Welcome to the Lower Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office
Our mission is conserving and restoring healthy populations of native fish and other aquatic species, and protecting the lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries where they live. Our work provides valuable recreational and economic benefits to the American people, and restores the checks and balances important to the overall function and health of our lakes and rivers.
Continuing the Battle Against Hydrilla |
August 2020 |
|
Lower Great Lakes FWCO conducted post-treatment assessments of Hydrilla verticillata in the Erie Canal near Buffalo, New York. The infestation of this highly invasive aquatic plant was significantly reduced through annual control efforts led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District with help from the Lower Great Lakes FWCO. Other partners include the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Canal Corporation, and the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management. | ||
Habitat Restoration Program Dam Removal and River Restoration |
August 2020 |
|
The Lower Great Lakes FWCO has been assisting the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District with a dam removal and river restoration in Hanover, NY. A temporary bypass channel was created for the duration of construction to supplement aquatic habitat for wildlife. As this project reached a close, Lower Great Lakes FWCO spent a day relocating fish that had established themselves in the bypass channel to areas upstream. Once construction is complete, the upstream section will be reconnected to the restored downstream section. Additionally, biologists observed an increase in avian activity in the newly dug ponds, or ‘potholes’, in the wetland restoration area adjacent to the stream. | ||
Keeping Invasive Water Chestnut in Check |
July 2020 |
|
While doing its yearly water chestnut survey in the Erie Canal on July 29-31, Lower Great Lakes FWCO invasive species crews scanned miles of shoreline for the floating plants. They removed the few plants found by hand pulling. We continue to conduct this survey to ensure that the infestation discovered in 2010 doesn't return to disrupt the ecosystem.
|
||
Summer Students Learn About Native Species Restoration |
July 2020 |
|
As part of a virtual guest scientist presentation, Fish Biologist Alex Gatch presented ongoing research related to native species restoration in Lake Ontario to a group of summer students at the Finger Lakes Institute. The Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) is a branch of Hobart and William Smith Colleges that focuses on environmental science particularly in the Finger Lakes region. FLI summer students were interested in broadening their knowledge of restoration in fisheries ecology and were excited to learn about the projects led by the FWS in Lake Ontario. Topics discussed included restoration of critical habitat and wild populations for native species such as lake trout, lake sturgeon, cisco, and lake whitefish. The summer students will be finishing up their summer research projects this month and presenting back to the guest scientist to show them what they accomplished over the summer. Outreach between the FWS and local colleges such as Hobart William Smith helps advance scientific research through collaborative efforts. | ||