This process occurs when the wetlands become dry during the warmer months, experiencing reduced and intermittent water flows.

[5] The agency conducted more than 100 surveys and found the insect at 35 sites across a large part of Nebraska, many of which appear to be free from threats.

[6] After the initial decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service, more studies of the biology of the insect found its range to be fragmented, and it only occurs in river habitat that is not disturbed or altered.

This diversion eliminates warm-water sloughs from the sides of the river, changing the local ecology in such a way that the insect cannot persist.

[3] In ecological surveys of the area, other animal species observed include fish such as the plains topminnow (Fundulus sciadicus), brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile), and amphibians such as the plains leopard frog (Lithobates blairi), western chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata), and Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii).