Invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) have spread throughout the Mississippi River basin and threaten native species. The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley has numerous water-control structures. These structures could potentially be operated to limit expansions of invasive fishes. My goal was to examine the effects of two water-control structures on movements of Silver Carp within a floodplain network of waterbodies, including an oxbow lake (Eagle Lake; LA, MS). I monitored Silver Carp movements with an acoustic array and bi-monthly active tracking. No movements occurred through the structure managed to deter carp while nine carp passed through the structure that is not managed to limit carp movements. The passages happened when i) the structure was opened, ii) hydraulic head was near zero, and iii) when Silver Carp are reportedly staging and spawning. Ultimately, my findings could help managers tailor operations of similar water infrastructure to slow the spread of invasive species.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-7188 |
| Date | 10 May 2024 |
| Creators | Stafford, Joshua |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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