Muddy River Fisheries Surveys





Muddy River Fisheries Surveys

Muddy River Fisheries SurveysBIO-WEST was contracted by the Southern Nevada Water Authority to evaluate the distribution and permanence of native fish populations below the Wells-siding Diversion on the Muddy River in Nevada. In previous monitoring efforts, fish populations were found to be predominantly comprised of nonnative species, but 18 Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda) were found immediately below the diversion in 2003, which stimulated this comprehensive sampling effort to assess the distribution and ecology of native and nonnative fishes Muddy River Fisheries Surveysincluding Virgin River chub and Moapa speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus moapae). BIO-WEST is using seines, hoop nets, minnow traps, and backpack electrofishing for these efforts. We also evaluated stream discharge and temperature as indicators of habitat suitability for the permanence of native fish populations. These surveys represent some of the most complete and holistic investigative efforts on the Muddy River fish community to date.