Drought affects wildlife across Northern Nevada as springs, creeks and lakes evaporate

This year has been a particularly dry one thanks to a combination of record-high temperatures throughout the region as well as a dry winter that left little snowpack for spring and summer.

Because of that, as many readers will have noticed, our local creeks, wetlands, ponds and lakes are dwindling in water.

This shouldn’t have an effect on water sources for humans thanks to the numerous ground water sources Carson City employs, but for wildlife, there’s unfortunately a different story.

“The prolonged dour we’re experiencing can greatly affect wildlife distribution and population abundance,” said NDOW’s Ashley Sanchez. “A reduction in water sources such as springs, streams, wetlands and more generally occurs, affecting the quantity and quality of habitat for wildlife.”

At the extreme end of the drought, water resources can dry up, as we are seeing in the smaller creeks, ponds and water sources. This isn’t unusual for our area, but it does force wild animals into more urban and residential zones to try and find water elsewhere.

“In western Nevada, it is typical for small springs to dry up, affecting not only the aquatic life that lives in these waters, but also the wildlife that rely upon these water sources, resulting in displacement and concentration around viable water sources,” said Sanchez. “When springs dry up, wildlife is forced to seek out water in unusual places, including residential areas, construction sites, and other project sites.”

Drought conditions do not only affect the living population of wild animals, but the future population as well; for upland game birds and waterfowl, a decrease in water levels also decreases their habitats and more importantly, their nesting sites.

“Upland game birds may (still) nest, but the plant species that they use for cover are diminished,” said Sanchez. “This allows for higher nest predation. Additionally, there are fewer insects that allow the broods to survive. The bottom line is, there are fewer birds available during drought years.”

While humans might rejoice at fewer insects such as the mosquito buzzing around during drought years, this causes direct harm to insect predators such as bats, fish, and birds.

Many animals like the bat need to eat insects to build fat reserves for migration and hibernation, says Sanchez. Dwindling water sources and lower plant growth can reduce insect populations.

“Less water means less available habitat for waterfowl and other animals,” said Sanchez. “Crowding into smaller spaces for access to food, water and habitat makes these animals more susceptible to disease, predators, and competition with other animals.”

With less water there is also a lessened flow within bodies of water, which then causes a deficiency of oxygen within the water, which fish need to survive.

“This leads to stress among all (fish) species, but trout species are the most sensitive to it,” said Sanchez. “In extreme conditions, fish will die due to a lack of oxygen in the water. Maintaining flow is crucial to the survival of fish in rivers and streams during drought cycles.”

With ponds or lakes lessening and becoming warmer, along with more and more species of animals crowding into smaller sources of water, an algae bloom can occur which, in some extreme cases, can end up turning the water toxic.

For larger game, the drought also has its effects as well, from less births to poorer condition of young due to a lack of nutrition, as well as the same issues nesting birds face: predation due to a lack of vegetation coverage.

NDOW has taken steps to try and lessen the stress for the animals within our environment during the drought.

“Different divisions are working together to build water developments in areas of suitable habitat where water is lacking,” said Sanchez. “The Game Division makes recommendations to reduce big game populations through depredation hunts in situations where numbers of big game animals may exceed the carrying capacity of the habitat.”

NDOW also works with partners to restore springs to reduce the likelihood of springs drying up, so that water remains available to wildlife during drought times.

For residents, there is something they can do as well: have patience with the animals who are being forced to share their residential areas during times of drought.

“We do not recommend leaving out food or water (during times of drought), because it encourages animals to stay in areas that might not naturally be hospitable to them,” said Sanchez. “Habitats change over time and animals will either adapt or move along. With that being said, we ask that people be more understanding of animals coming into urban areas, especially since humans provide a lot of resources to wildlife, such as lawns, fruit trees, pools, ponds, etc., whether they mean to or not.”

“The best thing to do is let wildlife take care of itself, but to understand when you do notice them coming into our urban areas more.”

For questions or further resources on our area and the effects of drought on wildlife and the eco-system, visit Nevada Department of Wildlife or call at NDOW (775) 688-1500.