Underwater Fish Habitat Enhancement in the Upper Niagara River!

The New York Power Authority has announced that work has been completed on placing four artificial reefs between the Grand Island and Tonawanda shorelines. The projects are located upstream and downstream of the south Grand Island bridges, off the west shore of Motor Island and off Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda. They are outside of commercial shipping channels and will be monitored with underwater cameras. Populations of various species of fish, including muskellunge, walleye, northern pike and large-and small-mouth bass, are expected to be able to use the structures as areas for safe rest and to forage. This attempt to enhance the Niagara River's ecosystem is the result of terms within the power authoritie's recent 50-year re-license agreement which requires the authority to provide money to local not-for-profits and governments for various greenway projects. Other planned habitat improvement projects include restoration of Strawberry Island and wetlands restoration at Beaver Island State Park.

Where are our fish?

What's happening to all our fish? If you are a local angler, or know one, you may have heard them grumble about an overall decline in the fish population. Fishes that once were abundant in North American streams, lakes, and rivers are now disappearing, with nearly 40% of all species in jeopardy according to a detailed assessment of the conservation status of freshwater fishes in the last 20 years headed by the US Geological Survey, and including Canadian and Mexican scientists participation. The report goes on to show that 61 fish species are presumed extinct, and 280 species are classed as endangered. In addition there are 190 species considered threatened, and 230 species are listed as vulnerable to extinction.

So what's causing this? Some experts have blamed the decline as effects of habitat loss and degradation, dwindling ranges, and the introduction of invasive species. Another interesting theory has also placed the blame on power plants and other coolant hungry industries. It has been estimated that the intakes of these coolant systems has lead to the destruction of billions of fish and fish eggs.

Please visit the following links for more details on our disappearing fish populations:

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2008/2008-09-09-02.asp
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_sc/dead_fish

Mysterious Blobs

I saw this in Buckhorn Park while water testing on Sunday. Can anyone tell me what these blobs are? Thanks

RiverKeeper's newest intern!!!

Good Afternoon Riverwatch captains and volunteers!!!

My name is Jerry Krajna and I am a political science / environmental studies student at Buffalo State College interning for the fall semester and maybe even longer. I have recently completed my training on proper water sample & e. coli collection methods and am looking forward to helping out wherever I may be needed. In addition to my sample collection duties I have also been asked to help the organization out with data entry, from all those reports you supply our office with, at various community outreach events and with new captain trainings. I am looking forward to meeting you all at some of our upcoming events and if there is anything I can do to be of help just ask!!! I can be reached through Robbyn or Tom... and don't worry, there is no cat & mouse games played with this Tom & Jerry team!