Shaw Nozaki Lacy,Quêzia Leandro de Moura,Hassan Abbas, University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources & Environment, slacy@umich.edu
ABSTRACT
A modeling investigation of high-capacity groundwater pumping found that significant impacts to fish habitats in Michigan streams were affected due primarily to changes in stream temperature. These impacts continued to occur even at a modeled pumping distance of 1.6km away from the stream. Downstream impacts to fish community habitat were also demonstrated. Historically, groundwater pumping scenarios were not closely considered, and studies showed minimal impact to fish habitat caused by even large-scale surface water pumping. Due to Michigan's 2008 groundwater conservation law, determination of local-scale impacts from groundwater pumping impacts on fish habitat may become an important consideration in the decision of stakeholders to commence with large-scale groundwater pumping operations.
Key words: Groundwater, Fish habitat alteration, Freshwater management