Tri_Rev_Comments_by_Hand

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Evaluation of Hanging Dog Creek. Cherokee County, North Carolina. 22 November 2010
Overview. Benthic insect samples were collected from three locations on Hanging Dog Creek to assess the ecological effects of winter drawdown at Hiawassee Reservoir. An
upper site of Hanging Dog Creek was selected above any potential effects of the winter
drawdown; a middle site was selected in a reach that is minimally affected by the
drawdown (some flow is maintained for most of the year) and a lower site within the
embayment of Hiwassee Reservoir. The lower site is part of the reservoir until Labor Day each year when the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) begins the drawdown
process and then becomes lotic, or flowing stream, system until Memorial Day when
TVA again begins to refill the reservoir. Water quality and habitat information was
collected at each location during this investigation, Table 1 summarizes these data.
Minor differences were noted in the water quality of these three locations; although it is interesting to see slightly lower water temperature values at the middle and lower
locations. This may be related to water depth as Hanging Dog Creek at the lower site has
a very narrow channel with deep pools, whereas the upstream locations are much wider
and shallower. Significant differences were noted in the habitat scores. Clearly bank
stability and vegetation, light penetration and riparian vegetative zone width were all much reduced at the lower location.

Table 1. Water Quality and Habitat Evaluations from three Hanging Dog locations.
Cherokee County, North Carolina. 22 November 2010.
Parameter/Station Upper Middle Lower
Coordinates N35.1124,W84.0676 N35.1179,W84.0661 N35.1317,W84.0677
Water Quality1
Water Temperature (oC) 11.2 10.5 10.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 11.25 11.09 11.25
Conductivity (umhos/cm) 23 22 23
pH (units) 7.42 7.90 7.78
Habitat2
1. Channel Modification 4 4 2
2. Instream Habitat 20 16 14
3 Bottom Substrate 15 12 8
4. Pool Variety 10 10 10
5. Riffle Habitats 14 14 14
6. Bank Stability and Vegetation 14 14 0
7. Light Penetration 10 10 2
8. Riparian Veg. Zone Width 8 8 2
Total Habitat Score 95 88 52
1. Water quality information was collected by the EPA field team. 2. NC Division of Water Quality habitat assessment form for mountain systems.

Benthic Macroivertebrates. Benthic insect samples were also collected from each of
these locations using the protocols defined by the NC Division of Water Quality. (DWQ
2006). A summary of these data are listed in Table 2 and a complete list of all taxa collected can be seen in Appendix 1 of this report.
• Upper Reach. This location was selected above the influence of winter
drawdown and to act as reference condition. The overall habitat score from this
location was very high (97 points). The stream at this point is very productive with prolific growths of river weed (Podostemum spp). Podostemum is common
in many mountain stream systems and offers a unique habitat for many benthic
insects. Thirty four EPT taxa were collected from this location and 11 intolerant
taxa (Biotic index of 1.0
or less) were collected here as well. These
data resulted in a Good
bioclassification using
the criteria developed
by the NC Division of Water Quality. Many
taxa were only collected
from this upstream
location which is very
likely related to the fact that this is not affected by lack of flow during full reservoir capacity. Note that
many taxa within the mayfly family Ephemerellidae are common or abundant at
his upper location, but are reduced in abundance at the middle location and
completely eliminated at the lower site. This is also evident for many stonefly
taxa as well. Most EPT taxa are rheophilic organisms needing flow for their entire life cycles, once flow is reduced or eliminated these taxa cannot survive.
The field team collected several specimens of Ephemerella berneri at this
location. E. berneri is listed by the NC Natural Heritage Program as
significantly rare and listed as “vulnerable to extirpation” by Morse et al.
(1997).
• Middle Reach. Data were also collected from a reach of Hanging Dog Creek
that maintains some flow during each season. There are no flow records from
this reach; therefore it is difficult to determine flow patterns however it is assumed that water does back up to this point during high flow periods (i.e.
water retainment within the reservoir). The field team noted the presence of
excessive fine sediments within low flow areas (especially stream banks), but
clean riffle habitats. In addition we also noted the presence of an incredible
number of burrowing mayfly tubes, all empty. The deposition of fine particulate organic material because of reduced flow at this location created a microhabitat
favorable to these taxa. The overall habitat score from this location was also
very high (88 points). EPT taxa richness and the number of intolerant taxa are
very similar to the upstream reference reach and these data also resulted in a
Good bioclassification using the DWQ protocols. However EPT abundance declined substantially
and the number of
dominant taxa in
common (common and
abundant taxa) was only 53%. Interestingly the
number of Trichoptera
increased at this
location to 17 taxa.
Apparently the reduced, or inconsistent, flow
pattern within this reach
of Hanging Dog Creek
does not impact these taxa as severely as mayfly or stonefly taxa.

Table 2. Summary of Benthic insect taxa collected from three Hanging Dog Creek locations. Cherokee County NC. 22 November 2010
Taxa/Location Upper Middle Lower
Ephemeroptera 12 10 1
Plecoptera 10 6 5
Trichoptera 12 17 5
Misc. Diptera 3 5 2
Chironomidae 8 7 5
Coleoptera 3 3 0
Odonata 1 6 0
Oligochaeta 1 1 1
Megaloptera 2 1 0
Crustacea 0 0 0
Mollusca 2 1 0
Other Miscellaneous tax 1 1 0

Total # Taxa 55 56 19
Total # EPT taxa 34 33 11
Seasonal Correction1 32 31 9
EPT Abundance 168 111 35
No. of intol taxa (BI = 1.0 or less) 11 10 3
Dominant Taxa in Common2 - 53% 13%/18%
Bioclassification Good Good Poor
1. DWQ seasonal correction essentially is to remove winter/spring
stonefly taxa from results prior to assigning a bioclassification. 2. DIC is a measure of the abundant and common taxa in common
between locations. The DIC at the lower reach was calculated for both the upper and middle reaches.

• Lower Reach. This embayment reach of Hanging Dog Creek is within the
normal capacity of Hiawassee Reservoir and was flowing only during this
survey because of the winter drawdown policy of TVA. The riparian canopy
was eliminated during construction and maintenance of the reservoir; therefore habitat scores for bank stability and
vegetation, light penetration and
riparian vegetative zone width were
extremely low at this point. During
full capacity of the reservoir deposition of fine material from
upstream sources occurs at this
point. Subsequently during the
drawdown periods this fine material
is eroded and resuspended. Erosion of this material from newly exposed
banks is severe. If drawdown was
initiated at Labor Day this reach has been exposed for only 11 weeks. Drift
from upstream sources is the only form of recolonization for the benthos within
this reach. Taxa richness and EPT abundance values were reduced at this location and dominant in common analyses resulted in only 13% in common
with the upper reach and 18% with the middle reach. These data resulted in a
Poor bioclassification following a seasonal correction of the data.
Significant Observations.
Benthic insects were collected from three locations in Hanging Dog Creek to assess the
ecological effects of winter drawdown of the Hiawassee Reservoir. The lower most site
in the investigation is within the embayment of the reservoir and newly exposed only
because of the drawdown policy of TVA. Taxa richness, EPT abundance and the number of intolerant benthic insect taxa were all reduced at the lower reach of this feature.
Bioclassification ratings were reduced from Good at both upstream locations to Poor at
the downstream reach within the embayment.

Taxa richness values and Good bioclassifications were recorded from both upstream locations. Many intolerant taxa were also collected from both of these locations. In
addition Ephemerella berneri was also collected at both of these locations. This taxa is
listed by the NC Natural Heritage Program as significantly rare and listed as vulnerable to
extirpation.

References

NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ). 2006. Standard Operating Procedures for
Benthic Macroinvertebrates. NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Environmental Sciences Section, Biological Assessment Unit. Raleigh, NC.
Morse, J.C., B.P. Stark, W.P. McCafferty and K.J. Tennessen. 1997. Southern
Appalachian and Other Southeastern Streams at Risk: Implications for Mayflies,
Dragonflies and Damselflies, Stoneflies and Caddisflies. In: Aquatic Fauna in Peril:
Southeastern Perspective (Benz, G.W. and D.E. Collins, editors), Special publication 1, Southeast Aquatic Research Institute. Lenz Design & Communications, Decatur,
GA. 554pp.

Appendix 1. Benthic macroivertebrates collected from three Hanging Dog Creek locations. Cherokee County, NC. 22 November 2010
Location Upper Middle Lower
Taxa Name (Biotic Index value)
Ephemeroptera
Family Baetidae
Baetis pluto (4.3) A C R
Plauditus dubius group (5.8) C
Family Baetiscidae
Baetisca carolina (3.5) C
Family Ephemerellidae
Ephemerella berneri (0) C R
Ephemerella dorothea (6.0) A
Ephemerella rossi group (0) R
Serratella deficiens (2.8) C R
Family Heptageniidae
Epeorus dispar (1.0) C R
Heptagenia marginalis (2.3) C
Stenacron pallidum (2.7) C C
Maccaffertium modestum (5.5) A A
Maccaffertium pudicum (2.0) C C
Family Leptophebiidae
Paraleptophlebia spp (0.9) R
Family Oligoneuridae
Isonychia spp (3.5) C C
Plecoptera
Family Chloroperlidae
Sweltsa spp (0) R
Family Leuctridae
Leuctra spp (2.5) A A A
Family Peltoperlidae
Tallaperla spp (1.2) C R
Family Perlidae
Acroneuria abnormis (2.1) A
Paragnetina media (1.0) C C
Perlesta placida (4.7) R
Family Perlodidae
Isoperla spp (too small to ID) R
Heliopicus subvarians (0.8) A A C
Family Pteronarcyidae
Pteronarcys spp (1.7) R
Family Taeniopterygidae
Strophopteryx spp (2.7) R R R
Taeniopteryx spp (5.4) C C C
Trichoptera
Family Apataniidae
Apatania sp (0.6) C
Family Brachycentridae
Brachycentrus appalachia (0.1) A R
Micrasema charonis (0.8) C
Family Glossosomatidae
Glossosoma spp (1.6) A A
Family Hydropsychidae
Cheumatopsyche spp (6.2) A C R
Hydropsyche betteni (7.8) R
Hydropsyche venularis (5.0) R
Symphitopsyche sparna (2.7) A A
Symphitopsyche morose (2.8) R C R
Family Lepidostomatidae
Lepidostoma spp (0.9) C R
Family Leptoceridae
Ceraclea spp (2.0) R
Oecetis spp (4.7) R
Setodes spp (0) R
Family Limnephilidae
Pycnopsyche guttifer (2.6) C
Pycnopysche lepida (2.7) R C R
Family Philopotamidae
Chimarra spp (2.8) A R
Dolophilodes spp (0.8) A A A
Family Polycentropodidae
Nyctiophylax celta (0.7) R
Family Psychomyiidae
Psychomyia flavida (2.9) R
Family Rhyacophilidae
Rhyacophila fuscula (1.9) C
Family Uenoidae
Neophylax spp (pupae) (2.2) R
Diptera: Miscellaneous families
Family Ceratopogonidae
Palmoymia complex (6.9) R
Family Empididae (7.6) C R
Family Simuliidae
Simulium spp (6.0) C C A
Family Tipulidae
Antocha spp (4.3) R
Tipula spp (7.3) A C R
Diptera: Chironomidae
Brillia spp (5.2) C
Cardiocladius spp (5.9) R
Conchapelopia group (8.4) R
Corynoneura spp (6.0) R R R
Cricotopus/Orthocladius sp 51 (3.4) A
Eukiefferiella brevicalcar gr (E sp 6) (2.2) R R
Nanocladius spp (7.1) C
Orthocladius clarkei gr: C/O sp 54 (5.7) R
Parametriocnemus lundbecki (3.7) C C R
Pseudorthocladius spp (1.5) R
Rheotanytarsus spp (5.9) C R
Tvetenia bavarica group - E sp1 (3.7) C C R
Coleoptera
Family Dytiscidae
Hydroporus spp (8.6) R
Family Elmidae
Promoresia tardella (0) A
Family Gyrinidae
Dineutus spp (5.5) C
Family Psephenidae
Ectopria nervosa (4.2) R
Psephenus herricki (2.4) C C
Odonata
Family Aeshnidae
Boyeria vinosa (5.9) R R
Family Calopterygidae
Calopteryx spp (7.8) R
Family Gomphidae
Gomphus spp (5.8) R
Gomphus spiniceps (5.1) R
Hagenius brevistylus (4.0) R
Family Macromiidae
Maromia spp (6.2) R
Oligochaeta
Family Nadidae
Nais spp (8.9) R R R
Megaloptera
Family Corydalidae
Nigronia serricornis (5.0) C C
Corydalus cornutus (5.2) C
Mollusca
Family Ancylidae
Ferrissia spp (6.6) A C
Family Pleuroceridae
Leptoxis spp (1.8) A
Other Miscellaneous Taxa
Hydracarina spp (5.5) R
Polyclad
Prostoma graecens (6.1) R

SUMMARY STATISTICS
EPT taxa richness 34 33 11
Total Taxa richness 55 56 19
Number of intolerant taxa (BI = 1.0 or less) 11 10 3
Dominant Taxa in Common - 53% 13%/18%
EPT abundance 168 111 35
Bioclassification Good Good Poor