Survey for Fishes in Freeman Creek System and North River, Fayette and Tuscaloosa Counties, Alabama, on 26 May Submitted to:

Transcription

1 Survey for Fishes in Freeman Creek System and North River, Fayette and Tuscaloosa Counties, Alabama, on 26 May 2012 Submitted to: Mike Watts Byler Trace Northport, AL By: Bernard R. Kuhajda, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences Box University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama May 2012

2 1 Survey for Fishes in Freeman Creek System and North River, Fayette and Tuscaloosa Counties, Alabama, on 26 May 2012 Summary Freeman Creek and its unnamed tributary west of US Hwy 43 in Fayette and Tuscaloosa counties and the North River at and upstream of County Road 63 in Tuscaloosa County were sampled for fishes on 26 May 2012 to assess the effects of a coal slurry spill into the unnamed tributary on 15 July 2011 (Fig. 1). Based on all data collected over 11 months at these sites since the slurry spill, aquatic habitat and the fish community has recovered or, in the case of fish abundance in lower Freeman Creek, is on its way to recovery, therefore additional habitat and fish surveys are not needed and biological monitoring can be terminated. The coal slurry spill on 15 July 2011 negatively impacted the habitat, diversity, and abundance of fishes and other aquatic taxa in the unnamed tributary and Freeman Creek in areas downstream of the spill based on data collected 5 and 10 days after the event. This is especially the case in the unnamed tributary, where habitat was buried by the slurry and practically no fishes or other aquatic taxa were present. Evaluation of habitat and sampling of fishes and other aquatic taxa on 26 May 2012 revealed that there was slightly less fish diversity present in the impacted areas of the unnamed tributary (Sites 2 and 3) relative to the area upstream of the slurry spill (Site 1) but diversity had increased over the last three months (March-May); the overall trend since the coal slurry spill is upward. Abundance was higher compared to the previous month at sites 1 and 2 and remained high at Site 3. The two previously impacted sites have had an overall increasing trend since the coal slurry spill (Fig. 13). No coal slurry deposits were observed in the unnamed tributary. Diversity and of fishes was similar (14-16 species) at all three sites on Freeman Creek, with an increasing trend at all sites since November Abundance of fishes has remained relatively constant at the control site (Site 4) over the last six months but has shown downward trends at both sites 5 and 6 over this same period, with abundance at Site 6 continuing to be very low, likely associated with lasting effects of dewatering for slurry removal in late October (the last habitat in Freeman Creek to be restored) (Fig. 14). Now that cleanup in Freeman Creek is completed and all filter dams in lower Freeman Creek removed, restored habitat does allow access for fishes to previously isolated areas and this should lead to further improvements in abundance in the fish community in the coming months as fishes spawn in late spring and summer. The limited fish data collected in the North River in this study shows similar numbers from August through April at County Road 63 (Site 8) and higher diversity and numbers in May relative to the control site (Site 7). Biotic recovery of the unnamed tributary is complete, with equal or higher abundance and similar diversity of fishes compared to the unaffected stream reach. Freeman Creek has similar diversity of fishes but lower abundance in impacted areas, especially the lower portion, however biotic recovery should continue now that cleanup efforts are completed, habitat has recovered, and all reaches in Freeman Creek are reconnected after the removal of all filter dams.

3 2 1 Coal slurry spill site Figure 1. Stream reaches surveyed for fishes in an unnamed tributary, Freeman Creek, and the North River in Tuscaloosa and Fayette counties, Alabama, on 26 May See text for locality and description of Sites 1 to 8.

4 3 A B Figure 2. Unnamed tributary to Freeman Creek upstream of coal slurry spill (Site 1) on 26 May 2012 showing A) pool and B) riffle habitat.

5 4 A B C Figure 3. Unnamed tributary to Freeman Creek downstream of coal slurry spill (Site 2) on 26 May 2012 showing A) run, B) riffle, and C) pool habitat.

6 5 A B Figure 4. Unnamed tributary to Freeman Creek downstream of coal slurry spill and Holcomb Road (Site 3) on 26 May 2012 showing A) pool & B) riffle habitat.

7 6 A B Figure 5. Freeman Creek upstream of coal slurry spill (Site 4) on 26 May 2012 showing A) abandoned beaver dam just above unnamed tributary and B) no pool above beaver dam.

8 7 A B Figure 6. Freeman Creek upstream of coal slurry spill (Site 4) on 26 May 2012 showing A) riffle habitat below new beaver dam and B) bedrock riffle habitat at upper end of sampling area.

9 8 A B Figure 7. Freeman Creek downstream of mouth of unnamed tributary, coal slurry spill input, and US Hwy 43 (Site 5) on 26 May 2012 showing A) pool and B) riffle habitat.

10 9 A B Figure 8. Lower Freeman Creek near mouth (Site 6) on 26 May 2012 showing A) riffle and B) riffle/pool habitat downstream of former filter dams not inundated, low water in North River.

11 10 A B Figure 9. Lower Freeman Creek (Site 6) on 26 May 2012 showing A) site of former new filter dams and B) pool habitat upstream of former new filter dam site.

12 11 A B Figure 10. Lower Freeman Creek (Site 6) on 26 May 2012 showing A) riffle habitat and B) site of former upper (original) filter dams.

13 12 A B Figure 11. North River at mouth of Freeman Creek (Site 7) on 26 May 2012 showing A) riffle habitat and B) riffle and pool habitat.

14 13 A B Figure 12. North River at Co. Rd. 63 (Site 8) on 26 May 2012 showing A) riffle and B) pool habitat.

15 Average number specimens per seine haul Number of species per site Unnamed Tributary Diversity Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Above spill Below spill Near mouth Unnamed Tributary Abundance Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Above spill Below spill Near mouth July August September October November December January February March April May July August September October November December January February March April May Figure 13. A) Diversity (number of fish species per site) and B) abundance (average number of specimens per seine haul) of fishes for unnamed tributary for July 2011 May A B

16 Average number specimens per seine haul Number of species per site Freeman Creek Diversity July August A September October 15 November December 10 January February 5 March April May Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Above spill Below spill Near mouth Freeman Creek Abundance Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Above spill Below spill Near mouth July August B September October November December January February March April May Figure 14. A) Diversity (number of fish species per site) and B) abundance (average number of specimens per seine haul) of fishes for Freeman Creek for July 2011 May 2012.

17 Table 1. Fishes and other aquatic taxa collected in unnamed tributary above coal slurry spill, 26 May Start 18:42, end 19:20 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 R3 R4 P1 P2 P3 P4 RU1 R/RU1 R/RU2 R/P1 seines present specimens Ammocoete 0 0 Ichthyomyzon gagei 0 0 Campostoma oligolepis 0 0 Cyprinella callistia 0 0 Luxilus chrysocephalus Lythrurus bellus Nocomis leptocephalus Notropis baileyi Notropis stilbius 0 0 Semotilus atromaculatus Semotilus thoreauianus Erimyzon oblongus Moxostoma poecilurum 0 0 Noturus funebris Noturus gyrinus 0 0 Noturus leptacanthus 0 0 Fundulus olivaceus Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis macrochirus 0 0 Lepomis megalotis Micropterus punctulatus 0 0 Etheostoma artesiae Etheostoma parvipinne 0 0 Etheostoma stigmaeum 0 0 Etheostoma swaini Percina nigrofasciata 0 0 Number of species Total 13 Number of specimens Total

18 Table 1 (continued). Non-fish taxa Dragonfly nymph Damselfly nymph 0 0 Mayfly nymph 0 0 Stonefly nymph Helgramites 0 0 Cranefly larva 0 0 Caddisfly larva 0 0 Tabanid larva 0 0 Crayfishes Salamander 0 0 Number of taxa Total 3 Number of specimens Total 30 R1 R2 R3 R4 P1 P2 P3 P4 RU1 R/RU1 R/RU2 R/P1 17 R = Riffle P = Pool RU = Run Start of sampling, P1 End of sampling, R5 33 o 35'02"N, 87 o 40'10"W 33 o 35'06"N, 87 o 40'15"W Water lowest since fall sampling. Beaver dam (33 o 35'02"N, 87 o 40'10"W) abandoned, riffle and pool complexes have returned. P1 below beaver dam Creek with lots of fine sediments, mostly sand.

19 Table 2. Fishes and other aquatic taxa collected in unnamed tributary below coal slurry spill, 26 May Start 17:52, end 18:37 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 RU1 RU2 R/P1 seines present specimens Campostoma oligolepis 0 0 Cyprinella callistia 0 0 Luxilus chrysocephalus Lythrurus bellus 0 0 Nocomis leptocephalus Notropis baileyi Semotilus atromaculatus Semotilus thoreauianus Larval minnows Erymyzon oblongus 0 0 Larval suckers Moxostoma poecilurum 0 0 Ictalurus punctatus 0 0 Noturus funebris 0 0 Noturus gyrinus 0 0 Noturus leptacanthus 0 0 Pylodictis olivaris 0 0 Fundulus olivaceus Lepomis cyanellus 0 0 Lepomis macrochirus 0 0 Lepomis megalotis 0 0 Micropterus punctulatus 0 0 Etheostoma artesiae Etheostoma parvipinne 0 0 Etheostoma stigmaeum 0 0 Percina nigrofasciata 0 0 Number of species Total 8 Number of specimens Total

20 Table 2 (continued). Non-fish taxa Dragonfly nymph Mayfly nymph Stonefly nymph Damselfly nymph 0 0 Helgramites 0 0 Caddisfly larvae 0 0 Frogs Crayfishes Number of taxa Total 5 Number of specimens Total 19 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 RU1 RU2 R/P1 19 R = Riffle P = Pool RU = Run Start of sampling, P1 End of sampling, R5 33 o 34'57"N, 87 o 39'58"W 33 o 35'00"N, 87 o 40'05"W Water present and flowing throughout entire study reach including areas dry in August Water lowest since fall sampling. More sand present in stream since fall.

21 Table 3. Fishes and other aquatic taxa collected in unnamed tributary below spill, just above its mouth, 26 May Start 17:00, end 17:20 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 P1 P2 P3 R/P1 seines present specimens Campostoma oligolepis 0 0 Cyprinella callistia 0 0 Luxilus chrysocephalus Lythrurus bellus Nocomis leptocephalus Notropis baileyi Notropis stilbius 0 0 Semotilus atromaculatus Semotilus thoreauianus Erimyzon oblongus 0 0 Larval suckers Ameiurus natalis 0 0 Ictalurus punctatus 0 0 Noturus funebris 0 0 Noturus gyrinus 0 0 Noturus leptacanthus 0 0 Pylodictis olivaris 0 0 Fundulus olivaceus 0 0 Lepomis cyanellus 0 0 Lepomis macrochirus 0 0 Lepomis megalotis Micropterus punctulatus 0 0 Etheostoma artesiae 0 0 Etheostoma parvipinne 0 0 Etheostoma stigmaeum Etheostoma swaini 0 0 Percina nigrofasciata 0 0 Number of species Total 9 Number of specimens Total

22 Table 3 (continued). 21 Dragonfly nymph 0 0 Danselfly nymph 0 0 Mayfly nymph 0 0 Helgramites 0 0 Caddisfly larva Beetle larvae 0 0 Cranefly larva 0 0 Crayfishes Number of taxa Total 5 Number of specimens Total 9 R1 R2 P1 P2 P3 R/P1 R = Riffle P = Pool Start of sampling, R/P1 End of sampling, P3 33 o 34'27"N, 87 o 39'34"W 33 o 34'30"N, 87 o 39'37"W Slurry gone from pools and shoreline. Water present and flowing throughout entire study reach including areas dry in August Water lowest since fall sampling. More sand present in stream since fall.

23 Table 4. Fishes and other aquatic taxa collected in Freeman Creek above coal slurry spill and US Hwy 43, 26 May Start 15:53, end 16:40 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 P1 P2 P3 RU1 RUP1 INP1 seines present specimens Ichthyomyzon gagei 0 0 Campostoma oligolepis Cyprinella callistia 0 0 Luxilus chrysocephalus Lythrurus bellus Nocomis leptocephalus Notropis baileyi Semotilus atromaculatus Semotilus thoreauianus Erymyzon oblongus 0 0 Hypentelium etowanum 0 0 Moxostoma poecilurum Ameiurus natalis 0 0 Ictalurus punctatus 0 0 Noturus funebris 0 0 Noturus leptacanthus Fundulus olivaceus Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis marcrochirus Lepomis megalotis Larval darter Etheostoma parvipinne Etheostoma stigmaeum Etheostoma swaini 0 0 Percina maculata 0 0 Percina nigrofasciata Number of species Total 16 Number of specimens Total

24 Table 4 (continued). Non-fish taxa Dragonfly nymph Damselfly nymph 0 0 Mayfly nymph 0 0 Stonefly nymph 0 0 Helgramites Tabanid larva 0 0 Cranefly larva 0 0 Caddisfly larva Crayfishes Tadpoles 0 0 Desmognathus salamander 0 0 Number of taxa Total 4 Number of specimens Total 26 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 P1 P2 P3 RU1 RUP1 INP1 23 R = Riffle P = Pool RU = Run INP = Innundated Pool Start of sampling, INP1 Abandonded beaver dam End of sampling, above bedrock riffles, P1 33 o 34'26"N, 87 o 39'36"W 33 o 34'25"N, 87 o 39'38"W 33 o 34'23"N, 87 o 39'47"W Water lowest since fall sampling. 1st beaver dam at lower end of sampling reach abandoned, two pools now not inundated. New beaver dam above Innundated Pool and below 1st abandoned beaver dam. Beaver dam still abandonded halfway between 1st abandoned dam & bedrock riffle, inundated from new beaver dam. Riffle 3 at base of 2nd beaver dam, Run/Pool at base of upstream bedrock riffle.

25 Table 5. Fishes and other aquatic taxa collected in Freeman Creek below coal slurry spill, below US Hwy 43, 26 May Start 14:42 end 15:25 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 RU1 TOR1 seines present specimens Campostoma oligolepis Cyprinella callistia 0 0 Luxilus chrysocephalus Lythrurus bellus Nocomis leptocephalus Notropis baileyi Notropis stilbius 0 0 Semotilus atromaculatus 0 0 Semotilus thoreauianus Larval minnows Erimyzon oblongus Moxostoma poecilurum Ameiurus natalis 0 0 Noturus funebris 0 0 Noturus gyrinus 0 0 Noturus leptacanthus 0 0 Pylodictis olivaris 0 0 Fundulus olivaceus Lepomis cyanellus 0 0 Lepomis macrochirus 0 0 Lepomis megalotis Micropterus punctulatus 0 0 Etheostoma artesiae Etheostoma parvipinne 0 0 Etheostoma stigmaeum Percina kathae Percina nigrofasciata Number of species Total 14 Number of specimens Total

26 Table 5 (continued). Non-fish taxa Dragonfly nymph Damselfly nymph 0 0 Mayfly nymph Stonefly nymph Helgramites Tabanid larva 0 0 Cranefly larva 0 0 Caddisfly larva Tabanid larva 0 0 Crayfishes Tadpoles 0 0 Number of taxa Total 6 Number of specimens Total 37 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 RU1 TOR1 25 R = Riffle P = Pool TOR = Top of riffle Start of sampling, R1 Abandoned beaver dam End of sampling, P6 33 o 34'26"N, 87 o 39'21"W 33 o 34'28"N, 87 o 39'24"W 33 o 34'27"N, 87 o 39'29"W Slurry gone from pools and shoreline. Beaver dam still abandoned in upper reach of sample area, innundated former riffle now flowing. Water level lowest since fall sampling.

27 26 Table 6. Fishes and other aquatic taxa collected in Freeman Creek below spill, just above mouth to original filter dam, 26 May Start 12:47, end 13:50 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 TOR1 seines present specimens Campostoma oligolepis Cyprinella callistia Cyprinella venusta 0 0 Hybopsis winchelli 0 0 Luxilus chrysocephalus Lythrurus bellus Nocomis leptocephalus 0 0 Notropis baileyi Notropis stilbius 0 0 Semotilus atromaculatus Semotilus thoreauianus Cyprinid larvae 0 0 Erimyzon oblongus 0 0 Larval suckers Moxostoma poecilurum 0 0 Noturus funebris 0 0 Noturus leptacanthus Fundulus olivaceus 0 0 Gambusia affinis 0 0 Lepomis cyanellus 0 0 Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis megalotis Micropterus salmoides Etheostoma artesiae 0 0 Etheostoma stigmaeum Percina maculata Percina nigrofasciata Larval darters Number of species Total 15 Number of specimens Total 88

28 27 Table 6 (continued). Non-fish taxa Dragonfly nymph Damselfly nymph Mayfly nymph Stonefly nymph Helgramites 0 0 Caddisfly larva 0 0 Cranefly larva 0 0 Backswimmer 0 0 Crayfishes Tadpoles Number of taxa Total 6 Number of specimens Total 33 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 TOR1 R = Riffle P = Pool TOR = Top of Riffle R1 End of sampling below former original filter dam 33 o 33'47"N, 87 o 38'16"W 33 o 33'55"N, 87 o 38'28"W 1st 2 Riffles, 1 Top of Riffle, and pool below former filter dams NOT innundated from high water. Water lowest since fall sampling. Substrate above former lower filter dams dominated by bedrock (no pools) up to small tributary from the north. No coal slurry depostits observed.

29 28 Table 7. Fishes & other aquatic taxa collected in North River above spill, above Freeman Crk, 26 May Start 12:30, end 12:42 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 R3 P1 P2 TOR1 seines present specimens Campostoma oligolepis 0 0 Cyprinella callistia Luxilus chrysocephalus 0 0 Lythrurus bellus 0 0 Nocomis leptocephalus 0 0 Notropis stilbius Notropis texanus 0 0 Hypentelium etowanum 0 0 Moxostoma poecilurum 0 0 Fundulus olivaceus 0 0 Gambusia affinis 0 0 Lepomis megalotis 0 0 Micropterus coosae 0 0 Micropterus punctulatus 0 0 Etheostoma stigmaeum Percina kathae 0 0 Percina maculata 0 0 Percina nigrofasciata Percina sciera 0 0 Number of species Total 4 Number of specimens Total 27 Non-fish taxa Dragonfly nymph Mayfly nymph Stonefly nymph Caddisfly larvae 0 0 Helgramites 0 0 Crayfishes Tadpoles 0 0 Eurycea salamander 0 0 Number of species Total 4 Number of specimens Total 7 Species R1 R2 R3 P1 P2 TOR1 8 Elimia carinifera collected. 3 Corbicula collected. R = Riffle P = Pool TOR = Top of Riffle Confluence w/ Freeman Ck Upstream of Freeman Ck 33 o 33'46"N, 87 o 38'16"w 33 o 33'47"N, 87 o 38'15"w Water lowest since fall sampling. Distinct habitats lacking due to changes in river morphology at this site. No coal slurry present, including shoreline and backwater areas.

30 29 Table 8. Fishes and other aquatic taxa collected in North River below spill, Co. Rd. 63, 26 May Start 11:18, end 11:45 Number of Number of Species R1 R2 R3 P1 TOR1 TOR2 seines present specimens Lepisosteus sp. juvenile Campostoma oligolepis Cyprinella callistia Cyprinella venusta 0 0 Luxilus chrysocephalus 0 0 Lythrurus bellus 0 0 Nocomis leptocephalus Notropis stilbius Notropis texanus 0 0 Semotilus atromaculatus Larval minnows Larval suckers Fundulus olivaceus 0 0 Gambusia affinis 0 0 Lepomis macrochirus 0 0 Lepomis megalotis 0 0 Micropterus coosae 0 0 Micropterus punctulatus Etheostoma stigmaeum Percina kathae Percina maculata Percina nigrofasciata Larval darters Number of species Total 12 Number of specimens Total 165 Non-fish taxa Dragonfly nymph Damselfly nymph Stonefly nymph 0 0 Cranefly larvae 0 0 Helgramites Crayfishes Tadpoles Eurycea salamander 0 0 Number of species Total 5 Number of specimens Total 12 Species R1 R2 R3 P1 TOR1 TOR Elimia carinifera snails collected. 9 Corbicula clams collected. R = Riffle P = Pool TOR = Top of Riffle Sampling near bridge 33 o 33'43"N, 87 o 37'49"W No coal slurry on bedrock in shallower water or in Justicia beds in backwaters. Water lowest since fall sampling.

31 Table 9. Scientific names, common names, and families of fishes collected in the Freeman Creek watershed and the North River during this study. Family Ichthyomyzon Lampreys Ichthyomyzon gagei Southern Brook Lamprey Family Cyprinidae Minnows, shiners, and chubs Campostoma oligolepis Largescale Stoneroller Cyprinella callistia Alabama Shiner Cyprinella venusta Blacktail Shiner Hybopsis winchelli Clear Chub Luxilus chrysocephalus Striped Shiner Lythrurus bellus Pretty Shiner Nocomis leptocephalus Bluehead Chub Notropis baileyi Rough Shiner Notropis stilbius Silverstripe Shiner Notropis texanus Weed Shiner Semotilus atromaculatus Creek Chub Semotilus thoreauianus Dixie Chub Family Catostomidae Suckers and redhorses Erimyzon oblongus Creek Chubsucker Hypentelium etowanum Alabama Hog Sucker Minytrema melanops Spotted Sucker Moxostoma poecilurum Blacktail Redhorse Family Ictaluridae Catfishes, bullheads, and madtoms Amieurus natalis Yellow Bullhead Ictalurus punctatus Channel Catfish Noturus funebris Speckled Madtom Noturus gyrinus Tadpole Madtom Noturus leptacanthus Speckled Madtom Pylodictis olivaris Flathead Catfish Family Fundulidae - Topminnows Fundulus olivaceus Blackspotted Topminnow Family Poeciliidae Mosquitofishes Gambusia affinis Western Mosquitofish Family Centrarchidae Sunfishes and basses Lepomis cyanellus Green Sunfish Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill Lepomis megalotis Longear Sunfish Micropterus coosae Redeye Bass Micropterus punctulatus Spotted Bass Family Percidae - Darters Etheostoma artesiae Redspot Darter Etheostoma parvipinne Goldstripe Darter Etheostoma stigmaeum Speckled Darter Etheostoma swaini Gulf Darter Percina kathae Mobile Logperch 30

32 31 Percina maculata Percina nigrofasciata Percina sciera Blackside Darter Blackbanded Darter Dusky Darter