| Oil and gas development can affect aquatic ecosystems through water contamination, water use, and surface disturbance from infrastructure development (roads, pipelines, well pads, etc.). We examined how oil and gas development can affect water quality, habitat quality, and fish communities in the Upper Green River Drainage. We used multiple approaches to assess water quality and found several potential avenues of degradation. Surface disturbance likely contributed to elevated suspended sediment concentrations; spill history likely led to elevated stream polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations; and degraded drainage and riparian health likely contributed to greater temperature and discharge fluctuations in disturbed streams. We found that streams within the developed drainages had degraded ecological conditions, as indicated by the lack of sensitive macroinvertebrates, less willow cover along stream banks, predominantly run habitat, and increased proportions of fine sediment. In contrast, reference streams had consistently good water quality, sensitive macroinvertebrates, more riparian vegetation, more pool and riffle habitat, and higher proportions of gravel. Fish showed differential sensitivity to oil and gas disturbance. Colorado River cutthroat trout were only found in the reference streams, and in these streams mottled sculpin were found in higher abundance. In contrast, mountain suckers appeared to be habitat generalists and were able to persist in a wide range of conditions, including degraded sites in areas with high levels of energy development. The aquatic ecosystem impairment we documented in streams running through the Labarge Oil and Gas Field exemplifies the need for site specific research and mitigation strategies, to ensure that energy development does not compromise important ecological conditions and services. |
