Species Recovery Objectives for Four Target Species in the Central and Lower Platte River

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quantifiable recovery objectives for the pallid sturgeon in the Platte River are difficult to develop. This report 1.) summarizes the status of pallid sturgeon in the lower Platte River, 2.) refines the extent of the Platte River considered to be potentially suitable habitat for pallid sturgeon, and therefore open to consideration for recovery actions, and 3.) provides a listing of the critical data that are needed in order to develop specific recovery objectives. C.3. Status of Pallid Sturgeon in the Lower Platte River The following information summarizes the current knowledge of the status of the pallid sturgeon in the Lower Platte River. The lower Platte River is defined as the stretch of river from the mouth of the Loup River near Columbus downstream to the confluence with the Missouri River. 1. Historical and recent records document the existence of adult pallid sturgeon in the lower Platte River. 70 A single record of occurrence for pallid sturgeon was documented on the lower Elkhorn River, however the reliability of this record is questionable. Much of this historical data was the result of sport angler captures and therefore must be interpreted with caution. 2. Adult pallid sturgeon have been captured in the lower Platte River and near the confluence of the Platte River with the Missouri River during the period of time that the species is thought to spawn. 3. Platte River pallid sturgeon populations have been recently augmented by the release of 500 to 600 hatchery- propagated fish over a period of three years beginning in 1997. 4. Habitat -use data collected from hatchery- reared pallid sturgeon implanted with radio transmitters shares some similarities with results reported for wild- caught sturgeon in other portions of their range. Subsequent studies with wild caught pallid sturgeon will yield additional information. Tracking data suggests that some sturgeon released into the Platte River moved out into the Missouri River and subsequently returned to the Platte River. Some sturgeon also over - wintered in the lower Platte River. This indicates the likelihood that habitat in the lower Platte River is suitable for sub -adult pallid sturgeon.71 70 Nebraska Natural Heritage Program and Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Team, Occurrence of pallid sturgeon in the lower Missouri River in Nebraska since 1970, Table 2, undated. 71 Data presented by Vaughn Snook, University of Nebraska -Lincoln, at workshop on September 26, 2000. 29