The influence of kielder water on trichopteran (Caddisfly) populations in the river North Tyne (Northern England)

Abstract

Abstract Impounding the North Tyne has reduced the frequency of high peak flows, eliminated periods of extremely low flow and modified the temperature regime downstream from the Kielder dam. This paper compares the results of a recent survey of North Tyne trichopteran populations (Hydropsychidae, Rhyacophilidae, and Polycentropodidae) with those from previously published work in order to assess the impact of river regulation. Benthic samples were collected monthly upstream and downstream from the reservoir. Although nine out of the ten species found previously were also collected in the post‐impoundment survey, species diversity was reduced downstream from the dam. This was mainly the result of disproportionate increases in Hydropsyche siltalai population densities which were up to 9.6 times greater than before; flow regulation and its effect on substrate stability may be largely responsible for this. Rhyacophila dorsalis also increased in abundance downstream probably in response to the altered flow regime. In contrast Hydropsyche pellucidula constituted a smaller proportion in downstream samples with population densities in places only a fifth of pre‐impoundment levels. The differential effect of regulation on these two hydropsychid species may be explained by their different flow velocity preferences. Upstream from the reservoir, standing crops were frequently lower than before possibly due to the disruption of colonization cycles. Growth rates of H. siltalai, H. pellucidula , and R. dorsalis below the dam were accelerated at certain times of the year and retarded at others, apparently correlated with the winter‐warm, summer‐cool discharges from the reservoir. Since this study was completed Kielder Water has now begun generating hydroelectricity, and the flow regime downstream has consequently changed to one of regular, daily fluctuations. It is suggested that any adverse effects of this on the benthic community are likely to be offset by the continued benefit of eliminating flash floods with high peak flows.