Legend X Potential Mussel Priority <strong>Dams</strong> Fig. 5-3: Segments with Potential for Mussel Recolonization, Species <strong>of</strong> Greatest Conservation Need Figure 3-c. <strong>Dams</strong> on river segments with potential for species <strong>of</strong> greatest conservation need <strong>and</strong> mussel recolonization. X Emm-3 X X X X X Web-4 Web-5 Web-6 Web-2 Web-1 X X Kos-11 Hum-1 Hum-2 Hum-5 X Wri-1 X Ham-3 Wor-3 Wor-2 Mit-2 Mit-5 Mit-3 Mit-4 Mit-1 How-3 Wor-1 Mit-7Mit-8 Flo-6 How-2 Cer-8Cer-9 Cer-7 Cer-6 Mit-10 Flo-3 Flo-1 Flo-4 Flo-2 Chi-4 Chi-3 Cer-10 Flo-5 But-1 Chi-2 Chi-1 Bre-1 X X X X X X X X XX Fra-3 Fra-2 Fra-1 X X Har-1 Har-2 X X 34 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Har-3 But-7 But-4 But-5 X Gru-3 But-3 X X X Bre-2 X Bla-1 Bla-2 Bla-4Bla-7 Bla-3 Bla-5 Bre-5 Buc-1Fay-7Fay-8 Buc-6 X X X X X Buc-2 Buc-3Buc-4 X Iow-1 X Buc-5 X Lin-5 X X Del-3 Del-2 Del-4 Del-5 XX X X X X X Lin-7 Lin-6 Lin-3 Lin-2 Lin-4 X X Joh-7 X Joh-3 Joh-2 Joh-1 X Jon-3
<strong>Iowa</strong> endangered fish Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), Pugnose Shiner (Notropis anogenus), Weed Shiner (Notropis texanu), Pearl Dace (Semotilus margarita), Freckled Madtom (Noturus nocturnus), Bluntnose Darter (Etheostoma chlorosomum), Least Darter (Etheostoma microperca) <strong>Iowa</strong> endangered fresh water mussels Spectacle Case (Cumberl<strong>and</strong>ia monodonta), Slippershell (Alasmidonta viridis), Buckhorn (Tritogonia verrucosa) Ozark Pigtoe (Fusconaia ozarkensis), Bullhead (Plethobasus cyphyus), Ohio <strong>River</strong> Pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia), Slough S<strong>and</strong>shell,(Lampsilis teres teres), Yellow S<strong>and</strong>shell (Lampsilis teres anodontoides), Higgin’s-eye Pearly Mussel (Lampsilis higginsi). <strong>Iowa</strong> threatened fish: Chestnut Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon castaneus), American Brook Lamprey (Lampetra appendix), Redfin (formerly “Grass”) Pickerel (Esox americanus), Blacknose Shiner (Notropis heterolepis), Topeka Shiner (Notropis topeka), Western S<strong>and</strong> Darter (Ammocrypta clara), Black Redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei), Burbot (Lota lota), Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile). <strong>Iowa</strong> Threatened Fresh water mussels: Cylinder (Anodontoides ferussacianus), Strange Floater (Strophitus undulatus), Creek Heelsplitter (Lasmigona compressa), Purple Pimpleback (Cyclonaias tuberculata), Butterfly (Ellipsaria lineolata), Ellipse (Venustaconcha ellipsiformis). <strong>Iowa</strong> fish <strong>of</strong> special concern: Pugnose Minnow (Notropis emiliae), Pirate Perch (Aphredoderus sayanus), In addition, there are three federally endangered aquatic species in <strong>Iowa</strong>: pallid sturgeon, Topeka shiner, Higgin’s eye mussel. As these species are priorities for federal recovery efforts, US Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service is likely to collaborate in species recovery involving fish passage targeted to benefit these species. Two additional mussels, the sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus) <strong>and</strong> the spectacle case (Cumberl<strong>and</strong>ia monodonta), are c<strong>and</strong>idates for federal listing. Special care should be used in dam-related projects not to damage habitat for these listed species as projects are constructed. But overall, improved river connections, longer segments between obstructions, <strong>and</strong> more diverse habitat than in existing river impoundments are likely to result in benefits for these species. Aquatic life impairments A number <strong>of</strong> reaches <strong>of</strong> river in <strong>Iowa</strong> have been monitored to detmermine whether they support heathly populations 35 <strong>of</strong> aquatic species. These may include specific listed species, they may document a decline in existing species, or they may indicate a segment is less diverse than would be expected <strong>of</strong> a more natural reference reach. If they do not attain the aquatic life uses they are designated to support, they are added to <strong>Iowa</strong>’s Section 303(d) listing <strong>of</strong> impaired streams for waters. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires such lists from all states to comply with Section 303(d) <strong>of</strong> the federal Clean Water Act. <strong>Iowa</strong> DNR can remove segments from this listing when credible data can show designated uses are being attained. In some cases, carefully targeted dam mitigations may be able to help achieve this over-arching goal <strong>of</strong> removing listings. Using GIS coverages, impaired segments were visually compared to areas where a series <strong>of</strong> dams exists along rivers. A number <strong>of</strong> segments were identified where (Figure 3-d) dam mitigationpriorities may overlap with de-listing <strong>of</strong> a section. Where priorities overlap, there is a potential for collaboration with the <strong>Iowa</strong> DNR’s federally funded Section 319 watershed improvement program. Invasive species priorities While many factors discussed above favor connectivity, dam mitigation projects should not be assumed to automatically be <strong>of</strong> general benefit to river ecosystems. Invasive animals in <strong>Iowa</strong>’s streams present a clear <strong>and</strong> present danger that can quickly displace native species. Asian carp – preventive dams A consensus item among U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> Wildlife Service staff, <strong>Iowa</strong> DNR fish management biologists, <strong>and</strong> IDNR Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) staff is that certain dams should receive a great deal <strong>of</strong> scrutiny, research, <strong>and</strong> planning before a fishpassable connection is re-established to the Mississippi <strong>River</strong>, the Missouri <strong>River</strong>, or an Asian-carp- infested interior stream. Generally, these are the tallest dams (generally 10 feet or greater with infrequent submergence) that are farthest downstream on a river. Asian carp, including big head (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) <strong>and</strong> silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are known to inhabit the Mississippi <strong>River</strong>, Missouri <strong>River</strong>, <strong>and</strong>