Management Briefs: An Artificial Riffle as Restored Habitat for the Threatened Neosho Madtom

An artificial riffle was constructed in an area previously dredged of gravel in the Cottonwood River, Kansas, to restore habitat for the Neosho madtom Noturus placidus, classified as “threatened” by the federal government. Relative abundances of fishes on the artificial riffle were similar to those of fishes on two natural riffles, and the assemblage on the new riffle included nine riffle species. Similarity indexes of species abundance were high between consecutive samples throughout the year and between artificial and natural riffles, indicating that the assemblage stability of the artificial riffle closely resembled that of a natural riffle. During the first year after construction, the artificial riffle's physical characteristics and fish species diversity and richness were similar to those of natural riffles. Two years after construction, the artificial riffle continued to harbor riffle fishes including N. placidus