Stephen Matter News Today

When rainstorms dry up, local creeks do, too, leaving fish out of luck. A team of UC researchers and the Hamilton County Conservation District are testing out a relatively inexpensive solution to see if it helps make streams into successful wildlife habitats.

Biologists at the University of Cincinnati are studying low-cost ways to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in Greater Cincinnati’s creeks. UC biologists Stephen Matter and Michael Booth are examining whether water quality and wildlife habitat can be improved simply by adding logs and branches in select parts of the upper Cooper Creek. The addition of fallen timber could help slow periodic floodwaters, create more standing pools for fish during droughts and add nutrients for plants and...