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

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River.75 However, most of these data are from angler captures and is biased. Angler captures may not reflect the true extent of pallid sturgeon movement upstream in tributaries. 2. Hatchery- reared pallid sturgeon have been relocated as far upstream on the Platte River as Fremont. 76 3. Characterization and assessment of physical habitat within the lower Platte River indicate that riverine habitat is very similar along the entire stretch of the river from the mouth upstream to the confluence with the Loup River. Significant differences in sturgeon habitat were found upstream from Columbus, Nebraska (mouth of the Loup River) and downstream from Columbus. There were some differences in habitat among four sites downstream from Columbus, but they were not consistent among these downstream sites.77 4. Based upon the historical data and assessment of current habitat conditions, there are no reasons to exclude portions of the lower Platte or Elkhorn Rivers as potential pallid sturgeon habitat. The current extent of Recovery Priority Management Area 4 for the pallid sturgeon is based upon historical captures and remaining suitable habitat and includes the lower Platte River. Based upon the best available knowledge and the current understanding of the requirements of the pallid sturgeon, the lower Platte River, from the confluence with the Elkhorn River to the mouth of the Platte River at the Missouri River, should be included in the Recovery Priority Management Area unit and should be considered when implementing recovery actions for the pallid sturgeon. Due to recent telemetry data on hatchery- reared pallid sturgeon, habitat quality and similarity to the conditions of the Platte River below the Elkhorn River, the area of the Platte River below the Loup River could also provide the conditions necessary 75 Nebraska Natural Heritage Program and Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Team, Occurrence of pallid sturgeon in the lower Missouri River in Nebraska since 1970, Draft Table 2, undated. 76 Data presented by Vaughn Snook, University of Nebraska -Lincoln, at workshop on September 26, 2000. 77 Yu, Shyi Liand. 1996 Factors Affecting Habitat Use by Fish Species in the Platte River, Nebraska. PhD Dissertation, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. 31