B.D.
Well-Known Member
It looks like the major factors identified by studies* that affect reproduction on the Caney are:
1. Scouring of the redds and depth fluctuation during generation periods.
2. Temperature (ideal spawn temp for browns is around 47F, but the Caney is often in the mid 50s in October/November).
3. Large numbers of people harassing the spawners and walking all over the redds.
Number 2 gives me the most hope right now - the water output from the sluice gates seems to be colder than output from generation. Will the new sluice gate and constant flow push temps down enough? I don't know, but I'm eager to see.
As far as scouring and fluctuation, I don't see the Corps being convinced to change the schedule to allow trout to spawn. However, with them in "water conservation" mode now due to the repair drawdown, maybe we'll be lucky enough to get a light schedule with mostly "sluice only" flows in the fall. The big catch is you also need a light schedule later in the winter when the eggs hatch, lest the alevins all get washed away. I don't know how likely that is.
As far as people leaving trout alone and not tromping all over the redds, there's nothing that can be done about that. All we could hope for is that the few sheltered redds away from access points might be spared.
*In addition to the factors cited in the studies, I also wonder about impact from hordes of stockers devouring eggs and alevins. I have no scientific way to quantify the impact of that, but I know that the redds dug in November are crowded with feeding rainbows in late December.
bd
1. Scouring of the redds and depth fluctuation during generation periods.
2. Temperature (ideal spawn temp for browns is around 47F, but the Caney is often in the mid 50s in October/November).
3. Large numbers of people harassing the spawners and walking all over the redds.
Number 2 gives me the most hope right now - the water output from the sluice gates seems to be colder than output from generation. Will the new sluice gate and constant flow push temps down enough? I don't know, but I'm eager to see.
As far as scouring and fluctuation, I don't see the Corps being convinced to change the schedule to allow trout to spawn. However, with them in "water conservation" mode now due to the repair drawdown, maybe we'll be lucky enough to get a light schedule with mostly "sluice only" flows in the fall. The big catch is you also need a light schedule later in the winter when the eggs hatch, lest the alevins all get washed away. I don't know how likely that is.
As far as people leaving trout alone and not tromping all over the redds, there's nothing that can be done about that. All we could hope for is that the few sheltered redds away from access points might be spared.
*In addition to the factors cited in the studies, I also wonder about impact from hordes of stockers devouring eggs and alevins. I have no scientific way to quantify the impact of that, but I know that the redds dug in November are crowded with feeding rainbows in late December.
bd