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AUTHORS: Alexander P. Bybel, Kevin J. Roe - Iowa State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Clay L. Pierce, U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University; Michael J. Weber, Iowa State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
ABSTRACT: The Topeka shiner Notropis topeka is a federally endangered species that has experienced drastic declines in distribution and abundance as a result of land use changes. These changes have caused a reduction in off-channel habitats, such as oxbows that are important Topeka shiner habitat. The North Raccoon River Basin (NRRB) drains an agricultural region in North-central Iowa, and is one of three remaining drainages that hold Topeka shiners in the state. Unites States Fish and Wildlife Service has restored 60 oxbows in the NRRB to improve habitat for these fish. The Rock River Basin (RRB), starts in Minnesota and flows into North-west Iowa, also drains agricultural lands. Topeka Shiner populations in Minnesota are considered stable. Eighty four sites including in-stream segments, and restored and unrestored oxbows distributed across both basins were sampled in 2016 using seines and single pass electro fishing in streams and three pass depletion with seines in oxbows. Habitat metrics recorded at each site included canopy, depth, flow, substrate, wetted width, bank angle, visual riparian and human disturbance estimates. Thirty eight sites contained Topeka shiners. Presence and abundance of Topeka shiners in association with certain habitat could impact future oxbow restorations in these basins.
