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Opportunity for Recovery of Mussels in Copper Creek, Russell and Scott Counties, Virginia: in Search of Refugium. Shane D. Hanlon (USFWS) and Dr. Richard J. Neves (USGS). Preliminary results of a Science Supported Partnership Project. Study Goals. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Opportunity for Recovery of Mussels in Copper Creek, Russell and Scott Counties, Virginia:
in Search of Refugium
Shane D. Hanlon (USFWS)and
Dr. Richard J. Neves (USGS)
Preliminary results of a Science Supported Partnership Project
Study Goals
• Investigate current status and trend of mussel populations within Copper Creek
• Identify threats and determine potential for habitat restoration and species recovery
• Identify suitable sites within Copper Creek for augmenting mussel populations
• Engage in propagation and augmentation of the federally listed purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea) population within Copper Creek
• ~ 84,960 acres (133 square miles)
• Entire watershed is underlain by karst topography
• Comprised of Cambro-Ordovician aged dolostone and limestone, and middle Ordovician aged limestone
• 10 documented occurrences of rare, cave obligate fauna, including the Federally listed endangered grey bat
• 76 species of fish (13 families, 36 genera)
• Significant mussel assemblage
Yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnis)
Duskytail darter (Etheostoma percnurum)
Purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea)
Shiny pigtoe (Fusconaia cor)
Fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentum)
Rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata)
Oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis)
Fine-rayed pigtoe (Fusconaia cuneolus)
• Surveyed 47 sites
• Between February 2004 and April 2005
• Timed searches by snorkeling or view bucket
• Surveyed most historic survey sites
–Ahlstedt 1981 (conducted 1980)
–Fraley and Ahlstedt 1999 (conducted 1998)
• Surveyed newly identified sites
Mussel Surveys of Copper Creek, Virginia
1980 1998 2004
Actinonaias pectorosa X XAlasmidonta viridis X XAmblema plicata X Elliptio dilitata X X XEpioblasma capsaeformis X Fusconaia barnesiana X X XFusconaia cuneolus X X XFusconaia cor X XLampsilis fasciola X X XLampsilis ovata X Lasmigona costata X XMedionidus conradicus X X X Pleurobema oviforme X X XPtychobranchus fasciolaris X XPtychobranchus subtentum X X XQuadrula cylindrica strigillata X XVillosa iris X X XVillosa perpurpurea X X XVillosa v. vanuxemensis X X X
19 10 16
Additional Relic specimens found
• Pegius fabula
• Epioblasma brevidens
• Ligumia recta
• Actinonaias ligamentina
An estimated 25 mussel species once inhabited Copper Creek
0.27%
0.02%
0.40%
0.05%
0.07%
0.87%
1.14%
1.61%
3.60%
0.55%
7.95%
12.67%
71.33%
Villosa iris Other species Pleurobema oviforme
Medionidus conradicus Fusconaia barnesiana Ptychobranchus subtentum
Elliptio dilatata Lampsilis fasciola Villosa perpurpurea
Fusconaia cuneolus Quadrula cylindrica Fusconaia cor
2004/05 Total Survey Faunal Composition
1980 1998 2004/05
Total search time ~182 hrs* 62 hrs 111 hrs
Total live specimens 1,639 651 4,106
Live mussel CPUE ~9.0* 10.5 36.9
Number of species 19 10 16
Number of sites 36 20 47
Catch Per Unit EffortOver all survey effort
*crude calculation based on vague description of survey effort
1980 1998 2004/05
Total search time ~71 hrs* 46 hrs 35 hrs
Total live specimens 709 408 730
Live mussel CPUE ~10.0* 8.9 36.9
Number of species 17 8 12
Number of sites 14 14 14
Catch Per Unit EffortComparative survey effort
*crude calculation based on vague description of survey effort
Other species
V. iris
P. oviforme
M. conradicus
F. barnesiana
E. dilatata
P. subtentum
V. perpurpurea
L. fasciola
1980
1998
2004/05
Comparison of faunal composition based on 14 sites
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Fusconaia cor
Actinonaias pectorosa
Fusconaia cuneolus
Quadrula cylindrica
Ptychobranchus fasciolaris
Villosa perpurpurea
Elliptio dilatata
Ptychobranchus subtentum
Villosa vanuxemensis
Fusconaia barnesiana
Lampsilis fasciola
Pleurobema oviforme
Medionidus conradicus
Villosa iris
Copper Creek Mile
Watershed-scaleHydrology
StreamInputs
LocalizedStability
Three Pressure Points
What happened 8 or 9 years ago?
• Manure disposal directly to creek
• Fish, mussel, and crayfish kill
• The creek turned white
• Rocket fuel?
2002 Clinch and Powell Valley Watershed Ecological Risk Assessment
Forest57.7%
Non-forest40.9%
1972 USGS land cover
Forest42.3%
Non-forest57.7%
General Copper Creek Watershed Land Cover
BadGood
Trashed
Redneckia
Watershed-scaleHydrology
StreamInputs
LocalizedStability
The 4th wheel
I like killin things
It’s just a way of life
Recovery?
Recovery Advantages
• No railroads• No coal mining• No major urbanization
(<0.1%)• No major highways• No major industry (NPDES)• Important meta-populations
for the Clinch River
Obeys Creek Confluence ~ CCM 14Grassy Creek Confluence ~CCM 43
Yellowfin Madtoms• Copper Creek is one of three
strongholds for the yellowfin madtom
• Almost entire length of Copper Creek is Designated Critical Habitat for the yellowfin madtom in Virginia
• 1999 survey of Copper Creek for yellowfin madtom identified only 3 miles of the creek as inhabited
• Propagated yellowfins were released to Copper Creek by CFI
– 46 on June 22, 2000
– 210 on October 8, 2002
Purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea)
• Host fish has been identified and still exist in Copper Cr.
• Juveniles have been successfully propagated and reared in captivity
• Gravid individuals can still be found in Copper Cr.
• Identified “Suitable” habitat in Copper Cr.
16 propagated juveniles were released 200485 propagated juveniles were released 2005Third attempt scheduled for 2006/2007
Action
• Phase II of study—micro and macro habitat assessment
• Establish arch population of purple bean
• Continue propagation efforts
• BMP cost share programs
• Purchase lands and riparian easements
• Dam removal/modification
• Monitoring
Much thanks to Dave Garst, Missy Petty and Brett Ostby for survey and propagation work. Thanks also to Rachel Mair, Jake Rash, John Schmerfeld, and Sumalee Hoskin for assisting in survey work.