Reintroduction of Native Fish Species to Coal Creek

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Reintroduction of Native Fish Species to Coal
Creek
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Coal Creek Background

• Fish populations in Coal Creek watershed have
  been stressed by land use practices dominated by
  a history of coal mining.

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Based on regional data, as many as 27 native fish
species anticipated for the Coal Creek Watershed.
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Most fish species (27) have survived
sedimentation and water quality problems.
Bigeye chub
Blueside darter
Scarlet shiner
Northern studfish
Photos by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
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Coal Creek Currently

• Some species have apparently been lost.
• Coal Creek is isolated by cold releases from
  Norris Dam so missing species can not recruit
  naturally.

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Why attempt species restoration now?

• Efforts have been put forth by CCWF to restore
  the health of Coal Creek
• There are signs of environmental recovery
  (additional insect diversity and improved fish
  community indices).
• There is increased interest in restoring
  biodiversity.

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Reintroduction Species

• Target Species
• Telescope shiner
• Warpaint shiner
• Tennessee shiner
• Rainbow darter

• Opportunistically collected species
• Fantail darter
• American brook lamprey

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Telescope shiner
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Telescope shiner attributes

• Widely distributed and sometimes common.
• Eggs very adhesive and probably intolerant of
  silt.
• Specialized feeding and probably intolerant of
  turbidity.
• Individuals intolerant of pollution.

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Warpaint shiner
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
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Warpaint shiner attributes

• Widely distributed in upper Tennessee River
  drainage.
• Common.
• Moderately tolerant of sedimentation.

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Tennessee shiner
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
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Tennessee Shiner attributes

• Widely distributed in the Tennessee River
  drainage.
• Moderately intolerant of pollution.
• Usually not found in streams as small as Coal
  Creek.

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Rainbow darter
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
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Rainbow darter attributes

• Distribution spotty in east Tennessee but
  usually common when found.
• Moderately tolerant of sediment.

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Fantail darter
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
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Fantail darter attributes

• Widely distributed and common in some small
  headwater streams.
• Moderately intolerant of most forms of stream
  degradation.

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American brook lamprey
Photo by Virginia Tech. Virtual Aquarium
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American brook lamprey attributes

• Widely distributed but uncommon.
• Populations appear to be declining.
• Historically known from Coal Creek.

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Potential benefits of fish species restoration

• Improve the biological integrity of Coal Creek
  and its tributaries (form and function).
• Improved bioassessment ratings and healthier
  fisheries.
• Help preserve native fish diversity.

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Volunteers or Questions for Coal Creek Fish
Restoration

• Erin Schiding
• University of Tennessee
• Department of Forestry, Wildlife, Fisheries
• 865-974-4963(office), eschidin_at_utk.edu
• or Joyce Coombs, 865-974-7229 jcoombs_at_utk.edu

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Thanks

• TDEC
• TVA
• Americorps
• Clinch River Trout Unlimited
• Coal Creek Watershed Foundation (CCWF)
• UT Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife Fisheries