Short-term changes in habitat and fish communities following the removal of the Ballville Dam

ABSTRACT Objective We examined the habitat and fish community assemblage in the Sandusky River, Ohio, before and after the removal of the Ballville Dam. Methods We developed a habitat suitability index model to describe the available Walleye spawning habitat after the dam removal for the lower 64.4 km of the Sandusky River. Additionally, we compared index of biological integrity and qualitative habitat evaluation index scores before and after the dam removal to estimate the condition of the fish community. Results Our habitat suitability index model shows that removing the dam increased the amount of available Walleye spawning habitat from 18.8 to 40.7 ha. We also found that the Sandusky River supports a fair fish community, with an average biotic integrity score of 31.8, 2 years after the dam was removed, although this was a decline from the biotic integrity score during the period before the dam was removed. Conclusion Removing the Ballville Dam increased access to spawning habitat in the Sandusky River, whereas the overall fish community may take a longer time after the disturbance to respond. At least preliminarily, it appears that migratory and river-resident fish responded to the Ballville Dam removal differently.