Gillenwater, D., T. Granata and U. Zika.  2006.  GIS-based Modeling of Spawning Habitat Suitability for Walleye in the Sandusky River, Ohio, and Implications for Dam Removal and River Restoration.  Ecological Engineering 28:311-323.

GIS was used to assess the potential for Walleye to spawn in areas upstream of a dam that was slated for removal.  Authors combined a hydraulic river model with a GIS to calculate depth, velocity and spawning habitat suitability in a river reach. Model accuracy was then checked with field measurements.  While the model accurately predicted depths, velocity predictions were mostly lower than those measured in the field.  However, egg densities measured in the stream were positively correlated with the habitat suitability index calculated by the model (R² = 0.19, P=0.036), suggesting that the model may predict approximate spawning habitat in the river.  Study findings indicate that habitat suitability is heavily correlated with discharge.  Discharges of 20-25m³/s are most appropriate for suitable habitat.  This type of model can be useful in weighing the ecological impacts of dam removal.  Authors note that accuracy of models is particularly essential in highly contentious restoration projects such as the removal of Sandusky River dam.

Habitat Suitability Index maps of the study area (shown in the inset photograph) produced by the model for a range of discharges.