In 2012 we sampled for reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, and fish at 14 stream crossings along I-90 from IL 47 to the Kishwaukee River.
Reptile and Amphibians
We used visual encounter surveys, dip nets, minnow traps, and baited hoop traps to document 6 species:
- Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina
- Painted Turtle, Chysemys picta
- American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus
- Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus
- Green Frog, Lithobates clamitans
- Northern Leopard Frog, Lithobates pipiens
Mollusks
We sampled 4 streams and found:
- 203 mollusks representings 19 species (18 mussel and 1 snail species)
- Two state listed species
- Slippershell, Alasmidonta viridis in Mosquito Creek
- Black Sandshell, Ligumia recta in the Kishwakee River (de-listed in 2020 based on our findings)
- The 2 most abundant species were
- Mucket, Actinonais ligamentia
- Plain Pocketbook, Lampsillis cardium
Fish
Using minnow seines and backpack shockers we found:
- 2,970 fish representing 49 species
- Two state listed species:
- Gravel chub, Erimystax x-punctatus in the Kishwaukee River
- Iowa Darter, Etheostoma exile at 4 sites (de-listed in 2020 based on our findings)
The 4 most abundant species overall were:
- Sand Shiner, Notropis stramineus
- Bigmouth Shiner, N. dorsalis
- Bluntnose minnow, Pimephales notatus
- Brook Stickleback, Culaea inconstans
The 3 most abundant species in small streams were:
- Fathead Minnow, Pimephales promelas
- Brook Stickleback, Culaea inconstans
- Black Bullhead, Ameiurus melas
The 3 most abundant species in large streams were:
- Sand Shiner, Notropis stramineus
- Bigmouth Shiner, N. dorsalis
- Bluntnose Minnow, Pimephales notatus
We returned in 2015 to assess the area following construction.