Aquatic Habitat Conservation

Projects 

• Allen Dairy Project

  The Allen family’s dairy, Dairy Made Farm in western Marshall County, is a top priority site for conservation work on the upper Duck River. The farm has been an Allen family operation for generations and is now operated by Cannon and John Daniel Allen. It is up- stream and adjacent to a reach of the Duck from Lillards Mill to Venable Spring, one of the most biologically diverse reaches of the entire river system. The opportunity to work with the landowners on this important site arose late in 2007 and it promises to be an exciting and beneficial project for all involved. read more >

• Improve Walleye Spawning Habitat

  The initial phase of a project to restore a Gulf Coast strain of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) population which had been in decline since the 1970s, was undertaken on a headwater stream of the Tombigbee River. The goal was to improve the spawning and rearing habitat by stabilizing a section of stream bank and to stop a head cut from advancing upstream. read more >

• Eagle Point Oyster Reef Restoration Phase I

  Eagle Point Oyster Reef Restoration - Galveston Bay, TX Residents make shell bags to recruit oyster larvae Volunteers put out shell bags to attract spat for the new reef habitat. Introduction: Oyster beds serve unique roles in estuaries, yet they are highly susceptible to over-harvesting, diseases and pollution. In addition to having both recreational and commercial value, oyster beds provide ecological benefits such as filtration and habitat for numerous species of invertebrates, fish, and plants. The enlargement of the Houston Ship Channel altered the bay’s salinity regime, presenting an opportunity to extend the area of oyster reefs but the potential for poachers presented a challenge for long-term success. Because oyster harvest within 200 feet of residential piers is forbidden by Texas law, the reefs will be protected so that they can provide larvae for oyster reefs throughout the bay and help maintain clean water for the many species in the ecosystem. read more >

• Improve Connectivity at Troup Spring

  Cool water springs feeding major coastal rivers in Georgia provide critical thermal refuges during summer for diadromous fishes such as striped bass. However, the connectivity of many of these springs to the main rivers has been diminished by drought, sedimentation, accumulation of debris, and beaver dams. The goal of this project was to improve the connectivity of Troup Springs to the Oconee River and enhance spring flows. read more >

• Restoration of Spawning Site on Ogeechee

  As part of a broader restoration effort, Georgia Wildlife Resources Division has been stocking robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), a species thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in Georgia’s Oconee River in the early 1990s. This species did not occur naturally in the Ogeechee River, but study indicated that the aquatic habitat there would probably support the robust redhorse. read more >

• Community Control of ANS

  The Altamaha River Watershed Conservation Action Plan cites invasive species as one of the six highest ranked threats. One of the invasive species thriving in portions of the watershed is the flathead catfish, which cause environmental harm, threaten native species, and can change the recreational value of an area for anglers. read more >

• Jockey's Ridge Living Shoreline Protection

  Jockey’s Ridge State Park is the location of the largest sand dune system on the east coast. It is part of the Roanoke River Watershed, which flows from Virginia through North Carolina to the sea. Its estuarine shoreline had never been stabilized prior to making the area into a state park. However, the estuarine shoreline had been damaged by vehicle and foot traffic and acres of salt marsh had disappeared. The park is used for education, recreation, tourism, and conservation. read more >

• Reintroduce Brook Trout

  Brook trout, the only salmonid native to the southeast, have lost about 75% of theirhistoric range due to past logging activitiesand introduction of non-native trout. In 1993,the National Park Service identified 10 streams that can support native southern Appalachian brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The long term goal is to restorehistoric range of habitat for this native species. read more >

• Cherokee National Forest Brook Trout Habitat

  Drought and stressed habitat conditions exacerbated natural competition for food and space between brook trout and rainbow trout in several creeks in the Cherokee National Forest. Both species, popular with anglers, were declining due to drought in recent years. By improving or restoring habitats, and removing rainbow trout from certain areas, both species can more easily thrive in the forest. read more >

• Habitat Data Collection on Buck Creek

  Restoration of native vegetation, streams, riparian zones and wetlands along Buck Creek and its tributaries is an ongoing project that needs physical habitat data specific to target species of fishes and mussels. The restoration effort is addressing Kentucky’s number one source of impairment — sedimentation and siltation. The overall goal is to tailor existing stream restoration efforts to benefit over 11 species of fish and mussels including sport fish, federally listed endangered species, and sensitive species in Buck Creek. read more >

• Big South Fork Recreation with Habitat Protection

  The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is a focus for major conservation efforts due to the outstanding aquatic features found in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. The park is also a favorite location for equestrian riders, cyclists, and hikers. Managing a park for such multiple uses, while conserving biodiversity, is wrought with challenges. read more >

• Bennett Bayou Tidal Marsh

  Bennett Bayou’s is a gateway to the Pascagoula River marshes. The Pascagoula River is the largest unimpeded river system in the continental U.S. It supports habitats for about 22 threatened and endangered species, and serves as a critical refueling and rest stop for birds during intercontinental migrations. Beneficiaries of restoration include red drum, brown and white shrimp, Gulf sturgeon, speckled trout and Atlantic croaker. read more >

• Oyster Restoration with Artificial Cultch

  Restoration of oysters along southeastern coasts is important for economic and ecological reasons. Oysters enhance water quality. Their reefs buffer wave action adjacent to marshes, and they are harvested and marketed by commercial fishermen. read more >

• Oconee Habitat Enhancement

  The robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), a species that had been lost to science for about 150 years, was discovered on the Oconee River in 1991. Wild populations subsequently found in the Savannah River (Georgia/South Carolina) and Pee Dee River (North Carolina) have been augmented by stocking in other areas of Georgia and South Carolina. The species is very particular about the water quality and depth as well as the gravel quality of its spawning sites. To encourage propagation of this native species, the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee coordinates activities in several southeastern states. The gravel augmentation is expected to benefit invertebrates, including mussels, as well as anadromous species such as striped bass, American shad, and Atlantic sturgeon. read more >

• Oyster Reef for Shoreline Stabilization

  Oyster Reef Shoreline Restoration Project Site - MacDill AFB, FL Oyster domes accumulate sediment and attract spat. Phase 1, before and after reef establishment. Introduction: Over the past decade, the eastern shoreline of MacDill AFB has eroded, resulting in loss of native plant species such as black mangroves, palms, and 100-year-old live oaks. A five-phase project to stabilize the shoreline is creating a series of oyster reefs along undeveloped shoreline.  The resultant oyster and mussel colonies will filter water and provide valuable habitat for fish and other aquatic resources. The reduced wave energy and accumulated sediment will encourage growth of native marsh grasses and mangroves, which will further stabilize the shoreline and improve the habitat.  read more >

• Thermal Refuges for Striped Bass

  Gulf striped bass in the Flint River rely on thermal refuges during warmer months for spawning and growth. In recent years, this species (Morone saxatilis) used only eight out of 20 available spring-fed areas of the river because flow had become restricted, denying them access. This project restored access and flow near two springs on the Flint River, increasing available refuge area significantly. Gulf striped bass is anadromous and popular among recreational and commercial fishers. It’s native range includes a variety of aquatic habitats such as streams, shores, bays, and estuaries from the Atlantic Coast to Louisiana. read more >