reintroduction of native fish species to coal creek
TRANSCRIPT
Reintroduction of Reintroduction of Native Fish Species Native Fish Species
to Coal Creekto Coal Creek
Coal Creek Coal Creek BackgroundBackground
Fish populations in Coal Fish populations in Coal Creek watershed have Creek watershed have been stressed by land use been stressed by land use practices dominated by a practices dominated by a history of coal mining.history of coal mining.
Based on regional data, Based on regional data, as many as 27 native as many as 27 native
fish species anticipated fish species anticipated for the Coal Creek for the Coal Creek
Watershed.Watershed.
Most fish species (27) have survived Most fish species (27) have survived sedimentation and water quality sedimentation and water quality
problems.problems.Bigeye chubBlueside darter
Scarlet shinerNorthern studfish
Photos by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
Coal Creek CurrentlyCoal Creek Currently
Some species have Some species have apparently been lost.apparently been lost.
Coal Creek is isolated by cold Coal Creek is isolated by cold releases from Norris Dam so releases from Norris Dam so missing species can not missing species can not recruit naturally.recruit naturally.
Why attempt species Why attempt species restoration now?restoration now?
Efforts have been put forth by CCWF Efforts have been put forth by CCWF to restore the health of Coal Creekto restore the health of Coal Creek
There are signs of environmental There are signs of environmental recovery (additional insect diversity recovery (additional insect diversity and improved fish community indices).and improved fish community indices).
There is increased interest in restoring There is increased interest in restoring biodiversity.biodiversity.
ReintroductionReintroduction Species Species
Target SpeciesTarget Species Telescope Telescope
shinershiner Warpaint shinerWarpaint shiner Tennessee Tennessee
shinershiner Rainbow darterRainbow darter
OpportunisticaOpportunistically lly collected collected speciesspecies
Fantail darterFantail darter American American
brook lampreybrook lamprey
Telescope shiner
Telescope shiner Telescope shiner attributesattributes
Widely distributed and sometimes Widely distributed and sometimes common.common.
Eggs very adhesive and probably Eggs very adhesive and probably intolerant of silt.intolerant of silt.
Specialized feeding and probably Specialized feeding and probably intolerant of turbidity.intolerant of turbidity.
Individuals intolerant of pollution.Individuals intolerant of pollution.
Warpaint shiner
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
Warpaint shiner Warpaint shiner attributesattributes
Widely distributed in upper Widely distributed in upper Tennessee River drainage.Tennessee River drainage.
Common.Common. Moderately tolerant of Moderately tolerant of
sedimentation. sedimentation.
Tennessee shiner
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
Tennessee Shiner Tennessee Shiner attributesattributes
Widely distributed in the Widely distributed in the Tennessee River drainage.Tennessee River drainage.
Moderately intolerant of Moderately intolerant of pollution.pollution.
Usually not found in streams as Usually not found in streams as small as Coal Creek.small as Coal Creek.
Rainbow darter
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
Rainbow darter Rainbow darter attributesattributes
Distribution “spotty” in east Distribution “spotty” in east Tennessee but usually common Tennessee but usually common when found.when found.
Moderately tolerant of sediment.Moderately tolerant of sediment.
Fantail darter
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
Fantail darter attributesFantail darter attributes
Widely distributed and common Widely distributed and common in some small headwater in some small headwater streams.streams.
Moderately intolerant of most Moderately intolerant of most forms of stream degradation. forms of stream degradation.
American brook lamprey
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
American brook lamprey American brook lamprey attributesattributes
Widely distributed but Widely distributed but uncommon.uncommon.
Populations appear to be Populations appear to be declining. declining.
Historically known from Coal Historically known from Coal Creek.Creek.
Potential benefits of fish Potential benefits of fish species restoration species restoration
Improve the biological integrity Improve the biological integrity of Coal Creek and its tributaries of Coal Creek and its tributaries (form and function).(form and function).
Improved bioassessment ratings Improved bioassessment ratings and healthier fisheries.and healthier fisheries.
Help preserve native fish Help preserve native fish diversity. diversity.
Volunteers or Questions for Volunteers or Questions for Coal Creek Fish RestorationCoal Creek Fish Restoration Erin SchidingErin Schiding University of TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee Department of Forestry, Wildlife, Department of Forestry, Wildlife,
& Fisheries& Fisheries 865-974-4963(office), 865-974-4963(office),
[email protected]@utk.edu or Joyce Coombs, 865-974-7229 or Joyce Coombs, 865-974-7229
[email protected]@utk.edu
ThanksThanks
TDECTDEC TVATVA AmericorpsAmericorps Clinch River Trout UnlimitedClinch River Trout Unlimited Coal Creek Watershed Foundation Coal Creek Watershed Foundation
(CCWF)(CCWF) UT Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife & UT Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife &
FisheriesFisheries