Stream Nutrient Studies

[smilesforu]

I could use some more help... I need to locate studies on Stream Nutrients and their carrying capacity. Got any good links? I know there has to be more info than I can use on this subject. I recently read a article in STS about stream fertilization to increase nutrients for smolts. It had some very promising results. If the escapement numbers are increased we will need to have enough food for the smolts to survive. Thanks in advance again [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[GoFish]

It sounds like Frank Amato might know something. He's been expressing an interest in this topic for a while now.

[chuck 'n' duck]

I was just thinking about this subject the other day. With a predicted run of something like 440K springers in the Columbia, and most of them hatchery run, there is going to be a great surplus of fish. I know that normally the hatchery carcases are buried or otherwise disposed of. Instead of doing this, all of those fish could be used to fertilize streams throughout Wash. and Oregon. I sure hope that ODFW has thought of this, and the near historical run of springers that are going uncaught can be used to thier full potential.
CnD

[smilesforu]

Frank has a article in the oct/nov 2000 about a Called "Nutrient Solution for STarving Wild Salmon and Steelhead Juveniles"
There is a conference in Eugene April 24-26 At the Hilton. 800- 937-6660. Scientists will present papers on all aspects of the subject and the public is invited. I won't be able to go to this conference [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]. He lists the willapa Bay in the information with a internet address of www.tide-pool.org
I can't get the address to work... If its in your neighborhood it would be worthwhile to attend if your interested in the future of the fish.

[smilesforu]

http://www.gpafs.org/

[smilesforu]

news article http://thesunlink.com/news/2000/july/072776103.html


Very good article on the recovery of the stream in the study. http://www.ariverneversleeps.com/bac...e00/news.shtml

[ 04-22-2001: Message edited by: smilesforu ]

[Hoosier Daddy]

Wasn't there an official I-Fish Carcass Toss last fall that was in cahoots with ODFW?? I seem to recall seeing some links on the WDFW page to some of their research, you might look there. A few years ago, ODFW wanted to do this in some streams and DEQ fought them on it due to nitrogen levels or something, but I think that is squared away now, and ODFW is planning to do more. I will check their site and see if there are any news announcements, they really need to update the site, but I don't think they have anyone to do it.

[Stinkfoot]

Marty,
Two things to keep in mind about this. First, stream fertilization should not be necessary in a stream if it gets good numbers of spawners. The spawners die, and their bodies feed the streams. This is the way things evolved. Second, fertilization is a band-aid for times of low escapement. It has the potential to help some streams and it has the potential to hurt if fish managers use it as a permanent strategy in place of allowing greater escapement numbers. Just because a little of something may be good doesn't necessarily mean that a lot of it would be better.