WAT 2018 Fish Community Templates

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Station ID Date Bioclassification
River Chub (n=66, 25%). Redbreast Sunfish (n=1), and Rainbow Trout (n=2).
Reference Site
WATAUGA 06010103 36.278611 -81.868333 2624 No
BEAVERDAM CR SR 1202 LF5 06/29/18 Fair
County 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude Elevation (ft)
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (≥ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None ----
Level IV Ecoregion Drainage Area (mi2)Stream Width (m)Stream Depth (m)
Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.20.3 7 0.4
Wetland Water Barren
1992 88.2 0.0 no data 13.8 no data 0.0
Landuse (%)Forest Developed Impervious Cultivation Grass/Herb/Shrub
0.0 0.0
2001 77.7 3.5 0.2 16.9 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.1
2006 77.5 3.5 0.2 16.8 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.1
Water Quality Parameters 2009 2013 2018 Site Photograph
2011 77.3 3.5 0.2 16.9 2.3
Specific Conductance (µS/cm)61 55 65
pH (s.u.)5.4 6.3 6.7
Temperature (°C)12.4 13.2 17.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)10.1 9.9 9.1
Bottom Substrate (15)8
Pool Variety (10)10
Riffle Habitat (16)16
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)2018
Channel Modification (5)5
Instream Habitat (20)17
Left Riparian Score (5)4
Right Riparian Score (5)4
Total Habitat Score (100)85
Bank Erosion (7)7
Bank Vegetation (7)7
Light Penetration (10)7
Water Clarity Slightly Turbid.Substrates Cobble, boulder, bedrock, sand, gravel, and silt.
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/29/18 2018-34 8 34 (Not Rated) Fair
05/30/13 2013-35 9 32 Poor
03/23/09 2009-02 7 32 Poor
06/18/08 2008-66 9 36 Fair
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Species gained since 2013 - Redbreast Sunfish (n=1, new record). Species lost since 2013 - Green Sunfish (1 collected in 2013, non-native), and Warpaint
Shiner (25 collected in 2013, 5 or less in all previous samples).
Data Analysis
Watershed - Drains the northwestern edge of Watauga County immediately to the west of the Cove Creek catchment, and bears similar open-canopy,
agricultural land use practices in its lower valleys. This fish site is located about 0.6 miles upstream from the creek's confluence with the Watauga River.
Habitat - Open fields and pastures exist just upstream of this site, but higher quality, mature forested riparians provide good canopy shading for most of the
600 foot sample reach. High gradient instream habitats including steep, gorge-like, riffle-run series with boulder and bedrock plunge pools, and sandy deposits
along the slower edges. No apparent habitat changes have occurred here since the last basin assessment. 2018 fish community - A lower diversity and
moderately abundant fish community was collected, including 8 taxa. The intolerant Rock Bass represented 20% of the total catch, and once again, no darter
species were encountered here (darters have never been collected at this high gradient site). One less species was collected in 2018 (vs. 2013), but the fish
sample showed similar abundance (n=255 in 2013 vs. 261 in 2018) and trophic structure. However, the NCIBI is clearly underestimating water quality in this
mostly forested catchment, and is therefore Not Rated for the 2018 survey. Not far upstream, the creek is managed by NCWRC as Delayed Harvest Trout
Waters. Accordingly, stocked trout (Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout), and wild Brown Trout were collected here in 2018. Fish species with young-of-year
cohorts present in 2018 - Northern Hogsucker (n=15), Rock Bass (n=4), Creek Chub (n=2), and Western Blacknose Dace (n=1). 2004-2018 - Slightly elevated
specific conductance measurements (reflecting non-point enrichment) have certainly persisted in this watershed. However, the low species richness observed
here over 4 basin cycles now (a total of 11 fish species are known from this location) is inherent to this high gradient mountain watershed (classified as C;Tr).
Regardless of the upstream agricultural land use in this catchment, the NCIBI is not applicable here. This line of reasoning is justified by 4 consecutive
Excellent benthic macroinvertebrate ratings at this same location since 2008. For these reasons, this site will indefinitely remain as Not Rated with the NCIBI.
Most Abundant Sp.Non-Native Sp.
05/04/04 2004-36 8 26 Poor
FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Station ID Date Bioclassification
Reference Site
WATAUGA 06010103 36.167222 -81.745278 2950 Yes
BOONE FK off SR 1558 LF10 06/22/18 Good-Fair
County 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude Elevation (ft)
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (≥ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None ----
Level IV Ecoregion Drainage Area (mi2)Stream Width (m)Stream Depth (m)
Southern Metasedimentary Mtns.9.3 9 0.5
Wetland Water Barren
1992 95.6 0.0 No data 3.1 No data 0.2
Landuse (%)Forest Developed Impervious Cultivation Grass/Herb/Shrub
1.1 0.0
2001 85.2 9.1 0.5 3.9 0.9 0.2 0.6 0.0
2006 85.2 9.1 0.5 3.9 0.9 0.2 0.6 0.0
0.2 0.9 0.0
2004 2018 Site Photograph
2011 85.2 9.1 0.6 3.8 0.8
Water Quality Parameters
23 25
5.7 6.5
12.9 18.5
8.7 8.9
Temperature (°C)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (µS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Bottom Substrate (15)15
Pool Variety (10)10
Riffle Habitat (16)16
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)2018
Channel Modification (5)5
Instream Habitat (20)20
Left Riparian Score (5)4
Right Riparian Score (5)3
Total Habitat Score (100)94
Bank Erosion (7)7
Bank Vegetation (7)7
Light Penetration (10)7
Water Clarity Clear.Substrates Cobble, boulder, gravel, and sand.
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Species gained since 2004 - Green Sunfish (n=4, new records), Creek Chub (n=1, new record), and wild Rainbow Trout (n=1, new record). Species lost
since 2004 - White Sucker (3 collected in 2004), and Western Blacknose Dace (1 collected in 2004).
Data Analysis
Watershed - Drains part of southwestern Watauga County, including parts of Julian Price Memorial Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with its westernmost
headwaters at the foot of Grandfather Mountain. Habitat - The vegetated riparians are somewhat thin here (providing approximately 50% instream shading),
and bordered by garden fields, as the creek flows through Hebron Colony Ministries. The upstream watershed is mostly forested. High quality, rocky instream
habitats including riffle-run sequences, chutes, and good pools with a variety of depths and velocities (well suited for holding large trout). No apparent habitat
changes at this regional reference site since 2004. 2018 fish community - One more species was collected in 2018 (vs. 2004), but a 23% drop in overall
abundance was observed (n=379 in 2004 vs. n=290 in 2018). plus an overall 1% increase in pollution tolerant fish was observed (including the non-native
Green Sunfish). As a result, the NCIBI score dropped 4 points, causing a rating dip to Good-Fair. One wild Rainbow Trout (405 mm TL) was observed with a
shortened snout, assumed to be caused by whirling disease. This section of Boone Fork is stocked and fished by a private club. Accordingly, 3 large stocked
Brown Trout were also captured and released (420 to 444 mm TL). Fish species with young-of-year present include Northern Hogsucker (n=2), wild Brown
Trout (n=1), River Chub (n=1), Greenfin Darter (n=2), Western Blacknose Dace (n=1, no mature fish), and Mountain Redbelly Dace (n=1, no mature fish).
About a dozen Shovelnose Salamanders (large dusky salamander, intolerant to siltation) were also collected and released. 2004-2018 - This relatively
oligotrophic watershed is supporting a naturally low fish species richness, typical of higher elevation streams. Overall, the fish assemblage of Boone Fork is
showing similar trophic composition over three basin cycles (not sampled in 2013), and suggests relatively unchanged water quality here. With a total of 15
known fish taxa at this higher elevation site, the NCIBI rating may be slightly underestimating water quality in this mostly forested catchment.
Non-Native Sp.
06/22/18 2018-31 13 46 Good-Fair
05/06/04 2004-42 12 50 Good
Rosyside Dace (n=74, 26%), and
Greenfin Darter (n=73, 25%).
Redbreast Sunfish (n=5), Green Sunfish (n=4), Rosyside Dace (n=74),
Rainbow Trout (n=1), and Brown Trout (n=1).
Most Abundant Sp.
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Species gained since 2013 - Brown Trout (n=3, 1 collected in 2009). Species lost since 2013 - Warpaint Shiner (3 collected in 2013), and Tangerine Darter
(1 collected in 2013, intolerant species visiting from the adjacent Watauga river).
Data Analysis
Watershed - Drains north-central Watauga County, including the northwestern edge of Boone and the US 321/421 corridors. Site is immediately above the
creek's confluence with the Watauga River. Although this catchment is largely forested, the lower valley in which Cove Creek flows is almost entirely in
agriculture (crops or pasture), with non-existent or very thin (one tree wide max) riparian borders, and little to no canopy throughout. Habitat - Stream banks
are deeply entrenched here in this lowest part of the catchment, with common vertical cuts and bank sloughing. Vegetative cover is mostly limited to enriched
grasses and shrubs (minimal edge-shading), with rare bank trees (2-3 present in the entire 600 foot reach). Instream habitats include mostly swift riffle-run
sequences, with occasional boulders, and only a few side pockets with marginally slower velocities. Overall, habitats look relatively unchanged since the last
fish survey. 2018 fish community - A total of 12 fish species were collected in 2018, with similar abundances, and trophic scores as the 2013 assessment.
However, given the stream size here and proximity to the Watauga River, this reach continues to exhibit a lower than expected total species richness,
including few minnow species (possibly due to a lack of slower pools), darters, and intolerant species. Species with young-of-year present in 2018 - Tennessee
Shiner (n=1), and Whitetail Shiner (n=1). 2008-2018 - Agricultural land use practices in this mountain watershed have certainly impacted the fish community
composition here. There are 16 known species from this site, but several predictable fish taxa continue to be absent from this site (at least partly due to a lack
of slower velocity pools in the reach). However, there have been minimal changes in the fish community since the 2013 basin assessment. Overall, this site
has seen three consecutive Good-Fair NCIBI ratings since 2009, indicating relatively stable water quality conditions in the watershed.
Most Abundant Sp.Non-Native Sp.
03/23/09 2009-01 14 40 Good-Fair
06/17/08 2008-63 13 38 Fair
06/28/18 2018-33 12 44 Good-Fair
05/29/13 2013-34 13 46 Good-Fair
Water Clarity Slightly Turbid.Substrates Cobble, gravel, sand, boulder, and silt.
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
Left Riparian Score (5)2
Right Riparian Score (5)2
Total Habitat Score (100)56
Bank Erosion (7)0
Bank Vegetation (7)2
Light Penetration (10)0
Bottom Substrate (15)8
Pool Variety (10)4
Riffle Habitat (16)16
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)2018
Channel Modification (5)5
Instream Habitat (20)17
Specific Conductance (µS/cm)104 95 110
pH (s.u.)7.0 7.2 8.2
Temperature (°C)7.3 19.1 18.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)12.8 9.8 10.7
0.0 0.0 0.1
Water Quality Parameters 2009 2013 2018 Site Photograph
2011 71.0 9.3 0.8 17.1 2.5
2006 71.3 8.8 0.7 17.5 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.1
2001 71.3 8.8 0.7 17.5 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.1
Wetland Water Barren
1992 81.7 1.1 no data 17.3 no data 0.0
Landuse (%)Forest Developed Impervious Cultivation Grass/Herb/Shrub
0.0 0.0
Elevation (ft)
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (≥ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None ----
Level IV Ecoregion Drainage Area (mi2)Stream Width (m)Stream Depth (m)
Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.34.9 6 0.5
FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Station ID Date Bioclassification
Margined Madtom (n=80, 32%).Redbreast Sunfish (n=5), Green Sunfish (n=8), Margined Madtom
(n=80), and Brown Trout (n=3).
Reference Site
WATAUGA 06010103 36.239450 -81.821400 2612 No
COVE CR off SR 1121 LF11 06/28/18 Good-Fair
County 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude
FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Station ID Date Bioclassification
Central Stoneroller (n=216, 40%).Redbreast Sunfish (n=1), Green Sunfish (n=1), Mountain Redbelly
Dace (n=2), Rosyside Dace (n=1), Margined Madtom (n=58), Rainbow
Trout (n=1), and Brown Trout (n=1).
Reference Site
WATAUGA 06010103 36.209122 -81.778234 2675 No
DUTCH CR SR 1112/NC 194 LF7 06/28/18 Good-Fair
County 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude Elevation (ft)
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (≥ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None ----
Level IV Ecoregion Drainage Area (mi2)Stream Width (m)Stream Depth (m)
Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.10.6 7 0.3
Wetland Water Barren
1992 93.9 0.0 no data 6.0 no data 0.0
Landuse (%)Forest Developed Impervious Cultivation Grass/Herb/Shrub
0.0 0.0
2001 86.1 4.6 0.3 7.8 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1
2006 85.8 4.8 0.3 7.8 1.4 0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
Water Quality Parameters 2008 2013 2018 Site Photograph
2011 85.8 4.9 0.3 7.8 1.4
Specific Conductance (µS/cm)54 52 56
pH (s.u.)6.5 6.6 6.4
Temperature (°C)23.1 15.2 17.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)7.5 9.4 8.6
Bottom Substrate (15)12
Pool Variety (10)8
Riffle Habitat (16)12
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)2018
Channel Modification (5)4
Instream Habitat (20)18
Left Riparian Score (5)2
Right Riparian Score (5)2
Total Habitat Score (100)74
Bank Erosion (7)6
Bank Vegetation (7)5
Light Penetration (10)5
Water Clarity Clear.Substrates Cobble, gravel, sand, and boulder.
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/28/18 2018-32 19 46 Good-Fair
05/30/13 2013-36 17 46 Good-Fair
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Species gained since 2013 - Rosyside Dace (n=1, 3 collected in 2008), Western Blacknose Dace (n=4, 12 collected in 2008), and Rainbow Trout (n=1, 1
collected in 2008). Species lost since 2013 - White Sucker (1 collected in 2013).
Data Analysis
Watershed - Drains central southwestern Watauga County, with the sample site located in Valle Crucis. Habitat - Mostly open canopy here with no trees, or
one-tree-wide riparians throughout the sample reach (open field on the left, and NC 194 closely bordering the right). Instream habitats are primarily shallow
runs throughout, with one large rip-rap boulder pool just upstream of the bridge (good habitat for stocked trout), undercuts and exposed roots throughout, and
infrequent riffles. No indications of habitat changes since the 2013 assessment. 2018 fish community - As in past assessments at this location, high diversity
and abundance was observed in 2018, including 3 intolerant species (Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Greenfin Darter). With the exception of White
Sucker, all previously collected taxa were also present in 2018. The fish assemblage in 2018 also continues to exhibit a skewed trophic structure towards a
majority (54%) of herbivores (Central Stoneroller, n=216) plus omnivores (River Chub, n=71). Dutch Creek is managed by the NCWRC as hatchery supported
trout waters. As such, 6 stocked Brown Trout (216-283 mm TL), 4 stocked Rainbow Trout (266-318 mm TL), and 1 stocked Brook Trout (184 mm TL) were
collected and released. Fish species with young-of-year cohorts in 2018 include wild Brown Trout (n=2), Northern Hogsucker (n=6), River Chub (n=15),
Central Stoneroller (n=21), Western Blacknose Dace (n=4), and Tennessee Shiner (n=25). 2004-2018 - A total of 20 fish species are known from this location.
No considerable changes in water quality have been observed here in 3 basin cycles now, as shown by consistent water quality parameters, and nearly
identical NCIBI scores and ratings over 4 assessments.
Most Abundant Sp.Non-Native Sp.
06/16/08 2008-62 20 44 Good-Fair
05/05/04 2004-39 19 46 Good-Fair