THE EFFECTS OF DROUGHT-LIKE CONDITIONS ON FISH AND WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN 
POOL 26 OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Ben J. Lubinski, Eric N. Ratcliff, Lori S. Gittinger, and John H. Chick
Illinois Natural History Survey, Great Rivers Field Station, 8450 Montclaire 
Ave. Brighton, IL 62012

      The Great Rivers Field Station has been monitoring fish populations and 
water quality parameters in Pool 26 of the Mississippi River since the early 
1990’s for the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP).  The monitoring 
program identified significant changes in fish and water quality parameters 
during drought-like conditions experienced in 2005 and 2006.  Fish sampling in 
2006 revealed total catches of fish species including emerald shiner, skipjack 
herring, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass that were the highest since the 
program began.  This documented increase in total catch occurred despite a 1/3 
reduction in monitoring effort due to budget restrictions in 2005 and 2006.  
Water quality parameters such as Secchi depth, turbidity, chl-a, and suspended 
solids concentrations were also affected by the drought-like conditions and 
provide insight into factors driving the changes in fish populations.    

Key Words: drought, Mississippi River, fish, water quality, LTRMP