Poster Details
A SPACIAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACTS OF LOW-HEAD IMPOUNDMENTS ON MACROINVERTEBRATES COMMUNITIES
Impoundments block the flow of water and sediments and thereby affect water quality and macroinvertebrate communities. The United States has around two million dams, 96% of which are low-head dams (<2 m). However, most environmental concern focuses on the effects of large-scale dams and their range of impacts. Here we shall examine both upstream and downstream macroinvertebrate communities of low-head impoundments and if possible, attempt to determine the spatial range of their effects. Sampling was conducted upon six different dams along the East Fork of Indiana’s White River throughout July of 2018. Water quality variables were measured, and the invertebrate community sampled at seven upstream and seven downstream locations at each dam. Results suggest that there were differences between upstream and downstream communities with the potential to determine spatial differences. The results have implications for river conservation.
Daniel Edwards (Primary Presenter/Author), Iowa State University, dje@iastate.edu;