Water quality and biological surveys were conducted in the middle of the Chikuma River, from Saku City to Ueda City

On May 21, 2025, water quality and aquatic microbial flora activity surveys were conducted in the Chikuma River. The eight sampling points included the Imai Weir, the Nishiura Dam, and the Yoda River. The aim of this survey is to understand the impact of the dams on water quality and biota. We will also study the fish fauna using eDNA. Takeru Kodama and Mitsuki Ohara will conduct monthly field surveys. Water quality tests will be conducted in collaboration with the Nagano Prefecture Ueda Waterworks Management Office.

These surveys are part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s River Erosion Control Technology Research and Development Regional Issues Field (River Ecology) General Research project, “The Importance of Habitat Continuity in Rivers: Impact Assessment and Conservation Measures on River Ecosystems.” This large-scale project is being promoted by a research group led by the Institute of Freshwater Biology, Nagano University, Shinshu University, and the Nagano Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station.