The Namdae stream in Gangneung-si is one of the rivers where salmon stock is mainly maintained by natural spawning rather than artificial seedlings. There are structures including weir, and fish distribution and movement characteristics can be different by these structures. In this study, we investigated the distribution and behavioral characteristics of salmon by sighting survey within 12 km immediately upstream of the river mouth between October 2021 and February 2022. As a result, salmon distributed within 9 km from rivermouth. There were more salmon in the lower reaches of Doosan weir than in the upper reaches of that. The main spawning ground for salmon was between 7-9 km from rivermouth and around the lower part of Doosan weir. Salmon behaved for spawning in the gravel-bed area and undercut slope of the mainstream, such as mating, digging the riverbed, and competition among males. Salmon moved more slowly in the gravel-bed area than sand-bed area. Doosan weir hinders the spawning migration of salmon by frequent flow changes and terraced fishway. This study provides primary information to understand the ecological changes of salmon by environmental changes in the Namdae stream.

To understand the composition, quantity, and quality of Suspended Particulate Organic Matter (SPOM) in the Gangneung Namdae Stream, Korea, we examined spatiotemporal variations in water temperature, salinity, chlorophlly a (Chl a), Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON), and carbon stable isotope (δ13C) of SPOM at six stations in June (pre-monsoon), July (monsoon), and September (post-monsoon) 2017. With increasing precipitation, the average POC and C/N values increased significantly in July than in June. In September, the values decreased with decreasing precipitation. The δ13C values showed irregular spatiotemporal fluctuations among the stations and periods, thereby suggesting a greater contribution of autochthonous organic matter to the pool of SPOM than that of allochthonous organic matter derived from upstream. In addition, the large and irregular changes in POC, C/N ratio, C:Chl a, and δ13C compared to that of PON were observed for all periods among the stations, indicating a serial discontinuity of the stream. Our results suggest that the Gangneung Namdae Stream is significantly influenced by the increase in freshwater discharge caused by heavy rainfalls during the summer monsoon and post-monsoon periods.