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  5. Impact of Changes in Streamflow and Temperature on Endangered Atlantic Salmon

Impact of Changes in Streamflow and Temperature on Endangered Atlantic Salmon

Impact of Past and Future Stream Temperature and Flow Changes on Endangered Atlantic Salmon

Dates

Start Date
2007
Info Date
2007
Release Date
2008

Summary

Coastal rivers draining into the Gulf of Maine are home to the endangered Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic salmon. The Gulf of Maine population began to decline significantly by the late 19th century, leading to the closure of the commercial Atlantic salmon fishery in 1948. In recent years, populations have again begun to decrease again. State and federal fisheries biologists are concerned that climate-related changes in streamflow and temperature could impact salmon survival in these rivers. Projections of future climate conditions for the Northeast indicate warming air temperatures, earlier snowmelt runoff, and decreases in streamflow during the low flow period (summer). In the spring, snow melts in the Northeast [...]

Child Items (4)

Contacts

Principal Investigator :
Robert W Dudley, Glenn A Hodgkins
Funding Agency :
NCCWSC
CMS Group :
Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASC) Program

Attached Files

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NCCW-2008-3_NarraguagusRiver_salmon_habitat_SteenstraPeter_USFWS.jpg
“Narranguagus River salmon habitat - Credit: Peter Steenstra, USFWS” 		thumbnail 313.43 KB image/jpeg

Purpose

A team of scientists from the USGS, the Maine Cooperative Research Unit, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Maine Department of Marine Resources, the National Research Council, and the University of Maine investigated how changes in summer low streamflows and stream temperatures in the northeastern U.S. affect endangered Atlantic salmon populations. Watershed-model climate projections indicate that a potential increase in streamflow resulting from increased precipitation is to a large degree offset by an increase in basin evapotranspiration. Projected changes in basin evapotranspiration estimates are driven by increases in basin temperature and the largest increases are forecast to occur during the spring and summer. While mean basin streamflow may remain relatively unchanged or increase slightly, the contribution of accumulated seasonal snowpack and melting of that snowpack to the amount and timing of streamflow are projected to change substantially.

Project Extension

projectStatusCompleted

Narranguagus River salmon habitat - Credit: Peter Steenstra, USFWS
Narranguagus River salmon habitat - Credit: Peter Steenstra, USFWS

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