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Annual Brook Trout Restoration and Monitoring Results |
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Monday, 27 August 2007 |
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Annual Brook Trout Restoration and Monitoring Results For the Upper Tellico River Tributaries, August 18, 2007 Jim Herrig Fisheries Biologist Cherokee National Forest The Cherokee National Forest in cooperation with Trout Unlimited and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) have implemented a systematic approach for the brook trout restoration and monitoring in the Tellico River watershed. Since the early 1980’s these partners have recognized the need to protect the brook trout populations in the Tellico area from competing, non-native trout species. 2007 marks the 19th consecutive year of partnership efforts in this watershed. Initial rotenone treatments isolated the brook trout from competing rainbow trout; subsequent annual electrofishing surveys have been effective in maintaining the brook trout populations and in documenting the success of the program. Finally, instream work has improved brook trout habitat.
This year 41 volunteers assisted in surveying Meadow Branch and Henderson Branch. A third stream, Roaring Branch, was not done because of an equipment failure. It will be surveyed in the next week along with McNabb Creek which is currently being restored. Surveys are conducted using electrofishing gear with one person carrying the backpack shocker and two or more people netting fish. Each survey covers about 1 mile of stream. The volunteers donated about 300 hours of labor that is valued at over $3600 . The results of the surveys (see table below) are encouraging and enable the biologists to make management recommendations for maintaining and improving these fisheries. Survey Results Meadow Branch was electrofished above the waterfalls. The site produced 58 brookies and no rainbow trout. All three age classes were present and were dominated by young-of-the-year (38 <4”; 19 4” to 8”; and 1 >8”). Henderson Branch was electrofished above the waterfall barrier. This site produced 49 brook trout and no rainbow trout. All three age classes were present and were dominated by Y-O-Y (30 <4”; 12 4” to 8”; and 7 >8”). These numbers are consistent with previous surveys and the absence of rainbow trout is encouraging.
The table below summarizes the 19 years of work in restoring brook trout to the Tellico Ranger District. All streams have barriers on them except Rough Ridge Creek, McNabb Creek and the two wilderness streams. While the Appalachian Chapter of TU has led the way most other chapters in the state of Tennessee have participated over the years. Thanks to all of the volunteers who have participated in the Tellico Brook Trout Survey. Your assistance has provided us with important information that will enable the Forest Service and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to better manage the brook trout on the Tellico Ranger District. I hope to see you again next year.
YEAR |
MEADOW |
ROARING | SUGAR COVE | BALD RIVER | BROOK- SHIRE |
HENDERSON | BIG COVE | ROUGH RIDGE | McNabb | Wilderness |
SYCAMORE |
FALLS | N. FK. CITICO | | 1989 | 5% | 100% | 20% | 100% | 45%* | 80% | 100% | 70% | 0% | 70% | 50% | 70% | | 1990 | 65% | 100% | 30%* | 100% | 65%* | 95% | | 60% | | | | 75% | | 1991 | * | | 100% | | | | | 90%* | | | | | | 1992 | ** | | | | 100% | | | | | | | | | 1993 | | | | | | | | | | 50% | | ** | | 1994 | 100% | | 100% | | | | | | | | | 100% | | 1995 | 95% | | | | | | | | | | | 100% | | 1996 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 95% | 100% | 95% | | | 50% | 100% | | 1997 | | | | | | 85% | | 75% | | | | | | 1998 | | | 100% | 100% | 100% | 80% | | 80% | | | | | | 1999 | 100% | ** | | | | | 100% | | | | | | | 2000 | | 100% | | 100% | 100% | 100% | | | | | | 100% | | 2001 | 100% | | 100% | | | | 100% | 60% | | | | | | 2002 | | | | 100% | 100% | 100% | | | | | | | | 2003 | 100% | | 100% | | | | 0%*** | 16% | | | | | | 2004 | | | | 100% | 100% | 100% | | 20% | | | | 38%*** | | 2005 | | ** | | | | | | | 0%** | | | 100% | | 2006 | | | 100% | | | | 100% | | 14% | | | | | 2007 | 100% | X | | | | 100% | | | X | | | | | 2008 | | | X | X | X | | | | | | | | The latest percentage in each stream column is shown in bold. Blank years were not sampled. X indicates the next scheduled monitoring. * Rotenone treatment; ** Brook trout stocked; *** Sampled below barrier. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 27 August 2007 )
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Conservation