**Watershed Species**

(from the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Final Action
Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, October, 1995, U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Hadley, MA)

Wildlife

Mammals

Birds

Waterfowl, Waterbirds, and Shorebirds

Passerines and Raptors

Area Sensitive Species

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fish

Overview

Anadromous

Catadromous

Amphidromous

Resident

Indigenous Fish

Non-Indigenous Fish

Invertebrates

Plants

Wildlife

The Connecticut River watershed encompasses a large, diverse area. As a
result, there are a great number of species which occur here;
approximately 59 species of mammals, 250 birds, 22 reptiles, 23
amphibians, 142 fish, 1,500 invertebrates and 3,000 plants.

Mammals

Mammals include the largest animal in the watershed, moose (*Alces
alces*), which are mostly associated with second growth boreal forests
that are interspersed with semiBopen areas and swamps or lakes. On the
smallest end of the size scale is the pygmy shrew (*Sorex hoyi*) which
is found in a variety of forested habitats in the northern third of the
watershed. Bats are common throughout the watershed and include nine
species. Most mammals within the watershed are forest inhabitants and
include species such as chipmunks (*Tamias striatus*), deer mouse
(*Peromyscus leucopus*), porcupine (*Erethizon dorsatum*) and black bear
(*Ursus americanus*). Since forest is the predominant habitat type in
the watershed, most forest species are widespread and common.

Birds

Twenty‑seven species of ducks, geese and swans, 15 species of shore
birds and 24 other water dependent species such as rails, grebes and
herons use the watershed for breeding, wintering or migration. The
watershed is also host to 181 passerine and raptor species. Of these, 88
are neotropical migrants using the watershed for breeding, 77 are
residents breeding and wintering in the watershed, and 16 are winter
residents that migrate to the watershed from the north to avoid extremes
of cold, deep snow or lack of food during the winter months. Certain
species such as mourning dove (*Zenaida macroura* ), red‑tailed hawk
(*Buteo jamaicensis*), American crow (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*), cedar
waxwing (*Bombycilla cedrorum*), and American goldfinch (*Carduelis
tristis*) have both migratory and resident populations.

Waterfowl, Waterbirds, and Shorebirds ‑ The tidal wetlands of the
Connecticut River have the greatest concentrations of waterfowl during
migration and winter periods and the greatest variety of waterfowl,
shorebirds and waterbirds than any other wetland areas in the watershed.
The tidal marshes are also particularly important to rails during
migration. Species such as the black rail (*Laterallus jamaicensis*) are
rare and found almost exclusively in high salt marshes at the mouth of
the Connecticut River while species such as the great blue heron (*Ardea
herodias*) forage in almost every type of shallow water open wetland
including fresh, brackish and saltwater wetlands. Wood ducks (*Aix
sponsa*) are ubiquitous nesters in the watershed requiring large tree
cavities which are associated with freshwater forested or shrub
wetlands. They especially favor beaver ponds with heavy forest cover.
The common loon (*Gavia immer*) nests on small and large ponds and lakes
from Quabbin Reservoir north and winters along the coast. During
migration mud flats along the mainstem of the Connecticut River provide
critical foraging habitat to several species of shorebirds such as the
solitary sandpiper (*Tringa solitaria*) and lesser yellowlegs (*Tringa
flavipes*).

Black ducks (*Anas rubripes*) are a species of special management
concern to the Fish and Wildlife Service due to their declining numbers
over the past 30 years and are specifically mentioned by the Conte Act.
Black ducks nest in low density throughout the watershed. Nesting
habitat encompasses the full range of upland and lowland habitats (Kirby
1988). The northern third of the watershed, however, provides more
critical nesting habitat because mallards (*Anas platyrhynchos*) are
generally absent as breeders and therefore black ducks are less subject
to the serious hybridization problems. The tidal wetlands of the lower
Connecticut River are particularly important as stopover habitat during
migration and as wintering habitat for thousands of black ducks (Merola
and Chasko 1989).

Passerines and raptors ‑ Within the watershed the White Mountains to the
east, Green Mountains to the west and the Berkshire hills to the south
provide the northern hardwood/spruce forest breeding habitat required by
neoBtropical migrants and residents. Species dependent on this type of
habitat include the blackBthroated blue warbler (*Dendroica
caerulescens)*, blackBthroated green warbler (*Dendroica virens*),
American redstart (*Setophaga ruticilla*), least flycatcher (*Empidonax
minimus*), greyBcheeked thrush (*Catharus minimus*), veery (*Catharus
fuscescens*), pileated woodpecker (*Dryocopus pileatus*), and northern
goshawk (*Accipiter gentilis*). The spruce grouse (*Dendragapus
canadensis*), an inhabitant of northern coniferous forests, is a species
of special management concern due to declining populations in the
eastern part of its range. The only known viable population within the
watershed occurs in the Nulhegan Basin of northern Vermont although
there are other recent sightings and historic sites.

A number of birds associated with old fields, pastures and grasslands
are declining in New England and are of special concern (Vickery 1992).
Grasshopper sparrows (*Ammodramus savannarum*), Vesper sparrow
(*Pooecetes gramineus*), and upland sandpipers (*Bartramia longicauda*)
are grassland species particularly in trouble (Jones and Vickery 1993).
Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts hosts the most
important populations of grasshopper sparrows and upland sandpipers in
the watershed. The Connecticut River valley in Massachusetts provides
the greatest potential for grassland habitat restoration in the
watershed. As New England becomes increasingly forested and urbanized
these species will be increasingly limited by available habitat.

The Connecticut River valley is a major corridor for raptor migration.
Mt Tom in Massachusetts is a particularly well know site to observe
raptor migrants in the fall. On certain days when strong fronts follow
periods of bad weather thousands of broadBwinged hawk (*Buteo
platypterus*) can be observed. At least a dozen other raptor species
including sharpBshinned hawks (*Accipiter gentilis*), American kestrels
(*Falco sparverius*), merlins (*Falco columbarius*), redBshouldered
hawks (*Buteo lineatus*) and osprey (*Pandion haliaetus*) are common
migrants.

AreaBsensitive Species

While not specifically mentioned in the purposes of the act, these
species are currently being lost in the watershed due to human
activities or can only be retained in the watershed by human
intervention. In Chapter Four there is a discussion of how each
alternative would affect these species.

All species have requirements for minimum size of habitat necessary to
carry out their life cycles or specific parts of their life cycles. Some
species are particularly sensitive to fragmentation of their habitat and
require large expanses of grassland or woodland habitat of a particular
successional stage to successfully reproduce or avoid high predation
rates. Grassland bird species and a number of forest breeding birds
referred to as forest interior birds fall within this category. Another
species that is particularly sensitive to habitat fragmentation is the
timber rattlesnake. Large expanses of protected forest habitat such as
occur in the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire; Nash Stream,
New Hampshire; Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts; and Barkhamsted
Reservoir, Connecticut, are particularly important to forest interior
birds. Similarly, large expanses of grassland habitat at Westover Air
Reserve Base are crucial for grasshopper sparrow and upland sandpiper
populations in the watershed. Preventing the further fragmentation of
the Meshomasic Highlands area in Connecticut is critical to maintaining
the long term viability of the timber rattlesnake population in the
watershed.

Reptiles

One of the most imperiled vertebrate species in New England is the
timber rattlesnake (*Crotalus h. horridus*). This snake is an inhabitant
of deciduous forests but it also requires rock ledges or outcroppings
with southerly exposures for winter denning. There are nine known timber
rattlesnake den sites within the watershed in Massachusetts and
Connecticut, the majority of which have been severely impacted by
development, collecting or persecution.

A nonvenomous snake which is common throughout most of the watershed is
the northern watersnake (*Nerodia s. sipedon*), an inhabitant of ponds,
stream, and freshwater marsh edges. The painted turtle (*Chrysemys
picta*) is probably the most ubiquitous turtle and the most frequently
seen basking turtle in ponds, oxbows, and other quiet shallow bodies of
water. The northern diamondback terrapin (*Malaclemys t. terrapin*), an
estuarine species, is restricted to the tidal creeks and bays at the
mouth of the Connecticut River. It may also nest on some of the sandy
spoil islands. The eastern box turtle (*Terrepene c. carolina*) is the
only completely terrestrial species within the watershed and is a
resident of woodlands, field edges and well drained forest bottomlands.

Amphibians

The redback salamander (*Plethodon cinereus*) , probably the most
widespread and abundant salamander within the watershed, is a small
woodland salamander with a completely terrestrial life history. It
inhabits deciduous or mixed conifer‑deciduous forests residing beneath
wet leaf litter, within or beneath logs or other retreats. The mudpuppy
(*Necturus m. maculosus*) is the only completely aquatic species within
the watershed and occurs primarily in the mainstem Connecticut River and
immediate tributaries from Massachusetts to central Connecticut. The
northern spring peeper (*Psuedacris c. crucifer*) is a diminutive
woodland frog widely distributed throughout the watershed. It is the
earliest frog to call in the spring and found breeding in a variety of
wetlands including woodland swamps and ponds, vernal pools, and roadside
ditches. The rarest frog in the watershed is the eastern spadefoot toad
(*Scaphiopus h. holbrookii*). This burrowing frog is associated with
sandy, well drained soils and open forest or sparse shrub or fields. It
is an explosive breeder following heavy rains and lays its eggs in
temporary rain filled pools. There are six known breeding sites in the
watershed.

Fishes

Overview

The Connecticut River watershed supports a diversity of fishery
resources. ColdB, coolB and warmwater species are in general abundance
throughout the watershed. The watershed did not historically support as
diverse a group of fishes as it does presently: many of the species
considered resident were introduced. Original flowing habitats of the
river and many of its tributaries were impounded and polluted. Many
lakes, ponds, and wetlands were also degraded. The creation of habitats
and the degradation of others resulted in native species declines and
exotic species introductions.

There are 142 fish species found within the watershed. Native or
indigenous freshwater species account for 33 fish; nonBindigenous
freshwater fish, 35; anadromous fish, 10; catadromous fish, 1;
amphidromous fish, 15; and, saltwater fish, 48. Indigenous freshwater
fish are with few exceptions generally found throughout the watershed.
Anadromous fish are primarily found in the lower reaches of the
watershed. Saltwater species generally occur within Long Island Sound
and amphidromous species are found in the lower reach of the Connecticut
River and its tributaries.

The northern reaches of the river provide habitat for lake and brook
trout and land‑locked salmon. The mid‑section of the river supports
pickerel, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern and walleyed pike,
and a variety of panfish. Summer flounder and striped bass are found at
the mouth of the river. Carp, suckers, eels and catfish are present in
many areas. Populations of Atlantic salmon and American shad are
gradually being restored to the river.

Anadromous fish ‑ Atlantic salmon, American shad, shortnose sturgeon and
river herring are all specifically mentioned in the purposes of the
Conte Act. In addition, they are a responsibility of the Fish and
Wildlife Service.

Anadromous fish returning to the Connecticut River formerly consisted of
large numbers of Atlantic salmon, (*Salmo salar*), American shad (*Alosa
sapadissima*), alewife (*Alosa pseudoharengus*), blueback herring
(*Alosa aestivalis*), and lesser numbers of Atlantic sturgeon
(*Acipenser oxyrhynchus*), shortnose sturgeon (*Acipenser
brevirostrum*), rainbow smelt (*Osmerus mordax*), striped bass (*Morone
saxatilis*), sea lamprey (*Petromyzon marinus*), and gizzard shad
(*Dorosoma cepedianum*). Anadromous fish life histories are described by
Scarola (1987); Corps of Engineers (1974); and Scott and Crossman
(1973). Atlantic salmon, American shad, blueback herring, sea lamprey
and alewife ascended far upriver and into most, if not all, of the
tributaries to spawn. American shad ascended the river to Bellows Falls,
Vermont and Atlantic salmon reached the vicinity of Beecher Falls,
Vermont.

Early settlers harvested large amounts of anadromous fish. Dams blocked
return runs and prevented the fish from reaching the spawning grounds.
Since the late 1700\'s there has been a steady decline in anadromous
fish as result of dam construction and water degradation. Recognition of
the devastation to the anadromous fish populations was quickly apparent
to the inhabitants of the river valley upon completion of the dams.
Anadromous fish returns above dams ended and steadily and dramatically
declined below the Holyoke Dam, the lowermost impassable dam on the
mainstem of the Connecticut River.

Two early (1873 and 1940) attempts to provide fish passage at the
Holyoke Dam, Massachusetts failed, then in 1955 an elevatorBtype fishway
was constructed and was successful in passing a portion of the remnant
population of American shad and blueback herring. Atlantic salmon had
been extirpated from the watershed by this time as a result of
inadequate spawning and juvenile rearing habitat. Atlantic salmon
generally utilize the tributaries for spawning, although suitable
habitat in the river will be utilized as well. American shad are
broadcast spawners utilizing the river and larger tributaries for
spawning. Blueback herring utilize the river and tributaries while
alewives utilize the smaller tributaries, upper sections of larger
tributaries and coves for spawning. Rainbow smelt spawn in the
tributaries and coves.

The enactment of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act in 1965 provided
the states and federal agencies with the means to initiate anadromous
fish enhancement and restoration programs within the watershed. The
Atlantic salmon and American shad restoration programs are now being
administered by the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission.
Information on the Atlantic salmon restoration program within the
watershed is provided in the [Final Environmental Impact Statement,
1989B2021: Restoration of Atlantic Salmon to New England
Rivers]{.underline} (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1988) and [A
Strategic Plan For The Restoration Of Atlantic Salmon To The Connecticut
River watershed]{.underline} (Stolte 1980 and 1982). Fish passage
requirements for the Atlantic salmon restoration program are addressed
in these documents. The strategic planning document is being updated
(John O\'Leary, Chair, Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission
Technical Committee personal communication) based on the progress made
in providing fish passage and information acquired as a result of past
and onBgoing efforts. The Atlantic salmon Final Environmental Impact
Statement and Strategic Plan are sources of additional information on
fishes within the watershed. Additionally, a planning document for
American shad within the watershed has been endorsed by the Connecticut
River Atlantic Salmon Commission (1992).

Shortnose sturgeon within the Connecticut River were thought to be
extirpated until vestigial populations were located. It occurs in low
numbers in the reaches of the river southward of the Turners Falls Dam,
Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Recovery of the shortnose sturgeon is
being undertaken cooperatively among the federal and state fishery
agencies. Important spawning, feeding and loafing/resting areas utilized
by the sturgeon are being identified. A shortnose sturgeon recovery plan
is nearing the final stages of preparation and will address the
protection of this species (Kynard personal communication).

The remaining anadromous fish occurring in the Connecticut River with
the exceptions of the blueback herring and sea lamprey are not found as
far upriver in the watershed. Blueback herring and sea lamprey utilize
many of the major tributaries to the Connecticut River for spawning. The
blueback herring is a prolific fish that can ascend the river as far
northward as the American shad. Blueback herring and sea lamprey
presently migrate into the Vernon Pool passing through the Vernon Dam
fishway, Vernon, Vermont. Blueback herring and sea lamprey are abundant
within the watershed. Alewife, similar in appearance to the blueback
herring, occur in the lower reaches of the Connecticut River. Alewives
migrate upriver to the vicinity of the Enfield Dam. Gizzard shad a
relatively recently observed anadromous species found within the
Connecticut River has been observed in limited numbers in the fishlift
at the Holyoke Dam, Holyoke, Massachusetts. Gizzard shad may occur in
greater abundance in the river\'s reach below the Holyoke Dam. Striped
bass have also been observed in limited number in the fishlift at the
Holyoke Dam. A sport fishery has developed since 1990 in the rapids area
below the Enfield Dam. Although both sexually mature male and large
female (up to 42 inches)striped bass have been collected in this area by
federal and state biologists (Savoy, personal communication),
aggregations of striped bass are thought to be present for feeding
purposes rather than spawning. Merriman and Thorpe (1976), found no
evidence of striped bass spawning in the Connecticut River during a five
year investigation of fish eggs and larve in the lower river.
Investigations undertaken by graduate students from the University of
Massachusetts, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit, on striped bass in the vicinity of the mouth of the river suggest
that striped bass occur in relative abundance in that area (Schulze and
Mather 1994). Rainbow smelt are reported in the lower river. The size of
the population and the utilization of spawning areas is not well known.
There is a limited fishery for this species. Occasional collections of
rainbow smelt have been made incidental to the catch of other species
during sampling (Savoy personal communication). Insufficient information
is available on the Atlantic sturgeon population utilizing the
Connecticut River: The information that exists, however, suggests that
immature Atlantic sturgeon utilize the river during the summer months
(Savoy 1991).

The populations of American shad and blueback herring within the
Connecticut River increased from 1955, when the fishlift was installed
at the Holyoke Dam, to 1992. The populations of these species,
specifically American shad have declined dramatically in the past two
years as evidenced by the number of shad and herring passing through the
Holyoke Dam fishlift. The decline seen in 1993 and 1994 were especially
surprising given the moderate to high numbers of returning adults were
expected based on strong juvenile production throughout the late
1980\'s. The reason(s) for the population declines remain unknown,
although, preliminary analyses indicate that elevated mortality rates of
clupeids are associated with increased abundance of striped bass (Savoy
personal communication).

Catadromous Fish ‑ The American eel (*Anguilla rostrata*) is the only
catadromous fish (reverse of anadromous, i.e., living in freshwater and
going to the sea to spawn). Life history information for the American
eel is presented in (Stone et al. 1994; Corps of Engineers 1974; Scott
and Grossman 1973; Bigelow and Schrodeor 1953). American eel are
ubiquitous throughout the watershed with greatest abundance being found
lower in the watershed and decreasing northward. It is rarely observed
in the watershed above the confluence with the White River, Vermont.
This species is thought to be declining throughout its range.
Information from commercial fisherman (for this species) in the lower
reaches (Savoy personal communication) appear to substantiate this
concern.

Amphidromous Fish ‑ Amphidromous fish are those fish that utilize the
estuary of the Connecticut River and the marine environment of Long
Island Sound. Fifteen amphidromous fish species occur in this
classification. The most commonly recognized species in this category
are: white perch *(Morone americana)*, mullets *(Mugil spp.*) and
killifishes (*Fundulus spp*.).

Resident Species ‑ Resident species of fishes may be considered in two
categories: indigenous (native) and nonBindigenous (introduced). The
distribution of fish species in the watershed is strongly correlated to
temperature regimes. In the northern part of the watershed and in the
mountainous tributary streams are found the cool and coldwater fishes
e.g., trout, sculpin, burbot (cusk) and salmon. In the southern part of
the watershed, the lower reaches of the main tributaries and the
impounded areas of the mainstem where warmwaters occur, the basses,
pickerels, horned pout (bullhead) and perch are found. Forage fishes are
abundant in the mainstem of the river and in the larger tributaries and
include blacknose dace (*Rhinichthys atratulus*), spottail shinner
(*Notropis hudsonius*), fallfish (*Semotilus corporalis*),white or
common sucker *(Catostomus commersoni)* and common shiner (*Notropis
cornutus*). There are 33 native species in addition to the anadromous
fish discussed previously. These species are normally distributed
throughout the watershed in coolB, coldB and warmwater ponds, lakes and
streams.

NonBindigenous species are fishes that were introduced into the
watershed as a result of human activity. Many species identified in this
category are often thought of as \"natives\". Notable examples are the
rainbow (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) and brown (*Salmo trutta*) trouts,
smallmouth (*Micropterus dolomieui*) and largemouth (*Micropterus
salmoides*) basses, walleyed pike (*Stizostedion vitreum vitreum*), carp
(*Cyprinus carpio)*, blue gill (*Lepomis macrochirus*), and northern
pike (*Esox lucius*).

Indigenous fishes in Vermont and New Hampshire ‑ The 10 most abundant
indigenous species within the New HampshireBVermont reach of the
watershed are: blacknose dace, white sucker, common shinner (*Notropis
cornutus*), brook trout, fallfish, longnose dace (*Rhinichthys
cataractae*), chain pickerel (*Esox niger*), yellow perch (*Perca
flavescens*), slimy sculpin (*Cottus cognatus*), and creek chub
(*Semotilus atromaculatus*) (Bailey and Oliver 1939). Other indigenous
species found commonly in this section of the watershed are: longnose
dace, longnose sucker (*Catastomous catastomous*), American eel,
redbreast sunfish (*Lepomis auritus*), northern redbelly dace (*Phoxinus
eos*) and tessellated darter (*Etheostoma olmstedi)* . The American eel
are rarely observed in the upper watershed above the White River.

Indigenous species found predominantly in the lower section of this
reach are: spottail shiner, eastern silvery minnow (*Hybognathus
regius*), pumpkinseed (*Lepomis gibbosis*), redbreast sunfish, banded
sunfish (*Enneacanthus obesus*), and the yellow perch (Bailey and Oliver
1939). Bailey and Oliver (1939), also reported that three indigenous
species, namely, golden shiner (*Notemigonus crysoleucas*), brown
bullhead (*Ameirus nebulosus*), and creek chubsucker abundant in the
southern section of the reach were scarce in the northern waters of the
reach. Conversely, they (Bailey and Oliver 1939) reported that seven
native northern species were infrequently found in the southern section
of the reach. These are: round whitefish (*Prosopium cylindraceum*),
lake trout (*Salvelinus namaycush*), longnose sucker (*Catastomus
catastomus*), northern redbelly dace (*Phoxinus eos*), finescale dace
(*Phoxinus neogaeus*), lake chub, and burbot (*Lota lota*).

Atlantic salmon, American shad, shortnose sturgeon, and Sunapee trout
(*Salvelinus aureolus*) were extirpated from the northern reach of the
watershed: the anadromous fish, because of damming the river and the
trout because of over exploitation and introductions. SeaB run Atlantic
salmon, American shad and blueback herring populations have onBgoing
restoration and/or enhancement programs. Round whitefish numbers are
seriously reduced because of over exploitation and habitat loss due to
water quality degradation.

Many of the dams within the tributaries of this reach are discussed in
the planning document for the Atlantic salmon restoration program. The
mainstem hydroelectric dams up to and including the Rygate Dam presently
have fish passage facilities as part of their operating license
agreement. Blueback herring utilize the river (below Bellows Falls Dam)
for spawning and juvenile nursery habitat. American shad and sea lamprey
have been passed into the Bellows Falls pool.

Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire do not have any endangered fish
species listed that are found within the watershed.

Vermont and New Hampshire do not have any state-listed endangered fish
species that are found within the watershed.

Indigenous fishes in Massachusetts

The native fishes found in this reach are typical of those in the lower
reaches of the lower VermontBNew Hampshire reach. These are: brook
trout; blacknose and longnose dace; white sucker; fallfish; creek chub;
slimy sculpin; and, common shiner. Species distribution as was
previously mentioned is closely correlated to temperature regimes. Many
of the native species found in the mainstem of the Connecticut River
(see below) are also found in the tributaries, but to a much lesser
degree.

Many of the dams within the tributaries of this reach are discussed in
the strategic planning document for the Atlantic salmon restoration
program. The two mainstem dams presently have both upBriver and
downBriver fish passage facilities. American shad, blueback herring,
shortnose sturgeon and sea lamprey utilize this reach for spawning and
juvenile nursery habitat.

Native species found in the mainstem include: the endangered shortnose
sturgeon; American eel; white sucker; pumpkinseed; yellow perch; chain
and redfin pickerel; brown bullhead; white perch; spottail shiner;
fallfish; and, common shiner.

There are three fish species listed as endangered in Massachusetts, the
shortnose sturgeon (*Acipenser brevirostrum),* the lake chub (*Cousesius
plumbeus)* and the northern redbelly dace (*Phoxinus eos*): they are on
the southern periphery of their range and are present and unlisted in
Vermont and New Hampshire.

Indigenous fishes in Connecticut ‑ The lower reach of the river extends
from the MassachusettsBConnecticut border to Long Island Sound. The
number of fish species utilizing this reach is far greater than for any
other reach. The reason being that in addition to the resident
indigenous and nonBindigenous species, the full compliment of
anadromous, amphidromous and saltwater species listed for the watershed
also occur within this reach. The native fishes found in the tributaries
of this reach are typical of those in the central reach tributaries in
Massachusetts. These are: brook trout; blacknose and longnose dace;
white sucker; fallfish; creek chub; and, common shiner. Many of the
native species found in the mainstem of the Connecticut River (see
below) are also found in the tributaries, but to a lesser degree.

Native species found in the mainstem include: the endangered shortnose
sturgeon; American eel; white sucker; pumpkinseed; yellow perch; chain
and redfin pickerel; brown bullhead; white catfish; white perch;
spottail shiner; fallfish; and, common shiner. The composition and
relative seasonal abundance of fish species occurring in the Connecticut
River between Higganum and Essex was surveyed intensively for the years
1965B1972 (Merriman and Thorpe 1976). The data from Merriman and Thorpe
(1976), identifies 50 fish species and discusses in detail seasonal
abundance and distribution. They indicated that 65% of the resident fish
biomass consisted of the following fishes: white perch, brown bullhead,
white catfish, yellow perch and American eel. Seasonally, large numbers
of American shad, blueback herring and alewives were present.

There are numerous lowBhead dams in the tributary streams in the
Connecticut portion of the watershed. Many of these dams may be made
passable to anadromous fish.

Connecticut does not have any state-listed endangered fish species
except the shortnose sturgeon (*Acipenser brevirostrum*) and Atlantic
sturgeon (*Acipenser oxyrhynchus)*

that are found within the watershed.

NonBindigenous Species ‑ NonBindigenous fish species are generally found
throughout the length of the Connecticut River and in the lower reaches
of many of the tributaries.. Many species were introduced in an effort
to provide recreational fisheries. Native species populations were
reduced because of exploitation, habitat loss and water quality
degradation. Agricultural practices including forestry and dairy and
truck farms, damming for industry, and industrial discharges resulted in
altered habitat and water quality conditions that were better suited for
nonBindigenous species.

Invertebrates

Invertebrates are the most diverse and abundant group of animals within
the watershed. A conservative estimate of the number of described
species would be 1,500 (D. Smith personal communication). These range
from familiar insects such as butterflies, bees and beetles to more
obscure species of invertebrates such as clam shrimp and bryozoans.
Perhaps the rarest species in the watershed is Faxon\'s clam shrimp
(*Eulimnadia agassizii*). This species is actually a crustacean which is
less than one‑half inch long and enclosed by a chitinous clamBlike
shell. Its only known location in the world is a vernal pool in
Massachusetts west of the Connecticut River.

Plants

There are roughly 3,000 plant species in the watershed area. Based on
figures for

Massachusetts, roughly 35% of the plants are not native to the area
(Bickford and Dymon 1990).