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Phone: 573-234-2132 |
The National Fish Passage Program was initiated in 1999 to look at structures, such as dams, weirs, low-water crossings, and bridges, built on rivers and streams. The Service is concerned about the effects of these structures on fish and other aquatic species. Columbia FRO biologists work with other partner agencies and local communities to restore natural water flows and fish migration by removing or bypassing barriers. Fish passage is important to allow fish access to spawning, nursery, and rearing habitat.
| In Missouri we have partnered with Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies, and the Dallas County Commission to increase fish passage for the threatened Niangua darter in Thomas Creek. The concrete slab type low-water crossing is identified as either preventing movement of the Niangua darter or as modifying stream flow to create unsuitable habitat. The way Thomas Creek interacted with its old water crossing design resulted in a plunge pool on the downstream side of the crossing and a large collection of gravel on the upstream side. The darter couldn’t swim under the crossing and couldn’t jump over it either! The new road crossing design developed by MDC engineers has many benefits. It will allow Niangua darter to swim under the crossing, maintain natural stream flow, better withstand flash floods, and allow county commissions to utilize state highway bridge dollars for future crossing repairs. The "on-the-ground" point of contact for this project is Craig Fuller, MDC, (fuller@mdc.state.mo.us). |  Thomas Creek Downstream (Photo credit: Rick Hansen/FWS)
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 Niangua Darter |
For more information on Niangua Darter life history, visit MDC's endangered species guidesheets on Niangua Darters. |
 Original Iowa streambed water control structure with 4 to 1 slope.
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In Iowa we partnered with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Iowa State University (ISU), and the Hungry Canyons Alliance (HCA) to modify water control structures in several western Iowa streams. Windblown soils called loess exist in portions of 22 western Iowa counties. Loess, a fine powdery soil, is highly susceptible to water erosion. Many Iowa streams were straightened in the early 19th century to increase the available land for farming. These streams try to restore their natural wandering pattern and erode the loess soil away. In western Iowa this has resulted in the failure or threats to several county bridges. HCA has been designing and building water control structures to stop the erosion and stabilize the streams for the last 11 years. IDNR staff realized that structures were too high for stream fish to swim over. HCA and IDNR have worked over the last few years to re-design some of the stream structures with lower slopes to allow fish to pass while reducing bank and bed erosion. ISU is studying the fish in these streams to determine which slope designs will work best for both the fish and the streams. The "on-the-ground" point of contact for this project is Chris Larson, IDNR (chris.larson@dnr.state.ia.us). |
Columbia FRO submits annual proposals for funding to the National Fish Passage Program in September. If your organization is interested in working to increase fish passage and has project ideas, please contact our Fish Passage Coordinator, Joanne Grady@fws.gov.
