Habitat utilization by fishes in the Tanana River near Fairbanks, Alaska

• Main Author: Mecum, Robert D.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1984
• Subjects: Fishes; Habitat; Tanana River; Ecology; Fairbanks; Burbot; Longnose sucker; Alaska; Slimy sculpin
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11122/14799

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1984 This study evaluated summer habitat utilization of fishes and the effects of floodplain developments on fish and aquatic habitat in the glacially-fed Tanana River near Fairbanks, Alaska. Aquatic habitats were quantitatively described on the basis of water velocity, depth, and clarity, and substrate, cover and vegetation. Lake chub and longnose sucker were abundant in all habitats. Whitefishes, juvenile salmon, and northern pike were captured most frequently in areas with high water clarity. Burbot preferred deeper, turbid waters. Young-of-the-year of lake chub and longnose sucker preferred shallow, silty backwaters; juvenile lake chub demonstrated no habitat preferences; and adult lake chub, juvenile longnose sucker, and juvenile/adult slimy sculpin preferred gravel riffles. Bank stabilization activities have significantly modified aquatic habitat and fish communities of Tanana River backwaters. In general, free-flowing sidechannels have become blocked-off sloughs resulting in reduced turbidities and lower flows.