Kroger Aquatic Collection

On September 30th, 2021, the Bureau of Reclamation began the process of reducing the Snake River flow by 90%. Over the course of six days, the river flow was lowered to 300 CFS (Koshmrl, 2021). Flows have been controlled from the dam for decades, and biologists and conservationists have expressed concern about when flows are lowered too quickly. As scientists look to study this effect and protect the many species of fish and aquatic insects of the Snake River, it is important to have historical data as a reference. This is a topic of growing concern and importance as Wyoming experiences continuously drier years.

Richard Lee Kroger began an analysis of the insect fauna of the Snake River in 1965. Partnering with the National Park Service, this long-range project aimed to determine the productivity of the Snake River as well as the effects on the river’s production regarding continuous water flow. Kroger collected 255 samples of bottom organisms. This unpublished collection is now housed with CBS. We are taking photographs of these samples and entering them into a database that will serve as important historic data in the studies of Snake River health. This baseline study will provide an information base against which to monitor and assess environmental change.