FISH HABITAT: NEW `SCOUR RACKS' DESIGNED TO PROVIDE COVER FOR STREAM FISH

MARQUAND -- Don't worry bout those odd-looking structures sticking up out of the water along Castor River south of Marquand. They're not mines or obstacles they're fish-scouring racks.

Missouri Department of Conservation biologists say the scour racks are designed to provide cover for fish by improving the fish habitat in the stream. Three of the scouring racks were installed recently in the Castor River by Brian Todd, fisheries management biologist, and his staff at the Department of Conservation's Southeast Missouri District Office at Cape Girardeau.

The racks are located upstream from the Conservation Department's Castor River Marquand Access point, located 4 miles south of Marquand on Highway ED.

They are the first to be installed in the wild in Southeast Missouri and the state. Prototype models of the scour rack were tested earlier by the department in mid-Missouri.

The racks are tee-pee-like structures constructed of three 4" x 4" timbers that are six feet long, and anchored in the stream bed at a slight up-stream angle. "It's a new idea based on the old idea of using Christmas trees in lakes to promote better fish habitats," Todd explained. "Instead of using Christmas trees, we're using three wooden beams that are bolted together in the shape of a teepee or pyramid, and anchored it in the bottom of the stream bed.

"As limbs and other floating debris are caught by the racks, it will cause scour holes to form around the bottom of the rack which improves the fish habitat by increasing the diversity of current speed, depths and stream bottom composition."

Todd said the scour rack duplicates the effect that the rootwad of a fallen tree has on the stream bed. "The racks are used instead of fallen trees because it's easier to place the racks in locations where they will have the most benefit," he said.

Todd said fish species that will benefit most from the scour rack project are smallmouth bass, shadow bass, (commonly known as goggle eye) longear sunfish and several species of minnows.

"Scouring racks are only installed when natural cover for fish is lacking in a stream," Todd continued. "Cover is usually lacking in wide, relatively shallow stream channels due to man-induced causes. (bank erosion of excessive gravel deposits in the stream)

Todd said the racks are anchored to the stream bed by cable attached to metal anchors driven deep into the stream bed by a gasoline-powered jackhammer

He said the cost of each scour rack, which includes lumber, anchors and associated materials, is $56.60.

Almost three years ago, the Missouri Department of Conservation launched a new program entitled, `Streams For The Future.

"The goals of the program are to work with landowners to improve stream conditions, increase public awareness of streams, and improve stream conditions on public land," Todd said. "The scouring rack project is the result of the department's efforts to carry out goal number three, by improving stream conditions on a department-owned stream access."