Black Crappie
This has been a unique summer for the Lower Mississippi River and the animals that thrive in its complex ecosystem. The high water levels that lasted well into August created an interesting boom in the reproduction of fish, reptiles, and amphibians, as well benefiting mammals and birds.
An early trip on the Arkansas River opened my eyes to the importance of high water periods and the advantage it gives to all species. I watched fifty foot willows, cottonwoods, and sycamores effortlessly slide into the river as the current plowed away the ground underneath its roots, disappearing in the depths of the channel. Long tall willows cracking and snapping like toothpicks.
These trees create valuable fish habitat, which in turn give smaller fish valuable cover so they can mature. Many trees float down the river while the birds hitch a ride, eating insects and invertebrates from the root ball. The cut-banks left behind provide nesting for cliff swallows and belted kingfishers. High water is especially good for beavers. They love to feed from the water. It’s safer and they can easily reach the young flooded willows. They also have a plan for creating habitat. They select certain trees to drop and those same trees sprout six to eight saplings which grow straight up. They are later covered by sand, appearing to be six to eight different trees. When you see willows really close together along the river, it’s usually one tree with its trunk buried by silt. Young flooded willows are also the favorite nesting and roosting spot for the red-wing blackbird.
High water refills and replenish the oxbow lakes. The flooded forest on the inside of the lakes provide important spawning grounds for all fish. They act as nurseries for young schools of fish not quite ready for the powerful current of the river. We paddle through local oxbows, Millwood and Desoto, and the front of our canoe cut through millions of fry suspended in the lake. At Smith’s Point, just north of Rosedale Harbor, a small stream formed separating the point from the mainland. The peninsula is covered with puddles full of frog eggs and fish. Raccoon and skunk tracts litter the areas around the puddles. We spooked two does feeding in the tall grass. They like high water also, because it makes water more accessible, keeping them out of site. Suddenly, a big splash- a huge buck swims to the island created by the stream. It’s a perfect place for a lone buck. If he stays, he has a chance to make it through hunting season.
The Mississippi River finally drops in the middle of August leaving beautiful sandbars and hundreds of blue holes full of trapped fish. The debris piles of trees congregate in the areas where eddies were formed. Crickets hatch by the thousands in the debris piles while frogs gobble them up. Water snakes patiently wait in order to ambush the frogs. Eagles, egrets, and herons feast in the blue holes during the day; the scavengers feast by night. Every day the pools get shallower and more approachable. They eventually turn into mosquito ponds, which benefit the cliff swallows, bats, and dragonflies. These debris piles are great low water homes for beavers and otters.
Man-made structures built for navigational purposes can stop natural habitat development along the main channel, but some species like the white bass, stripe bass, and hybrid bass use wing-dikes to break the current. Revetment along the outside of the meanders save landowners valuable property, but stop natural habitat development and are hard on turtles; they capsize trying to move between the boulders causing a slow painful death. Fortunately, as long the tributaries are left to flourish naturally, they will provide needed habitat for the main stem, and we will continue to watch all species thrive within the Mississippi River Watershed. Your help is needed now to support a healthy Upper and Lower Mississippi River! Visit the 1 Mississippi Action Center to learn more.
-Mark River
St. Louis born Mark “River” Peoples is a river guide and youth leader with the Quapaw Canoe Company. Mark grew up hunting and fishing along the river with his father. Mark is the Southern Region leader for 1 Mississippi and also serves on the board of the Lower Mississippi River Foundation. When not on the water, Mark mentors Delta youth and educates them on the importance of the protection and preservation of our national treasure for generations to come. Mark works hard on changing the perception of our great River and its tributaries. Through river trips, cleanups, and workshops, Mark’s goal is overall systemic health of the Mississippi River.