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Production of juvenile chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, in a heated model stream

Journal Article · · Fish. Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7312038

Temperature was elevated approximately 4/sup 0/C in a model stream, compared with an unheated but similar control stream. The streams were located outdoors and received identical amounts of exchange water from a nearby creek. Diel and seasonal temperature fluctuations were similar to those of area streams. Juvenile spring chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, were introduced into each stream either as eyed eggs or fry and allowed to remain for approximately 1 yr. Two consecutive year classes of juvenile salmon were studied. Their production was measured triweekly and related to changes in temperature, food availability, and other environmental factors. Ancillary experiments, utilizing water from the model streams, permitted measurement of differences in growth rate of salmon fed various rations. Salmon production in the control stream exceeded that in the heated stream. In 1972, total production in the control stream was twofold greater and, in 1973, it was approximately 30 percent greater than in the heated stream. Elevated temperature resulted in reduced growth rates of the fish especially as food became less abundant and at times also resulted in lower biomasses of food organisms, either because the temperature increase directly affected survival and growth of benthic invertebrates or because increased sedimentation associated with heavier growth of filamentous algae made riffle substrate less suitable for certain species. Beneficial effects of increased temperature appeared to include protection from infestation by a trematode parasite (Nanophyetus salmincola) and, possibly, increased tendencies of some invertebratres to enter the drift.

Research Organization:
Oregon State Univ., Corvallis
OSTI ID:
7312038
Journal Information:
Fish. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Fish. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 74:4; ISSN FSYBA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English