Presenter Information

Cathy Bozek, The Nature Conservancy

Location

Groningen, The Netherlands

Event Website

http://fishpassage.umass.edu/

Start Date

24-6-2015 4:15 PM

End Date

24-6-2015 4:30 PM

Description

Abstract:

Actions and land use in the watershed impact river habitat quality and fish migration. Stormwater runoff from developed land often carries high sediment loads that obstruct rivers, and excess nutrients that promote dense vegetation blooms, leading to conditions that severely hinder fish passage. Research shows that watershed impervious cover is a strong indicator of fluvial fish community health. Expanding directly-connected impervious surface in the watershed increases these impacts, while improved stormwater management can reduce the impacts and benefit the river system. Green infrastructure, including both sitespecific best management practices and landscape level conservation and restoration of natural lands, provides critical functions that reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff. In Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy and our partners are restoring passage for river herring, American eel, and other species by removing dams and improving road-stream crossings, and we are also working to improve stormwater management and watershed land use decisions to benefit fish movement and give fish populations the best chance to thrive in their new habitat. We are encouraging implementation of green infrastructure through demonstration projects, outreach, and support of legislation and policy. This talk will explore the impacts of watershed conditions and stormwater management on fish migration and river habitat, the management choices that can be successful in improving connectivity and river health, and the benefits of a holistic approach to fish passage restoration.

Comments

Presenting Author Bio: Cathy is an aquatic ecologist at The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts. Her work focuses on dam removal projects, green infrastructure and stormwater management, and partnership-based watershed restoration and management. Cathy has a M.S. in Water Resource Management from the University of New Hampshire and a B.A. in Geology from Colgate University.

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Jun 24th, 4:15 PM Jun 24th, 4:30 PM

Session A9: Green Infrastructure and Blue Habitat: Impacts of Watershed Conditions and Stormwater Management on River Health and Fish Passage

Groningen, The Netherlands

Abstract:

Actions and land use in the watershed impact river habitat quality and fish migration. Stormwater runoff from developed land often carries high sediment loads that obstruct rivers, and excess nutrients that promote dense vegetation blooms, leading to conditions that severely hinder fish passage. Research shows that watershed impervious cover is a strong indicator of fluvial fish community health. Expanding directly-connected impervious surface in the watershed increases these impacts, while improved stormwater management can reduce the impacts and benefit the river system. Green infrastructure, including both sitespecific best management practices and landscape level conservation and restoration of natural lands, provides critical functions that reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff. In Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy and our partners are restoring passage for river herring, American eel, and other species by removing dams and improving road-stream crossings, and we are also working to improve stormwater management and watershed land use decisions to benefit fish movement and give fish populations the best chance to thrive in their new habitat. We are encouraging implementation of green infrastructure through demonstration projects, outreach, and support of legislation and policy. This talk will explore the impacts of watershed conditions and stormwater management on fish migration and river habitat, the management choices that can be successful in improving connectivity and river health, and the benefits of a holistic approach to fish passage restoration.

https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June24/4