The protracted drought in the Delaware River watershed is affecting fish and wildlife populations, both positively and negatively, writes Octavia Feliciano for NJ Spotlight News.
The Friends of the Upper Delaware River, dedicated to protecting and restoring the Upper Delaware River watershed, has expressed concern over the river’s brown and brook trout populations.
“It’s a perfect storm of conditions during a critical time for trout, particularly the brown trout that are spawning in the fall,” said Jeff Skelding, the executive director of Friends of the Upper Delaware River.
Brook trout spawn from September to October, while brown trout spawn from October to November. Lower water levels making their eggs susceptible to desiccation, ice, and predators.
To relieve drought conditions, it will take several months of at least average precipitation.
Unlike fish, the drought has had a positive effect on birds, as they now have an easier time finding food.
“If there’s less water, foraging for bald eagles and waterfowl should actually be a little bit easier, since the fish are a little bit more concentrated,” said Shawn Crouse, chief of the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish & Wildlife division.
Read more about the drought in NJ Spotlight News.
