Geology topics

Maggie Jo Raboin

Publications and source records attributed to Maggie Jo Raboin.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2026

Differences among runs of Chinook Salmon in routing probability at the Georgiana Slough-Sacramento River junction

The survival of juvenile Chinook Salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) depends on the specific migration route they take through the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. Factors such as flow magnitude, flow direction, and distribution of fish across the channel significantly affect the likelihood of their entering routes with lower survival probabilities. Management strategies to mitigate the entry of endangered winter-run and threatened spring-run Chinook Salmon into the interior Delta—particularly through Georgiana Slough—involve flow regulation and the installation of a bioacoustic fish fence. Monitoring the effectiveness of these measures has primarily relied on acoustically-tagged, juvenile, hatchery-reared, late-fall-run Chinook Salmon, which are easier to obtain and can accommodate larger tags compared to other runs. Previous studies explored how flow dynamics affect routing probabilities of late-fall-run Chinook Salmon, but there is a lack of understanding about how routing probabilities vary among runs. We leveraged data from 15 previous studies comprising 3,004 acoustically-tagged fish across all four runs, over a 12-year period, to assess the effects of run on routing probability into Georgiana Slough, while accounting for variation in flow dynamics. We employed logistic regression to model the influence of tidal flow metrics, time of day (day and night), and run type on the probability of juvenile Chinook Salmon being routed into Georgiana Slough. Our analysis revealed that reverse flow during incoming tides influenced the routing probabilities of all runs. An increased proportion of flow into Georgiana Slough, meant an increased probability for all runs to be routed into Georgiana Slough. Late-fall-run Chinook Salmon also showed a greater probability of routing into Georgiana Slough during the night than during the day, whereas the opposite was true for other runs. These differences in routing probability affect our understanding of how management actions intended to reduce routing into Georgiana Slough may differentially affect the four runs of Chinook Salmon in the Sacramento River.

Callifornia↗

USGS2026

Non-physical barrier design and environmental conditions alter routing and survival of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta

Pacific salmon face substantial challenges when migrating through anthropogenically modified river systems, such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (the Delta). Non-physical behavioral barriers, such as the bioacoustic fish fence (BAFF), are one potential solution for guiding fish away from hazards without obstructing water flow. However, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on abiotic and biotic conditions. In the Delta, a BAFF was deployed at Georgiana Slough in 2011, 2012, and 2024 to deter juvenile Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) from migrating into the interior Delta, a region associated with lower survival than the mainstem Sacramento River. We leveraged nine years of acoustic telemetry data to evaluate BAFF performance across flow conditions and two BAFF designs (2011/2012 vs. 2024), and to assess the BAFF's contribution to improving through-Delta survival. The BAFF reduced routing into Georgiana Slough from 26.5% without a barrier to 8.9% in 2011/2012 and 15.9% in 2024. In general, routing into Georgiana Slough increased with the proportion of flow entering the channel during periods without a BAFF and during the 2024 deployment but remained constant during the 2011/2012 deployment. Additionally, BAFF effectiveness declined with increasing input flow. Ultimately, reduced routing into Georgiana Slough during the 2024 BAFF deployment resulted in an increase in estimated through-Delta survival between 0.2 and 1.6 percentage points depending on release group. Our results provide valuable insights into the role of non-physical barriers in complex river systems and inform future management strategies for protecting migrating juvenile Chinook salmon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

California↗

USGS2025

Movement patterns of invasive red swamp crayfish vary with sex and environmental factors

Invasive species disproportionately invade freshwater ecosystems, threatening biodiversity. Defining when, where, and why aquatic invasive species move can help inform management strategies, yet the movement ecology of some of the most pervasive invasive species remains unknown. Red swamp crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ; RSC) are the most widespread invasive crayfish and negatively affect ecosystems worldwide. We employed high-dimensional acoustic telemetry to investigate the movement patterns of 24 individual RSC across three months in an invaded water body. We assessed the effects of various extrinsic factors, such as time of day, temperature, precipitation, and proximity to the water’s edge, along with intrinsic factors, such as sex, reproductive form, and size, at different scales, including movement steps, range distribution, and behavioral states. We found that movement patterns across all scales were overwhelmingly driven by sex and reproductive form. Furthermore, RSC showed increased overall activity at night and near the water’s edge. By establishing baseline movement patterns and identifying key contributing factors, these findings provide a foundation for the development of adaptive management strategies for controlling invasive RSC populations.

Michigan↗

USGS2023

Movement and behavioral states of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in response to a behavioral deterrent in a navigational lock

Freshwater ecosystems are some of the most affected by biological invasions due, in part, to the introduction of invasive carp worldwide. Where carp have become established, management programs often seek to limit further range expansion into new areas by reducing their movement through interconnected rivers and waterways. Lock and dams are important locations for non-physical deterrents, such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), to reduce unwanted fish passage without disrupting human use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the behavioral responses of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) to non-physical deterrents within a navigation structure on the Fox River, Wisconsin. Acoustic telemetry combined with hidden Markov models (HMMs) was used to analyze variation in carp responses to treatments. Outcomes may inform CO 2 effectiveness at preventing invasive carp movement through movement pinch-points.

Wisconsin↗