Salish Sucker (Catostomus catostomus)

Salish suckers occupy lakes and pools of headwater streams, spawn in riffles, and prefer long/deep pools with slower water velocities that are adjacent to shallow habitat with abundant vegetation (i.e., in-stream and over-stream cover). They are likely sensitive to climate-driven changes in habitat availability and quality. Declining summer and spring streamflows may affect pool length and depth, availability of spawning areas, and/or habitat connectivity. Altered riparian cover due to wildfire and land use changes can affect rearing habitat availability and quality and exacerbate increasing water temperatures. Altered flood frequencies or magnitudes may also affect this species, particularly if off-channel refugia isn't available. Salish suckers appear to be fairly tolerant of various water temperatures; spawning typically begins around 7-8°C, but has been documented in water temperatures up to 20°C. However, sublethal effects of warmer water temperatures are unknown (e.g., impacts on growth, fecundity, disease incidence). Hypoxic conditions are increasingly threatening this species, and are exacerbated by warmer water temperatures and streamflow reductions.