Paddlefish Movement and Dam Passage in the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers Depend on River Conditions
Keywords:
Paddlefish; Movement; Dam Passage; Ohio RiverAbstract
The population of Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) has increased in the Ohio River drainage of Ohio and West Virginia due to stocking efforts of the past few decades. However, Paddlefish movement was minimally investigated in this region of their range. In fall 2022, five Paddlefish were captured and tagged with acoustic transmitters. Their movements through the Ohio River and several tributaries were monitored from April 2023 to July 2025. Paddlefish moved most in the spring and were largely stationary until water temperatures reached at least nine °C. Using logistic regression, we determined that Paddlefish movement varied in relation to water temperature, gage height, and temperature change from the previous day. Peak probability of movement occurred during water temperatures around 21.9 °C, high gage height, and rising water temperatures (i.e., springtime high water events). Paddlefish directional movement probability depended on gage height, with the highest probability of upstream movement occurring at a gage height 8.9 ft higher than the median gage height. Sixty total lock and dam passage attempts were recorded with seven successful upstream and three successful downstream passages. Paddlefish generally attempted upstream passages during colder water and higher gage heights when compared to downstream passage attempts. Findings from this study could inform managers about Paddlefish movements in the region and inform potential conservation lockage timing
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