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5. Larval Scaphirhynchus sp. have been collected in the lower Platte River <br />indicating that suitable spawning conditions and habitat for sturgeon exist.72 <br />6. Examination of one sturgeon (spp.) collected on the lower Platte River <br />revealed possible intermediate meristic characteristics. 73 <br />7. On May 3, 2001, a female pallid sturgeon was collected near Louisville, <br />Nebraska (approximate river kilometer 26). It was implanted with a radio <br />transmitter and released.74 <br />8. Sturgeon commonly congregate in the lower portions or at the mouths of <br />tributaries; possibly for feeding, over - wintering, reproductive staging or <br />spawning. Tributaries may also provide heterogeneity or diversity of habitat <br />that is no longer present in the mainstem. <br />9. The lower Platte River retains a fish community or assemblage that is <br />characteristic of the regional large river fauna. This assemblage includes other <br />large river species of concern such as the flathead chub and sturgeon chub. <br />10. The physical riverine habitat within the lower Platte River is comparably less <br />altered than other major tributaries of the lower Missouri River. <br />11. The lower Platte River is a free - flowing stretch without barriers that would <br />impede migration or movement of adult, juvenile or larval sturgeon. <br />The available data indicate that the lower Platte River is used by pallid sturgeon. <br />The extent of use and the relative importance of the Platte River to pallid sturgeon <br />are unknown at this time. Pallid sturgeon in the Platte River are relatively rare and <br />populations within the Platte River are below the recovery criteria stated in the <br />Recovery Plan. <br />CA Extent of Suitable Habitat in the Lower Platte River <br />The following summarizes data that indicate the extent of suitable habitat for pallid <br />sturgeon in the lower Platte River. <br />1. Historical and recent records of captures in the Platte River indicate that pallid <br />sturgeon were found as far upstream as the confluence with the Elkhorn <br />72 Data presented by Cory Reade, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, at workshop on <br />September 26, 2000. <br />73 Data presented by Dr. Edward Peters, University of Nebraska -Lincoln, at workshop on <br />September 26, 2000. <br />74 Data provided by Dr. Edward Peters, University of Nebraska -Lincoln, to Jim Lutey on <br />December 14, 2001. <br />30 <br />