Danville Dam 2018 Salvage Report: Results of the fish and freshwater mussel surveys following the removal of the Danville Dam on the Vermilion River

Tiemann, Jeremy S.; Stodola, Alison P.; Vinsel, Rachel M.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/102128 Copy

Description

Title

Danville Dam 2018 Salvage Report: Results of the fish and freshwater mussel surveys following the removal of the Danville Dam on the Vermilion River

Author(s)

• Tiemann, Jeremy S.
• Stodola, Alison P.
• Vinsel, Rachel M.

Issue Date

2018-12-03

Keyword(s)

• Dam removal
• freshwater mussels
• fishes
• endangered species
• salvage
• relocation

Geographic Coverage

Danville, Illinois

Abstract

The Danville Dam on the Vermilion River (Wabash River drainage) in the city of Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois, was removed during the summer and autumn of 2018. During the project, 1 fish and 905 live individuals of 23 species of freshwater mussels were relocated. These included : 1 Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu); 1 state-threatened Purple Wartyback (Cyclonaias tuberculata); 6 state-endangered Wavyrayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola); 1 state-endangered Rainbow (Villosa iris); 264 Mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula); 217 Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis); 130 Fragile Papershell (Leptodea fragilis); 91 Pink Heelsplitter (Potamilus alatus); 86 Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium). One side effect of dam removal is stranding, desiccation, and predation of mussels within the former impounded areas. In addition to the live individuals, 116 fresh-dead individuals representing 18 species were observed, including 1 fresh-dead Purple Wartyback; 2 fresh-dead Wavyrayed Lampmusselo1fresh-dead Rainbow; Nearly half of these individuals (e.g., 41 Giant Floater, 7 Mapleleaf, and 3 Plain Pocketbook) were observed during the last sampling eventand were found on the gravel bar that formed at the mouth of the North Fork. Given time, fishes and mussels should naturally recolonize the former impounded areas of the Danville Dam if habitat conditions are optimal and source populations are in close proximity.

Publisher

Illinois Natural History Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

Technical Report INHS 2018 (36)

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/102128

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Endangered Species Program

Copyright and License Information

This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

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