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Winter Stream Conditions and Use of Habitat by Brook Trout in High‐Elevation Wyoming Streams
Author(s) -
Chisholm Ian M.,
Hubert Wayne A.,
Wesche Thomas A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1987)116<176:wscauo>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - salvelinus , trout , fontinalis , snow , streams , habitat , substrate (aquarium) , elevation (ballistics) , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , physical geography , fishery , geology , ecology , oceanography , geography , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , geomorphology , computer network , geometry , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , computer science
Winter stream conditions at elevations between 2,280 and 3,205 m above mean sea level and the use of winter habitat by adult brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis above 2,990 m were evaluated in 1983–1984 and 1984–1985. Little surface ice was observed at elevations above 2,900 m, which was associated with high snow accumulation; moderate surface ice and anchor ice formation were observed at elevations from 2,550 to 2,900 m; extensive surface ice formation occurred at 2,550 m. Little snow accumulated at 2,550 m and surface ice physically excluded substantial brook trout habitat. In late fall, brook trout at elevations above 2,990 m tended to move into low‐gradient areas where they remained active throughout the winter. During winter, brook trout appeared to select for areas with maximum velocities of 15 cm/s or less, measured during summer low flow, and for deeper water, but not for substrate type.