Habitat Trouble for Arctic Grayling in Mountain States
from the National Fish Habitat Partnership's 2015 Through a Fish's Eye Report
Summary
Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) now inhabits less than 5 percent of its historic river range in the Mountain States. This species requires high-quality coldwater habitat with long, un-fragmented reaches. Historically, glacial relict river populations were found in the Upper Missouri River Basin with another now extinct population in the Midwest (Michigan). The Arctic Grayling has been affected by water withdrawals, barriers to movement, and habitat degradation. One of the last strongholds, the Big Hole River in Montana, was reduced to a trickle in the summers of the 1990s as a result of irrigation withdrawals. Recent cooperative efforts, which include better water management, have improved populations of Arctic Grayling in the [...]
Summary
Arctic Grayling (
Thymallus arcticus) now inhabits less than 5 percent of its historic river range in the Mountain States. This species requires high-quality coldwater habitat with long, un-fragmented reaches. Historically, glacial relict river populations were found in the Upper Missouri River Basin with another now extinct population in the Midwest (Michigan). The Arctic Grayling has been affected by water withdrawals, barriers to movement, and habitat degradation. One of the last strongholds, the Big Hole River in Montana, was reduced to a trickle in the summers of the 1990s as a result of irrigation withdrawals. Recent cooperative efforts, which include better water management, have improved populations of Arctic Grayling in the Big Hole River.
The U.S Geological Survey (USGS) is partnering with the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) to produce the 2015 report entitled, "Through a Fish's Eye: The Status of Fish Habitats in the United States 2015". The information contained within this item is a product of NFHP. The Bureau is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy or the use of the scientific content within this item. This content is considered preliminary pending subsequent review and approval.
