, but potentially including Sicklefin Chubs) all years to indicate successful reproduction, but noted an inverse...

Authors

Patrick Braaten, David B. Fuller, Tyler M. Haddix, John R. Hunziker, Michael E. Colvin, Luke M. Holmquist, Ryan H. Wilson

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

December 12, 2019

Improved genetic identification of acipenseriform embryos with application to the endangered pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus Improved genetic identification of acipenseriform embryos with application to the endangered pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus

We produced pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus embryos at five pre‐hatch developmental stages and isolated and quantified genomic DNA from four of the stages using four commercial DNA isolation kits. Genomic DNA prepared using the kit that produced the largest yields and concentrations were used for microsatellite DNA analyses of 10–20 embryos at each of the five developmental stages...

Authors

Tom Kashiwagi, Aaron J. Delonay, Patrick Braaten, Kimberly Chojnacki, Rachel M. Gocker, Edward J. Heist

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

October 31, 2018

Evaluating flow management as a strategy to recover an endangered sturgeon species in the Upper Missouri River, USA Evaluating flow management as a strategy to recover an endangered sturgeon species in the Upper Missouri River, USA

In the Upper Missouri River, Fort Peck and Garrison Dams limit the length of free‐flowing river available to the endangered pallid sturgeon. These barriers restrict the upstream migration of adults and downstream larval dispersal. A one‐dimensional (1D) modelling framework is currently in use to evaluate reservoir operation alternatives and to simulate drift of dispersing free embryos...

Authors

Susannah O. Erwin, Edward A. Bulliner, Craig J Fischenich, Robert B. Jacobson, Patrick Braaten, Aaron J. Delonay

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

December 1, 2016

Status of knowledge of the Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus Forbes and Richardson, 1905) Status of knowledge of the Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus Forbes and Richardson, 1905)

The Pallid Sturgeon is listed as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. When the species was listed in 1990 it was considered extremely rare and was poorly understood. Habitat alteration, commercial harvest, environmental contaminants, and other factors were identified as threats. Today our scientific understanding of the species and its life history

Authors

G. R. Jordan, E.J. Heist, Patrick Braaten, Aaron J. Delonay, P. Hartfield, D.P. Herzog, K.M. Kappenman, M.A.H. Web

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

March 16, 2016

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2014 Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2014

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project scope of...

Authors

Aaron J. Delonay, Kimberly A. Chojnacki, Robert B. Jacobson, Patrick J. Braaten, Kevin J. Buhl, Caroline M. Elliott, Susannah O. Erwin, Jacob D.A. Faulkner, James S. Candrl, David B. Fuller, Kenneth M. Backes, Tyler M. Haddix, Matthew L. Rugg, Christopher J. Wesolek, Brandon L. Eder, Gerald E. Mestl

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

January 21, 2016

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2013 Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2013

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of pallid sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project...

Authors

Aaron J. Delonay, Robert B. Jacobson, Kimberly A. Chojnacki, Patrick J. Braaten, Kevin J. Buhl, Brandon L Eder, Caroline M. Elliott, Susannah O. Erwin, David B. Fuller, Tyler M. Haddix, Hallie L.A. Ladd, Gerald E. Mestl, Diana M. Papoulias, Jason C. Rhoten, Christopher J. Wesolek, Mark L. Wildhaber

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

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Logs and Debris in the Yellowstone River

June 12, 2017

Logs and Debris in the Yellowstone River

Logs and debris are a common occurrence during recent high flows in the Yellowstone River.

Columbia Environmental Research Center

June 12, 2017

Logs and Debris in the Yellowstone River

Logs and debris are a common occurrence during recent high flows in the Yellowstone River.

Columbia Environmental Research Center

Person placing a pallid sturgeon into the water from the side of a boat.

Releasing a Pallid Sturgeon on the Yellowstone River

June 1, 2017

Releasing a Pallid Sturgeon on the Yellowstone River

Student Services contractor, Tanner, Cox releasing a pallid sturgeon on the Yellowstone River.

Columbia Environmental Research Center

June 1, 2017

Releasing a Pallid Sturgeon on the Yellowstone River

Student Services contractor, Tanner, Cox releasing a pallid sturgeon on the Yellowstone River.

Columbia Environmental Research Center

Science and Products

Science

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Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018 Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2018

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March 29, 2019

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

Columbia Environmental Research Center

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

March 29, 2019

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2019

Learn More

September 21, 2018

Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology

CERC fish biologists study migrations, reproductive cues, and spawning behaviors of reproductive wild and hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon (HOPS) in the Missouri River Basin.

Species Management Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology

September 21, 2018

Adult Pallid Sturgeon Reproductive Ecology

CERC fish biologists study migrations, reproductive cues, and spawning behaviors of reproductive wild and hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon (HOPS) in the Missouri River Basin.

Learn More

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016 Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2016

Learn More

August 1, 2018

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)

Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)

August 1, 2018

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project (CSRP)

Learn More

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017 Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017

Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project Blog - 2017

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Data

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July 15, 2025

Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) Free Embryo Drift and Dispersal Experiment Associated with the Fort Peck Dam Flow Test in the Upper Missouri River, Montana, June 2024 Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) Free Embryo Drift and Dispersal Experiment Associated with the Fort Peck Dam Flow Test in the Upper Missouri River, Montana, June 2024

Columbia Environmental Research Center

May 15, 2025

Water temperature in the Upper Missouri, Milk, and Yellowstone Rivers, and associated air temperature and discharge data Water temperature in the Upper Missouri, Milk, and Yellowstone Rivers, and associated air temperature and discharge data

Columbia Environmental Research Center

January 30, 2023

Invertebrates enumerated from the diets of larval pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus) in the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota in 2019 Invertebrates enumerated from the diets of larval pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus) in the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota in 2019

Columbia Environmental Research Center

October 13, 2021

Pallid sturgeon free embryo drift and dispersal experiment data from the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota, 2019 Pallid sturgeon free embryo drift and dispersal experiment data from the Upper Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota, 2019

Columbia Environmental Research Center

Publications

Filter Total Items: 29

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September 15, 2025

Water temperature regimes and thermal drivers in semi-natural and flow-regulated rivers of the northern Great Plains Water temperature regimes and thermal drivers in semi-natural and flow-regulated rivers of the northern Great Plains

Authors

Patrick Braaten, T. David Ritter, Tyler M. Haddix, David B. Fuller, John R. Hunziker, John G. Hargrave

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

January 1, 2025

Haploid gynogens facilitate disomic marker development in paleotetraploid sturgeons Haploid gynogens facilitate disomic marker development in paleotetraploid sturgeons

Authors

Richard Flamio, Dominic G Swift, David S Portnoy, Kimberly Chojnacki, Aaron J. Delonay, Jeffrey Powell, Patrick Braaten, Edward J. Heist

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

November 1, 2024

Warmwater fish in rivers Warmwater fish in rivers

Authors

Brenda M. Pracheil, Patrick Braaten, Everardo Barba Macias, Christopher S. Guy, David P Herzog, Martin J. Hamel, John C Justice, Alison R Loeppky, Jon M Mollish, Jeffrey W Simmons, Sara J. Tripp

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

June 5, 2023

Dietary comparison of age-0 sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus sp.) between upper and lower Missouri River basins Dietary comparison of age-0 sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus sp.) between upper and lower Missouri River basins

Authors

Alin González, James M. Long, Nathan J.C. Gosch, Anthony P. Civiello, Todd R. Gemeinhardt, Jerrod Hall, Patrick Braaten

Cooperative Research Units

October 27, 2022

Diet composition and overlap of larval pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon from the upper Missouri River, USA Diet composition and overlap of larval pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon from the upper Missouri River, USA

Authors

Colt Taylor Holley, Patrick Braaten, Barry Poulton, Edward J. Heist, Levi Umland, Tyler M. Haddix

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

August 11, 2022

Growth and survival rates of dispersing free embryos and settled larvae of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota Growth and survival rates of dispersing free embryos and settled larvae of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, Montana and North Dakota

Authors

Patrick Braaten, R.J. Holm, J. A. Powell, E.J. Heist, Amy C. Buhman, Colt Taylor Holley, Aaron J. Delonay, T.M. Haddix, R.H. Wilson, R. B. Jacobson

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

May 25, 2021

Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables

Authors

Patrick Braaten, David B. Fuller, Tyler M. Haddix, John R. Hunziker, Michael E. Colvin, Luke M. Holmquist, Ryan H. Wilson

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

December 12, 2019

Improved genetic identification of acipenseriform embryos with application to the endangered pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus Improved genetic identification of acipenseriform embryos with application to the endangered pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus

Authors

Tom Kashiwagi, Aaron J. Delonay, Patrick Braaten, Kimberly Chojnacki, Rachel M. Gocker, Edward J. Heist

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

October 31, 2018

Evaluating flow management as a strategy to recover an endangered sturgeon species in the Upper Missouri River, USA Evaluating flow management as a strategy to recover an endangered sturgeon species in the Upper Missouri River, USA

Authors

Susannah O. Erwin, Edward A. Bulliner, Craig J Fischenich, Robert B. Jacobson, Patrick Braaten, Aaron J. Delonay

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

December 1, 2016

Status of knowledge of the Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus Forbes and Richardson, 1905) Status of knowledge of the Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus Forbes and Richardson, 1905)

Authors

G. R. Jordan, E.J. Heist, Patrick Braaten, Aaron J. Delonay, P. Hartfield, D.P. Herzog, K.M. Kappenman, M.A.H. Web

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

March 16, 2016

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2014 Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2014

Authors

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

January 21, 2016

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2013 Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2013

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of pallid sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project...

Authors

Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center