Evaluation of restoration potential of a coldwater stream ecosystem

We investigated the relationship between geomorphology, instream habitat, and aquatic communities (fishes and macroinvertebrates) in a coldwater stream in Ohio. Mac-o-chee Creek is a tributary of the Mad River, Ohio’s largest coldwater river system. The watershed is at an glacial end moraine; thus, abundant groundwater flow supports a coldwater community in the system. The unique hydrology of this watershed for the lower Midwest, and few numbers of studies that have examined relationships between geomorphology and biota in coldwater systems makes this study novel. Non-native brown trout (Salmo trutta) are stocked in this stream and there are no native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). In 2006-2007, the state initiated a project to restore an agriculturally impacted and channelized section of Mac-o-chee Creek back into its historic, meandering channel. In 2006 (pre-restoration), we collected habitat, biological, and geomorphic data at 11 representative reaches to characterize the current condition of the watershed. Preliminary results show that sites with recovering geomorphic character have lower species richness and abundance, indicative of less degraded coldwater lotic ecosystems. These data will be used to delineate the potential trajectory for recovery in the vicinity of the restoration project and will provide predications about the impacts of restoration that can be evaluated in the future. The results of this study can be used to develop conservation strategies for coldwater systems in the lower Midwest and to prioritize restoration activities in agricultural headwater stream systems.