Little Plover River Projects
The Little Plover River in Portage County is an ongoing project that started in 1996 and has been ever growing. Annually the Fisheries Society electro-shocks 6 sites that represent variable habitats throughout the Little Plover River. Traditionally we hold this project in the fall before the weather turns cold, usually the last weekend in September. The goal of electro-shocking the fish community is to gather data to analyze structure of the fish populations for comparisons of the past to the present. The data collected during this survey is then analyzed and compiled by a student in Fisheries Research and a report is given.
In 2002 the Fisheries Society organized the first habitat assessment project. Every other year we perform a thorough habitat assessment of the 6 electro-shocking sites, where we measure stream width, vegetative cover, erosion, stream bed composition, depth of water, and flow.
During the summer months of 2003 the Little Plover River experienced record low stream flow. This prompted concern for the fish community. The data we gathered through this project is yielding valuable information regarding the effects of flow on brook trout populations.
Field portions of the Save Our Streams project are annually held on downstream sections of the Little Plover River. Together with SPASH High School and the Isaac Walton League, we brush bundle selected portions of the River that are suffering from habitat degradation. Save Our Streams encourages high school seniors in their awareness of water resources and the importance they have in our society.
Contacts - Want to know more about this project? 2004 Survey
2003 Survey
Pictures (Past) - Share some of the old times
Reports-see how all the information gets put to good use
Maps-see a map of our project area on the river
