Sex-specific Atlantic salmon upstream passage and fallback at a natural cascade after dam removal
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Abstract
In the Boquet River (NY, USA) a low-head dam set above a ~200-m bedrock cascade was removed in 2015. We used radio-telemetry to assess landlocked Atlantic salmon passage at the remaining cascade (2020, 2022). Across years, 52% of males (13/25) attempted cascade passage whereas females made no discernable attempts (0/11). Attempt probability increased with stream discharge and decreased with fish size, though overall passage success was low (1/36). Shallow depths—likely owing to an artificially widened channel—appear to be limiting passage. Additionally, we transported fish upstream but observed high fallback (72%) that was associated with fish size and energetic status. Following dam removal, this cascade continues to limit upstream passage resulting in increased vulnerability to angling during migratory delay. Overall, we highlight the importance of follow-up studies after dam removal, and that further modifications at this site may be required to improve passage.
Suggested Citation
Heim, K., Withers, J.L., Arden, W., Earley, L., Minkoff, D., and Castro-Santos, T., 2026, Sex-specific Atlantic salmon upstream passage and fallback at a natural cascade after dam removal: Fisheries Management and Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.70073.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Sex-specific Atlantic salmon upstream passage and fallback at a natural cascade after dam removal |
| Series title | Fisheries Management and Ecology |
| DOI | 10.1111/fme.70073 |
| Edition | Online First |
| Publication Date | May 04, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Eastern Ecological Science Center |
| Country | United Sttes |
| State | New York |
| Other Geospatial | Boquet River |