Wildlife Use of Wastewater Ponds at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

• Main Author: Cieminski, Karen L.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange 1993
• Subjects: Natural Resources and Conservation; Northern Shoveler; Shoveler
• Online Access: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/313; https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/context/etd/article/1313/viewcontent/CieminskiKaren1993.pdf

Wastewater ponds at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory are used by various species of wildlife. The extent to which most species are exposed to contaminants is unknown, as well as the benefits provided by this water source in the desert. Information is needed on general use of wastewater ponds by wildlife, and data on characteristics of wastewater ponds which may be encouraging or discouraging use of wastewater ponds by wildlife. Pond nutrients and selected heavy metals were sampled in July 1991. Most ponds did not contain metals.in amounts greater than EPA standards. Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) were high in sewage ponds, which resulted in higher numbers of invertebrates than in industrial waste ponds. Small mammals were live trapped at 6 ponds in July 1991. Common deer mice and Ord's kangaroo rats were the most common species captured. Captures seemed more closely related to microhabitat around the trap than distance of the trap from the pond. From August 1989 through July 1991, 8 sanitary waste ponds, 4 industrial waste ponds, 1 radioactive waste pond, and 2 mixed waste ponds were surveyed monthly to determine use levels by birds and intermediate to large mammals. From March through October, 5 diurnal and 3 nocturnal counts were conducted on each pond monthly. From November through February, 3 diurnal and 1 or 2 nocturnal counts were conducted monthly on each pond. seasonal use data are presented for all common species. The most common species using wastewater ponds were mallard, gadwall, green-winged teal, wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, redhead, American coot, killdeer, spotted sandpiper, Wilson's phalarope, mourning dove, common nighthawk, horned lark, bank swallow, barn swallow, European starling, yellow-headed blackbird, Brewer's blackbird, and brown-headed cowbird. Most of the common species nested at or near the ponds. Species richness was greatest in May and September. Waterfowl had highest use in April, May, August, and September. Shorebirds were most common in May and July. The ...