Dams and barriers are often considered positive landscape features because they can generate power, provide recreational opportunities, block invasive species, and prevent contaminant and disease transfer upstream. The flip side of that coin is that barriers can also reduce ecosystem function by reducing species richness, fragmenting habitats, impairing animal movements, impounding water, increasing temperature, and altering sediment transport.
Listen as Lawrence Gunther speaks with Marc Gaden from the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission about an up-coming fish passage project this week on Blue Fish Radio.
http://www.traversecitymi.gov/planning.asp