Baseline studies prior to development of an upstream fish passage facility on the Wisconsin River

Prior to the design and construction of upstream fish passage facilities for the Prairie du Sac Dam on the Wisconsin River, Alliant Energy proposed a study to obtain biological / behavioral information that would contribute to the design and provide baseline data toward post-construction evaluations. Using fixed station radio-telemetry monitoring, Normandeau Associates evaluated the presence and behavior in the near-field areas downstream of the dam of four target species: shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus), blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus), lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), and paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) tagged with surgically implanted transmitters. An additional station located approximately 2.5 km downstream served as an indicator for fish entry to and exit from the study area. Monitoring was conducted from April 2008 through August 2009. The four species exhibited similarities and differences in seasonality and residence time in the study area, proportion of tagged fish observed, and areas of near-field approach to the dam. Blue suckers and shovelnose sturgeon entered the study area in brief periods of directed movement in spring and early summer; paddlefish and lake sturgeon resided in the area year-round and were detected for protracted periods during the spring and fall.