maxmium was approximately 24° C. A mortality study showed that about 80% of Stage 4 larvae 

 entrained would have survived entrainment. 



26. Impact assessment was addressed using a deterministic model developed by the University of Rhode 

 Island. The model, subdivided into hydrodynamic, concentration, and population submodels, predicted 

 a 5 to 6% decrease in the Niantic River population after 35 yr of MNPS operations. Based on the 

 initial assumptions, the model results were probably conservative. A new stochastic population 

 dynamics model, which takes into account the natural variability in the recruitment process, is currently 

 under development at NUEL and will provide a more realistic estimate of potential losses. 



27. To date, there is no evidence that MNPS has significantly affected the local winter flounder population. 

 Variability in annual abundance appears to be related to natural events and has been noted throughout 

 the region. Future work at NUEL will focus on the early life history stage, including estimates of 

 larval mortality, which is critical to the understanding and estimation of any deleterious effects of MNPS. 



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