In 1974 major decisions about the estimated impact of power plants along the Hudson River were reached by courts and regulatory agencies. These cases featured several striped bass models as tools for impact assessment. Many of the models were based on assumptions relative to distribution, transport, and behavior of early life stages of striped bass. However, data from the 1965-1968 Hudson River Fisheries Investigation, the 1969-1970 Raytheon Survey, the 1971-1972 New York University ichthyoplankton study, the 1973 Texas Instruments Hudson River Fisheries Survey, and surveys in other striped bass estuaries do not support the assumptions of most of the models. Recommendations for use of models in decision-making are offered.