Sand Creek stream survey detects Topeka Shiners
PIERRE, S.D. – Reconstruction of Rosehill Dam, south of Wessington, (northwest of Wessington Springs) is being delayed because biologists who conducted a required stream survey of Sand Creek discovered Topeka shiners in the watershed.
The Topeka shiner is a federally listed, endangered minnow species found in eastern South Dakota’s clear, clean prairie streams.
Rosehill Dam was breached on July 29, 2010, after heavy rainfall.
Discovery of Topeka shiners in Sand Creek requires the State to enter into a formal consultation process with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that no detrimental effects to the species will occur if Rosehill Dam is rebuilt. The consultation process takes about 120 days.
Reconstruction plans may then have to be modified, and contractors would need to be selected. Because of the delay, it is expected that reconstruction of Rosehill Dam will be rescheduled for the fall of 2013.
It is best to rebuild the dam during late summer and fall when the amount of water flowing in Sand Creek is at a minimum.
To learn more about Topeka shiners and South Dakota’s plan for managing them, visit http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/management/plans/topeka-shiner-plan.aspx
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