Northwestern Great Plains Prairie Stream Ecological Types 



\onh\\c^tcrn tircat Plains Prairie Stream (Al:S C()05) Ideological Ixpes in order of highest biological 

 integrity to lowest. 1 ) South Fork Grand #2. 2) South Fork (irand #\.3) North Fork Moreau River Ml. 4) 

 Jones Creek #2. 5) Crooked Creek, 6) South Fork Moreau River #2. 7) Bull Creek 



Management/Threats to this ecological system include: Grazing and livestock use around the 

 riparian areas occurs and can ha\e strong local effects resulting in sedimentation and stream \\ idening at 

 cattle crossings. Introductions of game or forage t1sh in stock ponds anywhere in the watershed can 

 make their way downstream to these perennial prairie rivers and become permanent residents, competing 

 with (green sunfish) or preying upon (northern pike) resident native fish species. 



Global Rank Comments: Ihe number of viable occurrences is unknown, but probably rare. Although, 

 these systems occur higher in the watershed, and not as rare as a high quality Medium Prairie River. 

 These prairie river ecological types are abundant in terms of river miles across the Northern Great Plains 

 Steppe of North America, but the hydrology (i.e. water permanence) can be easily atTecled b\ upstream 

 dams or diversions in the watershed. Stock ponds that are stocked w ith game fish, and bait bucket 

 introductions can also contribute to the community degradation brought about by the introduced tlsh 

 species. 



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