Each summer, thousands of fly fishers flock to the Adirondacks' network of rivers and streams to enjoy some of the best fishing in the Northeast. Though fishing is usually though of as a fun warm-weather activity, the quality of each fishing season, at least with respect to trout, is highly dependent on the type of winter season that preceded it (Bombard). Before fishing season starts, the trout must survive harsh Adirondack winters, which can heavily impact populations, killing anywhere from 50 to 90% of trout (Bombard).
Trout are happiest when the winter season begins with an early ice-forming cold snap, followed by snow to insulate the river running below the ice. The layer of snow gives the trout time to find a home for the winter that shelters them from the harshest conditions. Good winters, in which a layer of ice remains until spring usually see larger survival rates than winters with major mid-season thaws. In bad winter seasons with major thaws, large chunks of ice separate from the ice sheet and fly down the river, dislodging rocks that protected the trout and their favorite food - insects. Then, when the temperatures drop to normal winter temperatures, there is no insulation for the water, so anchor ice develops (Bombard). Anchor ice is ice that forms in stream beds and builds upward from the bottom of the stream (NYS DEC), which can kill fish and insect populations (Bombard). The melting of ice at the end of the winter season also plays a key role in trout survival. Trout are more likely to survive if the river gradually thaws over a couple of weeks, as opposed to a few days, as it gives the fish more time to acclimate (Bombard). Although we often think about how the quality of a winter season impacts the skiing and snowsports industry, winter conditions can also have a dramatic effect on the viability of fish populations and the fishing tourism industry.
In Wilmington, home of Whiteface Mountain, winter tourism is a critical part of the town's economy. As a winter sports town, Wilmington is highly dependent on the hundreds of thousands of skiiers and snowboarders that travel to the North Country every winter to experience some of the best snow in the country. However, in the summer months when visitors to Whiteface drop substantially, Wilmington relies on the allure of high quality fishing conditions in the West Branch of the AuSable River to bring in thousands of fly fishing enthusiasts (Bombard). In class, we often discuss the potential impacts of climate change on the Adirondacks, especially on the quality and character of the winter season. For towns like Wilmington, which lack the Olympic nostalgia of Lake Placid and Keene's abundance of High Peaks, the quality of each season can drastically affect the yearly influx of tourists and subsequently, the town's economy.
If climate change continues as expected due to our continued addiction to fossil fuels, the future of Adirondack winters may not be very promising. Changes in annual snowfall rates, average high and low temperatures, and extreme and unusual thaws and coldsnaps could all lead to consecutive bad ski and trout seasons, which could effectively destroy Wilmington's economy. The economies of many Adirondack towns are so heavily entwined with the health of the surrounding ecosystems, that if we continue to rely on oil, coal, and natural gas to fuel our economy and our livelihoods, we risk losing some of the most unique environments in the world, simultaneously destroying the economies and livelihoods that are so dependent on their well-being.
Sources:
Bombard, Roy, "Effects of Winter on the River and its Trout." Lake Placid News. The Lake Placid News. 3 April 2015. Web. 6 April 2015.
"2015 Coldwater Fishing Forecast." dec.ny.gov. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 2015. Web. 6 April 2015.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/63598.html
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