Browsing by Author "Rosenthal, Leo Richard"

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Evaluation of distribution and fish passage in relation to road culverts in two eastern Montana prairie streams
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2007) Rosenthal, Leo Richard; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Thomas E. McMahon
Road culverts can restrict passage of fish migrating between seasonal habitats. The development of new roads, as well as the repair and upgrade of existing roads, has led to research addressing the effects culverts have on fish populations. The majority of this research has focused on salmonid species, and the effect of culverts on movements of small-bodied, weak swimming species is largely unknown. Fish passage within a assemblage of prairie fishes was examined in two tributaries of the lower Yellowstone River having a variety of culvert types. Passage restriction at culverts was determined using a combination of existing fish passage models, downstream displacement experiments, and patterns of longitudinal fish distribution above and below culverts. Fish movement during experiments was not significantly different through culvert versus natural reaches for most species (P > 0.05), however longnose dace passage was significantly restricted.