Sport fishery potential of power plant cooling ponds: Final report

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:7190197

Heidinger, R C; Lewis, W M

This research was undertaken to determine if cooling ponds could serve as habitat for several coolwater fish species and also to evaluate the potential use of cooling ponds as nursery areas for receiving waters. The work was conducted on two cooling ponds in northern Illinois. Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), striped bass (Morone saxatilis) fingerlings, and adult threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) were stocked into both cooling ponds. The hybrids between the striped bass and white bass (M. chrysops) had been previously stocked into Collins Pond. Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) fingerlings and larval striped bass and walleye were stocked in Dresden Pond. Several sampling techniques including seining, electrofishing, and rotenoning were used to monitor growth and survival of stocked species. In addition, escapement of stocked and indigenous species was monitored at the Dresden Pond spillway. Walleye, muskellunge, striped bass and hybrid striped bass exhibited excellent growth in Collins Pond as did smallmouth bass in Dresden Pond. One of the primary differences between an open system (such as Dresden Pond) and a closed system (such as Collins Pond) is the potential that the open system has to serve as a fish nursery area for receiving waters. The stocking of ''coolwater'' species in a closed type system such as Collins Pond is an effective way to control and maintain selected sport species. Dresden Pond was not open to public fishing during this study, but Collins Pond developed an excellent sport fishery as a result of these stockings.

• Research Organization: Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale (USA). Cooperative Fisheries Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 7190197
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EA-4838; ON: TI87920116
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
COOLING PONDS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
FISHES
ANIMAL GROWTH
FISHING INDUSTRY
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
GROWTH
INDUSTRY
PONDS
POWER PLANTS
SURFACE WATERS
VERTEBRATES
WATER RESERVOIRS
520500* - Environment
Aquatic- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
553000 - Agriculture & Food Technology