Assessment Of Fish And In-Stream Habitat Responses To Dam Removal On The Middle Fork New River
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Nicholas Campany (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
- Advisor
- Mike Gangloff
Abstract: Small dams are common throughout the southeastern United States. With push for increased stream connectivity dam removals are becoming popular but, little is known about the removal of small dam removals. The removal of dams on high gradient streams has not been studied often, long term studies are even less common. This study assesses a dam removal comparing data collected in 2014 to data collected in 2023. The Payne Branch Dam on the Middle Fork of the New River was deconstructed in Summer 2020, nearly 50 years after it was decommissioned. The Middle Fork New River historically supported populations of over 20 fish taxa, including several species endemic to the New River Drainage. Fish surveys in 2014, identifying 1,524 fish revealed that 15 species occurred in the Middle Fork upstream from the dam including small, localized populations of two endemics, Kanawha minnow (Phenacobius teretulus) and Toungetied minnow (Exoglossum laurae). This study evaluated the recovery of fish populations in response to the removal of this barrier. In 2023, 1,420 fish were sampled using a backpack electrofishing unit and measured habitat parameters (channel width, depth, flow and substrate composition) to assess recolonization at 4 historically- sampled sites (2 upstream and 2 downstream from the former dam site) as well as 2 new sites: the tailrace, beginning just downstream of the old dam site, and along Boone Greenway becoming the most downstream site. In the impoundment, channel depth and width decreased post-removal whereas velocity and substrate coarseness increased substantially. Habitat conditions in the tailrace and at our upstream reference sites remained largely unchanged. However, increases in fine sediment (primarily sand) and decreased depth was observed at sites further downstream in the Middle Fork. Post removal sampling in the former impoundment revealed that fish communities are composed of species associated with high-gradient habitats. Additionally, communities at upstream reference sites appear largely unchanged following dam removal. Previous sampling shows New River endemics have not been detected upstream of the former dam since 2014. Spring 2023 sampling demonstrated that this is still true, indicating trans-locations may be needed to promote recovery of upstream communities.
Assessment Of Fish And In-Stream Habitat Responses To Dam Removal On The Middle Fork New River
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Created on 5/23/2023
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Honors Project
- Campany, N. (2023). Assessment Of Fish And In-Stream Habitat Responses To Dam Removal On The Middle Fork New River. Unpublished Honors Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
- Language: English
- Date: 2023
- Keywords
- biology, Payne Branch Dam on the Middle Fork of the New River, fish populations, habitat, Dam removal,
restoration, Aquatic Ecology