20030147 Ver 2_Shallow Water Fish Crafish and Mussel Surveys_20070511

Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project
FERC No. 2206
SHALLOW WATER FISH, CRAYFISH,
AND MUSSEL SURVEYS OF THE PEE
DEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
Water Resources Group
Issue No. 1 -Describe Current Resident River Aquatic Resources Of
Project Area
PROGRESS ENERGY
APRIL 2006
D 2006 Progress Energy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Progress Energy would like to acknowledge and thank several individuals and agencies who
provided technical assistance during this study: Dr. Ryan Heise, Mr. Rob Nicholls,
Mr. Todd Ewing, Mr. Scott Van Horn, Mr. Nolan Banish, Ms. Angie Rogers, and Mr. Jason Meador
with the North Carolina. Wildlife Resources Commission; Dr. Art Bogan, Dr. John Cooper, and
Ms. Jamie Smith with the North Carolina Museum ofNatural Sciences; Ms. Jennifer Price with the
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; and Mr. Eric Krueger and Mr. Chris Sizells with
The Nature Conservancy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Title Page No.
ACRONYM LIST .................................................................................................... AL-I
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................ES-I
SECTION I -INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... I - I
SECTION 2 -STUDY OBJECTIVES ............................................................................. 2-I
SECTION 3 -SITE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................... 3-I
3.1 Mainstem River Study Reaches ..................................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Tributaries ......................................................................................................................3-1
3.3 Reach 1 Habitat Conditions (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake, including
Lake Tillery) .................................................................................................................. 3-5
3.4 Reach 2 Habitat Conditions (Blewett Falls Lake to S.C. Highway 34) ........................ 3-6
3.5 Water Quality Conditions .............................................................................................. 3-9
SECTION 4 -METHODS ............................................................................................ 4-I
4.1 Fish and Crayfish Surveys ............................................................................................. 4-1
4.2 Mussel Survey ...............................................................................................................4-4
4.3 Quality Control and Assurance ..................................................................................... 4-5
SECTION 5 -RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .................................................................. 5-I
5.1 Fish Surveys ....................................................................................................... ........... 5-1
5.1.1 Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake) ...................................... ........... 5-1
5.1.2 Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34) .............................. ........... 5-7
5.2 Crayfish Surveys ................................................................................................ ......... 5-17
5.3 Mussel Surveys ................................................................................................... ......... 5-18
5.3.1 Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake) ...................................... ......... 5-21
5.3.2 Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34) .............................. ......... 5-23
5.3.3 Tributaries ............................................................................................ ......... 5-24
5.3.4 The South Carolina Nature Conservancy Mussel Survey of the
Pee Dee River ....................................................................................... ......... 5-25
5.3.5 Host Fish Species for Unionid Mussel Glochidia Larvae .................... ......... 5-27
SECTION 6 -SUMMARY .................................................................................. ......... 6-I
SECTION 7 -REFERENCES ............................................................................... ......... 7- I
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Section Title
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A - SUMMARY CATCH DATA BY SAMPLE LOCATION AND GEAR TYPE
FOR THE SHALLOW WATER FISH SURVEY CONDUCTED IN THE PEE
DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND BLEWETT FALLS
DEVELOPMENTS DURING APRIL-NNE 2004
APPENDIX B - LENGTH-FREQUENCY DATA FOR MUSSEL TAXA COLLECTED BY
RIVER REACH FOR THE SHALLOW WATER MUSSEL SURVEY
CONDUCTED IN THE PEE DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND
BLEWETT FALLS DEVELOPMENTS DURING 2004
No.
ii

LIST OF FIGURES
Title
Figure 3-1 Map of Lake Tillery and the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
No.
showing sampling locations in Reach 1 for the shallow water fish, crayfish
and mussel study during 2004 ........................................................................... .. 3-3
Figure 3-2 Map of Blewett Falls Lake and the Pee Dee River below the Blewett
Hydroelectric Development showing sampling locations in Reach 2 for the
shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study during 2004 ............................. .. 3-4
Figure 5-1 Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development during 2004 .................................................................................. .. 5-8
Figure 5-2 Pram electrofishing catch rates (number per hour) by transect for American
eel collected from Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Developments during 2004 . ........................... .. 5-9
Figure 5-3 Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls
Development (Reach 2) during 2004 ................................................................. ....16
iii

LIST OF TABLES
Table
Title
No.
Table 3-1 Description of transect locations used in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and
mussel study of the Pee Dee River during 2004 .................................................. 3-2
Table 3-2 GPS coordinates, channel widths, and habitat characteristics oftransects used
in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee River
(Reach 1) at the Tillery Development during 2004 ............................................. 3-5
Table 3-3 GPS coordinates, channel widths, and habitat characteristics oftransects used
in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee River
(Reach 2) at the Blewett Falls Development during 2004 ................................... 3-7
Table 5-1 Fish taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches below the Tillery and
Blewett Falls Developments during the shallow water study, April-June
2004 ...................................................................................................................... 5-1
Table 5-2 Total number offish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.1 ................. .. 5-2
Table 5-3 Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004 .................................... .. 5-3
Table 5-4 Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum
values) offish collected by transect during the shallow water survey of the
Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004 ............ ..5-4
Table 5-5 Total number offish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004......... .. 5-9
Table 5-6 Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004 .......................... 5-11
Table 5-7 Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum
values) offish collected by transect during the shallow water survey of the
Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Plant (Reach 2) during
2004 .................................................................................................................... 5-12
Table 5-8 Crayfish taxa collected during the shallow water study of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004 ...................... 5-17
Table 5-9 Mussel taxa expected to occur in the North Carolina and South Carolina
segments of the Pee Dee River and their conservation status listing (data
adopted from Bogan 2002 and Bogan and Alderman 2004) ............................. 5-18
Table 5-10 Total number of mussels collected and their state or federal listing status
from the mainstem Pee Dee River and tributaries at the Tillery and Blewett
Falls Developments, June-October 20041 .......................................................... 5-20
Table 5-11 Number of mussels collected by transect from Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Development during 2004 ..................................................... 5-21
Table 5-12 Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from Reaches 1 and 2 ofthe
Pee Dee River below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during
2004 .................................................................................................................... 5-22
lv

LIST OF TABLES
(Continued)
Table
Title
No.
Table 5-13 Number of mussels collected by transect from Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development during 2004 ........................................... 5-23
Table 5-14 Number of mussels collected by transect from tributaries of the Pee Dee
River at the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004 ................... 5-24
Table 5-15 Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from tributaries of the Pee Dee
River associated with the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during
2004 .................................................................................................................... 5-25
Table 5-16 Mussel taxa collected during The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina
study of the Pee Dee River, South Carolina, during 2004. Taxa are ranked in
relative order of abundance from most abundant to least abundant .................. 5-26
Table 5-17 Number of mussel taxa found by sample location during The Nature
Conservancy of South Carolina mussel study of the Pee Dee River, South
Carolina, during 2004 ........................................................................................ 5-26
Table 5-18 List of known fish hosts for glochidia (larvae) of mussel taxa found in the
Pee Dee River, North Carolina-South Carolina (data adopted from Bogan
2002 and Bogan and Alderman 2004) ............................................................... 5-27
v

Acronym List
Federal/State Agencies
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
National Park Service (NPS)
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) formerly known as Soil Conservation Service
National Weather Service (NWS)
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR)
North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (NCEMC)
North Carolina Department of Natural and Economic Resources, Division of Environmental
Management (NCDEM)
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR)
North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR)
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDW~
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP)
North Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer (NCSHPO)
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
U. S. Department of Interior (DOI)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. Forest Service (LTSFS)
Other Entities
Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., Yadkin Division (APGI)
Appalachian State University (ASU)
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Progress Energy
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNCCH)
Facilities/Places
Yadkin -Pee Dee River Project (entire two-development projectinduding both powerhouses, dams
and impoundments)
Blewett Falls Development (when referring to dam, powerhouse and impoundment)
Blewett Falls Dam (when referring to the structure)
Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Plant (when referring to the powerhouse)
Blewett Falls Lake (when referring to the impoundment)
AL-1

List
Tillery Development (when referring to dam, powerhouse and impoundment)
Tillery Dam (when referring to the structure)
Tillery Hydroelectric Plant (when referring to the powerhouse)
Lake Tillery (when referring to the impoundment)
Documents
401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC)
Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA)
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Final Environmental Assessment (FEA)
Initial Consultation Document (ICD)
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
National Wetland Inventory (NWI)
Notice of Intent (NOI)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR)
Preliminary Draft Environmental Assessment (PDEA)
Programmatic Agreement (PA)
Scoping Document (SD)
Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)
Laws/Regulations
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Electric Consumers Protection Act (ECPA)
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Federal Power Act (FPA)
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
Terminology
Alternative Relicensing Process (ALP)
Cubic feet per second (cfs)
Degrees Celsius (C)
Degrees Fahrenheit (F)
Dissolved oxygen (DO)
Feet (ft)
Gallons per day (gpd)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Gigawatt Hour (GWh)
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Grams (g)
Horsepower (hp)
Kilogram (kg)
Kilowatts (kW)
AL-2

List
Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Mean Sea Level (msl)
Megawatt (MW)
Megawatt-hours (MWh)
Meter (m)
Micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Milligrams per liter (mg/L)
Millimeter (mm)
Million gallons per day (mgd)
National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD)
National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Ounces (oz.)
Outstanding Remarkable Value (ORV)
Parts per billion (ppb)
Parts per million (ppm)
Pounds (lbs.)
Power Factor (p.£)
Probable Maximum Flood (PMF)
Programmable logic controller (PLC)
Project Inflow Design Flood (IDF)
Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species (RTE)
Ready for Environmental Assessment (REA)
Resource Work Groups(RWG)
Revolutions per Minute (rpm)
Rights-of--way (ROW)
River mile (RM)
Stakeholders (federal and state resource agencies, NGOs, and other interested parties)
Volts (V)
AL-3

Executive Summary
Shallow water habitat in the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls and Tillery Developments,
including selected major tributaries, was intensively surveyed for fish, crayfish, and mussels during
2004. The survey was conducted to fulfill study plan requirements outlined in the Water Resources
Work Group Issue No. 1: Resident River Aquatic Resources of Project Area. The survey objective
was to characterize the fish, crayfish, and mussel shallow water communities in the mainstem Pee
Dee River and the major tributaries in the vicinity of each hydroelectric development.
The shallow water fish and mussel communities in the mainstem Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development were less diverse and not as abundant as those communities observed below the
Blewett Development, even when considering watershed drainage area size and physiographic
regional differences. Conversely, crayfish were more abundant in the river reach below the Tillery
Development. Survey results also showed possible effects to both fish and mussel communities in
the river reach below the Tillery Development due to degraded water quality from the Rocky River,
and to a lesser extent, Brown Creek. Approximately 7 to 12 miles of river may have been affected
bythe degraded water quality in this reach. These effects were manifested in lower species richness,
total organism abundance, and increased abundance of certain pollution-tolerant species (mainly the
fish community). The degree of effect varied between the fish, crayfish, and mussel communities.
Recovery was observed in the crayfish and mussel community located downstream of the Brown
Creek confluence when compared to the fish community response.
The fish community characteristics below the Blewett Falls Development differed from those
community characteristics below the Tillery Development by the following attributes: (1) greater
total fish abundance; (2) greater number and abundance of minnow, sunfish, darter, and
environmentally sensitive intoleranttaxa, (3) species dominance that generally was more balanced
and not restricted to just afewtolerant orhabitat-generalisttaxa, (4) balanced representation of the
trophic feeding guilds; and (5) higher percentages of multiple size classes present. Spatially, fish
taxa richness was the greatest at the transect located immediately below the Blewett Falls
Development, which included the greatest number of minnow, darter, and sunfish species. The total
number of collected fish did not exhibit an explicit spatial trend with increasing distance from the
power plant. Total catches were greatly influenced by high catch rates of American eel or eastern
silvery minnow at several transects.
There were 12,512 mussels representing 18 taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches and
tributaries associated with both hydroelectric developments. Approximately 84 percent ofthe total
number of collected mussels were represented by two taxa eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell.
Thirteen of these mussel taxa had state or federal conservation listing status including five North
Carolina Threatened species, two North Carolina Endangered species and Federal Species of
Concern, two North Carolina Special Concern species, one North Carolina Significantly Rare
species, and seven South Carolina Natural Heritage Program State Species ofConcern. Three other
mussel taxa Waccamaw spike, tidewater mucket, and Southern rainbow were also collected
from Reach 2 during surveys conducted by The Nature Conservancy during 2004 and 2005. The
collection of Waccamaw spike in the lower Pee Dee River represented a new range extension for
this species.
ES-1

Executive
The mussel community was more diverse and had a greater abundance of individuals in the Pee Dee
River below the Blewett Falls Development when compared to the mussel community in the river
reach below the Tillery Development. The greatest number ofmussel taxawere collected atthe three
transects located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development. Seven of the thirteen taxa
collected at these transects had a conservation listing status in North Carolina waters. These
transects, located approximately 1 to 5 miles below the Blewett Falls Development, also supported a
very large amount ofmussel biomass and accounted for 84 percent of all collected mussels within
this reach.
Mussel taxarichness and abundance was greater in the mainstem Pee Dee Riverthan the tributaries.
Mussels were located in seven of the 14 transects sampled in tributaries associated with both
hydroelectric developments. The Little River, Uwharrie River, and Mountain Creek (Blewett Falls
Lake) supported the greatest number ofmussels, including rare species. Mussels were either absent
or reduced in abundance at transects sampled in Clarks Creek, Rocky River, and Cedar Creek which
are tributaries within the river reach below the Tillery Development. Mussels were also absent or
reduced in abundance in the major tributaries of the Pee Dee River reach immediately below the
Blewett Falls Development.
ES-2

Section 1 -Introduction
Progress Energy is currently relicensing the Blewett Falls and Tillery hydroelectric developments
(i.e., Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project No. 220 with the Federal Regulatory
Commission (FERC). As part of the relicensing process, Progress Energy established Resource
Work Groups (RWGs) during May 2003 to identify environmental issues associated with project
operations and develop study plans, if necessary, specific to project lands and associated lakes and
tailwaters. The Water RWG identified the need for additional shallow water surveys of the fish,
crayfish, and mussel communities in the Pee Dee River and tributaries associated with both
hydroelectric developments (Progress Energy 2004a). Progress Energy agreed to conduct a shallow
water survey during 2004 as part of its relicensing process (i.e., Water RWG Issue No. 1, "Resident
River Aquatic Resources of Project Area"). This shallow water survey was conducted in accordance
with the study plan developed by the Water RWG during 2003 (Progress Energy 2004a).
1-1

Section 2 -Study Objectives
The primary objectives of this survey were to conduct: (1) an intensive shallow water samplingfor
fish and crayfish fauna in shoal and gravel bar habitats in the Pee Dee River; and (2) a habitat-based
survey of mussel fauna in the Pee Dee River, including major tributaries associated with the
mainstem river and the Project reservoirs.
2-1

Section 3 -Site Description
31 Mainstem River Study Reaches
This survey was conducted in two reaches ofthe Pee Dee River. The first reach (Reach 1), 17 miles
in length, extended from the base of Tillery Dam to the headwaters of Blewett Falls Lake (Table 3-1
and Figure 3-1. Five transects were sampled in this reach (Transects TZ 1 to TZ5). This reach was
located entirely within the Piedmont physiographic region. Major named tributaries in this reach
include Clarks Creek, Rocky River, Brown Creek, and Little River. The second reach (Reach 2),
72 miles in length, extended from the base of Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34 Bridge at
Cashua Ferry boat landing (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-2). Nine transects were sampled in this reach
(Transects BZ1 to BZ8 including Transect BZ1A). This reach included the Piedmont Fall Line
(23 miles of the reach) and upper Coastal Plain physiographic regions (49 miles of the reach).
Transects BZ1 to BZ5 were located in the Piedmont Fall Line region of North Carolina-South
Carolina while Transects BZ6 to BZ8 were located in the upper Coastal Plain region of South
Carolina. Major named tributaries in this reach include Cartledge Creek, Island Creek, Hitchcock
Creek, Little and Jones Creek, Westfield Creek, Thompson Creek, Crooked Creek, Spot Mill Creek,
Cedar Creek, and Three Creek.
3.2 Tributaries
Sampling was conducted for the mussel survey in identified tributaries of Lake Tillery, Blewett Falls
Lake, and in Reaches 1 and 2 (Table 3-1 and Figures 3-1 and 3-2). Some of these tributaries were
located outside of the Project boundary but potentially within the zone of influence of Project
operations (i.e., flow or lake level fluctuations), and therefore, was included in the study plan design.
In Reach 1, mussel surveys were conducted in Clarks Creek, Rocky River, Little River, and Cedar
Creek. Savannah Creek, proposed for sampling in the study plan (Progress Energy 2004x), was
dropped from the survey after field investigations indicated the creekwas impacted by sedimentation
from logging and agricultural practices in the surrounding watershed. Savannah Creek had
extensive sedimentation, very low flow, and low dissolved oxygen concentrations (1.2 mg/L). Cedar
Creek was substituted for Savannah Creek. This creekwas not impacted by sedimentation. Brown
Creek was not sampled due to an ongoing intensive mussel survey of creek which is being jointly
funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
(NCWRC), and Progress Energy. Results of the Brown Creek survey will be available from the
USFW S during late 2005 or 2006 (personal communication with Ms. Laura Fogo, Pee Dee Nation
Wildlife Refuge).
Mussel surveys were conducted in Cartledge Creek, Island Creek, Hitchcock Creek, Jones Creek,
and Westfield Creek within Reach 2.
In addition, mussel surveys were conducted in identifiedmajortributaries of Lake Tillery (LJwharrie
River, Mountain Creek, and Jacobs Creek) and Blewett Falls Lake (Mountain Creek and Buffalo
Creek). Cedar Creek, a tributary of Lake Tillery, was omitted from the mussel survey due to
anthropogenic effects (i.e., stream channelization, construction debris, low flow, and storm water
discharges).
3-1

Section 3 Site Descripti
Table 3-1 Description of transect locations used in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and
mussel study of the Pee Dee River during 2004.
Transect Location Description (approximate river miles below power plant)
TZl Shoal below N. C. Highway 731 Bridge (0.5 mile)
TZ2 ShoaUprehistoric fish weir just above Rocky River confluence (5.0 miles)
TZ3 Buzzard Island shoal and side channel complex (8.1 miles)
TZ4 Shoal with boulder outcrop just below N.C. Highway 109 Bridge (12.2 miles)
TZS Shoal just above BlewettFalls Lake (17.0 miles)
TZ TRB1 Clarks Creek (1.7 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
TZ TRB2 Rocky River (9.8 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
TZ TRB3 Brown Creek (Study being conducted by U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service.)
TZ TRB4 Little River (1.0 mile above Pee Dee River confluence)
TZ TRBS Cedar Creek (5.7 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
TYLAKEl Uwharrie River (2.7 miles above Lake Tillery confluence)
TYLAKE2 Mountain Creek (1.0 mile above Lake Tillery confluence)
TYLAKE3 Jacobs Creek (0.25 mile above Lake Tillery confluence)
Blewett Falls Development
Transect Location Description (approximate river miles below power plant)
BZl Big Island shoal and side channel complex (N. C. waters - 1.0 mile)
BZ1A Shoal just above U.S. Highway 74 Bridge (N. C. waters - 3.0 miles)
BZ2 Hitchcock Creek shoal and island complex just below U.S. Highway 74 Bridge (N. C. waters - 4.1
miles)
BZ3 Jones Creek shoal and island complex (N. C. waters - 11.7 miles)
BZ4 Great Island shoal and side channel complex (S.C. waters - 20.2 miles)
BZS Shoal just above U.S. Highway 1 Bridge at Cheraw, SC (S. C. waters - 23.0 miles)
BZ6 Thompson Creek gravel bar shoal and island complex (S.C. waters - 26.2 miles)
BZ7 Gravel and sand bar complex below Tom Blue landing (S.C. waters - 55.0 miles)
BZ8 Gravel and cobble shoal just above S.C. Highway 34 Bridge at Cashua Ferry landing (S. C. waters -
72.0miles)
BZ TRBl Cartledge Creek (4.4 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
BZ TRB2 Island Creek (2.9 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
BZ TRB3 Hitchcock Creek (18.0 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
BZ TRB4 Jones Creek (2.3 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
BZ TRBS Westfield Creek (0.8 mile above Pee Dee River confluence)
BFLAKEl Mountain Creek(5.7miles above BlewettFalls Lake confluence)
BFLAKE2 Buffalo Creek (0.9 mile above BlewettFalls Lake confluence)
3-2

Section 3
Site
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Figure 3-1 Map of Lake Tillery and the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
showing sampling locations in Reach 1 for the shallow water fish, crayfish
and mussel study during 2004.
3-3

Section 3 Site Descri~ti
Figure 3-2 A~Tap of Ble~~c~ett Falls Lake and the Pee Dee River belo«~ the Blewett
Hydroelectric Development showing sampling locations in Reach 2 for the
shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study during ZQ44.
3-4

Section 3
Site
In Ble«~ett Falls Lake, Smith Creek was omitted from the survey due to existing environmental
conditions. This creek was an iron seep swamp tributary with very low flow and low dissolved
oxygen concentrations (2.5 mg/L). The NCtA~RC verbally concurred with all modifications to the
mussel sampling transects.
3.3 Reach 1 Habitat Conditions (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake, including
Lake Tillery)
Fish, crayfish, and mussel sampling was conducted at Transects TZ 1 to TZS in the mainstem river of
Reach 1 (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-1). Four tributaries within the mainstem of Reach 2 (Transects TZ
TRB1 to TZ TRB4) and three Lake Tillery tributaries (Transects TYLAKEl to TYLAKE3) were
also sampled for mussels (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-1). Table 3-2 lists the Global Positioning System
(GPS) latitude and longitude coordinates, channel widths, and general habitat characteristics of
sampling stations of mainstem and tributary transects, including Lake Tillery tributaries.
Table 3-2 GPS coordinates, channel widths, and habitat characteristics of transects
used in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee
River (Reach 1} at the Tillery Development during 2004.
Tiller~~ Development -Reach 1
Transect GPS Latitude and Channel Habitat Description
Loneitude Width fml
TZl 35° 11' 55.10" N 200 Simple shoal with bedrock outcrops and boulders,
Shoal below 80° 03' 40.72" tU cobble internixed with gravel and sand, and cobble
N.C. Highway and gravel bars present }vith some sand and silt
731 deposition. Woody debris and rooted aquatic
vegetation (Poclostenaut~a sp., Potamogeton sp., and
filamentous algae) were prevalent.
TZ2 35° 09' 05.72" N 170 Simple shoal with prehistoric fishing weir. Bedrock
Shoal above 80° 04' 14.31" W outcrops andboulders, cobble intermixed with gravel
Rocky River and sand, and cobble/ gravel/sand bars present. Sand
confluence and some silt deposition noted along channel
margins. 1?Voody debris and rooted aquatic
vegetation (Podostemum sp. and filamentous algae)
were prevalent.
TZ3 35° 06' 36.03" N 182 Shoal and island complex with side channel.
Buzzard Island 80° 03' 44.22" W Substrate and cover similar to Transects TZ1 and
shoal TZ2 except more sand and silt deposition along
channel margins.
TZ4 35° OS' 08.43" N 175 Simple shoal 5vith boulder outcrop. Extensive sand
N.C. Highway 109 79° 59' 33.61" W and silt deposition noted on beckock, boulder, and
shoal cobble substrate, particularly along east side of
channel. Woody debris prevalent and no aquatic
TZS
Shoal just
above Blewett
Falls Lake
35° 04' 09.72" N 320 Simple shoal in lake headwaters with extensive
79° 54' 36.71" W bedrock and boulder outcrops. Cobble intermixed
with gravel and sand and cobble/gravel/sand bars
present. Sand deposition prevalent along west bank.
tUoody debris and some rooted aquatic vegetation
3-5

Section 3 Site Descripti
Tillery Development -Reach 1
Transect GPS Latitude and Channel Habitat Description
Lontiitude Width (m}
Tribufaf•ies
TZ TRBl 35° 12' 42.04" N 6 Slate bedrock with cobble and gravel riffles and
Clarks Creek 80° 02' 28.90" W pools throughout transect. Transect completely
enclosed with riparian tree canopy.
TZ TRB2 35° 09' 40.09" N 55 Large sand,`gravel/cobble bar in the mid river at
Rocky River 80° 10' 03.42" W upper end of transect. West shoreline mostly sand
and gravel. The middle transect area was comprised
mostly of bedrock, cobble, and some sand. East
shoreline with bedrock, boulders with Pociosternum
sp., and cobble.
TZ TRB3 N/A N1A Ongoing sampling by U. S. Fish & Wildlife Sen, ice.
Brown Creek
TZ TRB4 35° 06' 18.43" N 35 Boulders embedded in silt to coarse sand throughout
Little River 79° 54' 03.30" W" mid transect. Lots of woody debris and clay silt on
west bank of the transect. Less tivoody debris but
more boulder, cobble and silt on the east bank of
transect..
TZ TRBS 35° O1' 47.86" N 5 Isolated pools separated by coarse sand and gravel
Cedar Creek 80° 00' 30.19" W bars with little to no visible flow. Woody debris and
clay banks bordering some pools.
TYLAKEI 35° 24' 00.51" N 20 Pool below small shoal. West bank mostly bedrock,
Uwharrie River 80° O1' 57.11" W boulder and large cobble extending to mid river.
Some Gvater willow and root m ats present. East bank
comprised of cobble, gravel, and a large amount of
sand.
TYLAKE2 35° 20' 53.46" N 7 Small pool, riffles, and runs with large boulders,
Mountain Creek 80° 05' 56.05" W cobble, and gravel in the upper and middle pardons
of the transect. Large pool below a small fall at the
lower end of transect. Substrate consisted of large
boulders embedded in silt and sand in the middle
portion of the transect. Some gravel mid channel to
east bank. Large accumulations of leaves and silt on
west bank.
T~TLAKE3 35° 17' 32.04" N 5 Large slow flowing pool with undercut clay banks on
Jacobs Creek 80° 07' 09.74" W both sides at the upper end of transect. Slate bedrock
with cobble and gravel riffles and pools through the
lower end of transect.
3.4 Reach Z Habitat Conditions (Blewett Falls Lake to S. C. Highway 34)
Nine inainstetn tansects were sampled for fish, crayfish, and/or mussels (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-2).
Transects BZ 1 to BZ8, excluding Transect BZ 1 A, ~~~ere sampled for fish and crayfish. Transects
BZ1 to BZS, including Transect BZ1A, were sampled for mussels.
Five tributaries within the mainstem of Reach 2 (Transects BZ TRB 1 to BZ TRBS) and two Blewett
Falls Lake tributaries (Transects BFLAKE 1 and BFLAKE2) were also sampled for mussels
(Table 3-1 and Figure 3-2).
3-6

Section 3 Site Descripti
Table 3-3 lists the GPS latitude and longitude coordinates, the channel width, and general habitat
characteristics of sampled mainstream and tributary tansects of Reach 2, including Blewett Falls
Lake tributaries. Habitat at the mainstem river Transects BZl, BZ2, BZ3, and BZS were simple
shoal or shoal and island side channel completes with larger, coarser substrates present such as
bedrock outcrops and boulders. Finer substrates, such as cobble, gravel, and sand, were more
prevalent at the habitat sampled at the mainstem river Transects BZ4, BZ6, BZ7, and BZ8.
Table 3-3 GPS coordinates, channel ~~~idths, and habitat characteristics of tansects
used in the shallow hater fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee
River (Reach 2) at the Blewett Falls Development duri~ig 2004.
Blewett Falls Deg-elopment -Reach 2
Transect GPS Latitude and Channel Habitat Description
Lon6itude Width (ml
Mainstem
BZl 34° 58' 43.90" N 249 Shoal and island complex with side channel. Substrate
Big Island 79° 51' 53.04" W dominated by bedrock outcrops and boulders of various
Shoal sizes, cobble intermixed with gravel and sand, and
(below Blewett cobble/gravellsand bars. Some silt deposition also noted
Falls along channel margins. Woody debris prevalent and
Hydroelectric some rooted aquatic vegetationwas present.
BZ1A 34° 57' 05.10" N 292 Simple shoal with prehistoric fishing weirs. Bedrock
U.S. Highway 74 79° 52' 21.04" W outcrops and boulders, cobble intermixed with gravel
shoal and sand and some cobble/gravel/sand bars present.
{upstream of Some silt deposition also noted along channel margin.
bridge) Woody debris prevalent and some rooted aquatic
vegetation was present.
BZ2 34° 56' 16.29" N 207 Shoal and island complex with side channels. Substrate
Hitchcock 79° 51' 54.51" W and cover similar to Transects BZ 1 and BZlA except
Creek shoal boulders and bedrock were more prevalent. Cobble
intermixed with gravel and sand and gravel/cobble bars
present, particularly along channel margins. Some silt
deposition along channel margins. lvlain channel
included distinct slot channels created by erosion of
underlying bedrock. Woody debris and rooted aquatic
BZ3 34° 51' 46.13" N 307 Shoal and island complex with side channels. Substrate
Jones Creekshoal 79° 53' 11.19" W consisted of bedrock, boulder, cobble, and gravel.
Cobbleigravel and sand bars located along channel
margins and side channels. Rooted aquatic vegetation
was prevalent and filamentous algal growth was
extensive. Woody debris present.
BZ4 34° 45' 12.73" N 206 Shoal and island complex with side channels. Substrate
Great Island shoal 79° 54' 31.45" W dom inated by cobble, gravel, and sand bars interspersed
with boulders. Woody debris and aquatic vegetation
BZS 34° 42' 45.14" N 110 Simple shoal with bedrock outcrops, boulders, cobble
Shoal above U. S. 79° 52' 36.82" W intermixed 5vith gravel and sand, and cobbleigravellsand
Highway 1 bars. Woody debris and rooted aquatic vegetation were
prevalent.
3-7

Section 3 Site Descripti
Blewett Falls Development -Reach 2
Transect GPS Latitude and Channel Habitat Description
Longitude Width (m)
BZ6 34° 40' 22.46" N 149 Large cobble and gravel bar with small island and side
Thompson Creek 79° 51' 15.03" W channel at creek confluence. Substrate mainly cobble
gravel with intermixed sand and gravel. Sand and gravel bars
and cobble bar also present. Silt accumulation along channel margins.
shoal tUoody debris prevalent and aquatic vegetation was
sparse.
BZ7 34° 28' 16.58" N 153 Large mid channel cobble and gravel bar intermixed
Blues Landing 79° 43' 54.60" W with sand. The bar substrate changed to sand at the
gravel and cobble downstream end. Woody debris was prevalent and
bar shoal aquatic vegetation was sparse. Silt accumulation along
channel margins.
BZ$ 34° 21' 37.69" N 105 Simple shoal at creek confluence with rapid gradient
Cashua Ferry 79° 41' 34.67" W channel change in coastal plain. Substrate included
shoal upstream of some boulders, petrified wood chunks of various sizes,
S.C. Highway 34 sedimentary clay outcrops, bedrock, and cobble, gravel,
and sand bars. Woody debris was prevalent and some
aquatic vegetation was also present.
Tributaries
BZ TRB1 35° 00' 55.40" N 6 Bedrock, gravel and cobble riffles and sandy pools and
Cartledge Creek 79° 49' 27.48" W runs. Stream very sinuous with lo5v flow velocities.
Entire transect was enclosed in riparian tree canopy.
Transect located in bottomland hardwood forest.
BZ TRB2 34° 55' 52.04" N 3 Riffle and pool habitat with cobble to small boulders in
Island Creek 79° 53' 38.20" W the riffles, and sand in pools. Most areas of sand
substrate covered with a algal and fungal mat,
approximately 2-3 mm thick. Transect located in
bottomland hardwood forest. Entire transect was
enclosed in riparian tree canopy.
BZ TRB3 35° 00' 30.47" N 4 Sinuous coastal plain stream, mostly sand to small
Hitchcock Creek 79° 39' 37.23" W gravel in high flow areas and silt and detritus in
depositional areas throughout transect. One riffle at
lower end of transect on top of a clay bed. Numerous
floating mats consisting of reed and woody debris.
Stream depth averaged one meter in pools. Transect was
completely enclosed with riparian tree canopy.
BZ TRB4 34° 52' 57.32" N 15 Coarse shifting sand substrate throughout the entire
Jones Creek 79° 54' 11.15" W transect with habitat consisting of sand bars, shallow
pool, riffles, and runs. Upper end of transect had
riparian tree canopy.
BZ TRBS 34° 45' 11.87" N 5 Sequence of pools and riffles through transect. Substrate
Westfield Creek 79° 55' 18.75" W was mostly gravel and cobble with a few boulders
covered with a thin layer of dark silt. Transect was
completely enclosed by riparian tree canopy.
BFLAKEl 35° OS' 16.23" N 12 Slate bedrock substrate with riffles of large gravel to
Mountain Creek 79° 50' 07.50" W small cobble intermixed with sand throughout the
transect. Two riffles and one pool were located within
the transect.
BFLI~KE2 35° Ol' 12.68" N 3 Bedrock, gravel/cobble riffles, runs, andpoolswith little
Buffalo Creek 79° 55' 17.46" W sand. Stream very sinuous with low flow velocities.
Entire transect was enclosed in riparian tree canopy.
Transect located in bottomland hardwood forest.
3-8

Section 3 Site Descripti
3.5 Water Quality Conditions
Water temperatures ranged from 17.0° to 26.2°C, and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations ranged
from 6.7 to 13.7 mg/L during the fish and crayfish surveys of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development (Reach 1). Conductivity ranged from 93 to 121 µS/cm in Reach 1. Water
temperatures and conductivity were greater below the Rocky River confluence while a slight DO sag
was observed downstream of these tributaries.
For Reach 2 belowthe BlewettFalls Development, watertemperatures rangedfrom 22.9°to 26.9°C,
and DO concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 10.3 mg/L during the fish and crayfish surveys.
Conductivity ranged from 92 to 142 µS/cm in Reach 2.
Water quality data collected duringthe mussel surveys are presented in Appendix A. Duringmussel
surveys of the Reaches 1 and 2, temperatures ranged from 21.2° to 29.2°C; DO concentrations
ranged from 4.8 to 9.6 mg/L; conductivity ranged from 89 to 124 µ S/cm; pH ranged from 7.0 to 9.2
units; and turbidity ranged from 2.0 to 16 NTU. For the tributary sites, water temperatures ranged
from 17.7° to 27.7°C; DO concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 13.9 mg/L; conductivity ranged from 24
to 181 µS/cm; pH ranged from 6.1 to 7.9 units; and turbidity ranged from 1.2 to 22 NTU. The DO
concentration measured at Cedar Creek (Reach 1 tributary) was below the North Carolina
instantaneous water quality standard of 4 mg/L.
3-9

Section 4 -Methods
4.1 Fish and Crayfish Surveys
Sampling was conducted under low flow conditions (i.e., no power plant generation or wadeable
flow conditions) from April 25 through May 23, 2004, in Reach 1 and from May 14 through
June 14, 2004, in Reach 2. A reach length of 366 m (1,200 ft) was established at each transect to
ensure that all representative habitattypes were sampled. There were some instances where 1,200 ft
of wadeable stream was not present for the pram sampling. Only 450 ft was sampled at Transect
TZ5 in Reach 1 below the Tillery Development due to non-wadeable conditions (i. e., depth greater
than 1.2-m). One station was also truncated at Transect TZ4 (west shoreline) due to non-wadeable
conditions (900 ft sampled) for a portion of the transect.
A standardized approach was used to sample the fish and crayfish community at each transect.
Sampling gear types used included aSmith-Root 5.0 GPP pram electrofisher, aSmith-Root Model
15 backpack electrofisher, and a 20-ft flat seine (6.1 m x 1.8 m with 0.32 cm mesh). The pram
electrofisher was used to sample the channel by making three passes through the transect (i. e., each
river bank and mid channel, if wadeable). The side margins ofthe channel, including any backwater
areas, were sampled with the backpack electrofisher for 15-minute intervals. Twelve seine hauls
(i.e., one haul per 100 ft of transect length) were made at sand, gravel, or cobble bars or riffles at
each transect with all collected samples combined into one common sample. For electrofishing
sampling, pulsed DC currentwas utilized for sampling with voltage adjusted to produce 3 to 4 amps
in the sampling field, depending upon the water conductivity. Backpack electrofishing was
conducted for 15-minute intervals along each channel margin and any associated backwater areas.
Electrofishing was conducted in either an upstream or downstream fashion at each transect. Riffle
areas were sampled intensively with the pram electrofisher by disturbing the substrate and holding
dip nets on the downstream end of the riffle while the electrofishing was performed. Crayfish were
qualitatively sampled during thebackpackandpramelectrofishingsamplingforfish. Electrofishing
for crayfish was substituted for kicknet and dip net samplingtechniques because electrofishing was
the most effective technique to collect crayfish, particularly in backwater areas with woody debris.
The total time was recorded for backpack and pram electrofishing, and the catches were adjusted to
number and weight offish per hour.
At each sampling location, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were measured
with alaboratory- and field-calibrated YSI® multi-parameter instrument (Model 650). Sample
locations were recorded with a GPS unit with sub-meter accuracy. Digital photographs were also
taken of each sampling site.
All fish and crayfish, regardless of sampling methodology, were identified to the lowestpracticable
taxa level. Fish were measured for total length to the nearest millimeter and weighed to the nearest
gram. Fish that could not be accurately identified in the field or large numbers of small individuals
were be preserved with 10 percent buffered formalin solution and transported to the laboratory for
identification and body measurements. All other collected fish were released alive at the sampling
site. Crayfish were preserved in 70 percent ethanol and transported to the laboratory for
identification. Crayfish were identified to the lowest practical taxa level Identification of crayfish
taxa to species level for most genera requires a breeding (Form I) male. Females could only be
identified to genus level. Dr. John Cooper of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
4-1

Section 4 Methods
(NCMNS) provided assistance with crayfish identification for Form 11 Procambarus spp mailes.
Fish and crayfish specimens were retained for voucher purposes in Progress Energy's fish and
invertebrate reference collections and inthe North Carolina Museum ofNatural Sciences' collection.
All electrofishing and seine samples were combined at each transectto yield the total number offish
and crayfish collected per transect within each sample reach. In addition, the summary catch-per-
unit effort data were calculated for both electrofishers and seine hauls and are presented in
Appendix A (Tables A-1 to A-~. Dominant species within the fish community were defined as
those species or taxa comprising >5 percent of the total fish abundance at each transect. The fish
datawere assigned tolerance and trophic feeding guild classifications based on designations used by
the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDW~ for its North Carolina Index of Biotic
Integrity (NCIBI) methodology (NCDWQ 2001). The NCIBI is a modification of the Index of
Biotic Integrity originally formulated by Karr (1981) to measure the health and structure of stream
fish communities. The NCIBI fish community metrics or attributes were also applied to the data to
gain insight into the fish community structure at each transect within each sampled reach. Two other
attributes the number of minnow and North American catfish species were included in this
assessment. The percentage of green sunfish replaced number of fish with disease, fin erosion,
lesions, or tumors in this assessment; because, no fish were observed with disease, fin erosion,
lesions, or tumors during the study. The number of minnow species was also added to evaluate the
presence of this family (Cyprinidae) at the sampled transects. Young-of--year fish were excluded
from the trophic feeding guild attribute and green sunfish percentage calculations. The young-of-
year cut-off lengths used in the NCIBI methodology were applied to these data (Appendix A).
Summary tables excluding the number of young-of--year for Reaches 1 and 2 are presented in
Appendix A (Tables A-7 and A-8). Young-of--year were included in calculations of all other
attributes (i.e., number of taxa or species richness, total number of individuals, number of darter,
minnow, North American catfish, sucker, and sunfish species, number of intolerant species, and
multiple size classes).
The significance of each fish community metric or attribute is given below as defined in the NCIBI
(NCDWQ 2001):
1. Number of taxa or species richness: The total number of species supported by a stream of a
given size within a given region generally decreases with environmental degradation. In
addition, some streams with larger watersheds or drainage areas can be expected to support
more species than stream with smaller watersheds. In other instances, the number of species
and watershed size are not correlated.
2. Number of individuals: The total number of fish supported by a stream of a given size in a
given region decreases with environmental degradation. However, in some instances, nutrient
enrichment or degradation may actually increase the number of fish supported by a stream.
3. Number of darter species (Etheostoma and Percina species): Darters are sensitive to
environmental degradation particularly as a result of their specific reproductive and habitat
requirements. Darter habitats (e. g., riffle habitat) are degraded as aresult of channelization,
siltation, reduced oxygen levels, and fluctuating water levels. The collection of fewer than
expected number of species of darters can indicate some degree of habitat degradation.
4. Number ofminnow species: Many species ofminnows are intolerant ofhabitat and chemical
degradation and, because some of the species have life spans of up to six years, provide a
4-2

Section 4
Methods
multi-year integrated perspective. Because of their predominantly specialized insectivorous
feeding habits, they also reflectthe condition ofthe benthic community which may be harmed
by sedimentation, sediment contamination, or varying water levels. Minnow species also
typically inhabit shallow water habitats such as stream channel margins which can be affected
by fluctuating water levels in regulated streams (Bain and Travnichek 1996).
5. Number of North American catfish species: The number of North American catfish species
can provide insight into general environmental conditions present in a stream. Many North
American catfishes are omnivorous feeding generalists tolerant of a wide range of
environmental conditions. Conversely, madtom species inhabit shallow water areas and are
insectivorous in feeding habits and generally reflect favorable stream environmental
conditions. This attribute is not used in the NCIBI but used in this assessment to characterize
the entire fish community present in the Pee Dee River.
6. Number of sucker species (includes all species within Catostomidae Family): Many
suckers (especiallyMoxostoma orScartomyzon species) are intolerantofhabitatand chemical
degradation, and because they are long-lived, provide a multiyear integrated perspective.
They also reflect the condition of the benthic community which may be affected by
sedimentation, sediment contamination, or flow fluctuations.
7. Number of sunfish species (includes Lepomis, Enneacanthus, Micropterus, and Pomoxis
species): Sunfish species are particularly responsive to habitat degradation such as the filling
in of pools with sediment and loss of stream cover (e.g., woody debris). Conversely, most
sunfish species (e.g., bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and largemouth bass) are habitat and feeding
generalists and show less sensitivity to flow fluctuations that other species who are more
specialized in feeding or inhabit channel margin habitat (Bain and Travnichek 1996).
8. Number of intolerant species: Intolerant species are those specialized habitat and feeding
species most affected by environmental perturbations, and therefore should disappear, at least
as viable populations by the time a stream is rated as "Fair." Intolerant species includes some
species with a very restricted zoogeographic distribution or considered rare, threatened, or
endangered (RTE). Of the 212 species of freshwater fish in North Carolina waters, only 52
species are considered intolerant. Three intolerant species fieryblack shiner, thinlip chub,
and Piedmont darter were collected from the Pee Dee River during this study.
9. Percent tolerant individuals: Tolerant species are those which are often present in a stream
in low or moderate numbers but as the stream degrades, they can become dominant (generally
greater than 25 to 35 percent of the fish community). Of the approximately 211 species of
freshwater fish found in North Carolina, 22 species are tolerant. The metric is calculated by
the total number of individuals oftolerant species divided by the total number of collected fish
(excluding young-of-year).
10. Percent omnivores and herbivores: Omnivorous feeding species generally indicate
degraded environmental conditions, particularly the benthic invertebrate community.
Additionally, large numbers of herbivores can indicate canopy or riparian removal or
modifications and/or nutrient enrichment with subsequent increased growth of attached algae
and periphyton.
11. Percent piscivores: Piscivorous feeding species representthe top ofthe food chain within the
aquatic community and their presence usually indicates a healthy, functioning food chain.
However, avery large percentage ofpiscivorous species orthe complete absence ofpredators
may indicate environmental perturbations or some other influencing factor.
4-3

Section 4 Methods
12. Percentinsectivores: Insectivorous feeding species, particularly those that specialize onthe
benthic invertebrate community (i. e., many minnow, sucker, and darter taxa) generally reflect
a healthy river ecosystem. The presence of a large percentage of generalist insectivorous
feeding species, particularly those that can feed on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial
invertebrates, (e.g., redbreast sunfish and bluegill) can indicate degraded environmental
conditions and nutrient enrichment.
13. Percent green sunfish: The percentage of green sunfish, a tolerant species, typically
increases with degraded environmental conditions (generally>5 percent oftotal fish collected
would be considered unbalanced) (Karr et al. 1986). This attribute is not included in the
NCIBI but used in this assessment to aid in characterization of the fish community and
environmental conditions.
14. Percentage of species with multiple age groups: This metric or attribute provides an
indication of reproductive success and survivability of year classes through time. It also
provides an indirect indicator of suitable habitat for reproduction and rearing of young. At
least three individuals per species must have been collected to determine the presence of
multiple age groups within the population. In some instances, professional judgmentmay also
be used to determine reproductive success of a particular species.
The health ofthe fish community at each transect was not quantitatively scored with the NCIBI (i.e.,
numeric score with corresponding community health rating). The scoring methodology has notbeen
applied to large river systems, such as the Pee Dee River, with the specific array of sampling gear
types used in this study (personal communication with Mr. Bryn Tracy, NCDW~. Furthermore, the
fish community characteristics changed as the river transitioned from the Piedmont physiographic
region in North Carolina into the Coastal Plain physiographic region of South Carolina These
changes would influence IBI metrics and scoring expectations.
4.2 Mussel Survey
Sampling was conducted from June 12, 2004 through October 11, 2004. All mainstem and most
tributary transects were sampled from June through August. The Rocky River and Uwharrie River
were sampled in October due to a series of hurricanes and subsequent flooding that occurred in
September. A 328-ft (100 m) longitudinal transect on each river bank was established at each
transect that adequately represented suitable mussel habitats. Habitats within the established
transect area (from river bank to river bank) were searched longitudinally for mussels. Both river
bank shorelines were surveyed for the mainstem Pee Dee River. Additionally, mid-channel surveys
were conducted at Transects TZ 1 and BZ5 located below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric
Developments, respectively. The entire channel from bank to bank was sampled for the 100-m
transects established at the tributary sites.
Timed visual surveys, aided with snorkeling and glass-bottomed buckets in shallow water areas,
were conducted to search for mussels. Tactile surveys ofthe substrate were also conductedto detect
the presence of mussels. No surveys were conducted when underwater visibility was significantly
reduced by turbidity or low light conditions. A steel quadrantframe, measuring 0.092 m~ (1 ft~) was
used once at each transect to search for juvenile mussels. The quadrant frame was placed in
substrate (sand and/or gravel) suitable for juvenile mussel inhabitation and the delineated area
searched thoroughly. Finally, the riverbank and the sampled area were visually surveyed for relic
4-4

Section 4 Methods
mussel shells to detect the potential presence of mussel taxa for which no live specimens were
collected.
The number of biologists involved in the mussel surveys varied during the study. Three to nine
biologists were involved in sampling mainstem transects, depending upon location. Tributary
transects were surveyed with two to seven biologists.
Collected mussels were kept alive in pursed, small-meshed bags suspended in the water column or
water-filled buckets until identified and processed for measurements. All mussels were identifiedto
the lowest practicable taxa level and photographed with a digital camera. Meristic measurements
were obtained for total shell length, width, and height (nearest mm) for the first 100 individuals for
each taxon at each transect. In the event that very large numbers of a particular taxon (e.g., Elliprio
roanokensis) were encountered during sampling, 100 individuals were randomly selected for
meristics measurements. All other mussels ofthattaxon were left in place and counted in situ atthe
transect. After processing, mussels were returned alive to the sampled habitat area. Some mussel
specimens were retained by NCWRC biologists for voucher specimens and genetic analysis. Those
specimens were preserved in 100 percent ethanol. Dr. Art Bogan, NCMNS, and Dr. Ryan Heise,
NCWRC, assisted with mussel identification.
Substrate at each sampling transect was qualitatively classified usingthe modified Wentworth scale
(McMahon et al. 199. Each transectwas mapped with aGPS instrumentwithsub-meter accuracy.
Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and turbidity were measured at each
transect with alaboratory- and field-calibrated YSI® multi-parameter instrument (Model 650) or
similar equipment.
4.3 Quality Control and Assurance
All survey data were collected in accordance with Progress Energy's Quality Assurance/Quality
Control (QA/QC) Program (Progress Energy 2004b, 2004c). Progress Energy is certified by the
North Carolina Division of Water Quality and the South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control to collect water quality and biological samples through Standard Operating
Procedures. Specific procedures for sample collection and data custody are detailed in Progress
Energy's QA/QC Program. Voucher specimens of identified fish and crayfish taxa were retained in
Progress Energy's voucher specimen reference collection and in the North Carolina Museum of
Natural Sciences' collection. Identified mussel taxa were documented with digital photographs.
4-5

Section 5 -Results and Discussion
5.1 Fish Surveys
5.1.1 Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake)
A total of 36 fish taxa representing 10 families were collected from Reach 1 located below the
Tillery Development (Table 5-1). Taxa richness ranged from 11 taxa at Transect TZ4 to 25 taxa at
Transect TZ5 (Tables 5-2 and 5-3). No rare, threatened, or endangered fish species were collected.
Table 5-1 Fish taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches below the Tillery and
Blewett Falls Developments during the shallow water study, April-June 2004.
Reach 1 Reach 2
Scientific Namet Common Name (Pee Dee River (Pee Dee River
Below Tillery Below Blewett Falls
Development) Development)
Leoisosteidae Gars
Lepisosteus osseus lonQnose Qar X X
Anguillidae Freshwater Eels
Anguilla rostrata American eel X X
Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad X
Cyprinidae Carps and Minnows XZ
Cyprinella analostana satinfin shiner X X
C. lutrensis red shiner X X
C. nivea whitefin shiner X X
C. pyrrhomelas fieryblack shiner X
C.sp. I (cf. zanema)~ thinlip chub X
Hybognathus regius eastern silvery minnow X
Nocomisleptocephalus bluehead chub X X
Notemigonus crysoleucas golden shiner X X
Notropis alborus whitemouth shiner X
N. amoenus comely shiner X X
N. chiliticus redlip shiner X
N. hudsonius spottail shiner X X
N. petersoni coastal shiner X X
N. sceuticus sandbar shiner X
Icfiobusbubalus smallmouthbuffalo X X
Minvtrema melanous snotted sucker X
Maxostoma collapsum notchlip redhorse X
M. macrolepidotum shorthead redhorse X X
Moxostoma spp. redhorse species X X
Ictaluridae North American catfishes
Ameiurusbrunneus snail bullhead X
A. catus white catfish X X
A. natalis yellow bullhead X X
A. platycephalus flat bullhead X
Ictalurus uunctatus channel catfish X X
Noturus insignis margined madtom X X
X
X
5-1

Section 5 Results and Discussions

Scientific Namet
Common Name Reach 1
(Pee Dee River
Below Tillery
Development) Reach 2
(Pee Dee River
Below Blewett Falls
Development)
Aphredoderidae Pirate perches
Aphredoderus sayanus pirate perch X
Mugilidae Mullets
Mugil cephalus striped mullet X
Atherinidae Silversides
Labidesthes sicculus brook silverside X
Belonidae Needlefishes
Strangylura marina Atlantic needlefish X
Poeciliidae Livebearers
Gambusia holbrooln~ eastern mosquitofish X X
Moronidae Temperate basses
Morone americans white perch X X
Centrarchidae Sunfishes
Enneacanthus gloriosus bluespotted sunfish X X
Lepomis auritus redbreast sunfish X X
L. cyanellus green sunfish X X
L. gibbosus Pumpkinseed X X
L. gulosus Warmouth X X
L. macrochirus Bluegill X X
L. microlophus redear sunfish X X
L. punctatus spotted sunfish X
Micropterussalmoides largemouth bass X X
Pomaxis nigromaculatus black crappie X
Percidae Perches
Etheostoma flabellare fantail darter X X
E. olmstec& tessellated darter X X
Percinacrassa Piedmont darter X X
Perca flavescens yellow perch X
Soleidae Soles
Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker X

Total number of taxa 36 46
t Taxonomic nomenclature follows NelsonetaL(2004)exceptforCarolinaredhorse(undescribedMaxostamaspp.).
z One individual could only be identified to Family Cyprinidae taxonomic level.
3 Thinlip chub was formerly considered part of Cyprinella zanema, Santee chub. Recent taxonomic analysis has
reclassified the thinlip chub in the Pee Dee, Cape Fear, and Lumber rivers drainages (LeGrand et al. 2004).
Table 5-2 Total number of fish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.1
Common Name Tolerance Rating Trophic Guild Reach 1 Transect
TZl TZ2 TZ3 TZ4
TZS
Longnose gar Tolerant Piscivore 3 0 0 0 0
American eel Intermediate Piscivore 4 1 8 2 1
Satinfin shiner Tolerant Insectivore 0 0 0 0 33
Red shiner Tolerant Insectivore 0 0 0 0 21
Whitefin shiner Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 10 0 443
5-2

Section 5 Results and Discussions

Common Name Tolerance Rating Trophic Guild
TZl Reach 1 Transect
TZ2 TZ3 TZ4
TZS
Bluehead chub Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 0 4
Golden shiner Tolerant Omnivore 2 0 0 0 0
Comely shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 3
Spottail shiner Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 0 2
Coastal shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 1
Smallmouthbuffalo Intermediate Omnivore 2 1 0 0 5
Shortheadredhorse Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 1
Redhorse species -- Insectivore 0 0 0 0 11
Snail bullhead Intermediate Insectivore 175 3 0 0 0
White catfish Tolerant Omnivore 21 57 9 1 2
Yellow bullhead Tolerant Omnivore 0 1 2 0 0
Flat bullhead Tolerant Insectivore 8 0 0 0 0
Channel catfish Intermediate Omnivore 0 15 66 49 10
Margined madtom Intermediate Insectivore 0 30 0 0 0
Flathead catfish Intermediate Piscivore 0 0 7 7 4
Eastern mosquitofish Tolerant Insectivore 0 3 0 2 3
Pirate perch Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 1
White perch Intermediate Piscivore 0 1 0 0 0
Bluespotted sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 1 0 0
Redbreast sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 88 53 7 5 10
Green sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 0 24 40 26 12
Pumpkinseed Intermediate Insectivore 0 1 0 1 0
Warmouth Intermediate Insectivore 0 1 0 0 1
Bluegill Intermediate Insectivore 21 44 29 43 155
Redear sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 1 0 2
Largemouth bass Intermediate Piscivore 3 10 2 7 4
Black crappie Intermediate Piscivore 1 0 0 0 0
Fantail darter Intermediate Insectivore 3 7 0 0 1
Tessellated darter Intermediate Insectivore 6 64 29 7 13
Piedmontdarter Intolerant Insectivore 4 41 9 0 3
Yellow perch Intermediate Piscivore 4 1 0 0 0
Total number 346 358 220 150 746
1 Tolerance and trophic guild classifications used in the North Carolina Index of Biotic Integrity by the N.C. Division
of Water Quality (NCDWQ 2001).
Table 5-3 Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Attribute
TZ1 Reach 1 Transect
TZ2 TZ3
TZ4
TZS
1. No. of fish taxa 16 19 14 11 25
2. No. of individuals' 346
(302) 358
(284) 220
(145) 150
(100) 746
(444)
4. No. of minnow species 2 0 1 0 7
5. No. of sucker species 1 1 0 0 2
6. No. of North American catfish species 3 5 4 3 3
7. No. of sunfish species 4 6 6 5 6
8. No. of intolerant species 1 1 1 0 1
9. % tolerant individuals 34 29 32 29 16
10. % omnivores and herbivoresZ 2 4 8 10 3
5-3

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Attribute
Reach 1 Transect
TZl TZ2 TZ3 TZ4 TZS
11. %piscivores 5 2 7 11 2
12. % insectivores 93 94 85 79 95
13. % Breen sunfish 0 8 27 22 3
Water
Water temperature (°C) 173 17.0 262 24.8 18.6
Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) 13.7 12.1 9.7 6.7 9.4
Conductivity (uS/cml 93 103 121 109 97
1 The number of individuals in parenthesis is the number of fish collected excluding young-of-year.
z Percentage values of tolerant individuals, omnivores and herbivores, piscivores, insectivores, and green sunfish
calculated without young-of-year year (see Appendix A for adjusted number of fish without young-of-year in
samples).
3 Water quality variable measurements made at the time of sampling at each transect
Sixteen fish taxa were collected at Transect TZ1, located just below the Tillery Development
(Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Snail bullhead, redbreast sunfish, white catfish, and bluegill were the
dominant species comprising 88 percent ofthe total catch. Tolerant species (redbreast sunfish, white
catfish, flat bullhead, longnose gar, and golden shiner) comprised 34 percent ofthe fish community
at Transect TZ1. Darter species fantail darter, tessellated darter, and Piedmont darter were
present at Transect TZ1 in low numbers while minnow species were reduced in abundance (i.e., a
few golden shiners and whitefin shiners). Suckers were also reduced in abundance. A small number
ofPiedmont darter, an intolerant species, was collected at Transect TZ1. North American catfishes,
mainly young snail bullhead and white catfish, were prevalent at Transect TZ1 (Table 5-2).
Insectivorous fish dominated the trophic feeding guilds at Transect TZ 1 (93 percent) due to the large
number of snail bullhead, redbreast sunfish, and bluegill. Omnivores and herbivores and piscivores
comprised 2 percent and 5 percent of the trophic feeding guilds, respectively. The number offish
species with multiple age groups present was 62 percent, which was the highest of all Reach 1
transects (Tables 5-3 and 5-4).
Table 5-4 Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum
values) of fish collected by tansect during the shallow water survey of the
Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Taxa
TZ1 TZ2 Reach 1 Transect
TZ3 TZ4
TZS
Longnose gar 900 (840-998) --1 -- -- --
American eel 283 (227-365) 555 474 (133-584) 439 123
Satinfin shiner -- -- -- -- 58 (35-84)
Red shiner -- -- -- -- 59 (51-73)
Whitefin shiner 89 -- 58 (36-112) -- 47 (18-10~
Bluehead chub -- -- -- -- 72 (54-97)
Golden shiner 76 (60-92) -- -- -- --
Comely shiner -- -- -- -- 71 (61-83)
Spottail shiner -- -- -- -- 80 (77-82)
Coastal shiner -- -- -- -- 57
Smallmouth buffalo 537 (526-548) 470 -- -- 507 (472-592)
Notchlip redhorse -- -- -- -- --
Shorthead redhorse -- -- -- -- 445
5-4

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Taxa
Reach 1 Transect
TZ1 TZ2 TZ3 TZ4 TZS
Redhorse species -- -- -- -- 21 (19-231
Snail bullhead 98 (58-210) 119 (98-137) -- -- --
White catfish 85 (53-138) 70 (47-130) 62 (52-72) 47 101 (98-104)
Yellow bullhead -- 78 84 (75-92) -- --
Flatbullhead 160 (132-198) -- -- 156 (62-234) --
Channelcatfish -- 91 (66-157) 93(63-342) 87 (62-119) 106 (59-212)
Margined madtom -- 97 (81-120) -- -- --
Flatheadcatfish -- -- 115 (62-298) 156 (62-234) 268 (202-430)
Eastern mosquitofish -- 32 (28-34) -- 34 (33-35) 31 (22-37)
Pirate perch -- -- -- -- 91
Bluesootted sunfish -- -- 50 -- --
Redbreast sunfish 138 (48-193) 105 (45-190) 110 (103-125) 81 (60-120) 107 (53-158)
Green sunfish -- 76 (52-105) 79 (47-137) 69 (47-95) 80 (58-133)
Pumpkinseed -- 60 -- 84 --
Wannouth -- 49 -- -- 98
Bluegill 104 (48-168) 79 (39-144) 90 (52-177) 114(49-159) 127 (69-210)
Redear sunfish -- -- 158 -- 135 (117-153)
Largemouth bass 231 (98-470) 104 (88-151) 150 (123-177) 134(98-240) 144 (90-237)
Black crappie 114 -- -- -- --
Fantail darter 49 (43-55) 59 (55-63) -- -- 57
Tessellated darter 54 (49-59) 60 (47-70) 56 (46-69) 55 (48-64) 51 (45-59)
Piedmont darter 81 (73-88) 74 (63-91) 76 (64-89) -- 73 (71-75)
Yellow perch 111 (93-138) 110 -- -- --
A -- indicates no fish collected.
The fish community was more diverse at Transect TZ2 (19 taxa), particularly for North American
catfish and sunfish species, although the total number of collected fish was comparable to Transect
TZ1 (Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Tessellated darter, white catfish, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, Piedmont
darter, margined madtom, and green sunfish were dominant species comprising 87 percent of the
total fish collected at Transect TZ2. Margined madtom was only collected from Transect TZ2 in
Reach 1. Minnow and sucker species were also absent at Transect TZ2.
The abundance of darters (fantail, tessellated, and Piedmont darters) was greater at Transect TZ2
than other sampled transects in Reach 1 and included a large number of Piedmont darter, an
intolerant species. Tolerant species comprised 29 percent of the fish community and consisted of
white catfish, redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, yellow bullhead, and eastern mosquitofish. Trophic
feeding structure at Transect TZ2 was similar to Transect TZ1 and dominated by insectivorous-
feedingindividuals (94 percent). The number offish species with multiple age groups present was
42 percent (Tables 5-3 and 5 4).
Fish community characteristics exhibited a distinct spatial pattern with a decrease in taxa richness
and total fish numbers at Transect TZ3 located below the Rocky River confluence and Transect TZ4
located below the Brown Creek confluence (Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Taxa richness and total fish
abundance declined at both transects compared to the upstream Transects TZ 1 and TZ2. Minnow
and sucker species were reduced in numbers or absent at Transects TZ3 and TZ4. Darter abundance
also declined in these areas, particularly fantail and Piedmont darters. No fantail or Piedmont
5-5

Section 5 Results and Discussions
darters were collected at Transect TZ4. The percentage of tolerant species was similar at Transects
TZ3 and TZ4 compared to upstream transects; however, there were changes in the tolerant species
composition.
Green sunfish supplanted redbreast sunfish as the tolerant sunfish species at Transects TZ3 and TZ4
(Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Green sunfish, a species indicative of degraded environmental conditions,
increased in abundance and comprised 22 to 27 percent ofthe total fish collected at these transects.
Insectivorous fish dominated the trophic feeding guilds at Transects TZ3 and TZ4 although the
percentage of this guild was lower (79 to 85 percent) than at other transects (93 to 95 percent).
Correspondingly, omnivorous/herbivorous and piscivorous fish increased at Transects TZ3 and TZ4.
The observed spatial pattern and changes in fish community characteristics suggested the degraded
water quality inflow from Rocky River and Brown Creek was affecting the fish community for a
large portion of this reach (approximately 7 to 12 miles of the 17-mile reach). Previous water
quality surveys indicated significant increases in turbidity, solids constituents, nutrients, anions,
ions, chemical oxygen demand, copper, aluminum, and specific conductance at the monitoring
station located at N.C. Highway 109 Bridge below the Rocky River and Brown Creek confluences
(Progress Energy 2003).
There appeared to be a spatial pattern of species segregation in North American catfish species
within Reach 1. Snail bullhead, flat bullhead, and margined madtom, including young-of--year
individuals, were found above the Rocky River confluence but absent at downstream transects.
White catfish abundance also declined downstream of the Rocky River confluence. Conversely,
channel catfish and flathead catfish were present and most abundant below the Rocky River
confluence which suggested that degraded water quality and/or competition or predation effects of
channel catfish and flathead catfish mightbe affecting distribution ofthe formerthree species within
the reach. A similar spatial pattern was observed in North American catfish abundance during
previous fishery surveys conducted by Progress Energy during 2000 (Progress Energy 2003).
Taxarichness (25 taxa) and total fish abundance was greatest at Transect TZ5 (Tables 5-2 and 5-3).
However, the fish community was dominated by two species, whitefin shiner and bluegill, which
comprised 80 percent ofthe total catch. The minnow family was well represented at Transect TZ5
with seven taxapresent satinfin shiner, red shiner (non-native species), whitefin shiner, bluehead
chub, comely shiner, spottail shiner, and coastal shiner.
Shorthead redhorse and unidentified young-of--year Moxostoma species, absentfrom othertransects,
were also present at Transect TZ5. All three darter species were present at Transect TZ5, including
the intolerant Piedmont darter. Conversely, the contribution of tolerant species was the lowest at
Transect TZ5 (16 percent), and green sunfish abundance declined compared to abundance at
Transects TZ2, TZ3, and TZ4. Insectivorous feeding fish comprised 95 percent of the fish
community at Transect TZS. Forty-eight percent of collected taxa had multiple age groups present
(Tables 5-3 and 5-4).
The fish community characteristics at Transect TZ5 and subsequent spatial changes observed within
Reach 1 suggested there was a recovery of the fish community in the lower portion of this reach
from degraded water quality (below Rocky River) and flow (above and below Rocky River)
5-6

Section 5 Results and Discussions
conditions. Several tributaries, including the Little River, are located below the Brown Creek
confluence. These tributaries provided additional inflow and dilution ofthe degraded water quality
between the N.C. Highway 109 Bridge and Blewett Falls Lake.
Additionally, there may have been alake-stream ecological edge enhancement effect on fish
community diversity and abundance (e.g., bluegill abundance) given that Transect TZ5 was located
at the Blewett Falls Lake headwaters. However, stream-dwelling species, such as minnows and
suckers did increase in abundance at Transect TZ5 when comparedto upstream transects, suggesting
some recovery response in the fish community.
Small numbers of American eel, including young-of--year, were collected from all transects within
Reach 1 (Tables 5-2 and 5-4; Figures 5-1 and 5-2). The presence of American eel indicated some
individuals were able to migrate past Blewett Falls Dam and inhabit upstream areas. Previous
fishery surveys also documented the presence of American eel in this reach as well as larger
tributaries Little River, Brown Creek, and Rocky River (Progress Energy 2003, 2005; Starnes
2004).
5.1.2 Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34)
Forty-six fish taxa representing fourteen families were collected from Reach 2 ofthe Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development and included 14 minnow species, nine sunfish species, five
North American catfish species, four sucker species, and three darter species (Table 5-1). Taxa
richness was greater in Reach 2 when comparedto taxa richness in Reach 1. Differences in taxa
richness between the two reaches were related, in part, to the: (1) watershed area size; (2) sampled
physiographic regions (i.e., Piedmontvs. Coastal Plain areas); and (3) presence of euryhaline species
below the Blewett Falls Development (Atlantic needlefish, striped mullet, and hogchoker).
Generally, taxa richness and abundance increases with drainage area size. The Piedmont and
Coastal Plain physiographic areas were sampled below the Blewett Falls Development which
included two species that were not collected from the river reach below the Tillery Development
(thinlip chub and spotted sunfish).
Even when considering these factors, the fish community in Reach 1 did not appear to be as diverse
or as robust when compared to the fish community in Reach 2. This was evident in the spatial
differences, particularly in the taxa richness and total abundance of minnow and darter species.
Furthermore, green sunfish, atolerant species, was not a dominant component of the fish community
in Reach 2 as observed at several transects in Reach 1.
5-7

Section 5
Results and Discussions

v
n
E
z
Transect TZ1
N=4
Transect TZ2
N=1
Transect TZ3
N=8
Transect TZ4
N=2
Transect TZ5
N=1
A V~~~~ N N N W W W A A A A (J1 CJ1 CJ1 d) d)
O O O W d) O N (Jl W~ A V O W d) O N (Jl W~ A
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
10
8
6
4
2
10
8
6
4
2
10
8
6
4
2
10
8
6
4
2
10
8
6
4
2
0
Total Length (m m)
Figure 5-1 Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development during 2004.
5-8

Section 5 Results and Discussions
180
~ 140
O
= 120
L
~ 100
a
~ 80
z 60
t~
~ 40
160
20
TZ1 TZ2 TZ3 TZ4 TZ5
Reach 1
BZ1 BZ2 BZ3 BZ4 BZ~a BZ6 BZ7 BZ8
Reach 2
Transect
Figure 5-2 Pram electrofishing catch rates (number per hour) by transect for American
eel collected from Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery and
Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Developments during 2004.
Taxa richness ranged from 21 {Transect BZS) to 32 taxa (Transect BZ 1) in Reach 2 (Tables 5-5 and
5-6}. Taxa richness was the ~-eatest at Transect BZ 1 (Big Island shoal) located immediately below
the Blewett Falls Development because of the larger number of minnow and sunfish taxa collected at
this transect. The total number of collected fish ranged from 403 individuals at Transect BZ2 to
1,308 individuals at Transect BZ6 (Tables 5-5 and 5-6). The young-of--year contribution to total
number of collect fish ranged from 8 {Transect BZ2) to 56 percent (Transect BZ4}. The total
number of collected fish did not exhibit an explicit spatial trend with increasing distance from the
power plant. Total catches were largely influenced by high catch rates of ~lrnerican eel or eastern
silvery minnow at several transects.
Table 5-5 Total number offish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Ble~~~ett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name Tolerance
Rating Trophic
Guild BZl BZ2 Reach 2 Transect
BZ3 BZ4 BZS BZb BZ7
BZ8
Longnose gar Tolerant Piscivore 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0
I~merican eel Intermediate Piscivore 60 87 210 368 316 61 50 161
Gizzard shad Intermediate Herbivore 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Carps and minnows -- -- 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Satinfin shiner Tolerant Insectivore 10 0 6 5 12 21 69 74
Red shiner Tolerant Insectivore 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
t~~hitefin shiner Intermediate Insectivore 22 39 12 6 12 22 70 10
5-9

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Common Name Tolerance
Rating Trophic
Guild
BZl
BZ2 Reach 2 Transect
BZ3 BZ4 BZS
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
Fieryblack shiner Intolerant Insectivore 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 5
Thinlip chub Intolerant Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Eastern silvery minnow Intermediate Herbivore 158 37 109 13 158 778 767 113
Bluehead chub Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 99 1 1 1 0
Golden shiner Tolerant Omnivore 3 4 2 0 1 0 1 1
Whitemouth shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Comely shiner Intermediate Insectivore 14 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redlip shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Spottail shiner Intermediate Omnivore 51 14 67 148 16 43 35 9
Coastal shiner Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 0 4 1 0 1 10
Sandbar shiner Intermediate Insectivore 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Smallmouthbuffalo Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Spotted sucker Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Notchlip redhorse Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0
Shortheadredhorse Intermediate Insectivore 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Redhorse species -- Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
White catfish Tolerant Omnivore 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Yellow bullhead Tolerant Omnivore 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Channel catfish Intermediate Omnivore 42 22 8 61 110 154 5 16
Margined madtom Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 4 23 4 0 0 0
Flathead catfish Intermediate Piscivore 17 33 11 2 8 2 0 11
Atlantic needlefish -- Piscivore 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 0
Eastern mosquitofish Tolerant Insectivore 41 2 0 2 4 6 33 17
Brook silverside Intermediate Insectivore 29 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
White perch Intermediate Piscivore 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bluespottedsunfish Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redbreast sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 82 43 51 11 81 108 11 37
Green sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 8 2 0 2 1 0 0 2
Pumpkinseed Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 15
Warmouth Intermediate Insectivore 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Bluegill Intermediate Insectivore 70 62 19 8 14 29 7 45
Redear sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 1 0 2 10 2 7
Spotted sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 0 1 9 10 18 10 1 3
Largemouth bass Intermediate Piscivore 1 2 1 1 0 6 5 5
Fantail darter Intermediate Insectivore 3 15 47 115 27 4 0 1
Tessellated darter Intermediate Insectivore 26 7 13 183 24 24 18 25
Piedmontdarter Intolerant Insectivore 29 3 1 86 13 5 0 1
Striped mullet -- Omnivore 6 21 18 1 0 0 0 6
Hogchoker -- Insectivore 3 1 2 4 26 19 39 27
Total number 701 403 599 1166 849 1308 1136 604
5-10

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Table 5-6 Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Attribute
BZ1
BZ2 Reach 2 Transect
BZ3 BZ4 BZS
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
1. No. of fish taxa 32 24 24 26 21 22 22 26
2. No. of individuals' 701
(628) 403
(371) 599
(537) 1,166
(509) 849
(484) 1,308
(780) 1,136
(536) 604
(437)
3. No. of darter species 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 3
4. No. of minnow species 9 6 6 7 7 6 9 7
5. No. of sucker species 1 1 0 2 0 1 2 1
6. No. of North American
catfish species 2 3 5 3 3 2 1 2
7. No. of sunfish species 8 5 5 5 5 6 6 8
8. No. of intolerant species 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 2
9. % tolerant individuals 23 14 12 4 20 17 21 29
10. % omnivores and 38 26 38 22 40 67 58 30
herbivoresZ
11. %piscivores~ 9 26 32 19 16 3 2 13
12. % insectivores 53 48 30 59 44 31 40 57
13. % green sunfish 1 c l 0 c l cl 0 0 c l
14. % multiple aee erouns 56 54 50 52 67 64 50 58
Water q
Water temperature (°C) 22.9 23.4 23.5 26.4 26.9 25.3 24.4 25.1
Dissolved oxygen (mg/L) 7.4 7.6 8.1 7.3 10.3 9.0 6.5 7.0
Conductivity (µS/cm) 92 93 95 107 94 142 142 135
1 The number of individuals in parenthesis is the number of fish collected excluding young-of-year.
z Percentage values of tolerant individuals, omnivores and herbivores, piscivores, insectivores, and green sunfish
calculated withoutyoung-of-year (see Appendix A for adjusted number offish withoutyoung-of-year in samples).
3 Water quality variable measurements made at the time of sampling at each transect
The fish community at Transect BZ 1 was dominated by eastern silvery minnow, redbreast sunfish,
bluegill, American eel, spottail shiner, channel catfish, and eastern mosquitofish. These taxa
comprised 72 percent ofthe total catch. The greatest number of sunfish and minnow taxa in Reach 2
were present at this transect (8 and 9 taxa, respectively). Previous fishery surveys conducted by
Progress Energy during the 1998-2001 period also documented three additional minnow species
present at Transect BZ1 (fieryblack shiner an intolerant species, highfin shiner, and bluehead
chub) (Progress Energy 2003). Tolerant species comprised 23 percent of the fish community and
included redbreast sunfish, eastern mosquitofish, green sunfish, satinfin shiner, and red shiner. The
darter assemblage was comprised of Piedmont darter (intolerant species), tessellated darter, and
fantail darter. The trophic feeding guild structure was comprised mainly of insectivorous
(53 percent) and omnivorous/herbivorous species (38 percent). The percentage offish species with
multiple age groups present was 56 percent (Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
5-11

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Table 5-7 Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum values) of fish collected by transect during the
shallow water survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls Hy droelectric Plant (Reach 2) during 2004.
Taxa Reach 2 Transect
BZ1 BZ2 BZ3 BZ4 BZS BZ6 BZ7 BZ8
Longnose gar 810 (772-847) 362 680 (665-695) --' -- -- -- --
American eel 217 (107-447) 253 (125-474) 222 (142-470) 164 (90-626) 170 (84-392) 146(84-335) 119 (90-345) 160 (79-485)
Gizzard shad 199 (147-300) -- -- 25 -- -- -- --
Carpsandminnows -- -- -- 31 -- -- -- --
Satinfin shiner 56 (35-77) -- 66 (54-73) 71 (60-77) 61 (34-72) 65 (51-76) 61 (46-77) 59 (25-79)
Red shiner 42 (37-46) -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Whitefin shiner 65 (32-85) 77 (35-102) 79 (39-104) 57 (47-79) 68 (49-90) 66 (40-95) 50 (27-75) 56 (45-80)
Fieryblack shiner -- 67 (60-73) 55 -- -- -- 83 56 (36-80)
Thinlip chub -- -- -- -- -- -- 69 --
Eastern silvery minnow 63 (41-76) 66 (42-81) 65 (51-77) 62 (32-76) 66 (47-76) 65 (52-80) 66 (54-79) 64 (48-75)
Bluehead chub -- -- -- 36 (21-67) 56 70 30 --
Goldenshiner 101 (92-112) 90 (85-100) 137 (82-192) -- 83 -- 83 75
Whitemouth shiner -- -- -- -- -- 63 -- --
Comely shiner 54 (38-80) 48 (36-60) -- -- -- -- -- --
Redlip shiner -- -- -- 35 (34-35) -- -- -- --
Spottail shiner 89 (68-118) 79 (67-102) 96 (67-121) 63 (21-118) 69 (20-93) 85 (42-111) 71 (62-80) 67 (57-76)
Coastal shiner 68 -- -- 64 (58-70) 60 -- 68 58 (41-65)
Sandbar shiner 77 (73-80) -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Smallmouthbuffalo -- -- -- -- -- 203 (187-218) -- --
Spottedsucker -- -- -- -- -- -- 368 132
Shorthead redhorse 211 (207-214) 325 -- 32 -- -- -- --
Redhorse species -- -- -- -- -- -- 20 (17-22) --
White catfish -- -- 58 -- -- -- -- --
Yellow bullhead -- 113 176 -- -- -- -- --
Channel catfish 107 (70-215) 147 (80-225) 108 (88-137) 123 (88-162) 91 (56-152) 82(55-295) 142 (77-333) 94 (59-125)
Margined madtom -- -- 80 (63-90) 72 (27-100) 85 (70-101) -- -- --
Flatheadcatfish 101 (47-330) 127 (60-400) 164 (62-390) 243 (217-268) 116 (60-232) 279 (78-480) -- 130 (67-233)
Atlantic needlefish 440 (425-455) -- 377 (368-385) -- -- 418 -- --
Eastern mosquitofish 33 (26-42) 45 -- 18 (14-22) 36 (30-42) 38 (32-43) 34 (25-46) 39 (33-45)
Brook silverside 61 (38-83) 80 -- -- -- -- -- 40
White perch 110 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Bluespotted sunfish 43 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
5-12

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Taxa Reach 2 Transect
BZ1 BZ2 BZ3 BZ4 BZS BZ6 BZ7 BZ8
Redbreast sunfish 94 (47-153) 115 (51-214) 126 (57-19~ 99 (56-172) 78 (48-120) 83 (46-158) 85 (38-122) 99 (62-143)
Green sunfish 82 (61-112) 76 (70-82) -- 85 (77-93) 77 -- -- 74 (65-82)
Pumpkinseed 95 -- -- -- -- 85 86 (82-94) 72 (63-85)
Warmouth 55 (50-63) -- -- -- -- -- -- 75
Bluegill 88 (28-182) 135 (52-195) 131 (72-210) 128 (92-155) 84 (55-125) 105 (50-202) 92 (47-140) 102 (48-13 ~
Redear sunfish 80 -- 67 -- 190 (189-190) 100 (56-125) 83 (63-102) 78 (67-10~
Spotted sunfish -- 117 113 (97-138) 100 (82-113) 95 (67-147) 94 (70-122) 78 95 (87-105)
Largemouth bass 305 221 (107-334) 352 270 -- 240 (166-313) 128 (120-140) 150 (84-200)
Fantail darter 62 (52-68) 61 (54-73) 59 (45-70) 43 (22-67) 59 (50-68) 53 (50-54) -- 57
Tessellated darter 58 (45-82) 65 (54-75) 62 (56-70) 45 (22-68) 53 (42-61) 55 (42-64) 50 (22-68) 47 (20-74)
Piedmont darter 70 (55-8~ 77 (67-87) 77 62 (28-91) 75 (67-89) 46 (19-73) -- 66
Striped mullet 315 (190-392) 337 (254-409) 302 (262-393) 407 -- -- -- 208 (170-303)
Hogchoker 46 (37-55) 43 42 (36-47) 68 (65-70) 39 (30-68) 42 (33-53) 47 (30-60) 42 (31-55)
1 A -means no fish collected
5-13

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Twenty-four species were collected from Transect BZ2 (Hitchcock Creek shoal) with minnow and
sunfishtaxaaccountingfor46percentofthecollectedtaxa(Tables5-5 ands-6). Dominant species
based on abundance were American eel, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, whitefin shiner, eastern silvery
minnow, flathead catfish, channel catfish, and striped mullet. These species comprised 85 percent of
the total catch. Two intolerant species fieryblack shiner and Piedmont darter were collected at
Transect BZ2. Tolerant species, mainly redbreast sunfish, comprised a small percentage ofthe fish
community (14 percent). Insectivores comprised 48 percent ofthe trophic feeding guilds followed
by omnivores (26 percent) and piscivores (26 percent). Piscivores contributed a fairly large
percentage ofthe trophic feeding guilds at Transect BZ2, and this was related to the large number of
American eels present at this transect.
The fish community at Transect BZ3 (Jones Creek shoal) was dominated by American eel
(35 percent), eastern silvery minnow (18 percent), spottail shiner (11 percent), redbreast sunfish
(9 percent), and fantail darter (8 percent). The percentage oftolerant species was also relatively low
atthistransect(12percent). Twointolerantspecies fieryblackshinerandPiedmontdarter were
also present at Transect BZ3. Five North American catfish species were present atthis transect and
included a small number of margined madtoms. The percentage of trophic feeding guilds was
almost equal among omnivores/herbivores, piscivores, and insectivores (Table 5-6). Eastern silvery
minnow and spottail shiner comprised most of the omnivorous and herbivorous feeding guild.
Similar to Transect BZ2, the large number of American eels accounted for the large percentage of
piscivores present at Transect BZ3.
The fish community at Transect BZ4 (Great Island shoal) was robust and fairly well balanced
consideringthe taxarichness (25 taxa excluding carps and minnows), total fish abundance, presence
of two Moxostoma sucker species, and the large numbers of minnows and darters collected
(Tables 5-5 and 5-6). Dominant species included American eel (32 percent), tessellated darter
(16 percent), spottail shiner (13 percent), fantail darter (10 percent), bluehead chub (8 percent),
Piedmont darter (7 percent), and channel catfish (5 percent). Darters and minnows as a group
comprised 57 percent of the total number of collected fish (Table 5-5). The insectivorous feeding
guild comprised 59 percent ofthe fish community followed by about equal percentage contributions
of omnivores/herbivores and piscivores.
The percentage oftolerant species at Transect BZ4 (4 percent) was the least of any transect sampled
in Reach 2. Piedmont darter was the only intolerant species collected from Transect BZ4. Good
reproductive success within the fish community was evident considering the percentage ofmultiple
age groups for fish taxawas 52 percent, and young-of--year comprised over 56 percent ofthe sample
(Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
Twenty-one taxawere collected at Transect BZ5 which included seven minnow species, five sunfish
species, and three darter species. American eel (37 percent), eastern silvery minnow (19 percent),
channel catfish (13 percent), and redbreast sunfish (10 percent) were the dominant species within the
fish community. Tolerant individuals comprised 20 percent of the fish community at Transect BZS.
Insectivores and omnivores/herbivores accounted for almost equal percentages (40 to 44 percent) of
the trophic feeding guilds. American eel comprised most of the piscivorous feeding guild. The
percentage of multiple age groups present was 67 percent, the greatest of all Reach 2 transects
(Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
5-14

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Transects BZ6 (Thompson Creek) and BZ7 (Blues Landing), located within the Coastal Plain and
representing primarily gravel and cobble bar habitat, had the same number offish taxa (22) present
(Tables 5-5 and 5-6). Eastern silvery minnow, an herbivore, was the dominant species at both
transects contributing to 59 to 68 percent of the total fish abundance. Correspondingly, the
omnivorous/herbivorous trophic feeding guild comprised 58 to 67 percent ofthe fish community at
these transects. Insectivorous and piscivorous individuals comprised smaller percentages of the
trophic feeding guilds.
Channel catfish (12 percent), redbreast sunfish (8 percent), and American eel (5 percent) were other
dominant species at Transect BZ6. Whitefin shiner (6 percent) and satinfin shiner (6 percent) were
other dominant species at Transect BZ7. American eel catch rates were lower atthese transects and
most likely reflected habitat differences (less habitat complexity and absence of aquatic vegetation).
Fantail darter and Piedmont darter abundance was low atthese transects. This was expected because
the habitat preferences and distribution ofthese species are primarily within the Piedmont/Fall Line
regions. Piedmont darter was the only intolerant species present at Transect BZ6 while fieryblack
shiner and thinlip chub were intolerant species present at Transect BZ7. Thinlip chub, arare species
endemic to the Coastal Plain, was only collected at Transect BZ7 duringthe study. Tolerant species
(primarily satinfin shiner, eastern mosquitofish, and redbreast sunfish) comprised 17to 21 percent of
the fish communities at Transects BZ6 and BZ7, respectively. The percentage offish taxa with
multiple age groups was 64 percent at Transect BZ6 and 50 percent at Transect BZ7 (Tables 5-6 and
5-7).
Twenty-six fish taxa were collected at Transect BZ8 (Cashua Ferry shoal) including three darter,
seven minnow, and eight sunfish taxa (Tables 5-5 and 5-6). Dominant species were American eel
(27 percent), eastern silvery minnow (19 percent), satinfin shiner (12 percent), bluegill (7 percent),
and redbreast sunfish (6 percent). Tolerant species (i.e., primarily satinfin shiner, eastern
mosquitofish, and redbreast sunfish) accounted for 29 percent ofthe fish community, the most for all
Reach 2 transects. Two intolerant species fieryblack shiner and Piedmont darter were present
at Transect BZ8. The insectivorous trophic feeding guild was predominant (57 percent) at Transect
BZ8 followed by omnivores/herbivores (30 percent) and piscivores (13 percent). American eels
contributed to a large percentage of the piscivorous feeding guild. The percentage of species with
multiple age groups was 58 percent at Transect BZ8 (Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
American eel was a dominant species within the fish community atmosttransects in Reach 2 which
suggested a fairly robust population present in the Pee Dee River during 2004. American eel
comprised 4 percentto 37 percent ofthe total fish abundance and was the dominant species atfive of
the eight transects (Table 5-5). Young-of--year were very abundant comprising 59 percent of the
American eels collected from Reach 2 (Figure 5-3). Spatial differences were observed in American
eel abundance within Reach 2. Pram electrofishing catch rates of American eel, including young-of-
year abundance, were the greatest at Transects BZ3, BZ4, BZS, and BZ8 (Figure 5-2). Transects
BZ3, BZ4, and BZ5 were located within the Piedmont Fall Line Zone, approximately 12 to 23 miles
5-15

Section 5
Results and Discussions
v
s
E
z
TransectBZ1
N=58
Transect BZ2
N=80
TransectBZ3
N=168
Transect BZ4
N = 277
Transect BZ5
N = 249
Transect BZ6
N=54
Transect BZ7
N=44
Transect BZ8
N=145
A ~I ~ N N N W W W A A A A U1 (I1 (I1 01 01
O O O W d) (p N (J1 W A ~I O W 01 (O N (Jl 00 ~ A
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
40
30
20
10
40
20
10
40
30
20
10
40
30
20
10
40
30
20
10
40
30
20
10
40
30
20
10
40
30
20
10
0
Total Length (m m)
Figure 5-3 Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls
Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
5-16

Section 5 Results and Discussions
downstream of the Blewett Falls Development. Transect BZ8 was located in the Coastal Plain
region, approximately 72 miles downstream of the development. Spatial differences were most
likely related to habitat differences and preferences of American eel. American eel catch rates were
the greatest at transects with cobble, small boulders, and rooted aquatic vegetation. This habitat
offered more protective cover and possibly food sources.
5.2 Crayfish Surveys
A total of 380 crayfish representing two genera (Cambarus and Procambarus spp.) were collected
from Reaches 1 and 2 (Table 5-8). There were 137 Form II males and 178 females of the genus
Cambarus collected. Thirty-one females ofthe genus Procambarus were collected. The remaining
crayfish (34 individuals) were identified to species level. Four species were identified during the
survey including one species of Cambarus (Cambarus [P.] hobbsorum) and three species of
Procambarus (Procambarus [O.] acutus, P. [O.] braswelli, P. [S.] clarkii). No threatened or
endangered crayfish species were found during the study. Procambarus [O.] braswelli, the
Waccamaw crayfish, is listed as a species of Special Concern in North Carolina (LeGrand et al.
2004). The Procambarus [O.] braswelli specimens were collected in the South Carolina Coastal
Plain portion of the river at Transects BZ7 and BZ8. South Carolina has no conservation listing
status for this species. Collection of the Waccamaw crayfish in the Pee Dee River constituted a
range extension for this species from its reported historic range in the Waccamaw, Lumber and Little
Pee Dee river basins. Procambarus [S.] clarkii is a nonnative introduced crayfish species in North
and South Carolina.
Table 5-8 Crayfish taxa collected during the shallow water study of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004.
Tillery Development -Reach 1
Taxa TZl TZ2 TZ3 TZ4 TZS
Cambarus (P.) hobbsorum 13 7 0 0 1
Cambarus spp. 103 45 26 48 17
Procambarus (O.) acutus 0 0 0 0 1
Procambarus (S.) clarln~i 0 0 0 0 2
Procambarus spp. 15 0 1 0 4
Total number of crayfish 131 52 27 48 25
Blewett Falls Develop ment - Reach 2
Transect
Taxa BZl BZ2 BZ3 BZ4 BZS BZ6 BZ7 BZ8
Cambarus (P.) hobbsorum 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Procambarus (O.) acutus 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Procambarus (S.) clarln~i 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Procambarus (O.) braswelli 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
Procambarus spp. 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 4
Total number of crayfish 21 10 42 4 3 9 2 6
There was a genus shift from Cam bares to Procam bares from the Piedmont to Coastal Plain zones.
Crayfish (primarily Cambarus spp.) were more abundant in Reach 1 below the Tillery Development
than in Reach 2 below the Blewett Falls Development. Crayfish were most abundant immediately
5-17

Section 5 Results and Discussions
below the Tillery Development with the greatest number of crayfish collected from Transect TZ 1.
Crayfish abundance generally decreased with increasing distance downstream. Crayfish abundance
also decreased below the Rocky River confluence (Transect TZ3 at Buzzard Island) but, there was
no discernible difference in abundance below the Brown Creek confluence. In Reach 2, crayfish
were most abundant at Transects BZ1, BZ2, and BZ3. Less than 10 individuals were collected per
transect from Transects BZ4 to BZ8. No Cambarus were collected from Transects BZ7 and BZ8.
5.3 Mussel Surveys
The Pee Dee River drainage supports afairly diverse mussel community for an Atlantic Slope river
basin (Bogan 2002, Bogan and Alderman 2004). Thirty mussel species have been listed as expected
to occur in the North Carolina or South Carolina segments of the river basin (Table 5-9). Twenty-
three of the 30 expected species have special conservation status listing by the NCWRC (State
Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern), the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
(Significantly Rare), the South Carolina Natural Heritage Program (Species of Concern, State), and
the USFWS (Federal Endangered or Species of Concern) (Table 5-9).
Table 5-9 Mussel taxa expected to occur in the North Carolina and South Carolina
segments of the Pee Dee River and their conservation status listing (data
adopted from Bohan 2002 and Boh an and Alderman 2004).
Common Name Scientific Name Listing Status
Alewife floater Anodonta implicate N. C. Threatened
Carolina elktoei Alasmidonta robusta N. C. Significantly Rare
Eastern floater Pyganodon cataracts S. C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concem, State
Paper pondshell Utterbacln~a imbeciles S. C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concem, State
Creeper Strophitusundulatus N. C. Threatened and S. C. Natural Heritage
Proeram Species of Concem_ State
Triangle floater Alasmidonta undulate N. C. Threatened and S. C. Natural Heritage
Program Species of Concem, State
Brook floater Alasmidonta varicose N.C. Endangered and Federal Species of Concem
Carolina heelsplitter Lasmigona decorate Federally Endangered
Atlantic pigtoe Fuscanaia masoni NC Endangered and Federal Species of Concem
Eastern elliptio Ellipfio complanata None
Box spike Ellipfio cistellaeformis None
Cape Fear spike Ellipfio marsupiobesa N. C. Special Concem
Carolina slabshell Ellipfio congaraea S. C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concem_ State
Carolina spike Ellipfio raveneli None
Variable snike Elliufio icterina None
Carolina lance Ellipfio angustata None
Atlantic spike Ellipfio products None
Pod lance Ellipfio folliculata N. C. Special Concem
Roanoke slabshell Ellipfio roanokensis N. C. Threatened
Florida pondhorn Uniomerus carolinianus None
Waccamaw spike` Ellipfio waccamawensis N.C. Endangered and Federal Species of Concem
Tidewater mucked Leptodea ochracea N. C. Threatened
5-18

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Common Name Scientific Name Listing Status
Savannah lilliput Toxolasma pullus N.C. Endangered, Federal Special Concem, and
S. C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concem, State
Eastern pondmussel Ligumia nasuta N. C. Threatened
Eastern creekshell Villosa delumbis N. C. Significantly Rare and S. C. Natural
Heritage Program Species of Concem, State
Notched rainbow Villosa constncta N. C. Special Concem and S.C. Natural Heritage
Program Species of Concem, State
Carolina creekshell Villosa vaughaniana N.C. Endangered and Federal Special Concem
Southern rainbow' Villosavibex S. C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concem, State
Carolina fatmucket/ Lampsilis rac&ata4 N. C. Threatened
Eastern lampmussel
Yellow lampmussel Lampsilis canosa N.C. Endangered, Federal Special Concem, and
S. C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concem, State
Lampmusselsp. Lampsilisn.s.s None
1 A shell of Carolina elktoe was recently found by Mr. John Alderman in Poison Fork which is a headwater stream of
the Uwharrie River inNorth Carolina during mussel surveys conducted in 2004. Mr. Alderman should be contacted
regarding the location and status of the species.
z The Waccamaw spike and tidewater mucket were collected by The Nature Conservancy during mussel surveys of
the lower Pee Dee River during 2004 (see Section 5.3.4 for details regarding collection of this species).
3 The Southem rainbow was recently collected by The Nature Conservancy from the Pee Dee River near Cheraw
during the 2004 mussel survey (see Section 5.3.4 for details regarding collection of this species).
a A complex of two subspecies, Lampsilis rac&ata rack~ata and Lampsilis rac&ata conspicua.
5 An undescribed species of Lampsilis.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has no formal conservation listing of mussel
species for waters of the State, but has proposed to adopt the North Carolina conservation status for
these mussels.
A total of 18 mussel taxa representing 12,512 individuals were collected during the surveys of
Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee Dee River and associated tributaries during this study (Table 5-10).
Approximately 84 percent ofthe total number of collected mussels were comprised of two taxa
eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell. Thirteen ofthe mussel taxahad state orfederal listing status
including (1) five North Carolina Threatened species (Roanoke slabshell, Carolina
fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, eastern pondmussel, alewife floater, and creeper); (2) two North
Carolina Endangered species and Federal Species of Concern (yellow lampmussel and Carolina
creekshell); (3) two North Carolina Special Concern species (pod lance and notched rainbow); and
(4) one North Carolina Significantly Rare species (eastern creekshell).
5-19

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Table 5-10 Total number of mussels collected and their state or federal listing status
from the mainstem Pee Dee River and tributaries at the Tillery and Blewett
Falls Developments, June-October 20041.
Common name Scientific name Total Number Listing Status
Eastern elliptio Elliptio complanata 7,680 None
Roanoke slabshell Elliptio roanokensis 2,836 N. C. Threatened
Carolina slabshell Elliptio congaraea 621 S. C. Natural Heritage Program
Species of Concern. State
Carolina lance Elliptio angustata 581 None
Variable spike Elliptio icterina 441 None
Pod lance Elliptio folliculata 56 N. C. Special Concern
Carolina fatmucket/ Lampsilis rac&ata 52 N. C. Threatened
eastern lampmusselZ
Eastern creekshell Villosa delumbis 52 N. C. Significantly Rare and S. C.
Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
Eastern floater Pyganodon cataracts 51 S. C. Natural Heritage Program
Species of Concern, State
Pee Dee lance Elliptio spp. 35 None
Eastern pondmussel Ligumia nasuta 35 N. C. Threatened
Paper pondshell Utterbacln~a imbeciles 26 S. C. Natural Heritage Program
Species of Concern, State
Yellow lampmussel Lampsilis cariosa 22 N.C. Endangered and Federal
Species of Concem and S. C. Natural
Heritage Program Species of
Alewife floater Anodonta implicata 10 N. C. Threatened
Atlantic spike Elliptio products 9 None
Carolina creekshell Villosa vaughaniana 3 N.C. Endangered and Federal
Species of Concern
Creeper Strophitus undulatus 1 N. C. Threatened and S. C. Natural
Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
Notched rainbow Villosaconstricta 1 N. C. Special Concem and S. C.
Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
Total Number 12,512
1 Mussel taxa are listed in decreasing order of abundance.
z These two subspecies distributions overlap in the Pee Dee River drainage. The subspecies are difficult to distinguish
and are listed synonymously when reporting their presence.
Three additional species, the Carolina slabshell, eastern floater, and paper pondshell, are listed as
State Species of Concern by the South Carolina Natural Heritage Program. The eastern floater and
paper pondshell were not collected from South Carolina waters during this study.
Roanoke slabshell, Carolinafatmucket/easternlsmpmussel, eastern creekshell, yellow lampmussel,
pod lance, eastern pondmussel, creeper, alewife floater, and Carolina creekshell were present in
Reach 1 below the Tillery Development (Figure 3-1). Roanoke slabshell, Carolina slabshell, pod
lance, eastern creekshell, eastern pondmussel, eastern floater, Carolina fatmucket/eastern
lampmussel, paper pondshell, yellow lampmussel, and alewife floater were present in Reach 2 below
5-20

Section 5 Results and Discussions
the Blewett Falls Development (Figure 3-2). The notched rainbow was only found in the Uwharrie
River, atributary of Lake Tillery (Figure 3-1).
5.3.1 Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake)
Mussel taxa richness ranged from 5 (Transects TZ2 and TZ3) to 10 (Transect TZ4) taxa, and
abundance ranged from 32 to 557 individuals in Reach 1 (Table 5-11). Taxa richness was the
greatest at Transect TZ4 followed by Transect TZ1. There was not an explicit spatial trend of
increasing or decreasing taxa richness or abundance within the reach as observed with the fish and
crayfish communities. However, mussel taxa richness and abundance were lower at Transect TZ3
located below the Rocky River confluence. The number of collected mussels was 6 to 17 times less
at Transect TZ3 than mussel abundance at other transects.
Table 5-ll Number of mussels collected by tansect from Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Develo pment during 2004.
Reach 1 Transect
Taxa' TZ1 TZ2 TZ3 TZ4 TZS
Eastem elliptio 340 224 3 117 84
Roanoke slabshell-NCT 1 2 24 368 84
Carolina lance 133 124 3 48 2
Carolina fatmucket/eastem lampmussel-NCT 26 7 0 1 0
Variable spike 0 0 1 11 1
Eastem creekshell-NCSR 10 0 0 0 0
Yellow lampmussel-NCE&FSC 1 0 0 0 6
Atlantic spike 0 0 1 6 0
Pod lance-NCSC 0 0 0 0 4
Eastem floater 0 0 0 2 0
Alewife floater-NCT 3 0 0 0 0
Eastem pondmussel-NCT 0 0 0 2 1
Paper pondshell 1 0 0 1 0
Creeper-NCT 0 0 0 1 0
Carolina creekshell-NCE&FSC 1 2 0 0 0
Total Number of Mussels 516 359 32 557 182
1 Conservation status: NCSR =North Carolina Significantly Rare species, NCSC =North Carolina Special Concem
species, NCT =North Carolina Threatened species, NCE =North Carolina Endangered species, FSC =and Federal
Species of Concem.
Eastern elliptio, Roanoke slabshell, and Carolina lance were the most abundant mussel taxa collected
in Reach 1 (Table 5-11). Eastern elliptio and Carolina lance were most abundant at Transects TZ1
and TZ2 while Roanoke slabshell was most abundant in the lower portion of the reach at Transects
TZ3, TZ4, and TZS. Nine taxa collected in Reach 1 had conservation status listing in North
Carolina waters and included Roanoke slabshell, Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, eastern
creekshell, yellow lampmussel, pod lance, alewife floater, eastern pondmussel, creeper, and Carolina
creekshell.
Transect TZ1 had the greatest number of species with a conservation status listing (six ofnine taxa)
followed by Transect TZ4 (4 of 10 taxa). Creeper and Carolina creekshell, species with listing
status, were collected from Reach 1 but not from Reach 2 during the Progress Energy survey. The
5-21

Section 5 Results and Discussions
creeper was found in Reach 2 during previous mussel surveys conducted by North Carolina resource
agencies from 1987 to 2001 (Progress Energy 2003). The creeper (one specimen) was also found in
Reach 2 near Cheraw, South Carolina during the mussel survey conducted by The Nature
Conservancy of South Carolina during 2004 (see Section 5.3.4).
There was a wide size range of individuals collected for most mussel taxa in Reach 1 (Table 5-12
and Appendix B). While no quantitative ageing of individuals was performed duringthe study, the
shell length ranges suggested multiple-size classes for afew mussel taxa in this reach. Four of the
15 taxa collected in the reach had multiple-size classes present at one or more surveyed transects
(Appendix B).
Table 5-12 Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee
Dee River below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004.
Tillery Development- Reach 1
Transect
Eastern elliptio 33-101 53-105 72-96 68-114 56-122
Roanoke slabshell 117 58-61 82-163 88-161 85-161
Carolina lance 47-103 58-102 91-114 72-123 108-109
Eastern lampmussel 68-121 86-122 -- 118 --
Variable spike --' -- 85 72-95 99
Eastern creekshell 42-74 -- -- -- --
Yellowlampmussel 98 -- -- -- 125-145
Atlantic spike -- -- 83 59-83 --
Podlance -- -- -- -- 61-129
Eastern floater -- -- -- 68-110 --
Alewife floater 80-87 -- -- -- --
Easternpondmussel -- -- -- 108-110 115
Paper pondshell 59 -- -- 59 --
Creeper -- -- -- 87 --
Carolirta creekshell 67 62-63 -- -- --
Blewett Falls Development- Reach 2
Transect
Taxa BZl BZ1A BZ2 BZ3 BZ4 BZS
Eastern elliptio 19-125 38-101 38-124 31-88 46-85 26-89
Roanoke slabshell 45-172 48-161 51-160 41-110 39-100 79-100
Carolirta slabshell 85-133 36-108 42-112 46-92 26-79 37-87
Variable spike 77-99 48-76 52-88 33-79 -- 51-61
Carolirta lance 53-167 69-119 70-137 44-92 39-86 56-92
Podlance 84-121 -- 61-117 -- -- --
Eastern creekshell 57 36-55 42-67 27-51 37 40
Pee Dee lance -- -- -- -- -- 38-60
Eastern pondmussel 95-120 89-105 56-118 -- -- --
Easternfloater 30-120 22-86 23-98 -- -- --
Paperpondshell 49-70 39-46 51-64 -- -- --
Easternlampmussel 116-141 96 98 39-80 -- --
Yellowlampmussel 119 -- -- 63 63-108 81-90
Alewife floater 67-104 84 61-76 -- -- --
Atlantic spike -- -- -- 44-137 -- --
1 A --means no mussels collected.
5-22

Section 5 Results and Discussions
5.3.2 Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34)
Mussel taxa richness ranged from 5 (Transect BZ4) to 13 (Transect BZ1) taxa, and abundance
ranged from 455 to 3,382 individuals in Reach 2 (Table 5-13). Generally, the mussel community was
more diverse and had a greater abundance of individuals in Reach 2 when compared to the mussel
community in Reach 1 (Tables 5-11 and 5-13). Taxa richness and abundance were the greatest at
the three transects located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development. These three transects,
located from approximately 1 to 5 miles below the Blewett Falls Development, supported a very
large mussel biomass and accounted for 84 percent of all mussels collected within this reach.
Eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell were the dominant taxa at these transects. There was a
general decreasing trend in taxa richness and abundance with increasing distance from the Blewett
Falls Development.
Table 5-13 Number of mussels collected by transect from Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Develop ment durin g 2004.
Reach 2 Transect
Taxal BZ1 BZ1A BZ2 BZ3 BZ4 BZS
Eastem elliptio 1,599 2,360 2,027 220 331 188
Roanoke slabshell-NCT 448 796 1,040 39 25 7
Carolina slabshell-SCNHPSC 52 63 40 275 85 106
Variable spike 9 25 109 257 0 4
Carolina lance 90 40 70 31 13 25
Pod lance-NCSC 24 0 28 0 0 0
Eastem creekshell-NCSR 1 7 16 14 1 1
Pee Dee lance 0 0 0 0 0 35
Eastem pondmussel-NCT 10 2 20 0 0 0
Eastem floater-SCNHPSC 22 6 21 0 0 0
Paper pondshell-SCNHPSC 14 2 8 0 0 0
Carolina fatmucket/eastem lampmussel-NCT 4 2 1 8 0 0
Yellow lampmussel-NCE, FSC, and SCNHPSC 1 0 0 8 0 3
Alewife floater-NCT 4 1 2 0 0 0
Total number of mussels 2,278 3,304 3,382 854 455 369
1 Conservation status: NCSR =North Carolina Significantly Rare species, NCSC =North Carolina Special Concem
species, NCT =North Carolina Threatened species, and NCE =North Carolina Endangered species, SCNHPSC =
South Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Species of Concem, State, and FSC =Federal Species of Concem.
Eastern elliptio, Roanoke slabshell, and Carolina slabshell were the most abundant mussel taxa
collected in Reach 2 (Table 5-13). These three taxa accounted for 91 percent of all mussels
collected in the reach. Ten taxa collected in Reach 2 had conservation listing status in North
Carolina or South Carolina waters and included Roanoke slabshell, Carolina slabshell, pod lance,
eastern creekshell, yellow lampmussel, eastern pondmussel, eastern floater, paper pondshell,
Carolina fatmucket/easternlampmusel, and alewife floater. Transect BZ1 had the greatestnumber
of species with conservation listing status (7 of 13 collected taxa) followed by Transect BZ2 (6 of 12
collected taxa). The Pee Dee lance was collected from Reach 2 but not from Reach 1 during this
survey.
5-23

Section 5 Results and Discussions
The Carolina slabshell, eastern floater, and paper pondshell, State Species of Concern under the
South Carolina Natural Heritage Program, were also collected at Transect BZ1. These taxa have no
conservation listing status in North Carolina waters and were not counted as listed species for the
North Carolina transects.
There was a wide size range of individuals collected for most mussel taxa in Reach 2 (Table 5-12
and Appendix B}. t~Vhile no quantitative ageing of individuals was performed during the study, the
shell length ranges suggested multiple-size classes for some mussel taxa in the reach. Eight of the
15 taxa had multiple-size classes present atone or more surveyed transects in Reach 2 (Appendix B).
The number of mussel taxa with multiple-size classes present was greater in Reach 2 than in
Reach 1.
5.3.3 Tributaries
Mussel taxa richness and abundance was greater in the mainstem Pee Dee River than the tributaries.
l~lussels were found in 7 of the 14 surveyed tributaries during this study (Table 5-4). The eastern
elliptio was the most common mussel collected from the tributaries. The Little River, Uwharrie
River, and Mountain Creek (Blewett Falls Lake) supported the greatest number of mussels,
including rare mussels (Figures 3-1 and 3-2). The notched rainbow was only collected from the
Uwharrie River during this study (Figure 3-1).
Table 5-14 Nmnber of mussels collected by transect from tributaries of the Pee Dee
Ri~~er at the Tillery and Ble~i~ett Falls De~~elonments durin6 2004.
Transect Taxal Number
Lake Tillery
Uwharrie River (TY"LAKE1) Eastern elliptio 25
Roanoke slabshell-NCT 2
Notched rainbow-NCSC 1
Mountain Creek (TYLAKE2) Eastern elliptio 4
Eastern creekshell-NCSR 1
Jacobs Creek (TYL AKE3) Eastern elliptio 1
Reach 1
Clarks Creek (TZ TRB 1) None 0
Rocky River (TZ TRB2) Eastern elliptio 4
Little River (TZ TRB4) Eastern elliptio 105
Variable spike 16
Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel-NCT 3
Yellow lampmussel-NCE&FSC 3
Carolina lance 2
Cedar Creek (TZ TRBS) None 0
Blewett Falls Lake
Mountain Creek (BFLAKEI) Eastern elliptio 40
Variable spike 8
Eastern creekshell-NCSR 1
Buffalo Creek (BFLAKE2) None 0
5-24

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Transect Taxar Number
Reach 2
Cartledge Creek (BZ TRB1) None 0
Island Creek (BZ TRB2) None 0
Hitchcock Creek (BZ TRB3) None 0
Jones ("reek IBZ TRB4) None 0
Westfield Creek BZ TRB51 Eastern ellintio 4
1 Conservation status: NCSR =North Carolina Significantly Rare species, NCSC =North Carolina Special Concern
species, NCT =North Carolina Threatened species, NCE =North Carolina Endangered species, and FSC =Federal
Species of Concem.
Mussels were either absent or reduced in abundance at transects sampled in Clarks Creek, Rocky
River, and Cedar Creek which are tributaries located within Reach 1. Mussels l~~ere absent or
reduced in abundance at all transects sampled in the major tributaries of Reach 2. There was not a
~~~ide size range of indij~iduals collected from tributaries which indicated few multiple-size classes
present at these transects (Table 5-15).
Table 5-15 Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from tributaries of the Pee Dee
River associated with the Tillery and Ble~vett Falls Developments durng
2004.
TZ TZ TY TY TY BZ BF
Taxa
TRB2 TRB4 LAKEi LAKE2 LAKE3 TRBS LAKE1
Eastern elliptic 61-73 56-98 36-69 44-72 56 36-66 23-~3
Roanoke slabshell -- - 76-115 -1
Carolina. lance -- 9~-100 -- -- -- -- --
Eastern lampmussel -- 82-9~ -- -- -- -- --
t~'ariable spike -- 59-79 -- -- -- -- 34-71
Eastern creekshell -- -- -- 45 -- -- 49
Notched rainbow -- -- 44 -- -- -- --
1 A -- means no mussels collected.
5.3.4 The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina Mussel Survey of the Pee Dee
River
The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina. {TNC} conducted a mussel survey ofthe Pee Dee River
in South Carolina below the Blewett Falls Development during 2004 and 2005 {Tables 5-16 and
5-17; The Catena Group 2006}. Progress Energy agreed to partially fund this study to provide
additional information on the mussel community in the Coastal Plain region ofthe Pee Dee River
(Progress Energy 2004x).
5-25

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Table 5-16 Mussel taxa collected during The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina
study of the Pee Dee River, South Carolina, during 2004. Taxa are ranked in
relative order of abundance from most abundant to least abundant.
Common Name/Conservation Statusi Scientific Name Total Number
Carolina slabshell-SCNHPSC Ellipfio congaraea 253
Eastern elliptio Ellipfio complanata 177
Carolina lance Ellipfio angustata 176
Roanoke slabshell-NCT Ellipfio roanokensis 86
Variable spike Ellipfio icterina 64
Yellow lampmussel-NCE&FSC Lampsilis cariosa 35
Atlantic spike Ellipfio products 7
Eastern floater Pyganodon cataracts 5
Waccamaw spike-NCE&FSC Ellipfio waccamawensis 4
Pee Dee lance Ellipfio spp. 4
Eastern pondmussel-NCT Ligumia nasuta 3
Paper pondshell Utterbacln~a imbecillis 3
Tidewater mucket-NCT Leptodea ochracea 1
Creeper-NCT Strophitus undulates 1
Southem rainbow-SCNHPSC~ Villosa vibex 1
Total Number 819
1 Conservation status: NCT =North Carolina Threatened species, NCE =North Carolina Endangered species,
SCNHPSC =South Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Species of Concern, State, and FSC =Federal Species of
Concem. The State of South Carolina has no regulatory listing status for mussels other than the federal
designations. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has proposed to use the same listing as North
Carolina.
z The Nature Conservancy collected one specimen of Southem rainbow from a pool upstream of shoal located above
U. S. Highway 1 at Cheraw, South Carolina on Apri127, 2005.
Table 5-17 Number of mussel taxa found by sample location during The Nature
Conservancy of South Carolina mussel study of the Pee Dee River, South
Carolina, during 2004.
Sample site description Sample date Number of taxa
Cheraw (upstream of U.S. Highway 1) August 5, 2004 7
Marlboro (near U. S. Hiehwav 4011 August 5. 2004 6
Bostick (near U. S. Highway 378) October 2Q, 2004 9
Poston (near U.S. Highwav 3781 October 20. 2004 3
Lynches River confluence (near U. S. Highway 378) October 2Q, 2004 6
Near Clarks Point (near U. S. Highway 378) October 19, 2004 5
Clarks(Muddy)Creekconfluence(nearU.S.Highway378/S.C. October 19, 2004 9
Petersfield (near U.S. Highway 701) October 19, 2004 6
This study complemented the Progress Energy mussel survey of the Piedmont and Fall Line zone
areas of the Pee Dee River. The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina has shared these data with
Progress Energy, and these data are summarized and discussed below.
Eight locations were sampled in the lower Pee Dee River extending from Cheraw, South Carolina
(Progress Energy's Transect BZ5 j ust upstream of U. S. Highway 1) to Petersfield, South Carolina at
S.C. Highway 701 (Table 5-17). These sites were sampled on August 5 and October 19-20, 2004.
5-26

Section 5 Results and Discussions
The sites encompassed the upper and lower Coastal Plain regions ofthe Pee Dee River. Snorkeling,
SCUBA diving, and visual surveys were conducted to assess the mussel communities at these
sample sites.
A total of 819 mussels representing 14 taxa were collected from the eight sample sites during the
TNC mussel survey of the lower Pee Dee River (Table 5-16). The number oftaxa collected ranged
from 3 taxa (Poston, South Carolina sample site) to 9 taxa (Clarks Creek confluence sample site).
The number oftaxafound at the Cheraw, South Carolina site (7 taxa) was comparable to the number
of taxa collected by Progress Energy biologists at Transect BZ5 (8 taxa), located just upstream.
Most of the species collected during the survey were also collected by Progress Energy during the
survey of the upper Pee Dee River with the exception of Waccamaw spike and tidewater mucket,
which are Coastal Plain species. Additionally, The Nature Conservancy recently collected one
specimen of Southern rainbow from apool located just above the shoal sampling area located above
U.S. Highway 1 near Cheraw, South Carolina during April 2005. The collection of Waccamaw
spike in the Pee Dee River represented anew range extension forthis species. Two taxa collected in
the study yellow lampmussel and Waccamaw spike are Federal Species of Concern. Sampling
methodologies differed between the Progress Energy and TNC mussel surveys so a direct
comparison of mussel abundance in different segments of the Pee Dee River was not possible
(Tables 5-13 and 5-16).
5.3.5 Host Fish Species for Unionid Mussel Glochidia Larvae
Freshwater unionid mussels have a parasitic glochidia larval stage that attaches to a host fish
(usually fish gills, mouth or skin) as part of their life cycle prior to metamorphosis into juvenile
mussels. The host fish species preference can be broad or very specific depending upon the mussel
species. Table 5-18 lists some known fish hosts for mussels found in the Pee Dee River during the
Progress Energy study. These data were obtained from Bogan (2002) and Bogan and Alderman
(2004). Fish hosts are currently notwell defined for 11 of the 18 collected mussel species. Many of
the listed fish host species occur in both Reaches 1 and 2 (e.g., gar species, North American
catfishes, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, sunfish species, white perch, and
yellow perch). Alewife is listed as host species for alewife floater; however, alewife does not occur
in the Pee Dee River due to geographical range limits. Other Alosa species (American shad,
bluebackherring, and hickory shad) do occur in the Pee Dee River and may be suitable host species
for the alewife floater below the Blewett Falls Development.
Table 5-18 List of known fish hosts for glochidia (larvae) of mussel taxa found in the Pee
Dee River, North Carolina-South Carolina (data adopted from Bogan 2002
and Bohan and Alderman 2004).
Taxa Scientific Name Goochidia (Larvae) Fish Host
Eastern elliptio Elliptio complanata Banded killlifish, green sunfish, largemouth bass,
and yellow perch
Roanoke slabshell Elliptio roanokensis Unknown
Carolina lance Elliptio angustata Unknown
Carolina slabshell Elliptio congaraea Unknown
Variable spike Elliptio icterina Unknown
Pod lance Elliptio folliculata Unknown
Eastern creekshell Villosa delumbis Unknown
5-27

Section 5 Results and Discussions
Taxa Scientific Name Glochidia (Larvael Fish Host
Eastern lampmussel Lampsilis radiata Black crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, pumpkinseed, rock bass, yellow perch
Pee Dee lance Elliptio spp. Unknown
Eastern pondmussel Ligumia nasuta Unknown, possible Centrarchid (sunfish) species
Eastern floater Pyganodon cataracts Gar species, North American catfish species,
sunfish (Lepomis) species, freshwater drum
Paper pondshell Utterbaclna imbeciles Banded killifish, green sunfish, creek chub,
eastern mosquitofish, warmouth, bluegill, dollar
sunfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, rock
bass, yellow perch, spotfin shiner, black crappie
and numerous amphibian hosts
Yellow lampmussel Lampsilis cariosa Yellow perch and white perch
Atlantic snike Elliutio uroducta Unknown
Alewife floater Anodonta implicata Alewife (otherAlosa?)
Creeper' Strophitus undulatus Largemouth bass, creek chub, green sunfish,
spotfin shiner, fathead minnow, yellow bullhead,
and blueeill
Notched rainbow Villosa constricts Unknown
Carolina creekshell Villosa vaughaniana Unknown
1 The creeper is one of a few freshwater mussels able to complete its life cycle without a fish host
5-28

Section 6 -Summary
Shallow water habitat in the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls and Tillery Developments,
including selected major tributaries, was intensively surveyed for fish, crayfish, and mussels during
2004. The survey was conducted to fulfill study plan requirements outlined in the Water Resources
Work Group Issue No. 1: Resident River Aquatic Resources of Project Area. The survey objective
was to characterize the fish, crayfish, and mussel shallow water communities in the mainstem Pee
Dee River and the major tributaries in the vicinity of each hydroelectric development.
Spatial differences in the shallow water fish community were evident in the Pee Dee River below the
Tillery Development (i.e., Reach 1). The fish community at Transects TZ1 and TZ2 located
immediately below the Tillery Developmentwas characterized as having moderate taxarichness (16
to 19 taxa) and dominated bytolerant orhabitat-generalist species. Darter species fantail darter,
tessellated darter, and Piedmont darter were present at Transects TZ1 and TZ2, but minnow
species were absent or reduced in abundance. Fish taxa richness at Transect TZ2 was greater than
taxa richness at Transect TZ1, particularly for North American catfish and sunfish species. Darter
taxa were also more abundant at Transect TZ2, especially the intolerant Piedmont darter.
The fish community below the Rocky River exhibited less taxa richness and lower abundance when
compared to upstream (Transects TZ1 and TZ2) and the lowermost downstream transect (Transect
TZ5). Minnow and darter species were also reduced in abundance or absent depending upon the
sampledtransect. Tolerant or habitat generalist species (i.e., omnivores or insectivores with flexible
feeding habits) were prevalent and green sunfish supplanted redbreast sunfish as the tolerant sunfish
at transects located below the Rocky River. Insectivorous fish species still dominated the trophic
feeding guilds although this percentage was lower than observed at Transects TZ 1, TZ2, and TZ5.
The observed spatial pattern and changes in fish community characteristics suggested the water
quality inflow from the Rocky River and Brown Creek was possbily affecting the fish community
for a portion of this reach (i.e., approximately 7 to 12 miles of the 17-mile reach).
Fish community characteristics at Transect TZ5 suggested there was some degree ofrecovery inthe
shallow water fish community in the lower portion of Reach 1 from water quality and flow effects.
Several tributaries, including the Little River, are located below the Brown Creek confluence. These
tributaries provided additional inflow and dilution of the degraded water quality between the N.C.
Highway 109 Bridge and Blewett Falls Lake. Taxa richness and total fish abundance was the
greatest at Transect TZ5 and minnow, sunfish, darter, and sucker taxa were well represented at this
transect. Contribution of tolerant species was the lowest at this transect and green sunfish
abundance also declined atthis transect when compared to transects located immediately upstream.
However, the fish community was dominated by just two insectivorous feeding species, whitefin
shiner and bluegill, at Transect TZS.
When compared to Reach 1, the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River below the
Blewett Falls Development exhibited greater taxa richness and was more robust as defined by the:
(1) greater total fish abundance; (2) number and abundance of minnow, sunfish, darter, and
intoleranttaxa, (3) species dominance was generally more balanced and not restricted to just afew
tolerant or habitat generalist taxa, (4) balanced representation of the trophic feeding guilds; and
(5) high percentages ofmultiple size classes present. Taxarichness was the greatest at Transect BZ1
located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development, which included the greatest number of
6-1

Section 6
minnow, darter, and sunfish species. The total number of collected fish did not exhibit an explicit
spatial trend with increasing distance from the power plant. Total catches were largely influenced
by high catch rates of American eel or eastern silvery minnow at several transects.
American eel, particularly young-of--year or elvers, were adominant component ofthe shallow water
fish community below the Blewett Falls Development. American eel comprised 4 to 37 percent of
the total fish abundance at sampled transects and was the dominant fish species at five of the eight
sampled transects. Elvers were very abundant and comprised 59 percent of the American eels
collected from Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River. Spatial differences in eel abundance were observed
within this reach with greater electrofishing catches located at transects located 12 to 23 miles
downstream ofthe Blewett Falls Development in the Piedmont Fall Line zone and again at 72 miles
downstream in the Coastal Plain zone. American eel catch rates (elvers and older individuals) were
greatest at transects with cobble and small boulder substrates with abundant rooted vegetation.
These habitat types offered more protective cover and possibly food sources. A small number of
American eel, including elvers, were captured in the Pee Dee River reach below the Tillery
Development indicating some eels were able to migrate past Blewett Falls Dam and inhabit upstream
areas.
Crayfish were most abundant in Reach 1 located below the Tillery Development as compared to
Reach 2 below the Blewett Development. Crayfish were most abundant immediately below the
Tillery Development and generally decreased with increasing distance from the power plant.
Crayfish abundance also decreased below the Rocky River confluence (Transect TZ3 aY Buzzard
Island), but there was no discernible difference in the community below the Brown Creek
confluence. There was a genus shift in community dominance from Cambarus to Procambarus
species from the Piedmont to Coastal Plain zones. Four species of crayfish were identified from
both river reaches, and no threatened or endangered crayfish species were found in the shallow water
surveys. Procambarus [O.] braswelli, the Waccamaw crayfish, a species of Special Concern in
North Carolina, was collected from Transects BZ7 and BZ8 in the South Carolina Coastal Plain
portion of the river below the Blewett Falls Development. The Waccamaw crayfish has no
conservation listing status in South Carolina. Collection of the Waocamaw crayfish in the Pee Dee
River constituted a range extension for this species from its reported historic range in the
Waccamaw, Lumber and Little Pee Dee river basins.
There were 12,512 mussels representing 18 taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches and
tributaries associated with both hydroelectric developments. Approximately 84 percent ofthe total
number of collected mussels were represented bytwo taxa Eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell.
Thirteen of the mussel taxa had state or federal conservation listing status. Roanoke slabshell,
Carolinafatmucket/eastern lampmussel, eastern creekshell, yellow lampmussel, pod lance, creeper,
alewife floater, easter pondmussell, and Carolina creekshell were present in Reach 1 below the
Tillery Development. Roanoke slabshell, Carolina slabshell, pod lance, eastern creekshell, eastern
pondmussel, eastern floater, paper pondshell, Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, yellow
lampmussel, and alewife floater were present in Reach 2 below the Blewett Development. The
notched rainbow was only collected from the Uwharrie River.
The mussel community was also more diverse and had a greater abundance of individuals in the Pee
Dee River below the Blewett Falls Development when compared to the mussel community in the
6-2

Section 6
river reach below the Tillery Development. The greatest number of mussel taxa were collected at
the three transects located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development. Seven ofthe thirteen
taxa collected at these transects have a conservation listing status. These transects, located
approximately one to five miles below the Blewett Falls Development, also supported a very large
amount of mussel biomass and accounted for 84 percent of all collected mussels within this reach.
Eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell were the dominant components of the mussel community at
these three transects.
Generally, the mussel taxa composition was similar between the two river reaches. Creeper and
Carolina creekshell were present in the river reach below the Tillery Development but absent from
the river reach below the Blewett Falls Development during this survey. However, the creeper was
found in the river reach below the Blewett Falls Development during previous mussel surveys
conducted by North Carolinaresource agencies from 1987 to 2001 and by The Nature Conservancy
during its 2004 survey. The Pee Dee lance and Carolina slabshell were only found in the river reach
below the Blewett Falls Development. All of these mussel taxawere collected in low numbers, and
three of the taxa had conservation listing status. The Waccamaw spike, tidewater mucket, and
Southern rainbow were also collected from Reach 2 during surveys conducted by The Nature
Conservancy during 2004 and 2005. The collection of Waccamaw spike in the lower Pee Dee River
represented a new range extension for this species.
Mussel taxa richness and abundance was much greater in the mainstem Pee Dee River than the
tributaries. Mussels were only collected in 7 of the 14 transects sampled in tributaries associated
with both hydroelectric developments. The Little River, Uwharrie River, and Mountain Creek
(Blewett Falls Lake) supported the greatest number of mussels, including rare species. The notched
rainbow was only collected from the Uwharrie River during this study. Mussels were either absent
or reduced in abundance at transects sampled in Clarks Creek, Rocky River, and Cedar Creek which
are tributaries within Reach 1. Mussels were also noticeably absent or reduced in abundance at
transects sampled in the majortributaries of Reach 2 located below the Blewett Falls Development.
In summary, the fish and mussel communities in the mainstem Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development were less diverse and not as abundant as those communities observed below the
Blewett Hydroelectric Plant, even when considering watershed drainage areasize and physiographic
regional differences. Survey results also showed effects to both fish and mussel communities inthe
river reach below the Tillery Development due to degraded water quality from the Rocky River, and
to a lesser extent, Brown Creek. Approximately 7 to 12 miles of river was potentially affected by
the degraded water quality in this reach. These effects were manifested in lower species richness,
total organism abundance, and increased abundance of certain pollution-tolerant species (particularly
the fish community). The degree of effect varied between the fish and mussel communities with
recovery observed in the mussel community located downstream of the Brown Creek confluence
when compared to the fish community response.
6-3

Section 7 -References
Bogan, A.E. 2002. Workbook and key to freshwater bivalves of North Carolina. North Carolina
Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Bogan, A.E., and J. Alderman. 2004. Workbook and key to the freshwater bivalves of South
Carolina, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Bain, M.B., and V.H. Travnichek. 1996. Assessing impacts and predicting restoration benefits of
flow alterations in rivers developed for hydroelectric power production. Pages B543-B552
in M. Leclerc, H. Capra, S. Valentin, A. Boudreault, and Y. Cote (editors). Proceedings of
the second IAHR Symposium on Habitat Hydraulics, Ecohydraulics 2000.
Karr, J. R. 1981. Assessment of biotic integrity using fish communities. Fisheries. 6:21-27.
Karr, J.R., K.D. Fausch, P L. Angermeier, P. R. Yant, L J. Schlosser. 1986. Assessing biological
integrity in running waters A method and its rationale. Illinois Natural History Survey
Special Publication 5, September 1986, Champaign, IL.
LeGrand, H.E., Jr., S.E. McRae, S.P. Hall, and J.T. Finnegan. 2004. Natural heritage program list
of the rare animal species of North Carolina. North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and
Recreation, Raleigh, North Carolina.
MacMahon, T.E., A.V. Zale, and D.J. Orth. 1996. Aquatic habitatmeasurements. Pages 83-120 in
B.R. Murphy and D. W. Willis (eds.). Fisheries techniques. 2nd edition. American
Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality. 2001. Standard operating procedure biological
monitoring. Stream fish community assessment & fish tissue. North Carolina Department
of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, March 14, 2001.
Nelson, J.S., E.J. Grossman, H. Espinsoa-Perez, L T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, and J. D.
Williams. 2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada,
and Mexico. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Maryland.
Progress Energy. 2003. Initial Consultation Document. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project FERC No.
2206. February 2003. Progress Energy, Raleigh, North Carolina.
--. 2004a. Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project No. 2206. RWG meeting summary notes,
templates, and study plans. January 2004.
2004b. Biology Program Procedures Manual. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., Raleigh,
North Carolina
2004c. Biology Program Quality Assurance Manual. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.,
Raleigh, North Carolina.
7-1

Section 7
References
Starnes, W.C. 2004. Results of distributional surveys and preliminary genetic investigations forthe
Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.)--an interim report. Submitted by Wayne C. Starnes,
Ph. D, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences. Submitted to Progress Energy
Corporation, New Hill, North Carolina. February 17, 2004.
--. 2005. Fisheries survey of the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. Investigations of Brown
Creek and associated tributaries and the Pee Dee River. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Challenge Cost-Share Agreement Number 1448-40181-02-G-251. Performed for the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. Performed by Progress Energy
Carolinas, Inc. March 2005.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 2003. South Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Online. [CTRL]: www.dnr.state.sc.us/pls/heritage/county_species.list. (Accessed
January 13, 2005.)
The Catena Group. 2006. Freshwater mussel surveys ofthe Pee Dee River Basin in South Carolina.
Prepared for The Nature Conservancy-South Carolina Chapter. Prepared by The Catena
Group, Hillsborough, North Carolina, January 8, 2006.
7-2

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A
SUMMARY CATCH DATA BY SAMPLE LOCATION AND GEAR TYPE
FOR THE SHALLOW WATER FISH SURVEY CONDUCTED IN THE PEE
DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND BLEWETT FALLS
DEVELOPMENTS DURING APRIL-JUNE 2004

Table A-1 Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect with the backpack
electrofisher during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below
the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Taxa
TZ1
TZ2 Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
TZ4
TZS
American eel 2 2 1 0 0
Whitefin shiner 2 0 0 0 0
Golden shiner 2 0 0 0 0
Snail bullhead 18 0 0 0 0
White catfish 0 14 8 2 0
Yellow bullhead 0 0 3 0 0
Channel catfish 0 0 5 4 0
Margined madtom 0 2 0 0 0
Flathead catfish 0 0 0 4 0
Eastern mosquitofish 0 7 0 4 3
Pirate perch 0 0 0 0 6
Bluespotted sunfish 0 0 2 0 0
Redbreast sunfish 16 36 1 0 0
Green sunfish 0 32 19 24 22
Warmouth 0 2 0 0 0
Bluegill 23 41 3 2 37
Largemouth bass 2 14 0 0 0
Fantail darter 2 0 0 0 0
Tessellated darter 5 7 7 4 0
Piedmont darter 0 5 0 0 0
Total number' 73 161 49 42 67
i Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding
Appendix A - 1

Table A-2 Mean number of fish per hour collected by transectwith the pram electrofisher
during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Taxa
TZ1
TZ2 Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
TZ4
TZS
Longnose gar 2 0 0 0 0
American eel 2 0 5 3 1
Satinfin shiner 0 0 0 0 3
Red shiner 0 0 0 0 2
Whitefin shiner 0 0 8 0 68
Bluehead chub 0 0 0 0 1
Golden shiner 1 0 0 0 0
Comely shiner 0 0 0 0 1
Spottailshiner 0 0 0 0 1
Coastal shiner 0 0 0 0 1
Smallmouthbuffalo 1 1 0 0 3
Shortheadredhorse 0 0 0 0 1
Snail bullhead 99 2 0 0 0
White catfish 14 38 0 0 2
Yellow bullhead 0 1 0 0 0
Flat bullhead 5 0 0 0 0
Channel catfish 0 10 47 38 6
Margined madtom 0 19 0 0 0
Flathead catfish 0 0 5 6 3
White perch 0 1 0 0 0
Redbreast sunfish 42 22 4 6 8
Green sunfish 0 5 19 12 8
Pumpkinseed 0 1 0 1 0
Warmouth 0 0 0 0 1
Bluegill 6 14 19 35 118
Redear sunfish 0 0 1 0 1
Largemouth bass 1 2 2 6 3
Black crappie 1 0 0 0 0
Fantail darter 1 4 0 0 1
Tessellated darter 3 41 17 5 5
Piedmontdarter 3 25 6 0 2
Yellow perch 2 1 0 0 0
Total number' 181 186 131 112 239
i Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding
Appendix A - 2

Table A-3 Total number of fish collected by transect with seine hauls (n = 12) during the
shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
(Reach 1) during 2004.

Taxa

TZ1

TZ2 Reach 1 Transect

TZ3

TZ4

TZS
Satinfin shiner 0 0 0 0 30
Red shiner 0 0 0 0 19
Whitefin shiner 0 0 0 0 351
Bluehead chub 0 0 0 0 3
Comely shiner 0 0 0 0 1
Spottail shiner 0 0 0 0 1
Redhorse species 0 0 0 0 11
Snail bullhead 3 0 0 0 0
Eastern mosquitofish 0 0 0 0 2
Bluegill 0 0 0 0 1
Redear sunfish 0 0 0 0 1
Tessellated darter 0 4 0 0 5
Piedmont darter 0 1 0 0 0
Total number 3 5 0 0 425
Appendix A - 3

Table A-4 Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect collected with the backpack
electrofisher during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below
the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name
BZl
BZ2
BZ3 Reach 2 Transect
BZ4 BZS
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
American eel 6 10 7 30 60 2 25 15
Carps and minnows 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
Satinfin shiner 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 2
Whitefin shiner 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Eastem silvery minnow 0 2 0 7 68 21 0 0
Bluehead chub 0 0 0 181 0 0 0 0
Golden shiner 0 7 0 0 0 0 5 0
Comely shiner 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redlip shiner 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0
Spottail shiner 0 0 0 9 3 0 0 0
Coastal shiner 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
Spotted sucker 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0
Notchlip redhorse 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0
Yellow bullhead 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Channel catfish 2 0 0 9 46 130 0 2
Margined madtom 0 0 2 12 3 0 0 0
Flathead catfish 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 6
Eastem mosquitofish 0 5 0 0 11 0 44 9
Bluespotted sunfish 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redbreast sunfish 21 2 11 3 23 52 19 2
Green sunfish 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 3
Pumpkinseed 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 11
Warmouth 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bluegill 46 50 9 4 13 2 15 12
Redear sunfish 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Spotted sunfish 0 0 9 5 5 0 2 0
Fantail darter 0 5 0 4 8 0 0 0
Tessellated darter 6 0 9 11 5 3 7 7
Piedmont darter 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 0
Hogchoker 2 2 0 0 40 0 0 0
Total number' 102 91 48 294 288 214 135 68
t Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding
Appendix A - 4

Table A-5 Mean number of fish per hour collected by transectwith the pram electrofisher
during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett
Falls Develop ment (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name
BZl
BZ2
BZ3 Reach 2 Transect
BZ4 BZS
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
Longnose gar 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
American eel 34 46 124 168 132 48 35 99
Gizzard shad 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Satinfin shiner 6 0 4 2 5 9 51 44
Red shiner 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Whitefin shiner 13 18 8 1 3 4 42 7
Fieryblack shiner 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3
Thinlip chub 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Eastern silvery minnow 94 17 70 1 55 467 568 73
Bluehead chub 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
Golden shiner 1 1 1 0 < 1 0 0 1
Whitemouth shiner 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Comely shiner 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Spottailshiner 39 7 42 27 6 27 28 7
Coastal shiner 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 7
Sandbar shiner 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Smallmouthbuffalo 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Spotted sucker 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Shortheadredhorse 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
White catfish 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Yellow bullhead 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Channel catfish 26 12 5 30 61 49 4 10
Margined madtom 0 0 2 8 2 0 0 0
Flathead catfish 10 19 6 1 4 1 0 5
Atlantic needlefish 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Eastern mosquitofish 8 0 0 0 0 0 2 7
Brook silverside 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
White perch 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redbreast sunfish 39 26 28 6 45 73 4 25
Green sunfish 2 1 0 2 1 0 0 0
Pumpkinseed 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 9
Warmouth 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Bluegill 28 21 9 2 6 26 2 26
Redear sunfish 1 0 1 0 1 5 1 2
Spotted sunfish 0 1 3 5 9 10 0 2
Largemouth bass 1 1 1 < 1 0 6 4 4
Fantail darter 2 6 28 48 10 4 0 1
Tessellated darter 13 5 6 77 10 17 12 13
Piedmontdarter 17 1 1 41 6 3 0 1
Striped mullet 4 10 10 1 0 0 0 4
Hogchoker 1 0 1 2 6 14 30 11
Total number' 352 194 354 426 362 767 788 362
t Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding
Appendix A - 5

Table A-6 Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect with seine hauls (n = 12)
during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett
Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name
BZl
BZ2
BZ3 Reach 2 Transect
BZ4 BZS
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
Gizzard shad 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Satinfin shiner 0 0 0 0 4 9 1 8
Whitefin shiner 0 1 0 3 8 16 13 0
Fieryblack shiner 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Eastern silvery minnow 3 0 2 7 15 54 14 0
Bluehead chub 0 0 0 18 1 1 0 0
Golden shiner 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Comely shiner 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Spottail shiner 0 0 1 85 7 3 0 0
Notchlip redhorse 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0
Shortheadredhorse 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Redhorse species 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
Channel catfish 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Eastern mosquitofish 27 0 0 2 0 6 13 0
Brook silverside 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Redbreast sunfish 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
Bluegill 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Redear sunfish 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4
Fantail darter 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0
Tessellated darter 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 2
Piedmontdarter 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
Hogchoker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11
Total number 72 1 4 134 35 98 57 27
Appendix A - 6

Table A-7 Total number of fish excluding young-of--year collected by transect with
combined sampling gear types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild
classifications for the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development, 2004.
Common Name Tolerance
Rating Trophic
Guild
TZl Reach 1 Transect
TZ2 TZ3 TZ4
TZS
Longnose gar Tolerant Piscivore 3 0 0 0 0
American eel Intermediate Piscivore 4 1 7 1 0
Satinfin shiner Tolerant Insectivore 0 0 0 0 26
Red shiner Tolerant Insectivore 0 0 0 0 21
Whitefin shiner Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 9 0 169
Bluehead chub Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 0 4
Golden shiner Tolerant Omnivore 2 0 0 0 0
Comely shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 3
Spottail shiner Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 0 2
Coastal shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 1
Smallmouthbuffalo Intermediate Omnivore 2 1 0 0 5
Notchlip redhorse Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0
Shortheadredhorse Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 1
Redhorse species -- Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0
Snail bullhead Intermediate Insectivore 153 3 0 0 0
White catfish Tolerant Omnivore 3 5 0 0 1
Yellow bullhead Tolerant Omnivore 0 1 2 0 0
Flat bullhead Tolerant Insectivore 8 0 0 0 0
Channel catfish Intermediate Omnivore 0 4 10 10 3
Margined madtom Intermediate Insectivore 0 30 0 0 0
Flathead catfish Intermediate Piscivore 0 0 1 4 4
Eastern mosquitofish Tolerant Insectivore 0 3 0 2 3
Pirate perch Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 1
White perch Intermediate Piscivore 0 1 0 0 0
Bluespotted sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 1 0 0
Redbreast sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 87 51 6 5 10
Green sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 0 23 39 22 12
Pumpkinseed Intermediate Insectivore 0 1 0 1 0
Wannouth Intermediate Insectivore 0 1 0 0 1
Bluegill Intermediate Insectivore 19 32 29 42 155
Redear sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 0 10 1 0 2
Largemouth bass Intermediate Piscivore 2 4 2 6 3
Black crappie Intermediate Piscivore 1 0 0 0 0
Fantail darter Intermediate Insectivore 3 7 0 0 1
Tessellated darter Intermediate Insectivore 6 64 29 7 13
Piedmontdarter Intolerant Insectivore 4 41 9 0 3
Yellow perch Intermediate Piscivore 4 1 0 0 0
Total number 302 284 145 100 444
Appendix A - 7

Table A-8 Total number of fish excluding young-of--year collected by transect with
combined sampling gear types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild
classifications for the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls Development, 2004.
Common Name Tolerance
Rating Trophic
Guild
BZl
BZ2
BZ3 Reach 2 Transect
BZ4 BZS
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
Longnose gar Tolerant Piscivore 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0
American eel Intermediate Piscivore 49 81 159 94 76 12 5 42
Gizzard shad Intermediate Herbivore 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Carps and minnows -- -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Satinfin shiner Tolerant Insectivore 8 0 6 5 11 21 69 70
Red shiner Tolerant Insectivore 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Whitefin shiner Intermediate Insectivore 19 38 11 6 12 22 56 10
Fieryblack shiner Intolerant Insectivore 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 4
Thinlip chub Intolerant Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Eastern silvery minnow Intermediate Herbivore 154 36 109 11 156 463 272 112
Bluehead chub Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0
Golden shiner Tolerant Omnivore 3 4 2 0 1 0 1 1
Whitemouth shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Comely shiner Intermediate Insectivore 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redlip shiner Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Spottail shiner Intermediate Omnivore 51 14 67 37 14 42 35 9
Coastal shiner Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 0 4 1 0 1 10
Sandbar shiner Intermediate Insectivore 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Smallmouthbuffalo Intermediate Omnivore 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Spotted sucker Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Notchlip redhorse Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shortheadredhorse Intermediate Insectivore 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redhorse species -- Insectivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
White catfish Tolerant Omnivore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Yellow bullhead Tolerant Omnivore 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Channel catfish Intermediate Omnivore 23 19 6 59 20 13 3 4
Margined madtom Intermediate Insectivore 0 0 4 17 4 0 0 0
Flathead catfish Intermediate Piscivore 3 14 6 2 3 1 0 8
Atlantic needlefish -- Piscivore 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 0
Eastern mosquitofish Tolerant Insectivore 41 2 0 1 4 6 33 17
Brook silverside Intermediate Insectivore 25 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
White perch Intermediate Piscivore 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bluespottedsunfish Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Redbreast sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 81 43 51 11 80 105 9 37
Green sunfish Tolerant Insectivore 8 2 0 2 1 0 0 2
Pumpkinseed Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 15
Warmouth Intermediate Insectivore 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Bluegill Intermediate Insectivore 62 62 19 8 14 29 6 44
Redear sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 1 0 1 0 2 10 2 7
Spotted sunfish Intermediate Insectivore 0 1 9 10 18 10 1 3
Largemouth bass Intermediate Piscivore 1 2 1 1 0 6 5 5
Fantail darter Intermediate Insectivore 3 15 47 88 27 4 0 1
Tessellated darter Intermediate Insectivore 26 7 13 70 24 24 16 22
Piedmontdarter Intolerant Insectivore 29 3 1 76 13 3 0 1
Striped mullet -- Omnivore 6 21 18 1 0 0 0 6
Hogchoker -- Insectivore 1 0 0 4 2 3 16 5
Total number 628 371 537 509 484 780 536 437
Appendix A - 8

Table A-9 Water quality data collected during the mussel surveys of Reaches 1 and 2 of
the Pee Dee River and associated tributaries at the Blewett Falls and Tillery
Developments, June-October 2004.

Transect

Location
Temperature
~ ~ Dissolved

Oxygen
(mg/L)
Conductivity
(µS/cm)

PH
Turbidity
(NTil)
TZl Below N.C. Highway 731 Bridge 21.2 5.5 100 7.9 2.0
TZ2 Shoal above Rocky River
confluence 24.2 9.6 89 7.6 3.7
TZ3 Buzzard Island shoal 27.3 6.1 117 7.1 13.0
TZ4 Shoal below N.C. Highway 109
Bridge 26.5 5.7 117 7.9 13.0
TZS Shoal above Blewett Falls Lake 26.5 5.9 97 7.5 14.0
TZ TRB1 Clark's Creek 24.5 7.6 77 7.2 12.0
TZ TRB2 Rocky River 19.7 9.1 181 7.5 9.4
TZ TRB4 Little River 27.7 6.4 106 7.2 4.8
TZ TRBS Cedar Creek 20.9 1.5 135 7.0 22.0
TYLAKEl Uwharrie River 17.7 13.9 89 7.8 5.7
TYLAKE2 Mountain Creek 25.4 7.8 148 7.4 14.0
TYLAKE3 Jacobs Creek 23.1 8.8 155 7.9 7.5
BZl Big Island Shoal 29.2 6.1 124 7.0 9.8
BZ1A Shoal above U.S. Highway 74
Bridge 28 4 5.3 116 7.1 16.0
BZ2 Hitchcock Creek shoal 28.6 4.8 113 7.1 13.0
BZ3 Jones Creek shoal 27.2 5.0 115 7.4 16.0
BZ4 Great Island Shoal 26.4 7.3 107 7.5 2.3
BZS Shoal Above U. S. Highway 1 28.1 8.8 108 9.2 5.5
BZ TRBl Cartledge Creek 26.4 5.9 117 7.0 11.0
BZ TRB2 Island Creek 25.4 7.7 65 7.2 17.0
BZ TRB3 Hitchcock Creek 23.5 6.5 24 6.1 14.0
BZ TRB4 Jones Creek 24.7 6.3 97 7.4 1.2
BZ TRBS Westfield Creek 24.5 7.8 71 6.8 11.0
BFLAKEl Mountain Creek 23.3 7.9 67 7.5 12.0
BFLAKE2 Buffalo Creek 24.6 7.7 127 7.3 12.0
Appendix A - 9

APPENDIX B
LENGTH-FREQUENCY DATA FOR MUSSEL TAXA COLLECTED BY
RIVER REACH FOR THE SHALLOW WATER MUSSEL SURVEY
CONDUCTED IN THE PEE DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND
BLEWETT FALLS DEVELOPMENTS DURING 2004

35
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
35
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
35
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
35
30
25
a 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
TZ2 Elliptlo angustata n = 102
TZ3 Ellipfio angustata n = 3
Figure B-1 Length frequency histograms of Ellijltio uragustrrta (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development from Jmie 14 to
August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120 130140150160170180
Length (mm}
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130 140150160170180
Length [mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130140 150160170180
Length [mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130140 150160170180
Length [mm)

a
E
z
d
a
E
z
a
s
E
z
35 - TZ3 E!liptio complanata n = 3
30
25
a 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mmj
TZ5 E!liptio complanata n = 83
a
a
E
z
30
?5
?0
15
10
5
n
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
35 ~ TRB4 Flfiptio complanata n = 97
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180
Length (mmj
Figure B-2 Length frequency histograms of Elliptic complanata (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River and the Little River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
length (mmj
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mmj
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mmj

TZ3 Elliptio roanokensis n = 24
L ~
Q~
~ L
~ 1
z 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130 140150160170 180
Length (mm}
TZ4 Eliiptio roanokensis n = '100
d ,
~ 1
z 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120 130140150160170180
Length (mm}
TZ5 Elliptio roanokensis n = 84
~, .
Q L
~ 1
z 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130 140150160170 180
Length (mm}
Figure B-3 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio routzolzensis collected from stations
{n = > 3 individuals with sample size shown above each histogram) in
Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development from June 14 to
August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 3

35
30
25
.°'c 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
35
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
TZ5 Elliptio folliculata n = 4
TZ4 Elliptio products n = 6
Figure B-4 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio folliculata and Elliptio p~oclucta
(n = ~ 3 individuals with sample size shown above each histogram) collected
from stations in Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
z
n
E
z
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120130 140150160 170180
Length {mm)
Figure B-5 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio icterinu (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River and the Little River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 4
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130140 150160170180
Length {mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130 140150160170180
Length {mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130 140150160170180
Length {mm)
TZ TRg4 EIlintio icterina n = 16

TZ5 Lampsilis cariosa n = 6
E
z
`m
a
E
z
Figure B-6 Length frequency histograms of Lampsilis cariosa (n = ~ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development from June 14 to
August 21, 2004.
35
30
25
~ 20
E 15
z 10
5
0
35
30
TZ TRB4 Lampsilis radiata n = 3
25
~ 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130 140150160 170180
Length (mm)
Figure B-7 Length frequency histograms of Lampsilis radiate (n = > 3 vidividuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations having
three or more individuals in Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development from .June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120 130140150 160170180
Length {mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120130 140150160 170180
Length {mm}
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120 130140150160170180
Length {mm}

35
30
~ 25
d 20
ca 15
d
LL 10
5
d
35
30
~ 25
d 20
15
LL 10
5
0
TZ1 Villosa delumbis n = 10
Figure B-8 Length frequency histograms of ~'yganodon cataructa and Villosa delumbis
(n = ~ 3 individuals with sample size shown above each histogram) collected
from stations in Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 6
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130140 150160170180
Length (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130 140150160170180
Length (mm)

35 B__Z1 EIl~fio angusfafa n = 90
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 '100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (m m]
35 BZ1A Ellipfio angusfafa _n = 40
30 -- -
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 '120 130 '140 150 160 170 180
Length {mmy
3s BZ2 E-lipffo angusfafa n = 70
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1'10 120 130 140 '150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
35 BZ3 Eliipfio angusfafa n = 31
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 00 70 80 90 100110120130140150160 170180
Length (m m]
35 BZ4 Elliptio al7gustata n = 13
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 '120 '130 140 150 160 170 180
Length {mm}
35 BZ5 Elliptio angusfata n = 25
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length {mm)
Figure B-9 Length frequency histograms of Elli~tio ungustata (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 7

3s BZ1 E!liptio complanata n = 204
39
zs
a 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 46 50 60 70 86 96 160 110 126 136 140 150 160 176 186
Length {m m)
35 BZ1A EIliptio complanata n = 114
36
25
a 20
~ 15
a 10
5
0
0 10 20 36 46 50 60 70 86 90 166 116 126 130 140 150 166 176 180
Length {m m)
3s BZ2 E!liptio complanata n = 128
30
25
a 26
~ 15
3
Z 16
6
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 146 150 160 170 180
Length (m m}
BZ3 E!liptio complanata n = 71
s
E
3
z
36
`5
?6
5
a
s
n
0 10 20 36 46 59 60 76 80 96 106 116 120 130 149 156 160 170 180
Length {m m)
BZ4 E!liptio complanata n = 100
d
z
0 16 26 30 46 50 60 76 BO 90 160 110 126 136 140 150 166 170 186
Length {mm}
30
~5
~o
15
to
5
0
BZ5 Elliptio complanata n = 100
a
E
3
Z
30
~5
20
15
10
5
0
0 16 26 30 46 50 60 76 BO 99 166 110 126 136 146 156 166 176 180
length {m m)
Figure B-10 Length frequency histograms of Elliptic complanata (n = ~ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each lristogram) collected from stations vt Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Ble~vett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 8

35 BZ1A Elliptio congaraea n = 63
30
25
a 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120130 140150160 170180
Length (mm)
35 BZ2 Elliptio congaraea n = 40
30
25
a 20
~ 15
z 70
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130 140150160 170180
Length (mm)
v
a
E
z
35 BZ4 Elliptio congaraea n = 85
30
i 25
a 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130 140 150160 170180
Length (mm)
d
a
E
z
Figure B-11 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio congaraea (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram} collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 9
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120 130140 150160 170180
Length (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 80 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 180 170 180
Length (mm)

BZ1 Ellintio folliculata n = 24
E
z
BZ2 Elliptio folliculata n = 28
n
E
z
Figure B-12 Length frequency histograms of Ellijltio folliculata (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120 130140150 160170180
Length {mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length {mm}

rcrerrna n =
..
z
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120130140150160170180
Length (mm)
BZ1A Flliptio icterina n = 25
v
z
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130 140150160 170180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Ellintin ir_tprina n = 7d
L
d
~c
G
7
z
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
v
E
z
35 BZ5 Elliptio icterina n = 4
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120 130 140150160170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-13 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio icterina (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River belovs~ the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 20x4.
Appendix B - 11
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130 140 150160 170180
Length (mm)

35 BZ1_El/ipfio roanokensis_ n = 91
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 00 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm}
3s BZ1 A Ellipfio roanokensis n = 100
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140'150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
3s BZ2 Ellipffo roanokensis n = 100
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm}
3s BZ3 E!!i fio roanokensis n = 39
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 00 70 80 90 100110120130 140 150100 170180
Length (mm}
3s BZ4 Elliptic roanokensis n = 25
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 79 89 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length {m m}
3s BZ5 Elliptio roanokensis n = 7
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (m m}
Figure B-14 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio roanokensis (n = > 3 individuals
with sample size shown above each histogram} collected from stations in
Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from .June 12
to August 28, 20U4.
Appendix B - 12

BZ5 Elliptio sp. (Pee Dee lance 4 complex) n = 35
m
E
z
L
d ~-
C
~ 1
z 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-15 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio spp. (Pee Dee lance 4 complex} and
Atiodo~tta irtaplicuta (n = ~ 3 individuals with sample size shown above each
histogram) collected from stations vi Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the
Blewett Development from June 12 to August 28, 2004.
35
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
35
30
25
~ 20
~ 15
z 10
5
0
BZ5 Lam sills cariosa n = 3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm}
Figure B-16 Length frequency histograms of Lartapsilis cat~iosa (n = ~ 3 vidividuals with
sample size shown above each histogram} collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 2$, 2004.
Appendix B - 13
D 1 D 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm}

gZ1 Lamnsiiis rarliata n = 4
E
z
m
E
z
Figure B-17 Length frequency histograms of Lu>~npsilis radiuta (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each lustagram) collected from stations vi Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
BZ1 Liaumia nasuta n = 10
L
d
E
z
BZ2 Liaumia nasuta n = 20
n
E
z
Figure B-18 Length frequency histograms of Ligunaia nasuta (n = > 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations vi Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 14
0 1D 20 30 40 50 60 7D 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 17D 180
Length (mm}
0 10 20 30 4D 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160 170180
Length (mm}
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120 130140 150160 170180
Length (mm}

E
z
gZ1 A Pvaanodon cataracts n = 6
n
E
z
gZ2 Pvaanodon cataracts n = 21
d
.~
E
z
Figure B-19 Length frequency histograms of Pygan©rlon cataracts (n = > 3 individuals
with sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in
Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12
to August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 15
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110120 130140 150160 170180
Length {mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130 140 150160 170180
Length {mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130 140 150160 170180
Length {mm)

35
30
i 25
Q 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
3:
31
i 2.
~ Zt
~ 1:
Z 1(
1
BZ1 Ufterbackea imbeciles n = 14
BZ2 Utterbackea imbeciles n = 8
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length {m m}
Figure B-20 Length frequency histograms of Utterbackiu itnbecilis (n = ~ 3 individuals
with sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in
Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12
to august 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 16
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110 120130 140 150160 170180
Length {mm}

35
30
BZ1 A Villosa delumbis n = 7
25
s 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
35
30
25
L
~ 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
35
30
i 25
.G 20
~ 15
Z 10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120130 140150 160170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Villosa delumbis n = 16
BZ3 Villosa delumbis n = 14
Figure B-21 Length frequency histograms of Villosa rlelrtnx6is (n = > 3 indivviduals with
sample size shown above each histogram} collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 2$, 2004.
Appendix B - 17
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120130 140150 160170 180
Length {mmj
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mmy