CHAPTER IV: WILFLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^184to the original topography of the valley and floodplain. Substrates usually consist of muddy silt and clay
sediments. In the upper reaches, reservoirs form marshy, shallow flats or conform to the stream channel.
Flow is often sluggish and sedimentation increases over time. The marshy littoral (nearshore) and open
water habitats are attractive for wildlife. Land use and vegetation cover within the watershed
surrounding the reservoir will affect its water quality. Almost one percent of the land area of
Mississippi is in reservoirs.
LOCATION, SIZE, CONDITION AND CONSERVATION STATUS
EGCP, UEGP, MSRAP
Flood control dams have been constructed on several large rivers and creeks in
the state. Some reservoirs are relatively large, with the largest, Ross Barnett
Reservoir, being 30,000 acres in size. The Corps of Engineers managed
reservoirs (i.e., Grenada, Arkabutla and Sardis) are rimmed with federally
managed woodland and recreational sites. Residential areas often are situated
adjacent to the reservoirs. Woodlands surround most reservoir shores except
where streams enter them. At the mouths of feeder streams, a large area of
marshland habitat is often encountered. Sometimes urban centers are located
nearby. There are approximately 200,000 acres of this subtype in Mississippi.
Large open water bodies often have significant problems with shorebank erosion. There is little
opportunity for marsh plants to become established because wave action and shifting sediments prevent
them from doing so, except in some of the most protective coves. Drawdown of flood control reservoirs
leaves wide unvegetated shorelines exposed and barren. Water quality is quite high in Mississippi
reservoirs due to the abundant freshwater inflow.
The reservoir subtype is common, widespread, and abundant in the state and is not vulnerable to
significant declines.
SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH RESERVOIRS
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Migrant Shorebirds 1
Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle 2
Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern 2
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican 3
Aythya affinis Lesser Scaup 3
Pandion haliaetus Osprey 3
Fish Ichthyomyzon castaneus Chestnut Lamprey 2
Notropis amnis Pallid Shiner 2
Moxostoma macrolepidotum Shorthead Redhorse 2
Range of Reservoirs