Food of Larval Yellow Perch in a South Carolina Reservoir Receiving Heated Effluent

Food of larval yellow perch (Perea flaveseens) from Keowee Reservoir, South Carolina was determined before (1973) and after (1976) power production began a 2,580-MW nuclear power plant Mean water temperatures at 1 m increased 2-3 C throughout the reservoir by 1976. The diet of larvae examined consisted exclusively of zooplankton. Cyclopoid copepods, Diapromus mississippiensis and Diaphanosoma braehyurum were the principal organisms eaten in all areas even though other organism were sometimes more abundant. The operation of the plant reduced zooplankton abundance in the discharge cove while the amount of zooplankton consumed by larval yellow perch increased.