20190623 Ver 1_B-4819_Mussel Survey Report_20190510

Freshwater Mussel Survey Report
Replacement of Bridge No. 105 on SR 1697
Over Snow Creek
Stokes County, North Carolina
TIP Number B-4819
WBS Element # 38589.1.3
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NC Department of Transportation
Raleigh, North Carolina
Contact Person:
Jared Gray
Biological Surveys Group
North Carolina Department of Transportation
jgraykncdot.gov
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1598
March 27, 2018

Prepared by:
R#C fc
900 Ridgefield Drive, Suite 350
Raleigh, NC 27609
Contact Person:
Neil Medlin
Project Manager
[e-mail]
919-878-9560

Table of Contents
1.0
Introduction..............................................................................................................1
2.0
Waters Affected........................................................................................................1
2.1 NPDES Dischargers............................................................................................1
2.2 303(d) Classification...........................................................................................1
3.0
Target Federally Protected Species Description...................................................2
3.1 James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina)...........................................................2
3.1.1 Characteristics......................................................................................2
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements...............................................2
3.2 Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridus)...............................................................2
3.2.1 Characteristics......................................................................................2
3.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements...............................................3
3.3 Survey Efforts.....................................................................................................3
3.4 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Snow Creek/Dan River ........................3
3.5 Methodology.......................................................................................................4
3.6 Results.................................................................................................................4
4.0
Discussion/Conclusions............................................................................................4
5.0
References.................................................................................................................6
Appendix A. Figures:
Figure 1: Project Vicinity & Survey Location
Figure 2: NCNHP Element Occurrences
Figure 3: NPDES Dischargers and 303(d) Listed Streams

1.0 Introduction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes the replacement of Bridge
No. 105 over Snow Creek on SR 1697 (Pitzer Road) in Stokes County (Appendix A, Figure 1).
Snow Creek is located in the Roanoke River Basin. The James Spinymussel (Parvaspina
collina) is currently listed for Stokes County by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as
a protected species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Another species, the Green
Floater (Lasmigona subviridis) will be evaluated by USFWS to determine if it warrants listing
under the ESA. It too is known to occur in Stokes County.
A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) records, last accessed on March 12,
2018, indicates that there are element occurrences (EOs) for the target mussel species within the
5-mile buffer of Bridge No. 105 (Figure 2). The closest occurrence for James Spinymussel (EO
ID 17365) is 0.1 stream mile downstream of Bridge No. 105 on the Dan River. This EO was
first observed on October 03, 2000 and last observed September 14, 2016. The closest
occurrence for the Green Floater (EO ID 14749) is also on the Dan River, 0.1 stream miles
below project bridge. EO 14749 was first observed on February 27, 2001 and last observed on
August 6, 2014.
As part of the federal permitting process that requires an evaluation of potential project -related
impacts to federally protected species, Rummel, Klepper, and Kahl Engineering (RK&K) was
contracted by NCDOT to conduct the freshwater mussel survey targeting the James Spinymussel
and Green Floater.
2.0 Waters Affected
Snow Creek is located in the Roanoke River Basin (HUC# 03010103). From the project bridge,
Snow Creek flows approximately 0.1 miles downstream to its confluence with the Dan River.
2.1 NPDES Dischargers
Three NPDES permitted dischargers (classified as minor dischargers) are located within the 5-
mile buffer of Bridge No. 105. The Danbury WWTP (Permit No. NC0082384) is located four
stream miles upstream from the survey location and discharges into the Dan River (Figure 3).
The Stokes Correctional Center WWTP (Permit No. NC0029777) is located 4.5 stream miles
upstream from the survey location and discharges into Flat Shoals Creek. The Danbury WTP
(Permit No. NC0043290) is located 5.5 stream miles upstream from the survey location and
discharges into Scott Creek.
2.2 303(d) Classification
Snow Creek is not on the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) -
Division of Water Resources 2014 303(d) and Draft 2016 lists of impaired streams.
Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-4819, Stokes County March 2018
Page 1

3.0 Target Federally Protected Species Description
3.1 James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina)
3.1.1 Characteristics
The James Spinymussel was first described in 1837. It is a small freshwater mussel that is
slightly less than three inches in length. Young mussels can have three spines found on their
shells and are shinny and yellow in color. The shells of young mussels are subrhomboid with an
obliquely subtruncated posterior. Older mussels are dark brown and exhibit pronounced growth
rings and the spines are typically absent or reduced to small bumps. As the shell grows, it also
becomes more elliptical in shape, and develops a rounded posterior. The left valve has two thick
pseudocardinal and two thin lateral teeth where the right valve contains one of each. Shells have
a thicker anterior end and thin towards the posterior. The foot and mantle of adults are
noticeably orange and the nacre is peach to salmon colored towards the anterior end.
3.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
It was once found throughout the main stem of the James River and all of its major tributaries
upstream of Richmond VA. The species has experienced a precipitous decline over the past two
decades and now exists only in small, headwater tributaries of the upper James River Basin in
Virginia and West Virginia and the upper Roanoke River basin of Virginia and North Carolina
(Dan River drainage). These sites include the Craig Creek drainage (Craig Creek, Johns Creek,
Dicks Creek and Patterson Creek in Craig County and Botetourt County, VA). The other sites
are: Potts Creek in Monroe County, WV as well as Craig County and Alleghany County, VA;
the Pedlar River in Amherst County, VA; the Mechums River in Albemarle County, VA; the
Moormans River in Albemarle County, VA; Rocky Run (the Moormans River) in Albemarle
County, VA, and Catawba Creek in Botetourt County, VA.
The James Spinymussel is found in waters with slow to moderate current and relatively hard
water on sand and mixed sand -gravel substrates that are free from silt. Current stream width at
these sites varies from 10 to 75 feet with a water depth of 0.5 to three feet. Historic sites on the
James River were much wider, up to 50 meters across.
3.2 Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis)
3.2.1 Characteristics
This species was described by Conrad in 1835 from the Schuylkill River and other streams in
Pennsylvania. The Green Floater is a small species, with adults usually are less than 55 mm in
length. Shells are thin and subovate or trapezoidal in shape. Beaks are depressed, projecting
only a little above the hinge line, and may have double -looped sculpturing. The periostracum
varies from dull yellow to brownish green. Numerous, variable width, dark green rays may be
visible on the shell, especially in young specimens. The nacre is white with a bluish iridescent
tinge toward the posterior end. In many specimens, yellow or salmon blotches occur in the
nacre, both centrally and near the beak cavity. The shell is so thin that, when held up to a light
Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-4819, Stokes County March 2018
Page 2

source, the colors and patterns of the periostracum often show through the nacre. Hinge teeth are
moderately developed but very delicate, and the lateral teeth may be incomplete or indistinct.
The left valve has two lamellate pseudocardinal and two long, straight, thin, lateral teeth. The
right valve has one pseudocardinal and one lateral tooth. The left valve often has an interdental
projection.
3.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Requirements
The Green Floater has a widespread distribution from the Cape Fear River Basin in North
Carolina north to the Hudson River Basin, and westward through the Mohawk River and the Erie
Canal to the Genesee River of New York. It also occurs in the New and Greenbrier rivers in
North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Green Floater has also a widespread distribution within North Carolina. The distribution
within the state by river basin and county is as follows: Watauga River Basin - Watauga County;
New River Basin - Ashe County, Alleghany County; Neuse River Basin - Orange County (Eno
River subbasin), Person County (Flat River subbasin), Durham County (Flat River subbasin),
Wake County (Swift Creek and Little River subbasins); Roanoke River Basin - Person County
(Mayo Creek subbasin), Halifax County (Roanoke River), Northampton County (Roanoke
River), Rockingham County (Dan River subbasin), Stokes County (Dan River subbasin); Tar
River Basin - Granville County (Tar River subbasin), Nash County (Tar River subbasin).
The species inhabits small to medium size streams. It is intolerant of very strong currents and
often is found in quiet pools and eddies with gravel and sand substrate. The Green Floater also
has been found in canals. The species has been found living in water depths of one to four feet.
In North Carolina, the best populations are associated with good to excellent water quality.
The Green Floater is one of a few species of freshwater mussels that is hermaphroditic
(individuals contain both male and female gonadal tissues). This species also is a bradytictic
breeder, with the reproductive season extending from August to May. Host fish have not been
determined for the green floater. However, there is documentation for direct transformation of
glochidia into juvenile mussels.
3.3 Survey Efforts
A freshwater mussel survey was conducted in association with this project by RK&K personnel
Neil Medlin (Permit # 17-ES00030), John Merritt, and Hal Bain on October 05, 2017. Matt
Haney (NCDOT) also assisted with these surveys. Due to the short distance from Bridge No.
105 to the Dan River, the majority of the survey effort was in the Dan River.
3.4 Stream Conditions at Time of Survey: Snow Creek/Dan River
Snow Creek is a medium sized, low gradient piedmont stream. The stream was approximately
20 meters wide in the reach surveyed with riffle and run flow regimes present. The banks were
approximately three meters high with a few areas showing some erosion/undercutting. The
maximum depth was one meter with an average depth of 0.25 meter. The substrate was a mix of
Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-4819, Stokes County March 2018
Page 3

silt, sand, gravel, and bedrock with sand very dominant and bedrock subdominant. No beaver
activity was observed at the survey location. A wide, forested buffer is present along the survey
location.
The Dan River is a large, low gradient piedmont river. This river was approximately 40 meters
wide with riffle, run flow regimes present. The banks were approximately three meters high
with a few areas showing some erosion/undercutting. The maximum depth was two meters with
an average depth of 0.75 meter. The substrate was a mix of silt, sand, gravel, cobble, boulder,
and bedrock with sand dominant and bedrock subdominant. No beaver activity was observed at
the survey location. A wide, forested buffer is present along the survey location.
3.5 Methodology
A mussel survey was conducted in Snow Creek from approximately 100 meters above the SR
1697 crossing downstream to the confluence with the Dan River for a total distance of
approximately 200 meters. The survey was extended into the Dan River to include a reach from
roughly 300 meters downstream of the SR 1695 (Dodgetown Road) bridge crossing to
approximately 200 meters upstream of the crossing for an additional 500 meters of survey reach.
Areas of appropriate habitat were searched, concentrating on the stable habitats preferred by the
target species. Visual surveys were conducted by snorkeling along with tactile methods that
were employed where appropriate. All freshwater bivalves were recorded and returned to the
substrate. Timed survey efforts typically provide Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) data for each
species.
3.6 Results
A total of 9-person hours of survey time were spent in the survey location, with one freshwater
mussel species and one species of clam observed. No James Spinymussels or Green Floaters
were detected during the survey.
Table 1. CPUE for Freshwater Mussels in Snow Creek/Dan River
Scientific Name
Common Name
# live
#shells
Abundance/
CPUE
Freshwater Mussels
CPUE
E lli do com lanata
astern Elli do
2
0.22/hr.
Freshwater Clams
Relative
Abundance
Corbicula uminea
sian Clam
—
PC*
*Patchy and Common
4.0 Discussion/Conclusions
The survey results indicate a very sparse freshwater mussel fauna in the Dan River near the
project location. Although other substrate components were present, the substrate in Snow
Creek was either unstable sand or bedrock that provided no habitat for James Spinymussel. Sand
was the overall dominant substrate type in the Dan River survey area but there were also areas of
Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-4819, Stokes County March 2018
Page 4

mixed, stable substrate. A brown -colored, algal matt was covering areas of the substrate in
slower flowing portions of the river. A previous survey of the same survey area conducted by
NCDOT on July 15, 2009 found four Eastern Elliptios but did not report the algal matt on the
substrate.
Two mussel surveys in the streams near the project yielded only a total of six common Eastern
Elliptio individuals and documented degraded habitat in Snow Creek. However, due to the close
proximity of the NCNHP EO on the Dan River for the James Spinymussel to the project site,
completion of the project may affect the species.
Biological Conclusion for James Spinymussel: May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect
The project site is essentially located within a NCNHP EO for the Green Floater. Although
degraded habitat in Snow Creek and extremely low numbers of a common mussel species have
been documented by two mussel surveys, the presence of the Green Floater at the project
location cannot be completely discounted. If the Green Floater were to be listed under the ESA,
the conclusion is given below.
Biological Conclusion for Green Floater: May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect
Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-4819, Stokes County March 2018
Page 5

5.0 References
Adams, W. F., J. M. Alderman, R. G. Biggins, A. G. Gerberich, E. P. Keferl, H. J. Porter, and A.
S. Van Devender. 1990. A report on the conservation status of North Carolina's
freshwater and terrestrial molluscan fauna. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission,
Raleigh. 246 pp, Appendix A, 37 pp.
LeGrand, Jr., H. E., J. T. Finnegan, S. E. McRae, S. P. Hall. 2010. Natural Heritage Program
List of the Rare Animal Species of North Carolina. N. C. Natural Heritage Program,
Raleigh, NC.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality - Division of Water Resources. 2014.
2014 North Carolina 303(d) and Draft 2016 Lists.
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq//s/mtu/assessment (Accessed 08/14/17).
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. NPDES Wastewater Treatment Facility
Permits. http://data-
ncdenr.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/a86af4f7549343419b4c8l77cedb3e4b_0 (Accessed
08/14/17).
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP). 2017. nheo-2017-10. Natural Heritage
Element Occurrence polygon shapefile. October, 2017.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Unpublished Aquatics Database.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Green Floater Species Profile.
hqp://www.ncwildlife.org/Leaming/Species/Mollusks/GreenFloater (Accessed
03/12/18).
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Species Profile,
Environmental Online System (ECOS).
http://ecos. fws. gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile. action? spcode=F025#recovery
(Accessed 01/05/17).
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. James Spinymussel fact sheet. Gloucester, VA.
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Recovery
Plan. Newton Corner, MA. 38 pp.
Freshwater Mussel Survey; B-4819, Stokes County March 2018
Page 6

Appendix A
Figures

USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle, Rockingham, NC
SR 1697 (Pitzer Rd)
DAN RIVER
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