The fish community in the mid- upper region of Gam Stream was examined seasonally from
2001 to 2003 in order to perform an environmental impact assessment prior to a
construction of Gamcheon Multipurpose Dam. Additional investigation was conducted in
August 2004 to confirm the fish fauna reported and to examine the ecological
characteristics of Zacco temminckii population. The total number of fish caught from
the study sites was 1,081 fish representing 5 families 14 species. There were 6 Korean
endemic species including Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Squalidus gracilis majimae,
Microphysogobio yaluensis, Liobagrus mediadiposalis, Coreoperca herzi and Odontobutis
platycephala, but no endangered or vulnerable species were found. Length- weight
relation, condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kn) of Zacco temminckii
were compared by the study sites and stream. The equations based on length-weight
relation in Buhang and Gam Streams were TW = 0.000004TL3.2357 and TW =0.000002TL3.3566,
respectively indicating the fish in Gam Stream became more rotund as length increases.
The condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (Kn) against total length of
Zacco temminckii at two streams indicated that the fish (¤70 mm) in Gam Stream (mean
K and Kn = 1.116, 1.21 respectively) had better nutritional condition than those in
Buhang Stream (mean Kand Kn = 1.046, 1.14 respectively). The results were corresponded
with natural disturbances such as drought and intensive rainfall from 2001 to 2003
followed by human activities such as stream repair works. Therefore, it is considered
to perform environmental impact assessment with not only confirmation of fish
composition but also examination of ecological characteristics in population-level.