Effects of Fish Introductions and Hydroelectric Development on Fishes in the Kananaskis River System, Alberta

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Author: Nelson, J. S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1965
• Subjects: General Medicine; Varden; Catostomus catostomus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f65-064; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f65-064

Changes occurred in the abundance and distribution of fishes in the Kananaskis River system, Alberta, in conjunction with fish introductions and hydroelectric development. Data from surveys from 1936 to 1961 indicate the probable chronology of events.Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), brook trout (S. fontinalis), cutthroat trout (Salmo clarkii), and rainbow trout (S. gairdneri) decreased in abundance, probably due to the introduction of brown trout (Salmo trutta), longnose suckers (Catostomus catostomus), and white suckers (C. commersonii), to the cooling of the Kananaskis River from reservoir construction, and to sport fishing. Hybridization between rainbow and cutthroat trout was also important in the decrease of the latter species. After introduction by man, brown trout, rainbow trout, longnose suckers, white suckers, lake chub (Hybopsis plumbea), and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) greatly increased in abundance. Prior to the increase in numbers of white suckers, a reduction in the numbers of longnose suckers occurred in Lower Kananaskis Reservoir. Little change in the distribution of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), longnose dace, and brook sticklebacks (Culaea (= Eucalia) inconstans) occurred over the 25 years. Changes in the physicochemical environment and invertebrate fauna in the reservoirs appeared to be of secondary importance to the interaction among fish in causing the changes in species abundance and distribution.