An argument for fish passage at our dam… or not

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor,

                  So really, how important is it to have fish passage at the location of the Mon-Maq Dam? Let’s remember that both the Lakehurst Dam and Delhi Dam do block fish passage. This is not the case at the Mon-Maq Dam. In a 2016 application for grant funds to the Iowa DNR, Jones County Conservation noted that: “Fish passage at the Mon Maq dam will provide a means for upstream colonization of Slenderhead Darter, a species of greatest conservation need in Iowa.”

                  In August of 2019, the Iowa DNR completed fish survey, both above and below the Mon-Maq Dam, and other locations along the Maquoketa River. It is interesting to note that every species of fish identified downstream of the Mon-Maq Dam, was also identified upstream of the dam. As far as the Slenderhead Darter, it was identified this past summer both upstream of the Mon-Maq Dam and upstream of the Delhi Dam. It seems like re-colonization has occurred in spite of our dam’s existence. There were also 14 species of fish identified above the dam that were not found downstream.

                  Fish passage and many other important topics may be discussed at the upcoming Public Meeting on March 11. Your input, suggestions and questions are encouraged, as well as your attendance at this meeting; 6:30 p.m. in Durgin Pavilion at Camp Courageous.

Tom Osborne, president

Friends of Mon Maq Dam

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