shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel surveys of the pee dee river

Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project
FERC No. 2206
SHALLOW WATER FISH, CRAYFISH,
AND MUSSEL SURVEYS OF THE PEE
DEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
Water Resources Group
Issue No. 1 - Describe Current Resident River Aquatic Resources Of
Project Area
PROGRESS ENERGY
APRIL 2006
© 2006 Progress Energy
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Progress Energy would like to acknowledge and thank several individuals and agencies who
provided technical assistance during this study: Dr. Ryan Heise, Mr. Rob Nicholls,
Mr. Todd Ewing, Mr. Scott Van Horn, Mr. Nolan Banish, Ms. Angie Rogers, and Mr. Jason Meador
with the North Carolina. Wildlife Resources Commission; Dr. Art Bogan, Dr. John Cooper, and
Ms. Jamie Smith with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences; Ms. Jennifer Price with the
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; and Mr. Eric Krueger and Mr. Chris Sizells with
The Nature Conservancy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Title
Page No.
ACRONYM LIST .................................................................................................... AL-1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................ES-1
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1-1
SECTION 2 - STUDY OBJECTIVES ............................................................................. 2-1
SECTION 3 - SITE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................... 3-1
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
Mainstem River Study Reaches..................................................................................... 3-1
Tributaries...................................................................................................................... 3-1
Reach 1 Habitat Conditions (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake, including
Lake Tillery).................................................................................................................. 3-5
Reach 2 Habitat Conditions (Blewett Falls Lake to S.C. Highway 34) ........................ 3-6
Water Quality Conditions.............................................................................................. 3-9
SECTION 4 - METHODS ............................................................................................ 4-1
4.1
4.2
4.3
Fish and Crayfish Surveys............................................................................................. 4-1
Mussel Survey ............................................................................................................... 4-4
Quality Control and Assurance ..................................................................................... 4-5
SECTION 5 - RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .................................................................. 5-1
5.1
5.2
5.3
Fish Surveys .................................................................................................................. 5-1
5.1.1
Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake) ................................................. 5-1
5.1.2
Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34) ......................................... 5-7
Crayfish Surveys ......................................................................................................... 5-17
Mussel Surveys............................................................................................................ 5-18
5.3.1
Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake) ............................................... 5-21
5.3.2
Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34) ....................................... 5-23
5.3.3
Tributaries ..................................................................................................... 5-24
5.3.4
The South Carolina Nature Conservancy Mussel Survey of the
Pee Dee River................................................................................................ 5-25
5.3.5
Host Fish Species for Unionid Mussel Glochidia Larvae............................. 5-27
SECTION 6 - SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 6-1
SECTION 7 - REFERENCES ........................................................................................ 7-1
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)
Section
Title
Page No.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A -
APPENDIX B -
SUMMARY CATCH DATA BY SAMPLE LOCATION AND GEAR TYPE
FOR THE SHALLOW WATER FISH SURVEY CONDUCTED IN THE PEE
DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND BLEWETT FALLS
DEVELOPMENTS DURING APRIL-JUNE 2004
LENGTH-FREQUENCY DATA FOR MUSSEL TAXA COLLECTED BY
RIVER REACH FOR THE SHALLOW WATER MUSSEL SURVEY
CONDUCTED IN THE PEE DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND
BLEWETT FALLS DEVELOPMENTS DURING 2004
ii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
Figure 3-1
Figure 3-2
Figure 5-1
Figure 5-2
Figure 5-3
Title
Page No.
Map of Lake Tillery and the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
showing sampling locations in Reach 1 for the shallow water fish, crayfish
and mussel study during 2004. ............................................................................ 3-3
Map of Blewett Falls Lake and the Pee Dee River below the Blewett
Hydroelectric Development showing sampling locations in Reach 2 for the
shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study during 2004. .............................. 3-4
Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development during 2004.................................................................................... 5-8
Pram electrofishing catch rates (number per hour) by transect for American
eel collected from Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Developments during 2004.............................. 5-9
Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls
Development (Reach 2) during 2004.....................................................................16
iii
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Table 3-1
Table 3-2
Table 3-3
Table 5-1
Table 5-2
Table 5-3
Table 5-4
Table 5-5
Table 5-6
Table 5-7
Table 5-8
Table 5-9
Table 5-10
Table 5-11
Table 5-12
Title
Page No.
Description of transect locations used in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and
mussel study of the Pee Dee River during 2004. ................................................. 3-2
GPS coordinates, channel widths, and habitat characteristics of transects used
in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee River
(Reach 1) at the Tillery Development during 2004. ............................................ 3-5
GPS coordinates, channel widths, and habitat characteristics of transects used
in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee River
(Reach 2) at the Blewett Falls Development during 2004................................... 3-7
Fish taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches below the Tillery and
Blewett Falls Developments during the shallow water study, April-June
2004...................................................................................................................... 5-1
Total number of fish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.1................... 5-2
Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004. ..................................... 5-3
Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum
values) of fish collected by transect during the shallow water survey of the
Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004. ............. 5-4
Total number of fish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004........... 5-9
Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.......................... 5-11
Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum
values) of fish collected by transect during the shallow water survey of the
Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Plant (Reach 2) during
2004.................................................................................................................... 5-12
Crayfish taxa collected during the shallow water study of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004. ..................... 5-17
Mussel taxa expected to occur in the North Carolina and South Carolina
segments of the Pee Dee River and their conservation status listing (data
adopted from Bogan 2002 and Bogan and Alderman 2004). ............................ 5-18
Total number of mussels collected and their state or federal listing status
from the mainstem Pee Dee River and tributaries at the Tillery and Blewett
Falls Developments, June-October 20041.......................................................... 5-20
Number of mussels collected by transect from Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Development during 2004. .................................................... 5-21
Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from Reaches 1 and 2 of the
Pee Dee River below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during
2004.................................................................................................................... 5-22
iv
LIST OF TABLES
(Continued)
Table
Table 5-13
Table 5-14
Table 5-15
Table 5-16
Table 5-17
Table 5-18
Title
Page No.
Number of mussels collected by transect from Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development during 2004........................................... 5-23
Number of mussels collected by transect from tributaries of the Pee Dee
River at the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004. .................. 5-24
Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from tributaries of the Pee Dee
River associated with the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during
2004.................................................................................................................... 5-25
Mussel taxa collected during The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina
study of the Pee Dee River, South Carolina, during 2004. Taxa are ranked in
relative order of abundance from most abundant to least abundant. ................. 5-26
Number of mussel taxa found by sample location during The Nature
Conservancy of South Carolina mussel study of the Pee Dee River, South
Carolina, during 2004. ....................................................................................... 5-26
List of known fish hosts for glochidia (larvae) of mussel taxa found in the
Pee Dee River, North Carolina-South Carolina (data adopted from Bogan
2002 and Bogan and Alderman 2004). .............................................................. 5-27
v
Acronym List
Federal/State Agencies
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
National Park Service (NPS)
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) formerly known as Soil Conservation Service
National Weather Service (NWS)
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR)
North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (NCEMC)
North Carolina Department of Natural and Economic Resources, Division of Environmental
Management (NCDEM)
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR)
North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR)
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ)
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP)
North Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer (NCSHPO)
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
U.S. Department of Interior (DOI)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
Other Entities
Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., Yadkin Division (APGI)
Appalachian State University (ASU)
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Progress Energy
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNCCH)
Facilities/Places
Yadkin - Pee Dee River Project (entire two-development project including both powerhouses, dams
and impoundments)
Blewett Falls Development (when referring to dam, powerhouse and impoundment)
Blewett Falls Dam (when referring to the structure)
Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Plant (when referring to the powerhouse)
Blewett Falls Lake (when referring to the impoundment)
AL-1
Acronym List
Tillery Development (when referring to dam, powerhouse and impoundment)
Tillery Dam (when referring to the structure)
Tillery Hydroelectric Plant (when referring to the powerhouse)
Lake Tillery (when referring to the impoundment)
Documents
401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC)
Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA)
Environmental Assessment (EA)
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Final Environmental Assessment (FEA)
Initial Consultation Document (ICD)
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
National Wetland Inventory (NWI)
Notice of Intent (NOI)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR)
Preliminary Draft Environmental Assessment (PDEA)
Programmatic Agreement (PA)
Scoping Document (SD)
Shoreline Management Plan (SMP)
Laws/Regulations
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Electric Consumers Protection Act (ECPA)
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Federal Power Act (FPA)
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
Terminology
Alternative Relicensing Process (ALP)
Cubic feet per second (cfs)
Degrees Celsius (C)
Degrees Fahrenheit (F)
Dissolved oxygen (DO)
Feet (ft)
Gallons per day (gpd)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Gigawatt Hour (GWh)
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Grams (g)
Horsepower (hp)
Kilogram (kg)
Kilowatts (kW)
AL-2
Acronym List
Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Mean Sea Level (msl)
Megawatt (MW)
Megawatt-hours (MWh)
Meter (m)
Micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Milligrams per liter (mg/L)
Millimeter (mm)
Million gallons per day (mgd)
National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD)
National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Ounces (oz.)
Outstanding Remarkable Value (ORV)
Parts per billion (ppb)
Parts per million (ppm)
Pounds (lbs.)
Power Factor (p.f.)
Probable Maximum Flood (PMF)
Programmable logic controller (PLC)
Project Inflow Design Flood (IDF)
Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species (RTE)
Ready for Environmental Assessment (REA)
Resource Work Groups (RWG)
Revolutions per Minute (rpm)
Rights-of-way (ROW)
River mile (RM)
Stakeholders (federal and state resource agencies, NGOs, and other interested parties)
Volts (V)
AL-3
Executive Summary
Shallow water habitat in the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls and Tillery Developments,
including selected major tributaries, was intensively surveyed for fish, crayfish, and mussels during
2004. The survey was conducted to fulfill study plan requirements outlined in the Water Resources
Work Group Issue No. 1: Resident River Aquatic Resources of Project Area. The survey objective
was to characterize the fish, crayfish, and mussel shallow water communities in the mainstem Pee
Dee River and the major tributaries in the vicinity of each hydroelectric development.
The shallow water fish and mussel communities in the mainstem Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development were less diverse and not as abundant as those communities observed below the
Blewett Development, even when considering watershed drainage area size and physiographic
regional differences. Conversely, crayfish were more abundant in the river reach below the Tillery
Development. Survey results also showed possible effects to both fish and mussel communities in
the river reach below the Tillery Development due to degraded water quality from the Rocky River,
and to a lesser extent, Brown Creek. Approximately 7 to 12 miles of river may have been affected
by the degraded water quality in this reach. These effects were manifested in lower species richness,
total organism abundance, and increased abundance of certain pollution-tolerant species (mainly the
fish community). The degree of effect varied between the fish, crayfish, and mussel communities.
Recovery was observed in the crayfish and mussel community located downstream of the Brown
Creek confluence when compared to the fish community response.
The fish community characteristics below the Blewett Falls Development differed from those
community characteristics below the Tillery Development by the following attributes: (1) greater
total fish abundance; (2) greater number and abundance of minnow, sunfish, darter, and
environmentally sensitive intolerant taxa; (3) species dominance that generally was more balanced
and not restricted to just a few tolerant or habitat-generalist taxa; (4) balanced representation of the
trophic feeding guilds; and (5) higher percentages of multiple size classes present. Spatially, fish
taxa richness was the greatest at the transect located immediately below the Blewett Falls
Development, which included the greatest number of minnow, darter, and sunfish species. The total
number of collected fish did not exhibit an explicit spatial trend with increasing distance from the
power plant. Total catches were greatly influenced by high catch rates of American eel or eastern
silvery minnow at several transects.
There were 12,512 mussels representing 18 taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches and
tributaries associated with both hydroelectric developments. Approximately 84 percent of the total
number of collected mussels were represented by two taxa — eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell.
Thirteen of these mussel taxa had state or federal conservation listing status including five North
Carolina Threatened species, two North Carolina Endangered species and Federal Species of
Concern, two North Carolina Special Concern species, one North Carolina Significantly Rare
species, and seven South Carolina Natural Heritage Program State Species of Concern. Three other
mussel taxa — Waccamaw spike, tidewater mucket, and Southern rainbow — were also collected
from Reach 2 during surveys conducted by The Nature Conservancy during 2004 and 2005. The
collection of Waccamaw spike in the lower Pee Dee River represented a new range extension for
this species.
ES-1
Executive Summary
The mussel community was more diverse and had a greater abundance of individuals in the Pee Dee
River below the Blewett Falls Development when compared to the mussel community in the river
reach below the Tillery Development. The greatest number of mussel taxa were collected at the three
transects located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development. Seven of the thirteen taxa
collected at these transects had a conservation listing status in North Carolina waters. These
transects, located approximately 1 to 5 miles below the Blewett Falls Development, also supported a
very large amount of mussel biomass and accounted for 84 percent of all collected mussels within
this reach.
Mussel taxa richness and abundance was greater in the mainstem Pee Dee River than the tributaries.
Mussels were located in seven of the 14 transects sampled in tributaries associated with both
hydroelectric developments. The Little River, Uwharrie River, and Mountain Creek (Blewett Falls
Lake) supported the greatest number of mussels, including rare species. Mussels were either absent
or reduced in abundance at transects sampled in Clarks Creek, Rocky River, and Cedar Creek which
are tributaries within the river reach below the Tillery Development. Mussels were also absent or
reduced in abundance in the major tributaries of the Pee Dee River reach immediately below the
Blewett Falls Development.
ES-2
Section 1 - Introduction
Progress Energy is currently relicensing the Blewett Falls and Tillery hydroelectric developments
(i.e., Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project No. 2206) with the Federal Regulatory
Commission (FERC). As part of the relicensing process, Progress Energy established Resource
Work Groups (RWGs) during May 2003 to identify environmental issues associated with project
operations and develop study plans, if necessary, specific to project lands and associated lakes and
tailwaters. The Water RWG identified the need for additional shallow water surveys of the fish,
crayfish, and mussel communities in the Pee Dee River and tributaries associated with both
hydroelectric developments (Progress Energy 2004a). Progress Energy agreed to conduct a shallow
water survey during 2004 as part of its relicensing process (i.e., Water RWG Issue No. 1, “Resident
River Aquatic Resources of Project Area”). This shallow water survey was conducted in accordance
with the study plan developed by the Water RWG during 2003 (Progress Energy 2004a).
1-1
Section 2 - Study Objectives
The primary objectives of this survey were to conduct: (1) an intensive shallow water sampling for
fish and crayfish fauna in shoal and gravel bar habitats in the Pee Dee River; and (2) a habitat-based
survey of mussel fauna in the Pee Dee River, including major tributaries associated with the
mainstem river and the Project reservoirs.
2-1
Section 3 - Site Description
3.1
Mainstem River Study Reaches
This survey was conducted in two reaches of the Pee Dee River. The first reach (Reach 1), 17 miles
in length, extended from the base of Tillery Dam to the headwaters of Blewett Falls Lake (Table 3-1
and Figure 3-1. Five transects were sampled in this reach (Transects TZ1 to TZ5). This reach was
located entirely within the Piedmont physiographic region. Major named tributaries in this reach
include Clarks Creek, Rocky River, Brown Creek, and Little River. The second reach (Reach 2),
72 miles in length, extended from the base of Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34 Bridge at
Cashua Ferry boat landing (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-2). Nine transects were sampled in this reach
(Transects BZ1 to BZ8 including Transect BZ1A). This reach included the Piedmont Fall Line
(23 miles of the reach) and upper Coastal Plain physiographic regions (49 miles of the reach).
Transects BZ1 to BZ5 were located in the Piedmont Fall Line region of North Carolina-South
Carolina while Transects BZ6 to BZ8 were located in the upper Coastal Plain region of South
Carolina. Major named tributaries in this reach include Cartledge Creek, Island Creek, Hitchcock
Creek, Little and Jones Creek, Westfield Creek, Thompson Creek, Crooked Creek, Spot Mill Creek,
Cedar Creek, and Three Creek.
3.2
Tributaries
Sampling was conducted for the mussel survey in identified tributaries of Lake Tillery, Blewett Falls
Lake, and in Reaches 1 and 2 (Table 3-1 and Figures 3-1 and 3-2). Some of these tributaries were
located outside of the Project boundary but potentially within the zone of influence of Project
operations (i.e., flow or lake level fluctuations), and therefore, was included in the study plan design.
In Reach 1, mussel surveys were conducted in Clarks Creek, Rocky River, Little River, and Cedar
Creek. Savannah Creek, proposed for sampling in the study plan (Progress Energy 2004a), was
dropped from the survey after field investigations indicated the creek was impacted by sedimentation
from logging and agricultural practices in the surrounding watershed. Savannah Creek had
extensive sedimentation, very low flow, and low dissolved oxygen concentrations (1.2 mg/L). Cedar
Creek was substituted for Savannah Creek. This creek was not impacted by sedimentation. Brown
Creek was not sampled due to an ongoing intensive mussel survey of creek which is being jointly
funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
(NCWRC), and Progress Energy. Results of the Brown Creek survey will be available from the
USFWS during late 2005 or 2006 (personal communication with Ms. Laura Fogo, Pee Dee Nation
Wildlife Refuge).
Mussel surveys were conducted in Cartledge Creek, Island Creek, Hitchcock Creek, Jones Creek,
and Westfield Creek within Reach 2.
In addition, mussel surveys were conducted in identified major tributaries of Lake Tillery (Uwharrie
River, Mountain Creek, and Jacobs Creek) and Blewett Falls Lake (Mountain Creek and Buffalo
Creek). Cedar Creek, a tributary of Lake Tillery, was omitted from the mussel survey due to
anthropogenic effects (i.e., stream channelization, construction debris, low flow, and storm water
discharges).
3-1
Section 3
Table 3-1
Transect
TZ1
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
TZ5
TZ TRB1
TZ TRB2
TZ TRB3
TZ TRB4
TZ TRB5
TYLAKE1
TYLAKE2
TYLAKE3
Transect
BZ1
BZ1A
BZ2
BZ3
BZ4
BZ5
BZ6
BZ7
BZ8
BZ TRB1
BZ TRB2
BZ TRB3
BZ TRB4
BZ TRB5
BFLAKE1
BFLAKE2
Site Description
Description of transect locations used in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and
mussel study of the Pee Dee River during 2004.
Tillery Development
Location Description (approximate river miles below power plant)
Shoal below N.C. Highway 731 Bridge (0.5 mile)
Shoal/prehistoric fish weir just above Rocky River confluence (5.0 miles)
Buzzard Island shoal and side channel complex (8.1 miles)
Shoal with boulder outcrop just below N.C. Highway 109 Bridge (12.2 miles)
Shoal just above Blewett Falls Lake (17.0 miles)
Clarks Creek (1.7 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
Rocky River (9.8 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
Brown Creek (Study being conducted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.)
Little River (1.0 mile above Pee Dee River confluence)
Cedar Creek (5.7 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
Uwharrie River (2.7 miles above Lake Tillery confluence)
Mountain Creek (1.0 mile above Lake Tillery confluence)
Jacobs Creek (0.25 mile above Lake Tillery confluence)
Blewett Falls Development
Location Description (approximate river miles below power plant)
Big Island shoal and side channel complex (N.C. waters - 1.0 mile)
Shoal just above U.S. Highway 74 Bridge (N.C. waters - 3.0 miles)
Hitchcock Creek shoal and island complex just below U.S. Highway 74 Bridge (N.C. waters - 4.1
miles)
Jones Creek shoal and island complex (N.C. waters - 11.7 miles)
Great Island shoal and side channel complex (S.C. waters - 20.2 miles)
Shoal just above U.S. Highway 1 Bridge at Cheraw, SC (S.C. waters - 23.0 miles)
Thompson Creek gravel bar shoal and island complex (S.C. waters - 26.2 miles)
Gravel and sand bar complex below Tom Blue landing (S.C. waters - 55.0 miles)
Gravel and cobble shoal just above S.C. Highway 34 Bridge at Cashua Ferry landing (S.C. waters 72.0 miles)
Cartledge Creek (4.4 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
Island Creek (2.9 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
Hitchcock Creek (18.0 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
Jones Creek (2.3 miles above Pee Dee River confluence)
Westfield Creek (0.8 mile above Pee Dee River confluence)
Mountain Creek (5.7 miles above Blewett Falls Lake confluence)
Buffalo Creek (0.9 mile above Blewett Falls Lake confluence)
3-2
Section 3
Figure 3-1
Site Description
Map of Lake Tillery and the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
showing sampling locations in Reach 1 for the shallow water fish, crayfish
and mussel study during 2004.
3-3
Section 3
Figure 3-2
Site Description
Map of Blewett Falls Lake and the Pee Dee River below the Blewett
Hydroelectric Development showing sampling locations in Reach 2 for the
shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study during 2004.
3-4
Section 3
Site Description
In Blewett Falls Lake, Smith Creek was omitted from the survey due to existing environmental
conditions. This creek was an iron seep swamp tributary with very low flow and low dissolved
oxygen concentrations (2.5 mg/L). The NCWRC verbally concurred with all modifications to the
mussel sampling transects.
3.3
Reach 1 Habitat Conditions (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake, including
Lake Tillery)
Fish, crayfish, and mussel sampling was conducted at Transects TZ1 to TZ5 in the mainstem river of
Reach 1 (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-1). Four tributaries within the mainstem of Reach 2 (Transects TZ
TRB1 to TZ TRB4) and three Lake Tillery tributaries (Transects TYLAKE1 to TYLAKE3) were
also sampled for mussels (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-1). Table 3-2 lists the Global Positioning System
(GPS) latitude and longitude coordinates, channel widths, and general habitat characteristics of
sampling stations of mainstem and tributary transects, including Lake Tillery tributaries.
Table 3-2
GPS coordinates, channel widths, and habitat characteristics of transects
used in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee
River (Reach 1) at the Tillery Development during 2004.
Transect
Mainstem
TZ1
Shoal below
N.C. Highway
731
Tillery Development - Reach 1
GPS Latitude and
Channel
Width (m)
Longitude
35o 11’ 55.10” N
80o 03’ 40.72” W
200
TZ2
Shoal above
Rocky River
confluence
35o 09’ 05.72” N
80o 04’ 14.31” W
170
TZ3
Buzzard Island
shoal
35o 06’ 36.03” N
80o 03’ 44.22” W
182
TZ4
N.C. Highway 109
shoal
35o 05’ 08.43” N
79o 59’ 33.61” W
175
TZ5
Shoal just
above Blewett
Falls Lake
35o 04’ 09.72” N
79o 54’ 36.71” W
320
3-5
Habitat Description
Simple shoal with bedrock outcrops and boulders,
cobble intermixed with gravel and sand, and cobble
and gravel bars present with some sand and silt
deposition. Woody debris and rooted aquatic
vegetation (Podostemum sp., Potamogeton sp., and
filamentous algae) were prevalent.
Simple shoal with prehistoric fishing weir. Bedrock
outcrops and boulders, cobble intermixed with gravel
and sand, and cobble/ gravel/sand bars present. Sand
and some silt deposition noted along channel
margins.
Woody debris and rooted aquatic
vegetation (Podostemum sp. and filamentous algae)
were prevalent.
Shoal and island complex with side channel.
Substrate and cover similar to Transects TZ1 and
TZ2 except more sand and silt deposition along
channel margins.
Simple shoal with boulder outcrop. Extensive sand
and silt deposition noted on bedrock, boulder, and
cobble substrate, particularly along east side of
channel. Woody debris prevalent and no aquatic
vegetation present.
Simple shoal in lake headwaters with extensive
bedrock and boulder outcrops. Cobble intermixed
with gravel and sand and cobble/gravel/sand bars
present. Sand deposition prevalent along west bank.
Woody debris and some rooted aquatic vegetation
present.
Section 3
Transect
Site Description
Tillery Development - Reach 1
GPS Latitude and
Channel
Longitude
Width (m)
Tributaries
TZ TRB1
Clarks Creek
35o 12’ 42.04” N
80o 02’ 28.90” W
6
TZ TRB2
Rocky River
35o 09’ 40.09” N
80o 10’ 03.42” W
55
TZ TRB3
Brown Creek
TZ TRB4
Little River
N/A
N/A
35o 06’ 18.43” N
79o 54’ 03.30” W
35
TZ TRB5
Cedar Creek
35o 01’ 47.86” N
80o 00’ 30.19” W
5
TYLAKE1
Uwharrie River
35o 24’ 00.51” N
80o 01’ 57.11” W
20
TYLAKE2
Mountain Creek
35o 20’ 53.46” N
80o 05’ 56.05” W
7
TYLAKE3
Jacobs Creek
35o 17’ 32.04” N
80o 07’ 09.74” W
5
3.4
Habitat Description
Slate bedrock with cobble and gravel riffles and
pools throughout transect. Transect completely
enclosed with riparian tree canopy.
Large sand/gravel/cobble bar in the mid river at
upper end of transect. West shoreline mostly sand
and gravel. The middle transect area was comprised
mostly of bedrock, cobble, and some sand. East
shoreline with bedrock, boulders with Podostemum
sp., and cobble.
Ongoing sampling by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Boulders embedded in silt to coarse sand throughout
mid transect. Lots of woody debris and clay silt on
west bank of the transect. Less woody debris but
more boulder, cobble and silt on the east bank of
transect.
Isolated pools separated by coarse sand and gravel
bars with little to no visible flow. Woody debris and
clay banks bordering some pools.
Pool below small shoal. West bank mostly bedrock,
boulder and large cobble extending to mid river.
Some water willow and root mats present. East bank
comprised of cobble, gravel, and a large amount of
sand.
Small pool, riffles, and runs with large boulders,
cobble, and gravel in the upper and middle portions
of the transect. Large pool below a small fall at the
lower end of transect. Substrate consisted of large
boulders embedded in silt and sand in the middle
portion of the transect. Some gravel mid channel to
east bank. Large accumulations of leaves and silt on
west bank.
Large slow flowing pool with undercut clay banks on
both sides at the upper end of transect. Slate bedrock
with cobble and gravel riffles and pools through the
lower end of transect.
Reach 2 Habitat Conditions (Blewett Falls Lake to S.C. Highway 34)
Nine mainstem transects were sampled for fish, crayfish, and/or mussels (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-2).
Transects BZ1 to BZ8, excluding Transect BZ1A, were sampled for fish and crayfish. Transects
BZ1 to BZ5, including Transect BZ1A, were sampled for mussels.
Five tributaries within the mainstem of Reach 2 (Transects BZ TRB1 to BZ TRB5) and two Blewett
Falls Lake tributaries (Transects BFLAKE1 and BFLAKE2) were also sampled for mussels
(Table 3-1 and Figure 3-2).
3-6
Section 3
Site Description
Table 3-3 lists the GPS latitude and longitude coordinates, the channel width, and general habitat
characteristics of sampled mainstream and tributary transects of Reach 2, including Blewett Falls
Lake tributaries. Habitat at the mainstem river Transects BZ1, BZ2, BZ3, and BZ5 were simple
shoal or shoal and island side channel complexes with larger, coarser substrates present such as
bedrock outcrops and boulders. Finer substrates, such as cobble, gravel, and sand, were more
prevalent at the habitat sampled at the mainstem river Transects BZ4, BZ6, BZ7, and BZ8.
Table 3-3
GPS coordinates, channel widths, and habitat characteristics of transects
used in the shallow water fish, crayfish, and mussel study of the Pee Dee
River (Reach 2) at the Blewett Falls Development during 2004.
Transect
Mainstem
BZ1
Big Island
Shoal
(below Blewett
Falls
Hydroelectric
Plant)
BZ1A
U.S. Highway 74
shoal
(upstream
of
bridge)
Blewett Falls Development - Reach 2
GPS Latitude and
Channel
Habitat Description
Width (m)
Longitude
34o 58’ 43.90” N
79o 51’ 53.04” W
249
Shoal and island complex with side channel. Substrate
dominated by bedrock outcrops and boulders of various
sizes, cobble intermixed with gravel and sand, and
cobble/gravel/sand bars. Some silt deposition also noted
along channel margins. Woody debris prevalent and
some rooted aquatic vegetation was present.
34o 57’ 05.10” N
79o 52’ 21.04” W
292
BZ2
Hitchcock
Creek shoal
34o 56’ 16.29” N
79o 51’ 54.51” W
207
BZ3
Jones Creek shoal
34o 51’ 46.13” N
79o 53’ 11.19” W
307
BZ4
Great Island shoal
34o 45’ 12.73” N
79o 54’ 31.45” W
206
BZ5
Shoal above U.S.
Highway 1
34o 42’ 45.14” N
79o 52’ 36.82” W
110
Simple shoal with prehistoric fishing weirs. Bedrock
outcrops and boulders, cobble intermixed with gravel
and sand and some cobble/gravel/sand bars present.
Some silt deposition also noted along channel margin.
Woody debris prevalent and some rooted aquatic
vegetation was present.
Shoal and island complex with side channels. Substrate
and cover similar to Transects BZ 1 and BZ1A except
boulders and bedrock were more prevalent. Cobble
intermixed with gravel and sand and gravel/cobble bars
present, particularly along channel margins. Some silt
deposition along channel margins. Main channel
included distinct slot channels created by erosion of
underlying bedrock. Woody debris and rooted aquatic
vegetation present.
Shoal and island complex with side channels. Substrate
consisted of bedrock, boulder, cobble, and gravel.
Cobble/gravel and sand bars located along channel
margins and side channels. Rooted aquatic vegetation
was prevalent and filamentous algal growth was
extensive. Woody debris present.
Shoal and island complex with side channels. Substrate
dominated by cobble, gravel, and sand bars interspersed
with boulders. Woody debris and aquatic vegetation
were prevalent.
Simple shoal with bedrock outcrops, boulders, cobble
intermixed with gravel and sand, and cobble/gravel/sand
bars. Woody debris and rooted aquatic vegetation were
prevalent.
3-7
Section 3
Transect
BZ6
Thompson Creek
gravel
and cobble bar
shoal
BZ7
Blues Landing
gravel and cobble
bar shoal
BZ8
Cashua
Ferry
shoal upstream of
S.C. Highway 34
Site Description
Blewett Falls Development - Reach 2
GPS Latitude and
Channel
Habitat Description
Longitude
Width (m)
149
Large cobble and gravel bar with small island and side
34o 40’ 22.46” N
79o 51’ 15.03” W
channel at creek confluence. Substrate mainly cobble
with intermixed sand and gravel. Sand and gravel bars
also present. Silt accumulation along channel margins.
Woody debris prevalent and aquatic vegetation was
sparse.
153
Large mid channel cobble and gravel bar intermixed
34o 28’ 16.58” N
79o 43’ 54.60” W
with sand. The bar substrate changed to sand at the
downstream end. Woody debris was prevalent and
aquatic vegetation was sparse. Silt accumulation along
channel margins.
105
Simple shoal at creek confluence with rapid gradient
34o 21’ 37.69” N
79o 41’ 34.67” W
channel change in coastal plain. Substrate included
some boulders, petrified wood chunks of various sizes,
sedimentary clay outcrops, bedrock, and cobble, gravel,
and sand bars. Woody debris was prevalent and some
aquatic vegetation was also present.
Tributaries
BZ TRB1
Cartledge Creek
35o 00’ 55.40” N
79o 49’ 27.48” W
6
BZ TRB2
Island Creek
34o 55’ 52.04” N
79o 53’ 38.20” W
3
BZ TRB3
Hitchcock Creek
35o 00’ 30.47” N
79o 39’ 37.23” W
4
BZ TRB4
Jones Creek
34o 52’ 57.32” N
79o 54’ 11.15” W
15
BZ TRB5
Westfield Creek
34o 45’ 11.87” N
79o 55’ 18.75” W
5
BFLAKE1
Mountain Creek
35o 05’ 16.23” N
79o 50’ 07.50” W
12
BFLAKE2
Buffalo Creek
35o 01’ 12.68” N
79o 55’ 17.46” W
3
Bedrock, gravel and cobble riffles and sandy pools and
runs. Stream very sinuous with low flow velocities.
Entire transect was enclosed in riparian tree canopy.
Transect located in bottomland hardwood forest.
Riffle and pool habitat with cobble to small boulders in
the riffles, and sand in pools. Most areas of sand
substrate covered with a algal and fungal mat,
approximately 2-3 mm thick. Transect located in
bottomland hardwood forest. Entire transect was
enclosed in riparian tree canopy.
Sinuous coastal plain stream, mostly sand to small
gravel in high flow areas and silt and detritus in
depositional areas throughout transect. One riffle at
lower end of transect on top of a clay bed. Numerous
floating mats consisting of reed and woody debris.
Stream depth averaged one meter in pools. Transect was
completely enclosed with riparian tree canopy.
Coarse shifting sand substrate throughout the entire
transect with habitat consisting of sand bars, shallow
pool, riffles, and runs. Upper end of transect had
riparian tree canopy.
Sequence of pools and riffles through transect. Substrate
was mostly gravel and cobble with a few boulders
covered with a thin layer of dark silt. Transect was
completely enclosed by riparian tree canopy.
Slate bedrock substrate with riffles of large gravel to
small cobble intermixed with sand throughout the
transect. Two riffles and one pool were located within
the transect.
Bedrock, gravel/cobble riffles, runs, and pools with little
sand. Stream very sinuous with low flow velocities.
Entire transect was enclosed in riparian tree canopy.
Transect located in bottomland hardwood forest.
3-8
Section 3
3.5
Site Description
Water Quality Conditions
Water temperatures ranged from 17.0º to 26.2ºC, and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations ranged
from 6.7 to 13.7 mg/L during the fish and crayfish surveys of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development (Reach 1). Conductivity ranged from 93 to 121 µS/cm in Reach 1. Water
temperatures and conductivity were greater below the Rocky River confluence while a slight DO sag
was observed downstream of these tributaries.
For Reach 2 below the Blewett Falls Development, water temperatures ranged from 22.9º to 26.9ºC,
and DO concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 10.3 mg/L during the fish and crayfish surveys.
Conductivity ranged from 92 to 142 µS/cm in Reach 2.
Water quality data collected during the mussel surveys are presented in Appendix A. During mussel
surveys of the Reaches 1 and 2, temperatures ranged from 21.2º to 29.2ºC; DO concentrations
ranged from 4.8 to 9.6 mg/L; conductivity ranged from 89 to 124 µS/cm; pH ranged from 7.0 to 9.2
units; and turbidity ranged from 2.0 to 16 NTU. For the tributary sites, water temperatures ranged
from 17.7º to 27.7ºC; DO concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 13.9 mg/L; conductivity ranged from 24
to 181 µS/cm; pH ranged from 6.1 to 7.9 units; and turbidity ranged from 1.2 to 22 NTU. The DO
concentration measured at Cedar Creek (Reach 1 tributary) was below the North Carolina
instantaneous water quality standard of 4 mg/L.
3-9
Section 4 - Methods
4.1
Fish and Crayfish Surveys
Sampling was conducted under low flow conditions (i.e., no power plant generation or wadeable
flow conditions) from April 25 through May 23, 2004, in Reach 1 and from May 14 through
June 14, 2004, in Reach 2. A reach length of 366 m (1,200 ft) was established at each transect to
ensure that all representative habitat types were sampled. There were some instances where 1,200 ft
of wadeable stream was not present for the pram sampling. Only 450 ft was sampled at Transect
TZ5 in Reach 1 below the Tillery Development due to non-wadeable conditions (i.e., depth greater
than 1.2-m). One station was also truncated at Transect TZ4 (west shoreline) due to non-wadeable
conditions (900 ft sampled) for a portion of the transect.
A standardized approach was used to sample the fish and crayfish community at each transect.
Sampling gear types used included a Smith-Root 5.0 GPP pram electrofisher, a Smith-Root Model
15 backpack electrofisher, and a 20-ft flat seine (6.1 m x 1.8 m with 0.32 cm mesh). The pram
electrofisher was used to sample the channel by making three passes through the transect (i.e., each
river bank and mid channel, if wadeable). The side margins of the channel, including any backwater
areas, were sampled with the backpack electrofisher for 15-minute intervals. Twelve seine hauls
(i.e., one haul per 100 ft of transect length) were made at sand, gravel, or cobble bars or riffles at
each transect with all collected samples combined into one common sample. For electrofishing
sampling, pulsed DC current was utilized for sampling with voltage adjusted to produce 3 to 4 amps
in the sampling field, depending upon the water conductivity. Backpack electrofishing was
conducted for 15-minute intervals along each channel margin and any associated backwater areas.
Electrofishing was conducted in either an upstream or downstream fashion at each transect. Riffle
areas were sampled intensively with the pram electrofisher by disturbing the substrate and holding
dip nets on the downstream end of the riffle while the electrofishing was performed. Crayfish were
qualitatively sampled during the backpack and pram electrofishing sampling for fish. Electrofishing
for crayfish was substituted for kick net and dip net sampling techniques because electrofishing was
the most effective technique to collect crayfish, particularly in backwater areas with woody debris.
The total time was recorded for backpack and pram electrofishing, and the catches were adjusted to
number and weight of fish per hour.
At each sampling location, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were measured
with a laboratory- and field-calibrated YSI® multi-parameter instrument (Model 650). Sample
locations were recorded with a GPS unit with sub-meter accuracy. Digital photographs were also
taken of each sampling site.
All fish and crayfish, regardless of sampling methodology, were identified to the lowest practicable
taxa level. Fish were measured for total length to the nearest millimeter and weighed to the nearest
gram. Fish that could not be accurately identified in the field or large numbers of small individuals
were be preserved with 10 percent buffered formalin solution and transported to the laboratory for
identification and body measurements. All other collected fish were released alive at the sampling
site. Crayfish were preserved in 70 percent ethanol and transported to the laboratory for
identification. Crayfish were identified to the lowest practical taxa level. Identification of crayfish
taxa to species level for most genera requires a breeding (Form I) male. Females could only be
identified to genus level. Dr. John Cooper of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
4-1
Section 4
Methods
(NCMNS) provided assistance with crayfish identification for Form 11 Procambarus spp mailes.
Fish and crayfish specimens were retained for voucher purposes in Progress Energy’s fish and
invertebrate reference collections and in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ collection.
All electrofishing and seine samples were combined at each transect to yield the total number of fish
and crayfish collected per transect within each sample reach. In addition, the summary catch-perunit effort data were calculated for both electrofishers and seine hauls and are presented in
Appendix A (Tables A-1 to A-6). Dominant species within the fish community were defined as
those species or taxa comprising ≥5 percent of the total fish abundance at each transect. The fish
data were assigned tolerance and trophic feeding guild classifications based on designations used by
the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) for its North Carolina Index of Biotic
Integrity (NCIBI) methodology (NCDWQ 2001). The NCIBI is a modification of the Index of
Biotic Integrity originally formulated by Karr (1981) to measure the health and structure of stream
fish communities. The NCIBI fish community metrics or attributes were also applied to the data to
gain insight into the fish community structure at each transect within each sampled reach. Two other
attributes — the number of minnow and North American catfish species — were included in this
assessment. The percentage of green sunfish replaced number of fish with disease, fin erosion,
lesions, or tumors in this assessment; because, no fish were observed with disease, fin erosion,
lesions, or tumors during the study. The number of minnow species was also added to evaluate the
presence of this family (Cyprinidae) at the sampled transects. Young-of-year fish were excluded
from the trophic feeding guild attribute and green sunfish percentage calculations. The young-ofyear cut-off lengths used in the NCIBI methodology were applied to these data (Appendix A).
Summary tables excluding the number of young-of-year for Reaches 1 and 2 are presented in
Appendix A (Tables A-7 and A-8). Young-of-year were included in calculations of all other
attributes (i.e., number of taxa or species richness, total number of individuals, number of darter,
minnow, North American catfish, sucker, and sunfish species, number of intolerant species, and
multiple size classes).
The significance of each fish community metric or attribute is given below as defined in the NCIBI
(NCDWQ 2001):
1.
2.
3.
4.
Number of taxa or species richness: The total number of species supported by a stream of a
given size within a given region generally decreases with environmental degradation. In
addition, some streams with larger watersheds or drainage areas can be expected to support
more species than stream with smaller watersheds. In other instances, the number of species
and watershed size are not correlated.
Number of individuals: The total number of fish supported by a stream of a given size in a
given region decreases with environmental degradation. However, in some instances, nutrient
enrichment or degradation may actually increase the number of fish supported by a stream.
Number of darter species (Etheostoma and Percina species): Darters are sensitive to
environmental degradation particularly as a result of their specific reproductive and habitat
requirements. Darter habitats (e.g., riffle habitat) are degraded as a result of channelization,
siltation, reduced oxygen levels, and fluctuating water levels. The collection of fewer than
expected number of species of darters can indicate some degree of habitat degradation.
Number of minnow species: Many species of minnows are intolerant of habitat and chemical
degradation and, because some of the species have life spans of up to six years, provide a
4-2
Section 4
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Methods
multi-year integrated perspective. Because of their predominantly specialized insectivorous
feeding habits, they also reflect the condition of the benthic community which may be harmed
by sedimentation, sediment contamination, or varying water levels. Minnow species also
typically inhabit shallow water habitats such as stream channel margins which can be affected
by fluctuating water levels in regulated streams (Bain and Travnichek 1996).
Number of North American catfish species: The number of North American catfish species
can provide insight into general environmental conditions present in a stream. Many North
American catfishes are omnivorous feeding generalists tolerant of a wide range of
environmental conditions. Conversely, madtom species inhabit shallow water areas and are
insectivorous in feeding habits and generally reflect favorable stream environmental
conditions. This attribute is not used in the NCIBI but used in this assessment to characterize
the entire fish community present in the Pee Dee River.
Number of sucker species (includes all species within Catostomidae Family): Many
suckers (especially Moxostoma or Scartomyzon species) are intolerant of habitat and chemical
degradation, and because they are long-lived, provide a multiyear integrated perspective.
They also reflect the condition of the benthic community which may be affected by
sedimentation, sediment contamination, or flow fluctuations.
Number of sunfish species (includes Lepomis, Enneacanthus, Micropterus, and Pomoxis
species): Sunfish species are particularly responsive to habitat degradation such as the filling
in of pools with sediment and loss of stream cover (e.g., woody debris). Conversely, most
sunfish species (e.g., bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and largemouth bass) are habitat and feeding
generalists and show less sensitivity to flow fluctuations that other species who are more
specialized in feeding or inhabit channel margin habitat (Bain and Travnichek 1996).
Number of intolerant species: Intolerant species are those specialized habitat and feeding
species most affected by environmental perturbations, and therefore should disappear, at least
as viable populations by the time a stream is rated as “Fair.” Intolerant species includes some
species with a very restricted zoogeographic distribution or considered rare, threatened, or
endangered (RTE). Of the 212 species of freshwater fish in North Carolina waters, only 52
species are considered intolerant. Three intolerant species — fieryblack shiner, thinlip chub,
and Piedmont darter — were collected from the Pee Dee River during this study.
Percent tolerant individuals: Tolerant species are those which are often present in a stream
in low or moderate numbers but as the stream degrades, they can become dominant (generally
greater than 25 to 35 percent of the fish community). Of the approximately 211 species of
freshwater fish found in North Carolina, 22 species are tolerant. The metric is calculated by
the total number of individuals of tolerant species divided by the total number of collected fish
(excluding young-of-year).
Percent omnivores and herbivores: Omnivorous feeding species generally indicate
degraded environmental conditions, particularly the benthic invertebrate community.
Additionally, large numbers of herbivores can indicate canopy or riparian removal or
modifications and/or nutrient enrichment with subsequent increased growth of attached algae
and periphyton.
Percent piscivores: Piscivorous feeding species represent the top of the food chain within the
aquatic community and their presence usually indicates a healthy, functioning food chain.
However, a very large percentage of piscivorous species or the complete absence of predators
may indicate environmental perturbations or some other influencing factor.
4-3
Section 4
12.
13.
14.
Methods
Percent insectivores: Insectivorous feeding species, particularly those that specialize on the
benthic invertebrate community (i.e., many minnow, sucker, and darter taxa) generally reflect
a healthy river ecosystem. The presence of a large percentage of generalist insectivorous
feeding species, particularly those that can feed on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial
invertebrates, (e.g., redbreast sunfish and bluegill) can indicate degraded environmental
conditions and nutrient enrichment.
Percent green sunfish: The percentage of green sunfish, a tolerant species, typically
increases with degraded environmental conditions (generally >5 percent of total fish collected
would be considered unbalanced) (Karr et al. 1986). This attribute is not included in the
NCIBI but used in this assessment to aid in characterization of the fish community and
environmental conditions.
Percentage of species with multiple age groups: This metric or attribute provides an
indication of reproductive success and survivability of year classes through time. It also
provides an indirect indicator of suitable habitat for reproduction and rearing of young. At
least three individuals per species must have been collected to determine the presence of
multiple age groups within the population. In some instances, professional judgment may also
be used to determine reproductive success of a particular species.
The health of the fish community at each transect was not quantitatively scored with the NCIBI (i.e.,
numeric score with corresponding community health rating). The scoring methodology has not been
applied to large river systems, such as the Pee Dee River, with the specific array of sampling gear
types used in this study (personal communication with Mr. Bryn Tracy, NCDWQ). Furthermore, the
fish community characteristics changed as the river transitioned from the Piedmont physiographic
region in North Carolina into the Coastal Plain physiographic region of South Carolina. These
changes would influence IBI metrics and scoring expectations.
4.2
Mussel Survey
Sampling was conducted from June 12, 2004 through October 11, 2004. All mainstem and most
tributary transects were sampled from June through August. The Rocky River and Uwharrie River
were sampled in October due to a series of hurricanes and subsequent flooding that occurred in
September. A 328-ft (100 m) longitudinal transect on each river bank was established at each
transect that adequately represented suitable mussel habitats. Habitats within the established
transect area (from river bank to river bank) were searched longitudinally for mussels. Both river
bank shorelines were surveyed for the mainstem Pee Dee River. Additionally, mid-channel surveys
were conducted at Transects TZ1 and BZ5 located below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric
Developments, respectively. The entire channel from bank to bank was sampled for the 100-m
transects established at the tributary sites.
Timed visual surveys, aided with snorkeling and glass-bottomed buckets in shallow water areas,
were conducted to search for mussels. Tactile surveys of the substrate were also conducted to detect
the presence of mussels. No surveys were conducted when underwater visibility was significantly
reduced by turbidity or low light conditions. A steel quadrant frame, measuring 0.092 m2 (1 ft2) was
used once at each transect to search for juvenile mussels. The quadrant frame was placed in
substrate (sand and/or gravel) suitable for juvenile mussel inhabitation and the delineated area
searched thoroughly. Finally, the riverbank and the sampled area were visually surveyed for relic
4-4
Section 4
Methods
mussel shells to detect the potential presence of mussel taxa for which no live specimens were
collected.
The number of biologists involved in the mussel surveys varied during the study. Three to nine
biologists were involved in sampling mainstem transects, depending upon location. Tributary
transects were surveyed with two to seven biologists.
Collected mussels were kept alive in pursed, small-meshed bags suspended in the water column or
water-filled buckets until identified and processed for measurements. All mussels were identified to
the lowest practicable taxa level and photographed with a digital camera. Meristic measurements
were obtained for total shell length, width, and height (nearest mm) for the first 100 individuals for
each taxon at each transect. In the event that very large numbers of a particular taxon (e.g., Elliptio
roanokensis) were encountered during sampling, 100 individuals were randomly selected for
meristics measurements. All other mussels of that taxon were left in place and counted in situ at the
transect. After processing, mussels were returned alive to the sampled habitat area. Some mussel
specimens were retained by NCWRC biologists for voucher specimens and genetic analysis. Those
specimens were preserved in 100 percent ethanol. Dr. Art Bogan, NCMNS, and Dr. Ryan Heise,
NCWRC, assisted with mussel identification.
Substrate at each sampling transect was qualitatively classified using the modified Wentworth scale
(McMahon et al. 1996). Each transect was mapped with a GPS instrument with sub-meter accuracy.
Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and turbidity were measured at each
transect with a laboratory- and field-calibrated YSI® multi-parameter instrument (Model 650) or
similar equipment.
4.3
Quality Control and Assurance
All survey data were collected in accordance with Progress Energy’s Quality Assurance/Quality
Control (QA/QC) Program (Progress Energy 2004b, 2004c). Progress Energy is certified by the
North Carolina Division of Water Quality and the South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control to collect water quality and biological samples through Standard Operating
Procedures. Specific procedures for sample collection and data custody are detailed in Progress
Energy’s QA/QC Program. Voucher specimens of identified fish and crayfish taxa were retained in
Progress Energy’s voucher specimen reference collection and in the North Carolina Museum of
Natural Sciences’ collection. Identified mussel taxa were documented with digital photographs.
4-5
Section 5 - Results and Discussion
5.1
Fish Surveys
5.1.1 Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake)
A total of 36 fish taxa representing 10 families were collected from Reach 1 located below the
Tillery Development (Table 5-1). Taxa richness ranged from 11 taxa at Transect TZ4 to 25 taxa at
Transect TZ5 (Tables 5-2 and 5-3). No rare, threatened, or endangered fish species were collected.
Table 5-1
Fish taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches below the Tillery and
Blewett Falls Developments during the shallow water study, April-June 2004.
1
Scientific Name
Lepisosteidae
Lepisosteus osseus
Anguillidae
Anguilla rostrata
Clupeidae
Dorosoma cepedianum
Cyprinidae
Cyprinella analostana
C. lutrensis
C. nivea
C. pyrrhomelas
3
C.sp. 1 (cf. zanema)
Hybognathus regius
Nocomis leptocephalus
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Notropis alborus
N. amoenus
N. chiliticus
N. hudsonius
N. petersoni
N. scepticus
Catostomidae
Ictiobus bubalus
Minytrema melanops
Moxostoma collapsum
M. macrolepidotum
Moxostoma spp.
Ictaluridae
Ameiurus brunneus
A. catus
A. natalis
A. platycephalus
Ictalurus punctatus
Noturus insignis
Pylodictis olivaris
Common Name
Gars
longnose gar
Freshwater Eels
American eel
Herrings
gizzard shad
Carps and Minnows
satinfin shiner
red shiner
whitefin shiner
fieryblack shiner
thinlip chub
eastern silvery minnow
bluehead chub
golden shiner
whitemouth shiner
comely shiner
redlip shiner
spottail shiner
coastal shiner
sandbar shiner
Suckers
smallmouth buffalo
spotted sucker
notchlip redhorse
shorthead redhorse
redhorse species
North American catfishes
snail bullhead
white catfish
yellow bullhead
flat bullhead
channel catfish
margined madtom
flathead catfish
5-1
Reach 1
(Pee Dee River
Below Tillery
Development)
Reach 2
(Pee Dee River
Below Blewett Falls
Development)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
2
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
Section 5
Results and Discussions
1
Common Name
Scientific Name
Aphredoderidae
Aphredoderus sayanus
Mugilidae
Mugil cephalus
Atherinidae
Labidesthes sicculus
Belonidae
Strongylura marina
Poeciliidae
Gambusia holbrooki
Moronidae
Morone americana
Centrarchidae
Enneacanthus gloriosus
Lepomis auritus
L. cyanellus
L. gibbosus
L. gulosus
L. macrochirus
L. microlophus
L. punctatus
Micropterus salmoides
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Percidae
Etheostoma flabellare
E. olmstedi
Percina crassa
Perca flavescens
Soleidae
Trinectes maculatus
Reach 1
(Pee Dee River
Below Tillery
Development)
Pirate perches
pirate perch
Mullets
striped mullet
Silversides
brook silverside
Needlefishes
Atlantic needlefish
Livebearers
eastern mosquitofish
Temperate basses
white perch
Sunfishes
bluespotted sunfish
redbreast sunfish
green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
redear sunfish
spotted sunfish
largemouth bass
black crappie
Perches
fantail darter
tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
yellow perch
Soles
Hogchoker
X
X
X
X
2
3
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
Total number of taxa
1
Reach 2
(Pee Dee River
Below Blewett Falls
Development)
36
46
Taxonomic nomenclature follows Nelson et al. (2004) except for Carolina redhorse (undescribed Moxostoma spp.).
One individual could only be identified to Family Cyprinidae taxonomic level.
Thinlip chub was formerly considered part of Cyprinella zanema, Santee chub. Recent taxonomic analysis has
reclassified the thinlip chub in the Pee Dee, Cape Fear, and Lumber rivers drainages (LeGrand et al. 2004).
Table 5-2
Total number of fish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.1
Common Name
Longnose gar
American eel
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Tolerance Rating
Tolerant
Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Trophic Guild
Piscivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
5-2
TZ1
3
4
0
0
1
Reach 1 Transect
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
0
0
0
1
8
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
TZ5
0
1
33
21
443
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Common Name
Tolerance Rating
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Comely shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Shorthead redhorse
Redhorse species
Snail bullhead
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Flat bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Eastern mosquitofish
Pirate perch
White perch
Bluespotted sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Largemouth bass
Black crappie
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Yellow perch
Total number
1
Intermediate
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intolerant
Intermediate
Trophic Guild
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
TZ1
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
175
21
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
88
0
0
0
21
0
3
1
3
6
4
4
346
Reach 1 Transect
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
57
9
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
15
66
49
30
0
0
0
7
7
3
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
53
7
5
24
40
26
1
0
1
1
0
0
44
29
43
0
1
0
10
2
7
0
0
0
7
0
0
64
29
7
41
9
0
1
0
0
358
220
150
TZ5
4
0
3
2
1
5
1
11
0
2
0
0
10
0
4
3
1
0
0
10
12
0
1
155
2
4
0
1
13
3
0
746
Tolerance and trophic guild classifications used in the North Carolina Index of Biotic Integrity by the N.C. Division
of Water Quality (NCDWQ 2001).
Table 5-3
Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Attribute
1.
2.
No. of fish taxa
No. of individuals1
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
No. of darter species
No. of minnow species
No. of sucker species
No. of North American catfish species
No. of sunfish species
No. of intolerant species
% tolerant individuals2
% omnivores and herbivores2
TZ1
16
346
(302)
3
2
1
3
4
1
34
2
5-3
TZ2
19
358
(284)
3
0
1
5
6
1
29
4
Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
TZ4
14
11
220
150
(145)
(100)
2
1
1
0
0
0
4
3
6
5
1
0
32
29
8
10
TZ5
25
746
(444)
3
7
2
3
6
1
16
3
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Attribute
TZ1
5
93
0
62
11. % piscivores2
12. % insectivores2
13. % green sunfish2
14. % multiple age groups
Water quality3
Water temperature (ºC)
Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
Conductivity (µS/cm)
1
2
3
17.3
13.7
93
TZ2
2
94
8
42
Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
TZ4
7
11
85
79
27
22
50
54
17.0
12.1
103
26.2
9.7
121
24.8
6.7
109
TZ5
2
95
3
48
18.6
9.4
97
The number of individuals in parenthesis is the number of fish collected excluding young-of-year.
Percentage values of tolerant individuals, omnivores and herbivores, piscivores, insectivores, and green sunfish
calculated without young-of-year year (see Appendix A for adjusted number of fish without young-of-year in
samples).
Water quality variable measurements made at the time of sampling at each transect.
Sixteen fish taxa were collected at Transect TZ1, located just below the Tillery Development
(Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Snail bullhead, redbreast sunfish, white catfish, and bluegill were the
dominant species comprising 88 percent of the total catch. Tolerant species (redbreast sunfish, white
catfish, flat bullhead, longnose gar, and golden shiner) comprised 34 percent of the fish community
at Transect TZ1. Darter species — fantail darter, tessellated darter, and Piedmont darter — were
present at Transect TZ1 in low numbers while minnow species were reduced in abundance (i.e., a
few golden shiners and whitefin shiners). Suckers were also reduced in abundance. A small number
of Piedmont darter, an intolerant species, was collected at Transect TZ1. North American catfishes,
mainly young snail bullhead and white catfish, were prevalent at Transect TZ1 (Table 5-2).
Insectivorous fish dominated the trophic feeding guilds at Transect TZ1 (93 percent) due to the large
number of snail bullhead, redbreast sunfish, and bluegill. Omnivores and herbivores and piscivores
comprised 2 percent and 5 percent of the trophic feeding guilds, respectively. The number of fish
species with multiple age groups present was 62 percent, which was the highest of all Reach 1
transects (Tables 5-3 and 5-4).
Table 5-4
Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum
values) of fish collected by transect during the shallow water survey of the
Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Taxa
Longnose gar
American eel
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Comely shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Notchlip redhorse
Shorthead redhorse
TZ1
900 (840-998)
283 (227-365)
--89
-76 (60-92)
---537 (526-548)
---
Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
-474 (133-584)
--58 (36-112)
---------
TZ2
--1
555
--------470
---
5-4
TZ4
-439
------------
TZ5
-123
58 (35-84)
59 (51-73)
47 (18-106)
72 (54-97)
-71 (61-83)
80 (77-82)
57
507 (472-592)
-445
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Taxa
Redhorse species
Snail bullhead
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Flat bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Eastern mosquitofish
Pirate perch
White perch
Bluespotted sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Largemouth bass
Black crappie
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Yellow perch
1
TZ1
-98 (58-210)
85 (53-138)
-160 (132-198)
-------138 (48-193)
---104 (48-168)
-231 (98-470)
114
49 (43-55)
54 (49-59)
81 (73-88)
111 (93-138)
TZ2
-119 (98-137)
70 (47-130)
78
-91 (66-157)
97 (81-120)
-32 (28-34)
-105
-105 (45-190)
76 (52-105)
60
49
79 (39-144)
-104 (88-151)
-59 (55-63)
60 (47-70)
74 (63-91)
110
Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
--62 (52-72)
84 (75-92)
-93(63-342)
-115 (62-298)
---50
110 (103-125)
79 (47-137)
--90 (52-177)
158
150 (123-177)
--56 (46-69)
76 (64-89)
--
TZ4
--47
-156 (62-234)
87 (62-119)
-156 (62-234)
34 (33-35)
---81 (60-120)
69 (47-95)
84
-114 (49-159)
-134 (98-240)
--55 (48-64)
---
TZ5
21 (19-23)
-101 (98-104)
--106 (59-212)
-268 (202-430)
31 (22-37)
91
--107 (53-158)
80 (58-133)
-98
127 (69-210)
135 (117-153)
144 (90-237)
-57
51 (45-59)
73 (71-75)
--
A -- indicates no fish collected.
The fish community was more diverse at Transect TZ2 (19 taxa), particularly for North American
catfish and sunfish species, although the total number of collected fish was comparable to Transect
TZ1 (Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Tessellated darter, white catfish, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, Piedmont
darter, margined madtom, and green sunfish were dominant species comprising 87 percent of the
total fish collected at Transect TZ2. Margined madtom was only collected from Transect TZ2 in
Reach 1. Minnow and sucker species were also absent at Transect TZ2.
The abundance of darters (fantail, tessellated, and Piedmont darters) was greater at Transect TZ2
than other sampled transects in Reach 1 and included a large number of Piedmont darter, an
intolerant species. Tolerant species comprised 29 percent of the fish community and consisted of
white catfish, redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, yellow bullhead, and eastern mosquitofish. Trophic
feeding structure at Transect TZ2 was similar to Transect TZ1 and dominated by insectivorousfeeding individuals (94 percent). The number of fish species with multiple age groups present was
42 percent (Tables 5-3 and 5 4).
Fish community characteristics exhibited a distinct spatial pattern with a decrease in taxa richness
and total fish numbers at Transect TZ3 located below the Rocky River confluence and Transect TZ4
located below the Brown Creek confluence (Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Taxa richness and total fish
abundance declined at both transects compared to the upstream Transects TZ1 and TZ2. Minnow
and sucker species were reduced in numbers or absent at Transects TZ3 and TZ4. Darter abundance
also declined in these areas, particularly fantail and Piedmont darters. No fantail or Piedmont
5-5
Section 5
Results and Discussions
darters were collected at Transect TZ4. The percentage of tolerant species was similar at Transects
TZ3 and TZ4 compared to upstream transects; however, there were changes in the tolerant species
composition.
Green sunfish supplanted redbreast sunfish as the tolerant sunfish species at Transects TZ3 and TZ4
(Tables 5-2 and 5-3). Green sunfish, a species indicative of degraded environmental conditions,
increased in abundance and comprised 22 to 27 percent of the total fish collected at these transects.
Insectivorous fish dominated the trophic feeding guilds at Transects TZ3 and TZ4 although the
percentage of this guild was lower (79 to 85 percent) than at other transects (93 to 95 percent).
Correspondingly, omnivorous/herbivorous and piscivorous fish increased at Transects TZ3 and TZ4.
The observed spatial pattern and changes in fish community characteristics suggested the degraded
water quality inflow from Rocky River and Brown Creek was affecting the fish community for a
large portion of this reach (approximately 7 to 12 miles of the 17-mile reach). Previous water
quality surveys indicated significant increases in turbidity, solids constituents, nutrients, anions,
ions, chemical oxygen demand, copper, aluminum, and specific conductance at the monitoring
station located at N.C. Highway 109 Bridge below the Rocky River and Brown Creek confluences
(Progress Energy 2003).
There appeared to be a spatial pattern of species segregation in North American catfish species
within Reach 1. Snail bullhead, flat bullhead, and margined madtom, including young-of-year
individuals, were found above the Rocky River confluence but absent at downstream transects.
White catfish abundance also declined downstream of the Rocky River confluence. Conversely,
channel catfish and flathead catfish were present and most abundant below the Rocky River
confluence which suggested that degraded water quality and/or competition or predation effects of
channel catfish and flathead catfish might be affecting distribution of the former three species within
the reach. A similar spatial pattern was observed in North American catfish abundance during
previous fishery surveys conducted by Progress Energy during 2000 (Progress Energy 2003).
Taxa richness (25 taxa) and total fish abundance was greatest at Transect TZ5 (Tables 5-2 and 5-3).
However, the fish community was dominated by two species, whitefin shiner and bluegill, which
comprised 80 percent of the total catch. The minnow family was well represented at Transect TZ5
with seven taxa present — satinfin shiner, red shiner (non-native species), whitefin shiner, bluehead
chub, comely shiner, spottail shiner, and coastal shiner.
Shorthead redhorse and unidentified young-of-year Moxostoma species, absent from other transects,
were also present at Transect TZ5. All three darter species were present at Transect TZ5, including
the intolerant Piedmont darter. Conversely, the contribution of tolerant species was the lowest at
Transect TZ5 (16 percent), and green sunfish abundance declined compared to abundance at
Transects TZ2, TZ3, and TZ4. Insectivorous feeding fish comprised 95 percent of the fish
community at Transect TZ5. Forty-eight percent of collected taxa had multiple age groups present
(Tables 5-3 and 5-4).
The fish community characteristics at Transect TZ5 and subsequent spatial changes observed within
Reach 1 suggested there was a recovery of the fish community in the lower portion of this reach
from degraded water quality (below Rocky River) and flow (above and below Rocky River)
5-6
Section 5
Results and Discussions
conditions. Several tributaries, including the Little River, are located below the Brown Creek
confluence. These tributaries provided additional inflow and dilution of the degraded water quality
between the N.C. Highway 109 Bridge and Blewett Falls Lake.
Additionally, there may have been a lake-stream ecological edge enhancement effect on fish
community diversity and abundance (e.g., bluegill abundance) given that Transect TZ5 was located
at the Blewett Falls Lake headwaters. However, stream-dwelling species, such as minnows and
suckers did increase in abundance at Transect TZ5 when compared to upstream transects, suggesting
some recovery response in the fish community.
Small numbers of American eel, including young-of-year, were collected from all transects within
Reach 1 (Tables 5-2 and 5-4; Figures 5-1 and 5-2). The presence of American eel indicated some
individuals were able to migrate past Blewett Falls Dam and inhabit upstream areas. Previous
fishery surveys also documented the presence of American eel in this reach as well as larger
tributaries — Little River, Brown Creek, and Rocky River (Progress Energy 2003, 2005; Starnes
2004).
5.1.2 Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34)
Forty-six fish taxa representing fourteen families were collected from Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development and included 14 minnow species, nine sunfish species, five
North American catfish species, four sucker species, and three darter species (Table 5-1). Taxa
richness was greater in Reach 2 when compared to taxa richness in Reach 1. Differences in taxa
richness between the two reaches were related, in part, to the: (1) watershed area size; (2) sampled
physiographic regions (i.e., Piedmont vs. Coastal Plain areas); and (3) presence of euryhaline species
below the Blewett Falls Development (Atlantic needlefish, striped mullet, and hogchoker).
Generally, taxa richness and abundance increases with drainage area size. The Piedmont and
Coastal Plain physiographic areas were sampled below the Blewett Falls Development which
included two species that were not collected from the river reach below the Tillery Development
(thinlip chub and spotted sunfish).
Even when considering these factors, the fish community in Reach 1 did not appear to be as diverse
or as robust when compared to the fish community in Reach 2. This was evident in the spatial
differences, particularly in the taxa richness and total abundance of minnow and darter species.
Furthermore, green sunfish, a tolerant species, was not a dominant component of the fish community
in Reach 2 as observed at several transects in Reach 1.
5-7
Section 5
Results and Discussions
10
Transect TZ1
N=4
8
6
4
2
610
610
610
460
610
460
430
580
460
430
400
580
460
430
400
370
580
430
400
370
340
580
400
370
340
310
550
370
340
310
280
550
340
310
280
250
550
310
280
250
220
550
280
250
220
190
520
250
220
190
160
520
220
190
160
130
520
190
160
130
100
520
160
130
100
70
490
130
100
70
40
490
100
70
40
6
490
70
40
8
490
40
0
10
Transect TZ2
N=1
4
2
0
10
Number
8
6
Transect TZ3
N=8
4
2
10
0
8
6
Transect TZ4
N=2
4
2
0
10
8
6
Transect TZ5
N=1
4
2
0
640
610
580
550
520
490
460
430
400
370
340
310
280
250
220
190
160
130
100
70
40
Total Length (mm)
Figure 5-1
Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development during 2004.
5-8
Section 5
Results and Discussions
180
Mean Number per Hour
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
TZ1
TZ2 TZ3
TZ4 TZ5
Reach 2
Reach 1
Figure 5-2
BZ1 BZ2 BZ3 BZ4 BZ5 BZ6 BZ7 BZ8
Transect
Pram electrofishing catch rates (number per hour) by transect for American
eel collected from Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery and
Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Developments during 2004.
Taxa richness ranged from 21 (Transect BZ5) to 32 taxa (Transect BZ1) in Reach 2 (Tables 5-5 and
5-6). Taxa richness was the greatest at Transect BZ1 (Big Island shoal) located immediately below
the Blewett Falls Development because of the larger number of minnow and sunfish taxa collected at
this transect. The total number of collected fish ranged from 403 individuals at Transect BZ2 to
1,308 individuals at Transect BZ6 (Tables 5-5 and 5-6). The young-of-year contribution to total
number of collect fish ranged from 8 (Transect BZ2) to 56 percent (Transect BZ4). The total
number of collected fish did not exhibit an explicit spatial trend with increasing distance from the
power plant. Total catches were largely influenced by high catch rates of American eel or eastern
silvery minnow at several transects.
Table 5-5
Total number of fish collected by transect with combined sampling gear
types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild classifications for the Pee
Dee River below the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name
Longnose gar
American eel
Gizzard shad
Carps and minnows
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Tolerance
Rating
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Trophic
Guild
Piscivore
Piscivore
Herbivore
-Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
BZ1
2
60
3
0
10
3
22
5-9
BZ2
1
87
0
0
0
0
39
Reach 2 Transect
BZ3 BZ4 BZ5 BZ6
3
0
0
0
210
368
316
61
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
6
5
12
21
0
0
0
0
12
6
12
22
BZ7
0
50
0
0
69
0
70
BZ8
0
161
0
0
74
0
10
Section 5
Common Name
Fieryblack shiner
Thinlip chub
Eastern silvery minnow
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Whitemouth shiner
Comely shiner
Redlip shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Sandbar shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Spotted sucker
Notchlip redhorse
Shorthead redhorse
Redhorse species
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Atlantic needlefish
Eastern mosquitofish
Brook silverside
White perch
Bluespotted sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Spotted sunfish
Largemouth bass
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Striped mullet
Hogchoker
Total number
Results and Discussions
Tolerance
Rating
Intolerant
Intolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intolerant
---
Trophic
Guild
Insectivore
Insectivore
Herbivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
BZ1
0
0
158
0
3
0
14
0
51
1
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
42
0
17
2
41
29
1
1
82
8
1
7
70
1
0
1
3
26
29
6
3
701
5-10
BZ2
2
0
37
0
4
0
2
0
14
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
22
0
33
0
2
1
0
0
43
2
0
0
62
0
1
2
15
7
3
21
1
403
Reach 2 Transect
BZ3 BZ4 BZ5 BZ6
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
109
13
158
778
0
99
1
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
67
148
16
43
0
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
8
61
110
154
4
23
4
0
11
2
8
2
2
0
0
1
0
2
4
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
51
11
81
108
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
19
8
14
29
1
0
2
10
9
10
18
10
1
1
0
6
47
115
27
4
13
183
24
24
1
86
13
5
18
1
0
0
2
4
26
19
599 1166
849 1308
BZ7
1
1
767
1
1
0
0
0
35
1
0
0
1
0
0
15
0
0
5
0
0
0
33
0
0
0
11
0
3
0
7
2
1
5
0
18
0
0
39
1136
BZ8
5
0
113
0
1
0
0
0
9
10
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
16
0
11
0
17
1
0
0
37
2
15
1
45
7
3
5
1
25
1
6
27
604
Section 5
Table 5-6
Results and Discussions
Characteristics of the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Attribute
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
No. of fish taxa
No. of individuals1
No. of darter species
No. of minnow species
No. of sucker species
No. of North American
catfish species
7.
No. of sunfish species
8.
No. of intolerant species
9.
% tolerant individuals2
10. % omnivores and
herbivores2
11. % piscivores2
12. % insectivores2
13. % green sunfish2
14. % multiple age groups
Water quality3
Water temperature (ºC)
Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
Conductivity (µS/cm)
1
2
3
BZ1
Reach 2 Transect
BZ3
BZ4
BZ5
24
26
21
599
1,166
849
(537)
(509)
(484)
3
3
3
6
7
7
0
2
0
5
3
3
32
701
(628)
3
9
1
2
BZ2
24
403
(371)
3
6
1
3
BZ6
22
1,308
(780)
3
6
1
2
BZ7
22
1,136
(536)
1
9
2
1
BZ8
26
604
(437)
3
7
1
2
8
1
23
38
5
2
14
26
5
2
12
38
5
1
4
22
5
1
20
40
6
1
17
67
6
2
21
58
8
2
29
30
9
53
1
56
26
48
<1
54
32
30
0
50
19
59
<1
52
16
44
<1
67
3
31
0
64
2
40
0
50
13
57
<1
58
22.9
7.4
92
23.4
7.6
93
23.5
8.1
95
26.4
7.3
107
26.9
10.3
94
25.3
9.0
142
24.4
6.5
142
25.1
7.0
135
The number of individuals in parenthesis is the number of fish collected excluding young-of-year.
Percentage values of tolerant individuals, omnivores and herbivores, piscivores, insectivores, and green sunfish
calculated without young-of-year (see Appendix A for adjusted number of fish without young-of-year in samples).
Water quality variable measurements made at the time of sampling at each transect.
The fish community at Transect BZ1 was dominated by eastern silvery minnow, redbreast sunfish,
bluegill, American eel, spottail shiner, channel catfish, and eastern mosquitofish. These taxa
comprised 72 percent of the total catch. The greatest number of sunfish and minnow taxa in Reach 2
were present at this transect (8 and 9 taxa, respectively). Previous fishery surveys conducted by
Progress Energy during the 1998-2001 period also documented three additional minnow species
present at Transect BZ1 (fieryblack shiner — an intolerant species, highfin shiner, and bluehead
chub) (Progress Energy 2003). Tolerant species comprised 23 percent of the fish community and
included redbreast sunfish, eastern mosquitofish, green sunfish, satinfin shiner, and red shiner. The
darter assemblage was comprised of Piedmont darter (intolerant species), tessellated darter, and
fantail darter. The trophic feeding guild structure was comprised mainly of insectivorous
(53 percent) and omnivorous/herbivorous species (38 percent). The percentage of fish species with
multiple age groups present was 56 percent (Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
5-11
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Table 5-7
Mean lengths (total length, mm) and size ranges (minimum and maximum values) of fish collected by transect during the
shallow water survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Plant (Reach 2) during 2004.
Taxa
Longnose gar
American eel
Gizzard shad
Carps and minnows
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Fieryblack shiner
Thinlip chub
Eastern silvery minnow
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Whitemouth shiner
Comely shiner
Redlip shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Sandbar shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Spotted sucker
Notchlip redhorse
Shorthead redhorse
Redhorse species
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Atlantic needlefish
Eastern mosquitofish
Brook silverside
White perch
Bluespotted sunfish
BZ1
810 (772-847)
217 (107-447)
199 (147-300)
-56 (35-77)
42 (37-46)
65 (32-85)
--63 (41-76)
-101 (92-112)
-54 (38-80)
-89 (68-118)
68
77 (73-80)
---211 (207-214)
---107 (70-215)
-101 (47-330)
440 (425-455)
33 (26-42)
61 (38-83)
110
43
BZ2
362
253 (125-474)
----77 (35-102)
67 (60-73)
-66 (42-81)
-90 (85-100)
-48 (36-60)
-79 (67-102)
-----325
--113
147 (80-225)
-127 (60-400)
-45
80
---
BZ3
680 (665-695)
222 (142-470)
--66 (54-73)
-79 (39-104)
55
-65 (51-77)
-137 (82-192)
---96 (67-121)
-------58
176
108 (88-137)
80 (63-90)
164 (62-390)
377 (368-385)
-----
Reach 2 Transect
BZ4
BZ5
--1
-164 (90-626)
170 (84-392)
25
-31
-71 (60-77)
61 (34-72)
--57 (47-79)
68 (49-90)
----62 (32-76)
66 (47-76)
36 (21-67)
56
-83
----35 (34-35)
-63 (21-118)
69 (20-93)
64 (58-70)
60
------45 (40-48)
-32
-------123 (88-162)
91 (56-152)
72 (27-100)
85 (70-101)
243 (217-268)
116 (60-232)
--18 (14-22)
36 (30-42)
-------
5-12
BZ6
-146 (84-335)
--65 (51-76)
-66 (40-95)
--65 (52-80)
70
-63
--85 (42-111)
--203 (187-218)
------82 (55-295)
-279 (78-480)
418
38 (32-43)
----
BZ7
-119 (90-345)
--61 (46-77)
-50 (27-75)
83
69
66 (54-79)
30
83
---71 (62-80)
68
--368
--20 (17-22)
--142 (77-333)
---34 (25-46)
----
BZ8
-160 (79-485)
--59 (25-79)
-56 (45-80)
56 (36-80)
-64 (48-75)
-75
---67 (57-76)
58 (41-65)
--132
-----94 (59-125)
-130 (67-233)
-39 (33-45)
40
---
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Taxa
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Spotted sunfish
Largemouth bass
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Striped mullet
Hogchoker
1
BZ1
94 (47-153)
82 (61-112)
95
55 (50-63)
88 (28-182)
80
-305
62 (52-68)
58 (45-82)
70 (55-86)
315 (190-392)
46 (37-55)
BZ2
115 (51-214)
76 (70-82)
--135 (52-195)
-117
221 (107-334)
61 (54-73)
65 (54-75)
77 (67-87)
337 (254-409)
43
BZ3
126 (57-196)
---131 (72-210)
67
113 (97-138)
352
59 (45-70)
62 (56-70)
77
302 (262-393)
42 (36-47)
Reach 2 Transect
BZ4
BZ5
99 (56-172)
78 (48-120)
85 (77-93)
77
----128 (92-155)
84 (55-125)
-190 (189-190)
100 (82-113)
95 (67-147)
270
-43 (22-67)
59 (50-68)
45 (22-68)
53 (42-61)
62 (28-91)
75 (67-89)
407
-68 (65-70)
39 (30-68)
A - means no fish collected.
5-13
BZ6
83 (46-158)
-85
-105 (50-202)
100 (56-125)
94 (70-122)
240 (166-313)
53 (50-54)
55 (42-64)
46 (19-73)
-42 (33-53)
BZ7
85 (38-122)
-86 (82-94)
-92 (47-140)
83 (63-102)
78
128 (120-140)
-50 (22-68)
--47 (30-60)
BZ8
99 (62-143)
74 (65-82)
72 (63-85)
75
102 (48-137)
78 (67-107)
95 (87-105)
150 (84-200)
57
47 (20-74)
66
208 (170-303)
42 (31-55)
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Twenty-four species were collected from Transect BZ2 (Hitchcock Creek shoal) with minnow and
sunfish taxa accounting for 46 percent of the collected taxa (Tables 5-5 and 5-6). Dominant species
based on abundance were American eel, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, whitefin shiner, eastern silvery
minnow, flathead catfish, channel catfish, and striped mullet. These species comprised 85 percent of
the total catch. Two intolerant species — fieryblack shiner and Piedmont darter — were collected at
Transect BZ2. Tolerant species, mainly redbreast sunfish, comprised a small percentage of the fish
community (14 percent). Insectivores comprised 48 percent of the trophic feeding guilds followed
by omnivores (26 percent) and piscivores (26 percent). Piscivores contributed a fairly large
percentage of the trophic feeding guilds at Transect BZ2, and this was related to the large number of
American eels present at this transect.
The fish community at Transect BZ3 (Jones Creek shoal) was dominated by American eel
(35 percent), eastern silvery minnow (18 percent), spottail shiner (11 percent), redbreast sunfish
(9 percent), and fantail darter (8 percent). The percentage of tolerant species was also relatively low
at this transect (12 percent). Two intolerant species — fieryblack shiner and Piedmont darter — were
also present at Transect BZ3. Five North American catfish species were present at this transect and
included a small number of margined madtoms. The percentage of trophic feeding guilds was
almost equal among omnivores/herbivores, piscivores, and insectivores (Table 5-6). Eastern silvery
minnow and spottail shiner comprised most of the omnivorous and herbivorous feeding guild.
Similar to Transect BZ2, the large number of American eels accounted for the large percentage of
piscivores present at Transect BZ3.
The fish community at Transect BZ4 (Great Island shoal) was robust and fairly well balanced
considering the taxa richness (25 taxa excluding carps and minnows), total fish abundance, presence
of two Moxostoma sucker species, and the large numbers of minnows and darters collected
(Tables 5-5 and 5-6). Dominant species included American eel (32 percent), tessellated darter
(16 percent), spottail shiner (13 percent), fantail darter (10 percent), bluehead chub (8 percent),
Piedmont darter (7 percent), and channel catfish (5 percent). Darters and minnows as a group
comprised 57 percent of the total number of collected fish (Table 5-5). The insectivorous feeding
guild comprised 59 percent of the fish community followed by about equal percentage contributions
of omnivores/herbivores and piscivores.
The percentage of tolerant species at Transect BZ4 (4 percent) was the least of any transect sampled
in Reach 2. Piedmont darter was the only intolerant species collected from Transect BZ4. Good
reproductive success within the fish community was evident considering the percentage of multiple
age groups for fish taxa was 52 percent, and young-of-year comprised over 56 percent of the sample
(Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
Twenty-one taxa were collected at Transect BZ5 which included seven minnow species, five sunfish
species, and three darter species. American eel (37 percent), eastern silvery minnow (19 percent),
channel catfish (13 percent), and redbreast sunfish (10 percent) were the dominant species within the
fish community. Tolerant individuals comprised 20 percent of the fish community at Transect BZ5.
Insectivores and omnivores/herbivores accounted for almost equal percentages (40 to 44 percent) of
the trophic feeding guilds. American eel comprised most of the piscivorous feeding guild. The
percentage of multiple age groups present was 67 percent, the greatest of all Reach 2 transects
(Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
5-14
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Transects BZ6 (Thompson Creek) and BZ7 (Blues Landing), located within the Coastal Plain and
representing primarily gravel and cobble bar habitat, had the same number of fish taxa (22) present
(Tables 5-5 and 5-6). Eastern silvery minnow, an herbivore, was the dominant species at both
transects contributing to 59 to 68 percent of the total fish abundance. Correspondingly, the
omnivorous/herbivorous trophic feeding guild comprised 58 to 67 percent of the fish community at
these transects. Insectivorous and piscivorous individuals comprised smaller percentages of the
trophic feeding guilds.
Channel catfish (12 percent), redbreast sunfish (8 percent), and American eel (5 percent) were other
dominant species at Transect BZ6. Whitefin shiner (6 percent) and satinfin shiner (6 percent) were
other dominant species at Transect BZ7. American eel catch rates were lower at these transects and
most likely reflected habitat differences (less habitat complexity and absence of aquatic vegetation).
Fantail darter and Piedmont darter abundance was low at these transects. This was expected because
the habitat preferences and distribution of these species are primarily within the Piedmont/Fall Line
regions. Piedmont darter was the only intolerant species present at Transect BZ6 while fieryblack
shiner and thinlip chub were intolerant species present at Transect BZ7. Thinlip chub, a rare species
endemic to the Coastal Plain, was only collected at Transect BZ7 during the study. Tolerant species
(primarily satinfin shiner, eastern mosquitofish, and redbreast sunfish) comprised 17 to 21 percent of
the fish communities at Transects BZ6 and BZ7, respectively. The percentage of fish taxa with
multiple age groups was 64 percent at Transect BZ6 and 50 percent at Transect BZ7 (Tables 5-6 and
5-7).
Twenty-six fish taxa were collected at Transect BZ8 (Cashua Ferry shoal) including three darter,
seven minnow, and eight sunfish taxa (Tables 5-5 and 5-6). Dominant species were American eel
(27 percent), eastern silvery minnow (19 percent), satinfin shiner (12 percent), bluegill (7 percent),
and redbreast sunfish (6 percent). Tolerant species (i.e., primarily satinfin shiner, eastern
mosquitofish, and redbreast sunfish) accounted for 29 percent of the fish community, the most for all
Reach 2 transects. Two intolerant species — fieryblack shiner and Piedmont darter — were present
at Transect BZ8. The insectivorous trophic feeding guild was predominant (57 percent) at Transect
BZ8 followed by omnivores/herbivores (30 percent) and piscivores (13 percent). American eels
contributed to a large percentage of the piscivorous feeding guild. The percentage of species with
multiple age groups was 58 percent at Transect BZ8 (Tables 5-6 and 5-7).
American eel was a dominant species within the fish community at most transects in Reach 2 which
suggested a fairly robust population present in the Pee Dee River during 2004. American eel
comprised 4 percent to 37 percent of the total fish abundance and was the dominant species at five of
the eight transects (Table 5-5). Young-of-year were very abundant comprising 59 percent of the
American eels collected from Reach 2 (Figure 5-3). Spatial differences were observed in American
eel abundance within Reach 2. Pram electrofishing catch rates of American eel, including young-ofyear abundance, were the greatest at Transects BZ3, BZ4, BZ5, and BZ8 (Figure 5-2). Transects
BZ3, BZ4, and BZ5 were located within the Piedmont Fall Line Zone, approximately 12 to 23 miles
5-15
20
10
520
550
580
610
640
520
550
580
610
640
520
550
580
610
640
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
40
70
100
40
70
100
Transect BZ3
N = 168
100
70
40
520
550
580
610
640
520
550
580
610
640
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
100
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
40
70
100
70
40
580
610
640
550
580
610
640
520
550
580
610
640
640
550
520
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
100
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
520
550
580
610
520
130
100
40
70
100
130
160
190
220
250
280
310
340
370
400
430
460
490
100
70
70
70
Transect BZ8
N = 145
40
Transect BZ7
N = 44
40
40
5-16
Transect BZ5
N = 249
Number
Transect BZ1
N = 58
30
Transect BZ2
N = 80
Transect BZ4
N = 277
Transect BZ6
N = 54
0
40
30
20
10
40
0
30
20
10
40
0
30
20
10
0
40
30
20
10
40
0
30
20
10
40
0
30
20
10
0
40
30
20
10
0
Length-frequency histograms of American eel by transect collected during
the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls
Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Figure 5-3
Results and Discussions
Section 5
40
Total Length (mm)
Section 5
Results and Discussions
downstream of the Blewett Falls Development. Transect BZ8 was located in the Coastal Plain
region, approximately 72 miles downstream of the development. Spatial differences were most
likely related to habitat differences and preferences of American eel. American eel catch rates were
the greatest at transects with cobble, small boulders, and rooted aquatic vegetation. This habitat
offered more protective cover and possibly food sources.
5.2
Crayfish Surveys
A total of 380 crayfish representing two genera (Cambarus and Procambarus spp.) were collected
from Reaches 1 and 2 (Table 5-8). There were 137 Form II males and 178 females of the genus
Cambarus collected. Thirty-one females of the genus Procambarus were collected. The remaining
crayfish (34 individuals) were identified to species level. Four species were identified during the
survey including one species of Cambarus (Cambarus [P.] hobbsorum) and three species of
Procambarus (Procambarus [O.] acutus, P. [O.] braswelli, P. [S.] clarkii). No threatened or
endangered crayfish species were found during the study. Procambarus [O.] braswelli, the
Waccamaw crayfish, is listed as a species of Special Concern in North Carolina (LeGrand et al.
2004). The Procambarus [O.] braswelli specimens were collected in the South Carolina Coastal
Plain portion of the river at Transects BZ7 and BZ8. South Carolina has no conservation listing
status for this species. Collection of the Waccamaw crayfish in the Pee Dee River constituted a
range extension for this species from its reported historic range in the Waccamaw, Lumber and Little
Pee Dee river basins. Procambarus [S.] clarkii is a nonnative introduced crayfish species in North
and South Carolina.
Table 5-8
Crayfish taxa collected during the shallow water study of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004.
Tillery Development - Reach 1
Taxa
Cambarus (P.) hobbsorum
Cambarus spp.
Procambarus (O.) acutus
Procambarus (S.) clarkii
Procambarus spp.
Total number of crayfish
Taxa
Cambarus (P.) hobbsorum
Cambarus spp.
Procambarus (O.) acutus
Procambarus (S.) clarkii
Procambarus (O.) braswelli
Procambarus spp.
Total number of crayfish
Transect
TZ1
TZ2
TZ3
13
7
0
103
45
26
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
1
131
52
27
Blewett Falls Development - Reach 2
Transect
BZ1
BZ2
BZ3
BZ4
BZ5
1
1
1
0
0
15
8
39
4
3
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
0
0
21
10
42
4
3
TZ4
0
48
0
0
0
48
BZ6
0
8
0
0
0
1
9
TZ5
1
17
1
2
4
25
BZ7
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
BZ8
0
0
0
0
2
4
6
There was a genus shift from Cambarus to Procambarus from the Piedmont to Coastal Plain zones.
Crayfish (primarily Cambarus spp.) were more abundant in Reach 1 below the Tillery Development
than in Reach 2 below the Blewett Falls Development. Crayfish were most abundant immediately
5-17
Section 5
Results and Discussions
below the Tillery Development with the greatest number of crayfish collected from Transect TZ1.
Crayfish abundance generally decreased with increasing distance downstream. Crayfish abundance
also decreased below the Rocky River confluence (Transect TZ3 at Buzzard Island) but, there was
no discernible difference in abundance below the Brown Creek confluence. In Reach 2, crayfish
were most abundant at Transects BZ1, BZ2, and BZ3. Less than 10 individuals were collected per
transect from Transects BZ4 to BZ8. No Cambarus were collected from Transects BZ7 and BZ8.
5.3
Mussel Surveys
The Pee Dee River drainage supports a fairly diverse mussel community for an Atlantic Slope river
basin (Bogan 2002, Bogan and Alderman 2004). Thirty mussel species have been listed as expected
to occur in the North Carolina or South Carolina segments of the river basin (Table 5-9). Twentythree of the 30 expected species have special conservation status listing by the NCWRC (State
Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern), the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
(Significantly Rare), the South Carolina Natural Heritage Program (Species of Concern, State), and
the USFWS (Federal Endangered or Species of Concern) (Table 5-9).
Table 5-9
Mussel taxa expected to occur in the North Carolina and South Carolina
segments of the Pee Dee River and their conservation status listing (data
adopted from Bogan 2002 and Bogan and Alderman 2004).
Common Name
Alewife floater
1
Carolina elktoe
Eastern floater
Scientific Name
Anodonta implicata
Alasmidonta robusta
Pyganodon cataracta
Paper pondshell
Utterbackia imbecilis
Creeper
Strophitus undulatus
Triangle floater
Alasmidonta undulata
Brook floater
Carolina heelsplitter
Atlantic pigtoe
Eastern elliptio
Box spike
Cape Fear spike
Carolina slabshell
Alasmidonta varicosa
Lasmigona decorata
Fusconaia masoni
Elliptio complanata
Elliptio cistellaeformis
Elliptio marsupiobesa
Elliptio congaraea
Carolina spike
Variable spike
Carolina lance
Atlantic spike
Pod lance
Roanoke slabshell
Elliptio raveneli
Elliptio icterina
Elliptio angustata
Elliptio producta
Elliptio folliculata
Elliptio roanokensis
Listing Status
N.C. Threatened
N.C. Significantly Rare
S.C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
S.C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
N.C. Threatened and S.C. Natural Heritage
Program Species of Concern, State
N.C. Threatened and S.C. Natural Heritage
Program Species of Concern, State
N.C. Endangered and Federal Species of Concern
Federally Endangered
NC Endangered and Federal Species of Concern
None
None
N.C. Special Concern
S.C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
None
None
None
None
N.C. Special Concern
N.C. Threatened
Florida pondhorn
2
Waccamaw spike
Tidewater mucket2
Uniomerus carolinianus
Elliptio waccamawensis
Leptodea ochracea
None
N.C. Endangered and Federal Species of Concern
N.C. Threatened
5-18
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Common Name
Savannah lilliput
Scientific Name
Toxolasma pullus
Eastern pondmussel
Ligumia nasuta
Eastern creekshell
Villosa delumbis
Notched rainbow
Villosa constricta
Carolina creekshell
Villosa vaughaniana
3
1
2
3
4
5
Southern rainbow
Villosa vibex
Carolina fatmucket/
Eastern lampmussel
Yellow lampmussel
Lampsilis radiata
Lampmussel sp.
Lampsilis n.s.
Listing Status
N.C. Endangered, Federal Special Concern, and
S.C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
N.C. Threatened
N.C. Significantly Rare and S.C. Natural
Heritage Program Species of Concern, State
N.C. Special Concern and S.C. Natural Heritage
Program Species of Concern, State
N.C. Endangered and Federal Special Concern
S.C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
N.C. Threatened
4
Lampsilis cariosa
N.C. Endangered, Federal Special Concern, and
S.C. Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
None
5
A shell of Carolina elktoe was recently found by Mr. John Alderman in Poison Fork which is a headwater stream of
the Uwharrie River in North Carolina during mussel surveys conducted in 2004. Mr. Alderman should be contacted
regarding the location and status of the species.
The Waccamaw spike and tidewater mucket were collected by The Nature Conservancy during mussel surveys of
the lower Pee Dee River during 2004 (see Section 5.3.4 for details regarding collection of this species).
The Southern rainbow was recently collected by The Nature Conservancy from the Pee Dee River near Cheraw
during the 2004 mussel survey (see Section 5.3.4 for details regarding collection of this species).
A complex of two subspecies, Lampsilis radiata radiata and Lampsilis radiata conspicua.
An undescribed species of Lampsilis.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has no formal conservation listing of mussel
species for waters of the State, but has proposed to adopt the North Carolina conservation status for
these mussels.
A total of 18 mussel taxa representing 12,512 individuals were collected during the surveys of
Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee Dee River and associated tributaries during this study (Table 5-10).
Approximately 84 percent of the total number of collected mussels were comprised of two taxa —
eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell. Thirteen of the mussel taxa had state or federal listing status
including:
(1) five North Carolina Threatened species (Roanoke slabshell, Carolina
fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, eastern pondmussel, alewife floater, and creeper); (2) two North
Carolina Endangered species and Federal Species of Concern (yellow lampmussel and Carolina
creekshell); (3) two North Carolina Special Concern species (pod lance and notched rainbow); and
(4) one North Carolina Significantly Rare species (eastern creekshell).
5-19
Section 5
Table 5-10
Results and Discussions
Total number of mussels collected and their state or federal listing status
from the mainstem Pee Dee River and tributaries at the Tillery and Blewett
Falls Developments, June-October 20041.
Common name
Eastern elliptio
Roanoke slabshell
Carolina slabshell
Scientific name
Elliptio complanata
Elliptio roanokensis
Elliptio congaraea
Total Number
7,680
2,836
621
Carolina lance
Variable spike
Pod lance
Carolina fatmucket/
eastern lampmussel2
Eastern creekshell
Elliptio angustata
Elliptio icterina
Elliptio folliculata
Lampsilis radiata
581
441
56
52
Villosa delumbis
52
Eastern floater
Pyganodon cataracta
51
Pee Dee lance
Eastern pondmussel
Paper pondshell
Elliptio spp.
Ligumia nasuta
Utterbackia imbecilis
35
35
26
Yellow lampmussel
Lampsilis cariosa
22
Alewife floater
Atlantic spike
Carolina creekshell
Anodonta implicata
Elliptio producta
Villosa vaughaniana
10
9
3
Creeper
Strophitus undulatus
1
Notched rainbow
Villosa constricta
1
Total Number
1
2
Listing Status
None
N.C. Threatened
S.C. Natural Heritage Program
Species of Concern, State
None
None
N.C. Special Concern
N.C. Threatened
N.C. Significantly Rare and S.C.
Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
S.C. Natural Heritage Program
Species of Concern, State
None
N.C. Threatened
S.C. Natural Heritage Program
Species of Concern, State
N.C. Endangered and Federal
Species of Concern and S.C. Natural
Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
N.C. Threatened
None
N.C. Endangered and Federal
Species of Concern
N.C. Threatened and S.C. Natural
Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
N.C. Special Concern and S.C.
Natural Heritage Program Species of
Concern, State
12,512
Mussel taxa are listed in decreasing order of abundance.
These two subspecies distributions overlap in the Pee Dee River drainage. The subspecies are difficult to distinguish
and are listed synonymously when reporting their presence.
Three additional species, the Carolina slabshell, eastern floater, and paper pondshell, are listed as
State Species of Concern by the South Carolina Natural Heritage Program. The eastern floater and
paper pondshell were not collected from South Carolina waters during this study.
Roanoke slabshell, Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, eastern creekshell, yellow lampmussel,
pod lance, eastern pondmussel, creeper, alewife floater, and Carolina creekshell were present in
Reach 1 below the Tillery Development (Figure 3-1). Roanoke slabshell, Carolina slabshell, pod
lance, eastern creekshell, eastern pondmussel, eastern floater, Carolina fatmucket/eastern
lampmussel, paper pondshell, yellow lampmussel, and alewife floater were present in Reach 2 below
5-20
Section 5
Results and Discussions
the Blewett Falls Development (Figure 3-2). The notched rainbow was only found in the Uwharrie
River, a tributary of Lake Tillery (Figure 3-1).
5.3.1 Reach 1 (Tillery Dam to Blewett Falls Lake)
Mussel taxa richness ranged from 5 (Transects TZ2 and TZ3) to 10 (Transect TZ4) taxa, and
abundance ranged from 32 to 557 individuals in Reach 1 (Table 5-11). Taxa richness was the
greatest at Transect TZ4 followed by Transect TZ1. There was not an explicit spatial trend of
increasing or decreasing taxa richness or abundance within the reach as observed with the fish and
crayfish communities. However, mussel taxa richness and abundance were lower at Transect TZ3
located below the Rocky River confluence. The number of collected mussels was 6 to 17 times less
at Transect TZ3 than mussel abundance at other transects.
Table 5-11
Number of mussels collected by transect from Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River
below the Tillery Development during 2004.
Taxa1
TZ1
340
1
133
26
0
10
1
0
0
0
3
0
1
0
1
516
Eastern elliptio
Roanoke slabshell-NCT
Carolina lance
Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel-NCT
Variable spike
Eastern creekshell-NCSR
Yellow lampmussel-NCE&FSC
Atlantic spike
Pod lance-NCSC
Eastern floater
Alewife floater-NCT
Eastern pondmussel-NCT
Paper pondshell
Creeper-NCT
Carolina creekshell-NCE&FSC
Total Number of Mussels
1
Reach 1 Transect
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
224
3
117
2
24
368
124
3
48
7
0
1
0
1
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
359
32
557
TZ5
84
84
2
0
1
0
6
0
4
0
0
1
0
0
0
182
Conservation status: NCSR = North Carolina Significantly Rare species, NCSC = North Carolina Special Concern
species, NCT = North Carolina Threatened species, NCE = North Carolina Endangered species, FSC = and Federal
Species of Concern.
Eastern elliptio, Roanoke slabshell, and Carolina lance were the most abundant mussel taxa collected
in Reach 1 (Table 5-11). Eastern elliptio and Carolina lance were most abundant at Transects TZ1
and TZ2 while Roanoke slabshell was most abundant in the lower portion of the reach at Transects
TZ3, TZ4, and TZ5. Nine taxa collected in Reach 1 had conservation status listing in North
Carolina waters and included Roanoke slabshell, Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, eastern
creekshell, yellow lampmussel, pod lance, alewife floater, eastern pondmussel, creeper, and Carolina
creekshell.
Transect TZ1 had the greatest number of species with a conservation status listing (six of nine taxa)
followed by Transect TZ4 (4 of 10 taxa). Creeper and Carolina creekshell, species with listing
status, were collected from Reach 1 but not from Reach 2 during the Progress Energy survey. The
5-21
Section 5
Results and Discussions
creeper was found in Reach 2 during previous mussel surveys conducted by North Carolina resource
agencies from 1987 to 2001 (Progress Energy 2003). The creeper (one specimen) was also found in
Reach 2 near Cheraw, South Carolina during the mussel survey conducted by The Nature
Conservancy of South Carolina during 2004 (see Section 5.3.4).
There was a wide size range of individuals collected for most mussel taxa in Reach 1 (Table 5-12
and Appendix B). While no quantitative ageing of individuals was performed during the study, the
shell length ranges suggested multiple-size classes for a few mussel taxa in this reach. Four of the
15 taxa collected in the reach had multiple-size classes present at one or more surveyed transects
(Appendix B).
Table 5-12
Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from Reaches 1 and 2 of the Pee
Dee River below the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004.
Tillery Development - Reach 1
Taxa
Eastern elliptio
Roanoke slabshell
Carolina lance
Eastern lampmussel
Variable spike
Eastern creekshell
Yellow lampmussel
Atlantic spike
Pod lance
Eastern floater
Alewife floater
Eastern pondmussel
Paper pondshell
Creeper
Carolina creekshell
Taxa
Eastern elliptio
Roanoke slabshell
Carolina slabshell
Variable spike
Carolina lance
Pod lance
Eastern creekshell
Pee Dee lance
Eastern pondmussel
Eastern floater
Paper pondshell
Eastern lampmussel
Yellow lampmussel
Alewife floater
Atlantic spike
1
Transect
TZ1
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
33-101
53-105
72-96
68-114
117
58-61
82-163
88-161
47-103
58-102
91-114
72-123
68-121
86-122
-118
--1
-85
72-95
42-74
---98
-----83
59-83
-------68-110
80-87
------108-110
59
--59
---87
67
62-63
--Blewett Falls Development - Reach 2
Transect
BZ1
BZ1A
BZ2
BZ3
BZ4
19-125
38-101
38-124
31-88
46-85
45-172
48-161
51-160
41-110
39-100
85-133
36-108
42-112
46-92
26-79
77-99
48-76
52-88
33-79
-53-167
69-119
70-137
44-92
39-86
84-121
-61-117
--57
36-55
42-67
27-51
37
-----95-120
89-105
56-118
--30-120
22-86
23-98
--49-70
39-46
51-64
--116-141
96
98
39-80
-119
--63
63-108
67-104
84
61-76
-----44-137
--
A -- means no mussels collected.
5-22
TZ5
56-122
85-161
108-109
-99
-125-145
-61-129
--115
----
BZ5
26-89
79-100
37-87
51-61
56-92
-40
38-60
----81-90
---
Section 5
Results and Discussions
5.3.2 Reach 2 (Blewett Falls Dam to S.C. Highway 34)
Mussel taxa richness ranged from 5 (Transect BZ4) to 13 (Transect BZ1) taxa, and abundance
ranged from 455 to 3,382 individuals in Reach 2 (Table 5-13). Generally, the mussel community was
more diverse and had a greater abundance of individuals in Reach 2 when compared to the mussel
community in Reach 1 (Tables 5-11 and 5-13). Taxa richness and abundance were the greatest at
the three transects located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development. These three transects,
located from approximately 1 to 5 miles below the Blewett Falls Development, supported a very
large mussel biomass and accounted for 84 percent of all mussels collected within this reach.
Eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell were the dominant taxa at these transects. There was a
general decreasing trend in taxa richness and abundance with increasing distance from the Blewett
Falls Development.
Table 5-13
Number of mussels collected by transect from Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River
below the Blewett Falls Development during 2004.
Taxa1
BZ1
1,599
448
52
9
90
24
1
0
10
22
14
4
1
4
0
2,278
Eastern elliptio
Roanoke slabshell-NCT
Carolina slabshell-SCNHPSC
Variable spike
Carolina lance
Pod lance–NCSC
Eastern creekshell-NCSR
Pee Dee lance
Eastern pondmussel-NCT
Eastern floater-SCNHPSC
Paper pondshell-SCNHPSC
Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel-NCT
Yellow lampmussel-NCE, FSC, and SCNHPSC
Alewife floater-NCT
Atlantic spike
Total number of mussels
1
Reach 2 Transect
BZ1A
BZ2
BZ3
2,360
2,027
220
796
1,040
39
63
40
275
25
109
257
40
70
31
0
28
0
7
16
14
0
0
0
2
20
0
6
21
0
2
8
0
2
1
8
0
0
8
1
2
0
0
0
2
3,304
3,382
854
BZ4
331
25
85
0
13
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
455
BZ5
188
7
106
4
25
0
1
35
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
369
Conservation status: NCSR = North Carolina Significantly Rare species, NCSC = North Carolina Special Concern
species, NCT = North Carolina Threatened species, and NCE = North Carolina Endangered species, SCNHPSC =
South Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Species of Concern, State, and FSC = Federal Species of Concern.
Eastern elliptio, Roanoke slabshell, and Carolina slabshell were the most abundant mussel taxa
collected in Reach 2 (Table 5-13). These three taxa accounted for 91 percent of all mussels
collected in the reach. Ten taxa collected in Reach 2 had conservation listing status in North
Carolina or South Carolina waters and included Roanoke slabshell, Carolina slabshell, pod lance,
eastern creekshell, yellow lampmussel, eastern pondmussel, eastern floater, paper pondshell,
Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, and alewife floater. Transect BZ1 had the greatest number
of species with conservation listing status (7 of 13 collected taxa) followed by Transect BZ2 (6 of 12
collected taxa). The Pee Dee lance was collected from Reach 2 but not from Reach 1 during this
survey.
5-23
Section 5
Results and Discussions
The Carolina slabshell, eastern floater, and paper pondshell, State Species of Concern under the
South Carolina Natural Heritage Program, were also collected at Transect BZ1. These taxa have no
conservation listing status in North Carolina waters and were not counted as listed species for the
North Carolina transects.
There was a wide size range of individuals collected for most mussel taxa in Reach 2 (Table 5-12
and Appendix B). While no quantitative ageing of individuals was performed during the study, the
shell length ranges suggested multiple-size classes for some mussel taxa in the reach. Eight of the
15 taxa had multiple-size classes present at one or more surveyed transects in Reach 2 (Appendix B).
The number of mussel taxa with multiple-size classes present was greater in Reach 2 than in
Reach 1.
5.3.3 Tributaries
Mussel taxa richness and abundance was greater in the mainstem Pee Dee River than the tributaries.
Mussels were found in 7 of the 14 surveyed tributaries during this study (Table 5-4). The eastern
elliptio was the most common mussel collected from the tributaries. The Little River, Uwharrie
River, and Mountain Creek (Blewett Falls Lake) supported the greatest number of mussels,
including rare mussels (Figures 3-1 and 3-2). The notched rainbow was only collected from the
Uwharrie River during this study (Figure 3-1).
Table 5-14
Number of mussels collected by transect from tributaries of the Pee Dee
River at the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during 2004.
Taxa1
Transect
Lake Tillery
Uwharrie River (TYLAKE1)
Mountain Creek (TYLAKE2)
Jacobs Creek (TYLAKE3)
Reach 1
Clarks Creek (TZ TRB1)
Rocky River (TZ TRB2)
Little River (TZ TRB4)
Cedar Creek (TZ TRB5)
Blewett Falls Lake
Mountain Creek (BFLAKE1)
Buffalo Creek (BFLAKE2)
Eastern elliptio
Roanoke slabshell-NCT
Notched rainbow-NCSC
Eastern elliptio
Eastern creekshell-NCSR
Eastern elliptio
None
Eastern elliptio
Eastern elliptio
Variable spike
Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel-NCT
Yellow lampmussel-NCE&FSC
Carolina lance
None
Eastern elliptio
Variable spike
Eastern creekshell-NCSR
None
5-24
Number
25
2
1
4
1
1
0
4
105
16
3
3
2
0
40
8
1
0
Section 5
Results and Discussions
Taxa1
Transect
Reach 2
Cartledge Creek (BZ TRB1)
Island Creek (BZ TRB2)
Hitchcock Creek (BZ TRB3)
Jones Creek (BZ TRB4)
Westfield Creek (BZ TRB5)
1
Number
None
None
None
None
Eastern elliptio
0
0
0
0
8
Conservation status: NCSR = North Carolina Significantly Rare species, NCSC = North Carolina Special Concern
species, NCT = North Carolina Threatened species, NCE = North Carolina Endangered species, and FSC = Federal
Species of Concern.
Mussels were either absent or reduced in abundance at transects sampled in Clarks Creek, Rocky
River, and Cedar Creek which are tributaries located within Reach 1. Mussels were absent or
reduced in abundance at all transects sampled in the major tributaries of Reach 2. There was not a
wide size range of individuals collected from tributaries which indicated few multiple-size classes
present at these transects (Table 5-15).
Table 5-15
Length (mm) ranges of mussel taxa collected from tributaries of the Pee Dee
River associated with the Tillery and Blewett Falls Developments during
2004.
Taxa
Eastern elliptio
Roanoke slabshell
Carolina lance
Eastern lampmussel
Variable spike
Eastern creekshell
Yellow lampmussel
Notched rainbow
1
TZ
TRB2
61-73
--------
TZ
TRB4
56-98
-98-100
82-98
59-79
-94-108
--
TY
LAKE1
36-69
76-115
-----44
TY
LAKE2
44-72
----45
---
TY
LAKE3
56
--------
BZ
TRB5
36-66
--1
-------
BF
LAKE1
23-83
---34-71
49
---
A -- means no mussels collected.
5.3.4 The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina Mussel Survey of the Pee Dee
River
The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina (TNC) conducted a mussel survey of the Pee Dee River
in South Carolina below the Blewett Falls Development during 2004 and 2005 (Tables 5-16 and
5-17; The Catena Group 2006). Progress Energy agreed to partially fund this study to provide
additional information on the mussel community in the Coastal Plain region of the Pee Dee River
(Progress Energy 2004a).
5-25
Section 5
Table 5-16
Results and Discussions
Mussel taxa collected during The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina
study of the Pee Dee River, South Carolina, during 2004. Taxa are ranked in
relative order of abundance from most abundant to least abundant.
Common Name/Conservation Status1
Carolina slabshell-SCNHPSC
Eastern elliptio
Carolina lance
Roanoke slabshell-NCT
Variable spike
Yellow lampmussel-NCE&FSC
Atlantic spike
Eastern floater
Waccamaw spike-NCE&FSC
Pee Dee lance
Eastern pondmussel-NCT
Paper pondshell
Tidewater mucket-NCT
Creeper-NCT
2
Southern rainbow-SCNHPSC
Total Number
1
2
Scientific Name
Elliptio congaraea
Elliptio complanata
Elliptio angustata
Elliptio roanokensis
Elliptio icterina
Lampsilis cariosa
Elliptio producta
Pyganodon cataracta
Elliptio waccamawensis
Elliptio spp.
Ligumia nasuta
Utterbackia imbecillis
Leptodea ochracea
Strophitus undulatus
Villosa vibex
Total Number
253
177
176
86
64
35
7
5
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
819
Conservation status: NCT = North Carolina Threatened species, NCE = North Carolina Endangered species,
SCNHPSC = South Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Species of Concern, State, and FSC = Federal Species of
Concern. The State of South Carolina has no regulatory listing status for mussels other than the federal
designations. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has proposed to use the same listing as North
Carolina.
The Nature Conservancy collected one specimen of Southern rainbow from a pool upstream of shoal located above
U.S. Highway 1 at Cheraw, South Carolina on April 27, 2005.
Table 5-17
Number of mussel taxa found by sample location during The Nature
Conservancy of South Carolina mussel study of the Pee Dee River, South
Carolina, during 2004.
Sample site description
Cheraw (upstream of U.S. Highway 1)
Marlboro (near U.S. Highway 401)
Bostick (near U.S. Highway 378)
Poston (near U.S. Highway 378)
Lynches River confluence (near U.S. Highway 378)
Near Clarks Point (near U.S. Highway 378)
Clarks (Muddy) Creek confluence (near U.S. Highway 378/S.C.
Highway 51)
Petersfield (near U.S. Highway 701)
Sample date
August 5, 2004
August 5, 2004
October 20, 2004
October 20, 2004
October 20, 2004
October 19, 2004
October 19, 2004
Number of taxa
7
6
9
3
6
5
9
October 19, 2004
6
This study complemented the Progress Energy mussel survey of the Piedmont and Fall Line zone
areas of the Pee Dee River. The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina has shared these data with
Progress Energy, and these data are summarized and discussed below.
Eight locations were sampled in the lower Pee Dee River extending from Cheraw, South Carolina
(Progress Energy’s Transect BZ5 just upstream of U.S. Highway 1) to Petersfield, South Carolina at
S.C. Highway 701 (Table 5-17). These sites were sampled on August 5 and October 19-20, 2004.
5-26
Section 5
Results and Discussions
The sites encompassed the upper and lower Coastal Plain regions of the Pee Dee River. Snorkeling,
SCUBA diving, and visual surveys were conducted to assess the mussel communities at these
sample sites.
A total of 819 mussels representing 14 taxa were collected from the eight sample sites during the
TNC mussel survey of the lower Pee Dee River (Table 5-16). The number of taxa collected ranged
from 3 taxa (Poston, South Carolina sample site) to 9 taxa (Clarks Creek confluence sample site).
The number of taxa found at the Cheraw, South Carolina site (7 taxa) was comparable to the number
of taxa collected by Progress Energy biologists at Transect BZ5 (8 taxa), located just upstream.
Most of the species collected during the survey were also collected by Progress Energy during the
survey of the upper Pee Dee River with the exception of Waccamaw spike and tidewater mucket,
which are Coastal Plain species. Additionally, The Nature Conservancy recently collected one
specimen of Southern rainbow from a pool located just above the shoal sampling area located above
U.S. Highway 1 near Cheraw, South Carolina during April 2005. The collection of Waccamaw
spike in the Pee Dee River represented a new range extension for this species. Two taxa collected in
the study — yellow lampmussel and Waccamaw spike — are Federal Species of Concern. Sampling
methodologies differed between the Progress Energy and TNC mussel surveys so a direct
comparison of mussel abundance in different segments of the Pee Dee River was not possible
(Tables 5-13 and 5-16).
5.3.5 Host Fish Species for Unionid Mussel Glochidia Larvae
Freshwater unionid mussels have a parasitic glochidia larval stage that attaches to a host fish
(usually fish gills, mouth or skin) as part of their life cycle prior to metamorphosis into juvenile
mussels. The host fish species preference can be broad or very specific depending upon the mussel
species. Table 5-18 lists some known fish hosts for mussels found in the Pee Dee River during the
Progress Energy study. These data were obtained from Bogan (2002) and Bogan and Alderman
(2004). Fish hosts are currently not well defined for 11 of the 18 collected mussel species. Many of
the listed fish host species occur in both Reaches 1 and 2 (e.g., gar species, North American
catfishes, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, sunfish species, white perch, and
yellow perch). Alewife is listed as host species for alewife floater; however, alewife does not occur
in the Pee Dee River due to geographical range limits. Other Alosa species (American shad,
blueback herring, and hickory shad) do occur in the Pee Dee River and may be suitable host species
for the alewife floater below the Blewett Falls Development.
Table 5-18
List of known fish hosts for glochidia (larvae) of mussel taxa found in the Pee
Dee River, North Carolina-South Carolina (data adopted from Bogan 2002
and Bogan and Alderman 2004).
Taxa
Eastern elliptio
Scientific Name
Elliptio complanata
Roanoke slabshell
Carolina lance
Carolina slabshell
Variable spike
Pod lance
Eastern creekshell
Elliptio roanokensis
Elliptio angustata
Elliptio congaraea
Elliptio icterina
Elliptio folliculata
Villosa delumbis
5-27
Glochidia (Larvae) Fish Host
Banded killlifish, green sunfish, largemouth bass,
and yellow perch
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Section 5
1
Results and Discussions
Taxa
Eastern lampmussel
Scientific Name
Lampsilis radiata
Pee Dee lance
Eastern pondmussel
Eastern floater
Elliptio spp.
Ligumia nasuta
Pyganodon cataracta
Paper pondshell
Utterbackia imbecilis
Yellow lampmussel
Atlantic spike
Alewife floater
Creeper1
Lampsilis cariosa
Elliptio producta
Anodonta implicata
Strophitus undulatus
Notched rainbow
Carolina creekshell
Villosa constricta
Villosa vaughaniana
Glochidia (Larvae) Fish Host
Black crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth
bass, pumpkinseed, rock bass, yellow perch
Unknown
Unknown, possible Centrarchid (sunfish) species
Gar species, North American catfish species,
sunfish (Lepomis) species, freshwater drum
Banded killifish, green sunfish, creek chub,
eastern mosquitofish, warmouth, bluegill, dollar
sunfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, rock
bass, yellow perch, spotfin shiner, black crappie
and numerous amphibian hosts
Yellow perch and white perch
Unknown
Alewife (other Alosa?)
Largemouth bass, creek chub, green sunfish,
spotfin shiner, fathead minnow, yellow bullhead,
and bluegill
Unknown
Unknown
The creeper is one of a few freshwater mussels able to complete its life cycle without a fish host.
5-28
Section 6 - Summary
Shallow water habitat in the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls and Tillery Developments,
including selected major tributaries, was intensively surveyed for fish, crayfish, and mussels during
2004. The survey was conducted to fulfill study plan requirements outlined in the Water Resources
Work Group Issue No. 1: Resident River Aquatic Resources of Project Area. The survey objective
was to characterize the fish, crayfish, and mussel shallow water communities in the mainstem Pee
Dee River and the major tributaries in the vicinity of each hydroelectric development.
Spatial differences in the shallow water fish community were evident in the Pee Dee River below the
Tillery Development (i.e., Reach 1). The fish community at Transects TZ1 and TZ2 located
immediately below the Tillery Development was characterized as having moderate taxa richness (16
to 19 taxa) and dominated by tolerant or habitat-generalist species. Darter species — fantail darter,
tessellated darter, and Piedmont darter — were present at Transects TZ1 and TZ2, but minnow
species were absent or reduced in abundance. Fish taxa richness at Transect TZ2 was greater than
taxa richness at Transect TZ1, particularly for North American catfish and sunfish species. Darter
taxa were also more abundant at Transect TZ2, especially the intolerant Piedmont darter.
The fish community below the Rocky River exhibited less taxa richness and lower abundance when
compared to upstream (Transects TZ1 and TZ2) and the lowermost downstream transect (Transect
TZ5). Minnow and darter species were also reduced in abundance or absent depending upon the
sampled transect. Tolerant or habitat generalist species (i.e., omnivores or insectivores with flexible
feeding habits) were prevalent and green sunfish supplanted redbreast sunfish as the tolerant sunfish
at transects located below the Rocky River. Insectivorous fish species still dominated the trophic
feeding guilds although this percentage was lower than observed at Transects TZ1, TZ2, and TZ5.
The observed spatial pattern and changes in fish community characteristics suggested the water
quality inflow from the Rocky River and Brown Creek was possbily affecting the fish community
for a portion of this reach (i.e., approximately 7 to 12 miles of the 17-mile reach).
Fish community characteristics at Transect TZ5 suggested there was some degree of recovery in the
shallow water fish community in the lower portion of Reach 1 from water quality and flow effects.
Several tributaries, including the Little River, are located below the Brown Creek confluence. These
tributaries provided additional inflow and dilution of the degraded water quality between the N.C.
Highway 109 Bridge and Blewett Falls Lake. Taxa richness and total fish abundance was the
greatest at Transect TZ5 and minnow, sunfish, darter, and sucker taxa were well represented at this
transect. Contribution of tolerant species was the lowest at this transect and green sunfish
abundance also declined at this transect when compared to transects located immediately upstream.
However, the fish community was dominated by just two insectivorous feeding species, whitefin
shiner and bluegill, at Transect TZ5.
When compared to Reach 1, the shallow water fish community in the Pee Dee River below the
Blewett Falls Development exhibited greater taxa richness and was more robust as defined by the:
(1) greater total fish abundance; (2) number and abundance of minnow, sunfish, darter, and
intolerant taxa; (3) species dominance was generally more balanced and not restricted to just a few
tolerant or habitat generalist taxa; (4) balanced representation of the trophic feeding guilds; and
(5) high percentages of multiple size classes present. Taxa richness was the greatest at Transect BZ1
located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development, which included the greatest number of
6-1
Section 6
Summary
minnow, darter, and sunfish species. The total number of collected fish did not exhibit an explicit
spatial trend with increasing distance from the power plant. Total catches were largely influenced
by high catch rates of American eel or eastern silvery minnow at several transects.
American eel, particularly young-of-year or elvers, were a dominant component of the shallow water
fish community below the Blewett Falls Development. American eel comprised 4 to 37 percent of
the total fish abundance at sampled transects and was the dominant fish species at five of the eight
sampled transects. Elvers were very abundant and comprised 59 percent of the American eels
collected from Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River. Spatial differences in eel abundance were observed
within this reach with greater electrofishing catches located at transects located 12 to 23 miles
downstream of the Blewett Falls Development in the Piedmont Fall Line zone and again at 72 miles
downstream in the Coastal Plain zone. American eel catch rates (elvers and older individuals) were
greatest at transects with cobble and small boulder substrates with abundant rooted vegetation.
These habitat types offered more protective cover and possibly food sources. A small number of
American eel, including elvers, were captured in the Pee Dee River reach below the Tillery
Development indicating some eels were able to migrate past Blewett Falls Dam and inhabit upstream
areas.
Crayfish were most abundant in Reach 1 located below the Tillery Development as compared to
Reach 2 below the Blewett Development. Crayfish were most abundant immediately below the
Tillery Development and generally decreased with increasing distance from the power plant.
Crayfish abundance also decreased below the Rocky River confluence (Transect TZ3 at Buzzard
Island), but there was no discernible difference in the community below the Brown Creek
confluence. There was a genus shift in community dominance from Cambarus to Procambarus
species from the Piedmont to Coastal Plain zones. Four species of crayfish were identified from
both river reaches, and no threatened or endangered crayfish species were found in the shallow water
surveys. Procambarus [O.] braswelli, the Waccamaw crayfish, a species of Special Concern in
North Carolina, was collected from Transects BZ7 and BZ8 in the South Carolina Coastal Plain
portion of the river below the Blewett Falls Development. The Waccamaw crayfish has no
conservation listing status in South Carolina. Collection of the Waccamaw crayfish in the Pee Dee
River constituted a range extension for this species from its reported historic range in the
Waccamaw, Lumber and Little Pee Dee river basins.
There were 12,512 mussels representing 18 taxa collected from the Pee Dee River reaches and
tributaries associated with both hydroelectric developments. Approximately 84 percent of the total
number of collected mussels were represented by two taxa — Eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell.
Thirteen of the mussel taxa had state or federal conservation listing status. Roanoke slabshell,
Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, eastern creekshell, yellow lampmussel, pod lance, creeper,
alewife floater, easter pondmussell, and Carolina creekshell were present in Reach 1 below the
Tillery Development. Roanoke slabshell, Carolina slabshell, pod lance, eastern creekshell, eastern
pondmussel, eastern floater, paper pondshell, Carolina fatmucket/eastern lampmussel, yellow
lampmussel, and alewife floater were present in Reach 2 below the Blewett Development. The
notched rainbow was only collected from the Uwharrie River.
The mussel community was also more diverse and had a greater abundance of individuals in the Pee
Dee River below the Blewett Falls Development when compared to the mussel community in the
6-2
Section 6
Summary
river reach below the Tillery Development. The greatest number of mussel taxa were collected at
the three transects located immediately below the Blewett Falls Development. Seven of the thirteen
taxa collected at these transects have a conservation listing status. These transects, located
approximately one to five miles below the Blewett Falls Development, also supported a very large
amount of mussel biomass and accounted for 84 percent of all collected mussels within this reach.
Eastern elliptio and Roanoke slabshell were the dominant components of the mussel community at
these three transects.
Generally, the mussel taxa composition was similar between the two river reaches. Creeper and
Carolina creekshell were present in the river reach below the Tillery Development but absent from
the river reach below the Blewett Falls Development during this survey. However, the creeper was
found in the river reach below the Blewett Falls Development during previous mussel surveys
conducted by North Carolina resource agencies from 1987 to 2001 and by The Nature Conservancy
during its 2004 survey. The Pee Dee lance and Carolina slabshell were only found in the river reach
below the Blewett Falls Development. All of these mussel taxa were collected in low numbers, and
three of the taxa had conservation listing status. The Waccamaw spike, tidewater mucket, and
Southern rainbow were also collected from Reach 2 during surveys conducted by The Nature
Conservancy during 2004 and 2005. The collection of Waccamaw spike in the lower Pee Dee River
represented a new range extension for this species.
Mussel taxa richness and abundance was much greater in the mainstem Pee Dee River than the
tributaries. Mussels were only collected in 7 of the 14 transects sampled in tributaries associated
with both hydroelectric developments. The Little River, Uwharrie River, and Mountain Creek
(Blewett Falls Lake) supported the greatest number of mussels, including rare species. The notched
rainbow was only collected from the Uwharrie River during this study. Mussels were either absent
or reduced in abundance at transects sampled in Clarks Creek, Rocky River, and Cedar Creek which
are tributaries within Reach 1. Mussels were also noticeably absent or reduced in abundance at
transects sampled in the major tributaries of Reach 2 located below the Blewett Falls Development.
In summary, the fish and mussel communities in the mainstem Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development were less diverse and not as abundant as those communities observed below the
Blewett Hydroelectric Plant, even when considering watershed drainage area size and physiographic
regional differences. Survey results also showed effects to both fish and mussel communities in the
river reach below the Tillery Development due to degraded water quality from the Rocky River, and
to a lesser extent, Brown Creek. Approximately 7 to 12 miles of river was potentially affected by
the degraded water quality in this reach. These effects were manifested in lower species richness,
total organism abundance, and increased abundance of certain pollution-tolerant species (particularly
the fish community). The degree of effect varied between the fish and mussel communities with
recovery observed in the mussel community located downstream of the Brown Creek confluence
when compared to the fish community response.
6-3
Section 7 - References
Bogan, A.E. 2002. Workbook and key to freshwater bivalves of North Carolina. North Carolina
Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Bogan, A.E., and J. Alderman. 2004. Workbook and key to the freshwater bivalves of South
Carolina, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Bain, M.B., and V.H. Travnichek. 1996. Assessing impacts and predicting restoration benefits of
flow alterations in rivers developed for hydroelectric power production. Pages B543-B552
in M. Leclerc, H. Capra, S. Valentin, A. Boudreault, and Y. Côté (editors). Proceedings of
the second IAHR Symposium on Habitat Hydraulics, Ecohydraulics 2000.
Karr, J. R. 1981. Assessment of biotic integrity using fish communities. Fisheries. 6:21-27.
Karr, J.R., K.D. Fausch, P L. Angermeier, P. R. Yant, I. J. Schlosser. 1986. Assessing biological
integrity in running waters A method and its rationale. Illinois Natural History Survey
Special Publication 5, September 1986, Champaign, IL.
LeGrand, H.E., Jr., S.E. McRae, S.P. Hall, and J.T. Finnegan. 2004. Natural heritage program list
of the rare animal species of North Carolina. North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and
Recreation, Raleigh, North Carolina.
MacMahon, T.E., A.V. Zale, and D.J. Orth. 1996. Aquatic habitat measurements. Pages 83-120 in
B.R. Murphy and D. W. Willis (eds.). Fisheries techniques. 2nd edition. American
Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality. 2001. Standard operating procedure biological
monitoring. Stream fish community assessment & fish tissue. North Carolina Department
of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, March 14, 2001.
Nelson, J.S., E.J. Crossman, H. Espinsoa-Pérez, L T. Findley, C. R. Gilbert, R. N. Lea, and J. D.
Williams. 2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada,
and Mexico. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Maryland.
Progress Energy. 2003. Initial Consultation Document. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Project FERC No.
2206. February 2003. Progress Energy, Raleigh, North Carolina.
――. 2004a. Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project No. 2206. RWG meeting summary notes,
templates, and study plans. January 2004.
―― 2004b. Biology Program Procedures Manual. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., Raleigh,
North Carolina.
――. 2004c. Biology Program Quality Assurance Manual. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.,
Raleigh, North Carolina.
7-1
Section 7
References
Starnes, W.C. 2004. Results of distributional surveys and preliminary genetic investigations for the
Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.)--an interim report. Submitted by Wayne C. Starnes,
Ph.D, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences. Submitted to Progress Energy
Corporation, New Hill, North Carolina. February 17, 2004.
――. 2005. Fisheries survey of the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. Investigations of Brown
Creek and associated tributaries and the Pee Dee River. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Challenge Cost-Share Agreement Number 1448-40181-02-G-251. Performed for the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge. Performed by Progress Energy
Carolinas, Inc. March 2005.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 2003. South Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Online.
[URL]:
www.dnr.state.sc.us/pls/heritage/county_species.list.
(Accessed
January 13, 2005.)
The Catena Group. 2006. Freshwater mussel surveys of the Pee Dee River Basin in South Carolina.
Prepared for The Nature Conservancy-South Carolina Chapter. Prepared by The Catena
Group, Hillsborough, North Carolina, January 8, 2006.
7-2
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
SUMMARY CATCH DATA BY SAMPLE LOCATION AND GEAR TYPE
FOR THE SHALLOW WATER FISH SURVEY CONDUCTED IN THE PEE
DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND BLEWETT FALLS
DEVELOPMENTS DURING APRIL-JUNE 2004
Table A-1
Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect with the backpack
electrofisher during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below
the Tillery Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Taxa
TZ1
2
2
2
18
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
16
0
0
23
2
2
5
0
73
American eel
Whitefin shiner
Golden shiner
Snail bullhead
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Eastern mosquitofish
Pirate perch
Bluespotted sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Warmouth
Bluegill
Largemouth bass
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Total number1
1
TZ2
2
0
0
0
14
0
0
2
0
7
0
0
36
32
2
41
14
0
7
5
161
Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding.
Appendix A - 1
Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
1
0
0
0
8
3
5
0
0
0
0
2
1
19
0
3
0
0
7
0
49
TZ4
0
0
0
0
2
0
4
0
4
4
0
0
0
24
0
2
0
0
4
0
42
TZ5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
6
0
0
22
0
37
0
0
0
0
67
Table A-2
Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect with the pram electrofisher
during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development (Reach 1) during 2004.
Taxa
TZ1
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
99
14
0
5
0
0
0
0
42
0
0
0
6
0
1
1
1
3
3
2
181
Longnose gar
American eel
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Comely shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Shorthead redhorse
Snail bullhead
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Flat bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
White perch
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Largemouth bass
Black crappie
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Yellow perch
Total number1
1
TZ2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
38
1
0
10
19
0
1
22
5
1
0
14
0
2
0
4
41
25
1
186
Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding.
Appendix A - 2
Reach 1 Transect
TZ3
0
5
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
47
0
5
0
4
19
0
0
19
1
2
0
0
17
6
0
131
TZ4
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
38
0
6
0
6
12
1
0
35
0
6
0
0
5
0
0
112
TZ5
0
1
3
2
68
1
0
1
1
1
3
1
0
2
0
0
6
0
3
0
8
8
0
1
118
1
3
0
1
5
2
0
239
Table A-3
Total number of fish collected by transect with seine hauls (n = 12) during the
shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
(Reach 1) during 2004.
Reach 1 Transect
Taxa
TZ1
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
TZ5
Satinfin shiner
0
0
0
0
30
Red shiner
0
0
0
0
19
Whitefin shiner
0
0
0
0
351
Bluehead chub
0
0
0
0
3
Comely shiner
0
0
0
0
1
Spottail shiner
0
0
0
0
1
Redhorse species
0
0
0
0
11
Snail bullhead
3
0
0
0
0
Eastern mosquitofish
0
0
0
0
2
Bluegill
0
0
0
0
1
Redear sunfish
0
0
0
0
1
Tessellated darter
0
4
0
0
5
Piedmont darter
0
1
0
0
0
Total number
3
5
0
0
425
Appendix A - 3
Table A-4
Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect collected with the backpack
electrofisher during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below
the Blewett Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name
American eel
Carps and minnows
Satinfin shiner
Whitefin shiner
Eastern silvery minnow
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Comely shiner
Redlip shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Spotted sucker
Notchlip redhorse
Yellow bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Eastern mosquitofish
Bluespotted sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Spotted sunfish
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Hogchoker
Total number1
1
BZ1
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
2
21
9
2
4
46
0
0
0
6
0
2
102
BZ2
10
0
0
2
2
0
7
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
2
2
0
0
50
0
0
5
0
0
2
91
BZ3
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
0
0
11
0
0
0
9
0
9
0
9
0
0
48
Reach 2 Transect
BZ4
BZ5
30
60
3
0
0
0
0
0
7
68
181
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
9
3
0
3
5
0
11
0
0
0
9
46
12
3
0
0
0
11
0
0
3
23
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
13
0
0
5
5
4
8
11
5
2
2
0
40
294
288
Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding.
Appendix A - 4
BZ6
2
0
0
0
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
130
0
2
0
0
52
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
3
2
0
214
BZ7
25
0
10
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
44
0
19
0
2
0
15
5
2
0
7
0
0
135
BZ8
15
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
6
9
0
2
3
11
0
12
0
0
0
7
0
0
68
Table A-5
Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect with the pram electrofisher
during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett
Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name
Longnose gar
American eel
Gizzard shad
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Fieryblack shiner
Thinlip chub
Eastern silvery minnow
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Whitemouth shiner
Comely shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Sandbar shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Spotted sucker
Shorthead redhorse
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Atlantic needlefish
Eastern mosquitofish
Brook silverside
White perch
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Spotted sunfish
Largemouth bass
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Striped mullet
Hogchoker
Total number1
1
BZ1
1
34
2
6
2
13
0
0
94
0
1
0
3
39
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
26
0
10
1
8
0
1
39
2
0
3
28
1
0
1
2
13
17
4
1
352
BZ2
1
46
0
0
0
18
1
0
17
0
1
0
1
7
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
12
0
19
0
0
1
0
26
1
0
0
21
0
1
1
6
5
1
10
0
194
BZ3
2
124
0
4
0
8
0
0
70
0
1
0
0
42
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
5
2
6
1
0
0
0
28
0
0
0
9
1
3
1
28
6
1
10
1
354
Reach 2 Transect
BZ4
BZ5
0
0
168
132
0
0
2
5
0
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
1
55
2
0
0
<1
0
0
0
0
27
6
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
30
61
8
2
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
45
2
1
0
0
0
0
2
6
0
1
5
9
<1
0
48
10
77
10
41
6
1
0
2
6
426
362
Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding.
Appendix A - 5
BZ6
0
48
0
9
0
4
0
0
467
0
0
1
0
27
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
49
0
1
1
0
0
0
73
0
1
0
26
5
10
6
4
17
3
0
14
767
BZ7
0
35
0
51
0
42
1
1
568
1
0
0
0
28
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
2
0
0
4
0
1
0
2
1
0
4
0
12
0
0
30
788
BZ8
0
99
0
44
0
7
3
0
73
0
1
0
0
7
7
0
0
1
0
0
0
10
0
5
0
7
0
0
25
0
9
1
26
2
2
4
1
13
1
4
11
362
Table A-6
Mean number of fish per hour collected by transect with seine hauls (n = 12)
during the shallow water fish survey of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett
Falls Development (Reach 2) during 2004.
Common Name
Gizzard shad
Satinfin shiner
Whitefin shiner
Fieryblack shiner
Eastern silvery minnow
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Comely shiner
Spottail shiner
Notchlip redhorse
Shorthead redhorse
Redhorse species
Channel catfish
Eastern mosquitofish
Brook silverside
Redbreast sunfish
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Hogchoker
Total number
BZ1
0
0
0
0
3
0
1
9
0
0
0
0
0
27
29
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
72
BZ2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
BZ3
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Reach 2 Transect
BZ4
BZ5
1
0
0
4
3
8
0
0
7
15
18
1
0
0
0
0
85
7
4
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
4
0
3
0
0
0
134
35
Appendix A - 6
BZ6
0
9
16
0
54
1
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
6
0
4
0
4
0
1
0
0
98
BZ7
0
1
13
0
14
0
0
0
0
0
0
15
0
13
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
57
BZ8
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
4
0
2
0
11
27
Table A-7
Total number of fish excluding young-of-year collected by transect with
combined sampling gear types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild
classifications for the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development, 2004.
Common Name
Longnose gar
American eel
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Comely shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Notchlip redhorse
Shorthead redhorse
Redhorse species
Snail bullhead
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Flat bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Eastern mosquitofish
Pirate perch
White perch
Bluespotted sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Largemouth bass
Black crappie
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Yellow perch
Total number
Tolerance
Rating
Tolerant
Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intolerant
Intermediate
Trophic
Guild
Piscivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Appendix A - 7
TZ1
3
4
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
153
3
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
87
0
0
0
19
0
2
1
3
6
4
4
302
Reach 1 Transect
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
0
0
0
1
7
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
5
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
4
10
10
30
0
0
0
1
4
3
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
51
6
5
23
39
22
1
0
1
1
0
0
32
29
42
10
1
0
4
2
6
0
0
0
7
0
0
64
29
7
41
9
0
1
0
0
284
145
100
TZ5
0
0
26
21
169
4
0
3
2
1
5
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
4
3
1
0
0
10
12
0
1
155
2
3
0
1
13
3
0
444
Table A-8
Total number of fish excluding young-of-year collected by transect with
combined sampling gear types and the assigned tolerance and trophic guild
classifications for the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Falls Development, 2004.
Common Name
Longnose gar
American eel
Gizzard shad
Carps and minnows
Satinfin shiner
Red shiner
Whitefin shiner
Fieryblack shiner
Thinlip chub
Eastern silvery minnow
Bluehead chub
Golden shiner
Whitemouth shiner
Comely shiner
Redlip shiner
Spottail shiner
Coastal shiner
Sandbar shiner
Smallmouth buffalo
Spotted sucker
Notchlip redhorse
Shorthead redhorse
Redhorse species
White catfish
Yellow bullhead
Channel catfish
Margined madtom
Flathead catfish
Atlantic needlefish
Eastern mosquitofish
Brook silverside
White perch
Bluespotted sunfish
Redbreast sunfish
Green sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth
Bluegill
Redear sunfish
Spotted sunfish
Largemouth bass
Fantail darter
Tessellated darter
Piedmont darter
Striped mullet
Hogchoker
Total number
Tolerance
Rating
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intolerant
Intolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
-Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Tolerant
Tolerant
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intolerant
---
Trophic
Guild
Piscivore
Piscivore
Herbivore
-Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Herbivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Piscivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Insectivore
Omnivore
Insectivore
BZ1
2
49
3
0
8
3
19
0
0
154
0
3
0
9
0
51
1
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
23
0
3
2
41
25
1
1
81
8
1
7
62
1
0
1
3
26
29
6
1
628
Appendix A - 8
BZ2
1
81
0
0
0
0
38
2
0
36
0
4
0
1
0
14
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
19
0
14
0
2
1
0
0
43
2
0
0
62
0
1
2
15
7
3
21
0
371
BZ3
3
159
0
0
6
0
11
1
0
109
0
2
0
0
0
67
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
4
6
2
0
0
0
0
51
0
0
0
19
1
9
1
47
13
1
18
0
537
Reach 2 Transect
BZ4 BZ5 BZ6
0
0
0
94
76
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
11
21
0
0
0
6
12
22
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
156
463
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
37
14
42
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
59
20
13
17
4
0
2
3
1
0
0
1
1
4
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
80
105
2
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
8
14
29
0
2
10
10
18
10
1
0
6
88
27
4
70
24
24
76
13
3
1
0
0
4
2
3
509
484
780
BZ7
0
5
0
0
69
0
56
1
1
272
0
1
0
0
0
35
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
33
0
0
0
9
0
3
0
6
2
1
5
0
16
0
0
16
536
BZ8
0
42
0
0
70
0
10
4
0
112
0
1
0
0
0
9
10
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
8
0
17
0
0
0
37
2
15
1
44
7
3
5
1
22
1
6
5
437
Table A-9
Transect
TZ1
TZ2
TZ3
TZ4
TZ5
TZ TRB1
TZ TRB2
TZ TRB4
TZ TRB5
TYLAKE1
TYLAKE2
TYLAKE3
BZ1
BZ1A
BZ2
BZ3
BZ4
BZ5
BZ TRB1
BZ TRB2
BZ TRB3
BZ TRB4
BZ TRB5
BFLAKE1
BFLAKE2
Water quality data collected during the mussel surveys of Reaches 1 and 2 of
the Pee Dee River and associated tributaries at the Blewett Falls and Tillery
Developments, June-October 2004.
Location
Below N.C. Highway 731 Bridge
Shoal above Rocky River
confluence
Buzzard Island shoal
Shoal below N.C. Highway 109
Bridge
Shoal above Blewett Falls Lake
Clark's Creek
Rocky River
Little River
Cedar Creek
Uwharrie River
Mountain Creek
Jacobs Creek
Big Island Shoal
Shoal above U.S. Highway 74
Bridge
Hitchcock Creek shoal
Jones Creek shoal
Great Island Shoal
Shoal Above U.S. Highway 1
Cartledge Creek
Island Creek
Hitchcock Creek
Jones Creek
Westfield Creek
Mountain Creek
Buffalo Creek
21.2
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mg/L)
5.5
24.2
9.6
89
7.6
3.7
27.3
6.1
117
7.1
13.0
26.5
5.7
117
7.9
13.0
26.5
24.5
19.7
27.7
20.9
17.7
25.4
23.1
29.2
5.9
7.6
9.1
6.4
1.5
13.9
7.8
8.8
6.1
97
77
181
106
135
89
148
155
124
7.5
7.2
7.5
7.2
7.0
7.8
7.4
7.9
7.0
14.0
12.0
9.4
4.8
22.0
5.7
14.0
7.5
9.8
28.4
5.3
116
7.1
16.0
28.6
27.2
26.4
28.1
26.4
25.4
23.5
24.7
24.5
23.3
24.6
4.8
5.0
7.3
8.8
5.9
7.7
6.5
6.3
7.8
7.9
7.7
113
115
107
108
117
65
24
97
71
67
127
7.1
7.4
7.5
9.2
7.0
7.2
6.1
7.4
6.8
7.5
7.3
13.0
16.0
2.3
5.5
11.0
17.0
14.0
1.2
11.0
12.0
12.0
Temperature
(ºC)
Appendix A - 9
Conductivity
(μS/cm)
pH
Turbidity
(NTU)
100
7.9
2.0
APPENDIX B
LENGTH-FREQUENCY DATA FOR MUSSEL TAXA COLLECTED BY
RIVER REACH FOR THE SHALLOW WATER MUSSEL SURVEY
CONDUCTED IN THE PEE DEE RIVER BELOW THE TILLERY AND
BLEWETT FALLS DEVELOPMENTS DURING 2004
Number
TZ1 Elliptio angustata n = 100
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
Number
10 20 30 40
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ3 Elliptio angustata n = 3
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ2 Elliptio angustata n = 102
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10 20 30
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ4 Elliptio angustata n = 48
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-1
10 20 30 40 50 60
10 20 30
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Elliptio angustata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development from June 14 to
August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 1
Number
TZ1 Elliptio complanata n = 100
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30 40
TZ2 Elliptio complanata n = 106
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30 40 50 60
TZ3
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30 40
Number
10 20
30
Elliptio complanata n = 3
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
40
50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ5 Elliptio complanata n = 83
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ4 Elliptio complanata n = 117
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10 20 30
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ TRB4 Elliptio complanata n = 97
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-2
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
10 20
30 40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Elliptio complanata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River and the Little River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 2
Number
TZ3 Elliptio roanokensis n = 24
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
Number
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ4 Elliptio roanokensis n = 100
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10 20 30 40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ5 Elliptio roanokensis n = 84
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-3
10 20 30 40
10 20 30 40
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Elliptio roanokensis collected from stations
(n = ≥ 3 individuals with sample size shown above each histogram) in
Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development from June 14 to
August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 3
Number
TZ5 Elliptio folliculata n = 4
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30 40
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Number
Length frequency histograms of Elliptio folliculata and Elliptio producta
(n = ≥ 3 individuals with sample size shown above each histogram) collected
from stations in Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
TZ4 Elliptio icterina n = 11
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30 40
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ TRB4 Elliptio icterina n = 16
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-5
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ4 Elliptio producta n = 6
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-4
10 20 30
10 20
30 40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Elliptio icterina (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River and the Little River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 4
Number
TZ5 Lampsilis cariosa n = 6
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
30 40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ TRB4 Lampsilis cariosa n = 3
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10 20
30 40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Lampsilis cariosa (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 1
of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development from June 14 to
August 21, 2004.
Number
Figure B-6
TZ1 Lampsilis radiata n = 27
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30 40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ TRB4 Lampsilis radiata n = 3
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-7
10 20
10 20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Lampsilis radiata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations having
three or more individuals in Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery
Development from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 5
Frequency
TZ1 Pyganodon cataracta n = 3
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Frequency
0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
TZ1 Villosa delumbis n = 10
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-8
10 20 30
10 20 30 40
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Pyganodon cataracta and Villosa delumbis
(n = ≥ 3 individuals with sample size shown above each histogram) collected
from stations in Reach 1 of the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Development
from June 14 to August 21, 2004.
Appendix B - 6
Number
BZ1 Elliptio angustata n = 90
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30 40
BZ1A Elliptio angustata n = 40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30
Number
10 20
0
Number
30 40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ3 Elliptio angustata n = 31
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
10 20
30 40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ4 Elliptio angustata n = 13
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Elliptio angustata n = 70
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10 20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ5 Elliptio angustata n = 25
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Figure B-9
50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
10
20 30
40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Length frequency histograms of Elliptio angustata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 7
Number
BZ1 Elliptio complanata n = 204
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20 30
BZ1A Elliptio complanata n = 114
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20
Number
10 20
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
30 40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ3 Elliptio complanata n = 71
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
30 40 50 60
BZ2 Elliptio complanata n = 128
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10 20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ4 Elliptio complanata n = 100
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
10
20 30
40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ5 Elliptio complanata n = 100
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-10 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio complanata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 8
Number
BZ1A Elliptio congaraea n = 63
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
Number
10 20
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ3 Elliptio congaraea n = 97
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
30 40 50
BZ2 Elliptio congaraea n = 40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ4 Elliptio congaraea n = 85
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
10 20
10
20 30
40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ5 Elliptio congaraea
35
30
25
20
n = 100
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-11 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio congaraea (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 9
Number
BZ1 Elliptio folliculata n = 24
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20
30 40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Elliptio folliculata n = 28
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10 20
30 40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-12 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio folliculata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 10
Number
BZ1 Elliptio icterina n = 9
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
Number
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ1A Elliptio icterina n = 25
10 20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Elliptio icterina n = 74
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
20
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ3 Elliptio icterina n = 137
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
10
10
20 30
40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ5 Elliptio icterina n = 4
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-13 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio icterina (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 11
Number
BZ1 Elliptio roanokensis n = 91
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20
Number
10 20
Number
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Elliptio roanokensis n = 100
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ3 Elliptio roanokensis n = 39
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ1A Elliptio roanokensis n = 100
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ4 Elliptio roanokensis n = 25
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ5 Elliptio roanokensis n = 7
35
30
Number
30 40 50
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20
30 40
50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-14 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio roanokensis (n = ≥ 3 individuals
with sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in
Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12
to August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 12
Number
BZ5 Elliptio sp. (Pee Dee lance 4 complex) n = 35
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10
20 30
40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ1 Anodonta implicata n = 4
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Number
Figure B-15 Length frequency histograms of Elliptio spp. (Pee Dee lance 4 complex) and
Anodonta implicata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with sample size shown above each
histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the
Blewett Development from June 12 to August 28, 2004.
BZ3 Lampsilis cariosa n = 8
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10
20
30 40
50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ5 Lampsilis cariosa n = 3
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20
30
40 50
60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-16 Length frequency histograms of Lampsilis cariosa (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 13
Number
BZ1 Lampsilis radiata n = 4
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10
20
30 40
50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ3 Lampsilis radiata n = 8
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20
30
40 50
60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Number
Figure B-17 Length frequency histograms of Lampsilis radiata (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
BZ1 Ligumia nasuta n = 10
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10 20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Ligumia nasuta n = 20
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20 30
40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-18 Length frequency histograms of Ligumia nasuta (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 14
Number
BZ1 Pyganodon cataracta
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
20 30
40 50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ1A Pyganodon cataracta
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
10
10
20 30
40 50
0
10
20 30
40 50
n=6
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Pyganodon cataracta
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
n = 22
n = 21
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-19 Length frequency histograms of Pyganodon cataracta (n = ≥ 3 individuals
with sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in
Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12
to August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 15
Number
BZ1 Utterbackia imbecilis n = 14
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
10
20 30
40 50
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Utterbackia imbecilis n = 8
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-20 Length frequency histograms of Utterbackia imbecilis (n = ≥ 3 individuals
with sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in
Reach 2 of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12
to August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 16
Number
BZ1A Villosa delumbis n = 7
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Number
0
20 30
40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ2 Villosa delumbis n = 16
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
Number
10
10
20 30
40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
BZ3 Villosa delumbis n = 14
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20
30 40
50 60
70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Length (mm)
Figure B-21 Length frequency histograms of Villosa delumbis (n = ≥ 3 individuals with
sample size shown above each histogram) collected from stations in Reach 2
of the Pee Dee River below the Blewett Development from June 12 to
August 28, 2004.
Appendix B - 17