CHOWAN RIVER FRESHWATER MUSSEL SURVEY PREPARED FOR CITIZENS AGAINST OLF

Transcription

1 CHOWAN RIVER FRESHWATER MUSSEL SURVEY PREPARED FOR CITIZENS AGAINST OLF By John M. Alderman and Joseph D. Alderman Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. Pittsboro, NC 11 July 2009

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 3 Objectives... 4 Methods...4 Results and Discussion...4 Acknowledgements...7 References...8 Tables...9 Figures...13 Appendix - station-by-station survey results

3 Introduction More than 300 recognized species and subspecies of freshwater mussels are known from North America north of Mexico. Because freshwater mussels are extremely sensitive to environmental changes, nearly 72% of these taxa are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern to the scientific community (Williams et al. 1992). A wide range of threats have been documented, including spills of toxic substances, stormwater runoff, sedimentation of habitats, dams and their associated reservoirs, elimination of fish hosts needed for successful reproduction, hydrologic changes, water temperature changes, cumulative and secondary impacts associated with landuse changes, food resource changes, pesticides, excess nutrient loading, releases of toxic substances from wastewater treatment plants, and many others. Because of their sensitivities, freshwater mussels are excellent water quality indicator organisms. Because of their declines and environmental importance, associated freshwater mussel high diversity areas, such as the lower Chowan River Basin, should receive priority national conservation attention. This is especially true if a proposed development activity is being sponsored by the United States government. Johnson (1970) lists 9 species of freshwater mussels from the Chowan River Basin. Because of incorrect synonymies, Elliptio cistelliformis, Elliptio angustata, and Elliptio fisheriana are now known to occur within the basin. Also, Elliptio icterina, E. congaraea, Lasmigona subviridis, Alasmidonta heterodon, Anodonta implicata, Villosa constricta, Ligumia nasuta, and Lampsilis radiata radiata have been documented from the basin. Therefore, there are currently 20 recognized freshwater mussel species from 3

4 the Chowan River Basin. From the Chowan River Basin northward through Canada, this represents the highest mussel diversity along the Atlantic Seaboard. Objectives Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. was hired by Citizens Against OLF to complete a mussel survey of selected sites within the Chowan River Basin to determine the significance of this tidewater region for freshwater mussel conservation. Methods Twelve sites within the Chowan River Basin were selected as freshwater mussel survey areas, including 7 within the Chowan River, 3 within Somerton Creek, and 2 within Buckhorn Creek (Figure 1). Depending upon the site, visual, tactile, snorkel, and/or SCUBA techniques were employed. Search time, measurements for rare species, counts of all species, other taxa records (e.g., Asian clam, snail taxa), habitat characteristics, staff, and other parameters were recorded for each survey site (see Appendix for site specific records). Also, digital photographs of animals and habitats were taken, as appropriate and provided within the Appendix. Results and Discussion Thirteen freshwater mussel species were documented as extant within the areas surveyed for this project: triangle floater (Alasmidonta undulata), box spike (Elliptio cistellaeformis), common elliptio (Elliptio complanata), Carolina slabshell (Elliptio congaraea), northern lance (Elliptio fisheriana), variable spike (Elliptio icterina), yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa), eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata radiata), tidewater mucket (Leptodea ochracea), eastern pondmussel (Ligumea nasuta), eastern floater (Pyganodon cataracta), paper pondshell (Utterbackia imbecillis), and Florida 4

5 pondhorn (Uniomerus carolinianus). Figures 2 11, Table 1, and the Appendix provide summary or site specific data for the surveys. In addition to these 13 species, 2 other species, the Carolina lance (Elliptio angustata), and alewife floater (Anodonta implicata), have been observed within the Chowan River project area during the past several years (NCWRC mollusk data files 2009). Therefore, for project review purposes, 15 species of freshwater mussels should be considered extant within the project area. As seen in Tables 1 and 2, this area of the Chowan River is globally significant for its overall freshwater mussel diversity, and it provides habitat for 6 state listed mussel species. To better understand the significance of the Chowan River, river basin statuses for 4 mussel species (i.e., triangle floater, alewife floater, eastern pondmussel, tidewater mucket) will be highlighted within the Georgia through North Carolina area. The numbers presented become meaningful relative to rarity when one considers that more than 500,000 live mussels have been examined by the scientific community within this area since the early 1980s (NC Wildlife Resources Commission 2009, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2009). Within South Carolina, the triangle floater is recently represented by a few shells or live animals within the Savannah River. Within South Carolina s borders, only 1 shell of the species has been found during the past 20+ years of surveys. In North Carolina, the species appears to be extirpated from the Santee-Cooper River Basin and the Pee Dee River Basin. It is in rapid decline within the upper Tar River Basin and may be extirpated from this area. The same is true for the Neuse River Basin upriver from Falls 5

6 Lake. Within the Roanoke River Basin, only 16 live animals have been observed since 1986 in North Carolina. During the current study within the Chowan River, 2 live triangle floaters were documented. Although this species is state listed threatened in North Carolina, it is highly probable that its status will be elevated to endangered within the next 2 years. Within South Carolina, the alewife floater is only extant within Lake Marion in the Santee-Cooper River Basin. Within the Pee Dee River Basin in South and North Carolina, it is only found in a small area of the Pee Dee River in North Carolina near the North Carolina / South Carolina state line. No records exist within the Cape Fear, Neuse, or Tar river basins. Within the Roanoke River Basin in North Carolina, only 21 live animals have been observed since Although not observed during the current study of the Chowan River, this species was documented within the river during the past few years. This species may also be considered for state endangered status within the next 2 years. The eastern pondmussel within the Savannah River Basin in Georgia and South Carolina is represented by 1 live animal observed in a Savannah River during recent decades. Within the Santee-Cooper and Pee Dee river basins, less than 400 live animals have been observed in South Carolina. It currently appears that the species has been extirpated from the Cape Fear and Tar river basins in North Carolina since Within the Roanoke River Basin, only 21 live animals have been observed since During the current study within the Chowan River, 15 live eastern pondmussels were documented. Given its 6

7 rarity and declines since the early 1990s, this species may be elevated to endangered status in the near future. Within the Santee Cooper and Pee Dee river basins in South Carolina, only 300 live tidewater muckets have been observed since In North Carolina, a healthy populations exists within Lake Waccamaw; however, the overall mollusk community health is currently uncertain. Within the Tar River Basin, less than 20 live tidewater muckets have been observed during recent decades. Less than 30 live tidewater muckets have been documented within the Roanoke River Basin. During the current study within the Chowan River, 109 live tidewater muckets were observed. Conservation of the Chowan River and its tributaries in North Carolina should be a high priority for local, state, and federal agencies. When planning government sponsored projects, all agencies, including the Department of Defense, have the responsibility to site projects in the least environmentally sensitive areas. Clearly, the Chowan River is not such an area. Acknowledgements Everett Jernigan, Ryke Longest, Ken and Cathy Jernigan, Elaine Herring, Laura Dickerson, and Linda Warren provided significant assistance with this project. 7

8 References Alderman, J.M private survey data records. Ashton, M Unio Listserve thread: Atlantic Slope Tidewater Unionids. Bumgardner, R.V Unio Listserve thread: Atlantic Slope Tidewater Unionids. Johnson, R.I The systematics and zoogeography of the Unionidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) of the Southern Atlantic Slope region. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoo. 140(6): Nedeau, E.J Unio Listserve thread: Atlantic Slope Tidewater Unionids. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Freshwater mussel survey records, Sabine, D Unio Listserve thread: Atlantic Slope Tidewater Unionids. Strayer, D Unio Listserve thread: Atlantic Slope Tidewater Unionids. US Fish & Wildlife Service Freshwater musel survey records, Williams, J.D., M.L. Warren, Jr., K.S. Cummings, J.L. Harris, and R.J. Neves Conservation status of freshwater mussels of the United States and Canada. Fisheries. 18(9):

9 Table 1. The freshwater mussels of the Chowan River Basin, North Carolina Species Williams (1992) Status NCWRC Status TNC Global and State Ranks US Fish & Wildlife Service Status Alasmidonta undulata Special Threatened G4/S2 Concern Anodonta implicata Threatened G5/S1 Elliptio angustata Special G4/S4 Concern Elliptio cistelliformis Not available Elliptio congaraea Special G3/S3 Concern Elliptio complanata G5/S4 Elliptio fisheriana Special G4/S3 Concern Elliptio icterina G5Q/S4 Lampsilis cariosa Threatened Endangered G3G4/S1 FSC Lampsilis radiata Threatened G5/S1S2 Leptodea ochracea Special Threatened G3G4/S1 Concern Ligumia nasuta Special Threatened G4/S1 Concern Pyganodon cataracta G5/S5 Uniomerus carolinianus Not available Utterbackia imbecillis G5/S5 Last observed in 2006 by John M. Alderman, Jason Mays, and Neil Medlin at the NC 13 bridge crossing in the Chowan River Last observed in 2001 by Brian Watson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission in the Chowan River Species statuses according to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC); or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): SC Special Concern Species (NCWRC) or federal species of concern (USFWS) T Threatened Species E Endangered Species 9

10 Table 1 (Continued). The freshwater mussels of the Chowan River Basin, North Carolina TNC/NatureServe Global Conservation Ranks G1: NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank, Critically Imperiled - At very high risk of extinction due to extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer populations), very steep declines, or other factors. G2: NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank, Imperiled - At high risk of extinction due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors. G3: NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank, Vulnerable At moderate risk of extinction due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors. G4: NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank, Apparently Secure - Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors. G5: NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank, Secure - Common; widespread, and abundant. TNC/NatureServe Subnational Conservation Ranks S1: NatureServe Subnational Conservation Status Rank - Critically Imperiled- Critically imperiled in the state or province because of extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer occurrences) or because of some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state or province. S2: NatureServe Subnational Conservation Status Rank - Imperiled-Imperiled in the state or province because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state or province. S3: NatureServe subnational Conservation Status Rank - Vulnerable-Vulnerable in the state or province due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation. S4: NatureServe Subnational Conservation Status Rank - Apparently Secure- Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors. S5: NatureServe Subnational Conservation Status Rank - Secure-Common, widespread, and abundant in the state or province. 10

11 Table 2. Freshwater mussel diversity within Atlantic Slope tidewater rivers Species St. Johns R. N. Brunswick Connecticut River Hudson River Susquehanna River Potomac R. Chowan River Tar River Santee-Cooper River Savannah R. Ogeechee R. Alasmidonta undulata Anodonta implicata Elliptio angustata Elliptio complanata Elliptio cistelliformis Elliptio congaraea Elliptio fisheriana Elliptio folliculata Elliptio icterina Elliptio lanceolata Elliptio producta Elliptio roanokensis Lampsilis cardium Lampsilis cariosa Lampsilis radiata Lampsilis splendida Leptodea ochracea X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Extirpated Since 1992? X X Extirpated Since 1992? X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 11

12 Table 2 (cont.). Freshwater mussel diversity within Atlantic Slope tidewater rivers Species St. Johns R. N. Brunswick Connecticut River Hudson River Susquehanna River Potomac River Chowan River Tar River Santee-Cooper River Savannah River Ogeechee River Ligumia nasuta Margaritifer a margaritifer a Pyganodon cataracta Strophitus undulatus Toxolasma Pullus Uniomerus carolinianus Utterbackia imbecillis Villosa delumbis X X Extirpated Since 1992? X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X TOTAL SPECIES data sources: J.M. Alderman Chowan, Tar, Santee-Cooper rivers; Ethan Nedeau Connecticut River; Dr. Dave Strayer Hudson River; Matt Ashton Potomac and Susquehanna rivers; Dwayne Sabine St. Johns River; Rita Villella Bumgardner Potomac River; Jason Wisniewski Savannah and Ogeechee rivers 12

13 Hertford Co Somerton Cr , Gates Co Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr W N E Survey Stations Streams Counties S 0 8 Miles Figure freshwater mussel survey sites within the Chowan River Basin, North Carolina 13

14 Hertford Co. Somerton Cr. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. W N S E 0 7 Miles E. complanata CPUE Streams Counties Figure 2. Elliptio complanata within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 14

15 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. W N S E E. icterina CPUE 12 Streams Counties 0 7 Miles Figure 3. Elliptio icterina within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 15

16 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. N W E S 0 7 Miles E. fisheriana CPUE Streams Counties Figure 4. Elliptio fisheriana within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 16

17 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. W N S E 0 7 Miles E. congaraea CPUE Streams Counties Figure 5. Elliptio congaraea within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 17

18 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. W N S E 0 7 Miles E. cistellaeformis CPUE Streams Counties Figure 6. Elliptio cistellaeformis within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 18

19 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. W N S E A. undulata CPUE 8 Streams Counties 0 7 Miles Figure 7. Alasmidonta undulata within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 19

20 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. W N S E L. cariosa CPUE Streams Counties 0 7 Miles Figure 8. Lampsilis cariosa within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 20

21 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. N W E S 0 7 Miles L. radiata CPUE Streams Counties Figure 9. Lampsilis radiata within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 21

22 Hertford Co. Somerton Cr. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. N W E S 0 7 Miles L. ochracea CPUE Streams Counties Figure 10. Leptodea ochracea within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 22

23 Somerton Cr. Hertford Co. Gates Co. Chowan R. Buckhorn Cr. W N S E 0 7 Miles L. nasuta CPUE Streams Counties Figure 11. Ligumea nasuta within the project area; CPUE = Catch-Per-Unit-Effort (average number of mussels of one species collected in 1 hour of search time) 23

24 APPENDIX Survey station results from the Chowan River Basin PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION: jma LOCATION: Somerton Creek, Chowan River Basin, Gates Co., NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 15, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: Stream FLOW: Slack, pool RELATIVE DEPTH: Shallow DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 10 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, roots, vegetation, detritus, mud COMPACTNESS: Normal and unconsolidated SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: High BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: Present CHANNEL WIDTH: 25+ m BANK HEIGHT: <1 m BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: <5 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic to dark tannic WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy and warm 24

25 TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual; tactile 1.17 person-hours FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio complanata 2 live: 77.9, 73.1 mm Utterbackia imbecillis 2 live: 46.2, 58.5 mm Pyganodon cataracta 1 live: 80.1 mm 25

26 Elliptio fisheriana 12 live: 64.5, 66.6, 66.3, 67.1, 70.8, 50.3, 65.2, 49.5, 59.8, 66.5, 82.0, 60.5 mm OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 2 live Campeloma decisum 3 live 26

27 OTHER TAXA (cont.): Pseudosuccinea columella 1 live 27

28 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION: jma LOCATION: Somerton Creek, Chowan River Basin, Gates Co., NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 15, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - 28

29 HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: Stream FLOW: Slack, pool RELATIVE DEPTH: Very shallow to very deep 20 ft+ DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 5 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, roots, vegetation, detritus, mud COMPACTNESS: Normal and unconsolidated SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: Low BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: Present CHANNEL WIDTH: Varies; > 20+ m BANK HEIGHT: Varies BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 3 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic to dark tannic WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, rainy, and warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual; tactile, SCUBA 0.23 person-hours tactile; 0.1 person hours SCUBA FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Pyganodon cataracta 5 live: 69.5, 75.2, 68.0, 80.5, 66.1 mm 29

30 OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION: jma LOCATION: Somerton Creek, Chowan River Basin, Gates Co., NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 15, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: 2 silt on sand HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: Stream FLOW: Slack, pool RELATIVE DEPTH: Moderate to deep, up to 20 ft DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 5 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, roots, vegetation, detritus, mud COMPACTNESS: Normal and unconsolidated SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: Average BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: >30+ m BANK HEIGHT: Varies BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 3 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic to dark tannic 30

31 WATER LEVEL: WEATHER: Normal Cloudy, rainy, and warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual; tactile, SCUBA 0.42 person-hours FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio complanata 52 live: 74.4, 95.4, 83.4, 65.9, 67.2, 75.5, 79.1, 78.0, 79.5, 58.6, 74.0, 88.0, 61.3, 78.0, 82.7, 73.5, 70.3, 53.9, 66.1, 96.5, 56.7, 87.8, 63.4, 68.9, 80.1, 79.7, 70.3, 62.2, 75.4, 82.4, 73.6, 76.3, 91.6, 78.2, 77.2, 79.8, 72.0, 71.5, 95.7, 57.8, 76.8, 105.5, 60.7, 56.2, 76.1, 67.5, 75.6, 58.9, 63.0, 45.9, 64.8, 66.3 mm Elliptio cistellaeformis 5 live (bottom 5 specimens in next picture) Uniomerus carolinianus 1 live: 73.2 mm (top specimen in next picture) 31

32 Leptodea ochracea 5 live: 73.5, 65.9, 52.0, 54.9, 43.7 mm PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Gates Co., NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 15, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: Swim beach; boat ramp; NCWRC gamelands HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Very shallow to shallow DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 50 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, vegetation COMPACTNESS: Normal SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: Low BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: None TEMPORARY POOLS: None CHANNEL WIDTH: 160 m BANK HEIGHT: ~1 m BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide 32

33 HABITAT (cont.): RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 1 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: At least one VISIBILITY: Light tannic and slightly turbid WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual; tactile 0.83 person-hours FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio complanata 14 live: 62.4, 49.7, 59.1, 66.5, 56.3, 73.3, 81.3, 75.2, 76.1, 74.6, 73.5, 67.6, 73.9, 32.1 mm Leptodea ochracea 4 live: 65.0, 45.0, 42.1, 67.2 mm 33

34 Lampsilis radiata radiata 2 live: 60.0, 81.7 mm Elliptio fisheriana 38 live: 52.0, 57.1, 56.2, 48.1, 50.0, 52.3, 26.4, 62.6, 56.7, 57.0, 48.1, 47.0, 42.4, 53.9, 59.0, 49.5, 65.7, 51.8, 51.1, 55.3, 52.7, 57.9, 60.9, 45.4, 46.0, 37.0, 40.6, 26.2, 52.0, 45.6, 49.3, 65.4, 52.7, 47.2, 64.4, 46.9, 45.4 mm Ligumia nasuta 5 live: 92.2, 97.0, 76.6, 71.7, 48.9 mm OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 34

35 TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Gates Co., NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 15, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: Swim beach. NCWRC gamelands; Returned to site to complete SCUBA survey HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Moderate to deep DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 50 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, vegetation COMPACTNESS: Normal SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: Low BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: None TEMPORARY POOLS: None CHANNEL WIDTH: 160 m BANK HEIGHT: ~1 m BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 1% WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: At least one VISIBILITY: Light tannic and slightly turbid WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual, SCUBA 0.25 person-hours 35

36 FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio complanata Abundant: mm Leptodea ochracea 4 live: 80, 77, 70, 48 mm Lampsilis radiata radiata 2 live: 82, 67mm OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 36

37 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Gates Co., NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 16, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Very shallow to deep; max 20 ft. DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 2 37

38 HABITAT (cont.): SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, clay, pebble, gravel, roots, vegetation, detritus COMPACTNESS: Normal SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: Average BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: 166 m BANK HEIGHT: Varies BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: - WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic and slightly turbid WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual, tactile, SCUBA 0.37 person-hours tactile; 0.43 SCUBA FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio congaraea 2 live: 52.2, 70.9mm 38

39 FRESHWATER MUSSELS (cont.): Elliptio complanata 275 live: Range mm Elliptio cistellaeformis 10 live Leptodea ochracea 37 live: 73.4, 66.2, 90.2, 83.3, 70.7, 46.8, 85.1, 103.3, 63.7, 56.8, 57.3, 57.3, 68.4, 88.1, 76.6, 80.4, 84.0, 60.9, 76.1, 70.1, 81.4, 83.2, 77.5, 74.4, 85.0, 75.6, 56.5, 70.8, 78.2, 93.0, 66.4, 72.5, 84.6, 55.8, 60.8, 66.0, 79.2 mm Lampsilis radiata radiata 4 live: 72.0, 74.4, 77.2, 78.2, 71.8 mm 39

40 FRESHWATER MUSSELS (cont.): Elliptio fisheriana 45 live: Range mm Ligumia nasuta 3 live: 77.8, 96.2, 79.6 mm OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 40

41 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Gates Co., NC; N W SURVEY DATE: June 16, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: Navy Seal camp, found one Lampsilis cariosa after time on 6/18/09 HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Very shallow to very deep; up to 25 ft. DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 2 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, clay, cobble, pebble, gravel COMPACTNESS: Normal to unconsolidated SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: High BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: 186 m BANK HEIGHT: Varies BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 1 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: At least one VISIBILITY: Slightly turbid WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, warm 41

42 TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual, tactile, SCUBA 0.25 person-hours tactile; 0.25 person-hours SCUBA FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio congaraea 3 live: 68.2, 55.1, 49.3 mm Elliptio complanata 170 live (very high density, see picture): Range mm Leptodea ochracea 14 live: 80.5, 51.2, 63.6, 61.7, 53.4, 54.0, 57.1, 69.6, 63.4, 46.7, 58.3, 65.4, 77.5, 70.9 mm Elliptio fisheriana 10 live: Range mm Ligumia nasuta 1 live: 88.0 mm 42

43 FRESHWATER MUSSELS (cont.): Lampsilis cariosa 1 live gravid female (displaying, see picture): 55 mm (found on 6/18 during extra SCUBA search time; total time = 0.67 person-hours) OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 43

44 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Gates Co., NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 16, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Very shallow to deep; up to 25 ft. DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 3 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, clay, cobble, boulder, pebble, gravel, roots, vegetation, detritus COMPACTNESS: Normal to compact SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: Average to high BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: 117 m BANK HEIGHT: Varies BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 1 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, warm 44

45 TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual, tactile, SCUBA 0.5 person-hours tactile, 0.5 SCUBA FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio congaraea 1 live: 62 mm Elliptio complanata 242 live: Range mm Leptodea ochracea 11 live: 88.4, 62.0, 54.9, 67.8, 68.7, 72.8, 44.1, 57.8, 70.4, 53.9, 41.7 mm Lampsilis radiata radiata 4 live: 82.0, 82.6, 67.4, 84.3 mm Elliptio fisheriana 16 live: Range mm Ligumia nasuta 2 live: 96, 87 mm OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 45

46 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Gates Co., NC; N W SURVEY DATE: June 17, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Very shallow to deep; up to 25 ft. DEPTH (%<2 FEET): - SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, clay, pebble, gravel COMPACTNESS: Compact to unconsolidated; mostly normal SAND/GRAVEL BARS: None WOODY DEBRIS: Average BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: 133 m BANK HEIGHT: - BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 1 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic and slightly turbid WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, rainy, and warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual, tactile, SCUBA 0.13 person-hours tactile; 0.13 SCUBA 46

47 FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio complanata 21 live: Range mm Leptodea ochracea 4 live: 67, 63, 58, 102 mm Lampsilis radiata radiata 1 live: 67 mm Elliptio fisheriana 14 live: Range mm Ligumia nasuta 2 live: 86, 91 mm OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 47

48 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Gates Co line, NC; N, W SURVEY DATE: June 17, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: Sand ridge ¾ across river from Gates Co. line HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Moderate; 7-10 ft. DEPTH (%<2 FEET): - SUBSTRATE: Clean Sand COMPACTNESS: Normal SAND/GRAVEL BARS: - WOODY DEBRIS: Low BEAVER ACTIVITY: - WINDTHROW: - TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: 268 m BANK HEIGHT: - BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 1 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy, rainy, and warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual, SCUBA 0.25 person-hours SCUBA 48

49 FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio complanata 137 live: Range mm Leptodea ochracea 16 live: 78, 93, 72, 79, 70, 86, 76, 95, 68, 95, 83, 65, 70, 82, 75, 68 mm Ligumia nasuta 1 live: 105 mm Elliptio congaraea 1 live: 73 mm Elliptio icterina 3 live: 72, 85, 77 mm Lampsilis radiata radiata 2 live: 62, 65 mm Alasmidonta undulata 2 live: 53, 50 mm 49

50 FRESHWATER MUSSELS (cont.): Lampsilis cariosa 1 live female: 71 mm (found with a total time of 0.42 person-hours) OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 50

51 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Buckhorn Cr, Gates Co., NC, N W SURVEY DATE: June 17, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: Stream FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Moderate DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 5 SUBSTRATE: Silt, detritus, mud 51

52 HABITAT (cont.): COMPACTNESS: Unconsolidated SAND/GRAVEL BARS: - WOODY DEBRIS: High BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: Varies BANK HEIGHT: n/a BANK STABILITY: Stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 15 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy and warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Tactile 0.3 person-hours FRESHWATER MUSSELS: None OTHER TAXA: None 52

53 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Buckhorn Cr, Gates Co., NC, N, W SURVEY DATE: June 17, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: Stream FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Moderate DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 5 SUBSTRATE: Silt, detritus, mud COMPACTNESS: Unconsolidated SAND/GRAVEL BARS: - WOODY DEBRIS: High BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence WINDTHROW: Low TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: Varies BANK HEIGHT: n/a BANK STABILITY: Stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, shrub-brush LAND USE: Natural, timber, rural PERCENT COVER: 15 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive 53

54 HABITAT (cont.): NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy and warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Tactile 0.3 person-hours FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio fisheriana 2 live OTHER TAXA: None 54

55 PROJECT: Freshwater mussel survey for Citizens Against OLF TARGET SPECIES: North Carolina state listed mussel species BIOLOGISTS: John Alderman Joseph Alderman STATION jma LOCATION: Chowan River, Hertford Co., NC, N, W SURVEY DATE: June 17, 2009 SITE COMMENTS: - HABITAT: WATERBODY TYPE: River FLOW: Slack RELATIVE DEPTH: Moderate ; ~10 ft. DEPTH (%<2 FEET): 5 SUBSTRATE: Silt, sand, roots, vegetation, pebble, gravel 55

56 HABITAT (cont.): COMPACTNESS: Normal SAND/GRAVEL BARS: Present WOODY DEBRIS: Low BEAVER ACTIVITY: Evidence (gnawed sticks) WINDTHROW: None TEMPORARY POOLS: - CHANNEL WIDTH: 409 m BANK HEIGHT: - BANK STABILITY: Very stable BUFFER WIDTH: Wide to narrow; residential RIPARIAN VEGETATION: Wooded, grass, shrub-brush LAND USE: Rural PERCENT COVER: 1 WOODLAND EXTENT: Extensive to not extensive NATURAL LEVEES: - VISIBILITY: Light tannic WATER LEVEL: Normal WEATHER: Cloudy and warm TECHNIQUES AND SURVEY TIME: TECHNIQUES: SURVEY TIME: Visual; tactile, SCUBA.05 person-hours tactile; 0.2 SCUBA FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Elliptio complanata 58 live: Range mm Elliptio cistellaeformis 4 live Leptodea ochracea 14 live: 71, 100, 91, 101, 73, 58, 54, 75, 86, 83, 56, 88, 79, 78 mm Lampsilis radiata radiata 5 live: 81, 79, 93, 82, 79 mm Elliptio fisheriana 10 live: Range mm Ligumia nasuta 1 live: 111 mm OTHER TAXA: Corbicula fluminea 56