John Hammonds, Stephen E. Moore, and Matt A. Kulp, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg , Tennessee 37738; Voice 423-436-1254; E-Mail John_Hammonds@nps.gov

Keywords: trout densities, long-term study

Fish populations were observed over a twelve year period in upper and lower sections of a watershed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Several flow regimes were used to determine relationships between fish density and stream discharge. Fish populations in East Prong of Little River were susceptible to extremely high and low water discharges. The greatest changes in density were noted in age-0 trout and small cyprinids during their critical periods of life. Adult trout and larger fish species were not effected. Densities were inversely proportional to mean and peak flows, and number of flow events over 1000 cubic feet per second. Density was effected by a single, extreme flow event (i.e. 1994 flood), however, densities were not effected over a ten year period by single, extreme flow events.