Honors College Thesis
 

Water intake structures as movement barriers for larval coastal giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus)

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/honors_college_theses/2j62sc46x

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  • Dams, culverts, and water intake structures can impact the movement of aquatic and semi-aquatic species within streams and rivers. Datagaps exist regarding the impact of water intake structures on larval coastal giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) as these obstructions may produce a barrier to up and downstream movement. The Rock Creek Watershed resides within the forested foothills of the coastal mountains, and feeds into the Willamette River, OR. The watershed supplies 30% of the City of Corvallis’ drinking water. There are multiple tributaries within the watershed, and some are equipped with water intake structures while others are not. We aimed to quantify larval coastal giant salamander movement using a paired stream design with an experimental reach containing a water intake structure (Griffith Creek) and a control reach with no structure (Middle Fork). We used pit tagging and radio tracking methodologies to assess homing and seasonal movement of individual salamanders. We found no salamander movement across the water intake structure in Griffith Creek, upstream or downstream, over the entirety of the 6 month study. We found evidence indicating individuals in the control stream (Middle Fork) moved across the arbitrary threshold, exhibited homing behavior and a strong downstream movement response. These findings suggest that the intake structure present in Griffith Creek acts as a barrier and might restrict the natural movement patterns of larval coastal giant salamanders. This information will inform municipal water agencies on the impacts of intake structures on aquatic organisms of conservation concern.
  • Key Words: Dicamptodon tenebrosus, movement barrier, homing behavior, water intake structure
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  • The equipment required for this work was funded by the Research for Underserved Communities Fund (RCUF) provided by Brooke Penaluna with the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station. Without these funds, this project could not have reached itʻs goal.
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  • 2021-05-24 to 2021-12-25

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