Effects Of Impoundment On The Fishes In Two Kentucky Tailwaters

The most noticeahle differences in the pre- and post-impoundment tailwater fish communities in Green and Barren rivers, Kentucky, were reduced biomass, loss of cyprinid species, increased game-fish numbers, and decreased rough-fish numbers. These differences were attributed to altered post-impoundment environmental conditions in the tailwater (lowered water temperatures and irregular flow patterns), and species recruitment through the dams. Carp, while not present before impoundment in the tailwater reaches, represented a prominent component of the community after damming.