Warmwater Streams Committee

Meeting Minutes - September 28, 2004 - Asheville, North Carolina

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Chairman, John Copeland (VA). Chairman, John Copeland (VA) distributed the meeting agenda and Secretary-Treasurer, Dennis Riecke (MS), distributed the minutes from the previous committee meeting on February 26, 2004 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A. Introduction of Committee Members & Guests

8 committee members were in attendance: Chairman, John Copeland (VA), Secretary-Treasurer, Dennis Riecke (MS), Dan Catchings (AL), Eric Cummings (KY), Frank Fiss (TN), Kin Hodges (NC), Don Orth (VA Tech), and Chris Thomason (SC). Also present were the following 3 guests: Mallory Martin (NC), Powell Wheeler (NC), David Yow (NC).

B1. Approval of Agenda

Motion was made to approve the meeting agenda as written by Chairman, John Copeland (VA). Motion was seconded and approved. Chairman John Copeland announced that the joint-meeting with the Ad Hoc Instream Flow Committee, SDAFS will not occur at this meeting and that committee has not been able to organize a symposium for the 2005 SDAFS Mid-year meeting. It was determined that a quorum existed and a committee membership roster was circulated for those present to check and update or add their contact information.

B2. Secretary’s Report and Approval of Minutes

Secretary-Treasurer, Dennis Riecke (MS) read the WWSC meeting minutes from the committee meeting on February 26, 2004 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Changes were made to correct the spelling of names of attendees. A motion was made by Dan Catchings (AL), and seconded by Frank Fisk (TN) to adopt the minutes as corrected. The motion passed.

B3. Treasurer’s Report

Secretary-Treasurer, Dennis Riecke (MS) distributed and reviewed the February 24, 2004 - September 27, 2004 Financial Statement. Secretary- Treasurer, Dennis Riecke (MS) stated that there was an unexpected donation of $1,000.00 by the Oklahoma Chapter due to the financial success of the 2004 Mid-year meeting in Oklahoma City. Dennis Riecke (MS) asked whether the committee wanted him to put $300.00 of the $1,000.00 donation into the operating account to replace the seed money the committee donated to the Oklahoma Chapter to purchase auction items or leave that money in the Jimmie Pigg Memorial Student Travel fund. A motion was made by Frank Fiss (TN) and seconded by Chris Thomason (SC) to leave all the money in the student travel fund. The motion passed. Dennis Riecke (MS), Secretary-Treasurer suggested that the committee consider placing the entire amount of the student travel fund, $3,368.00 into an investment instrument to generate more interest that it currently earns in the committee checking account. It would have to earn 8% to generate the $240.00 per year to fully fund the annual amount for the award. Discussion followed and anyone with ideas should inform Chairman John Copeland who will also speak with John Odenkirk about investment options. We discussed whether or not there were plans for an auction at the 2005 Mid-year SDAFS meeting. Chairman John Copeland will ask Scott Smith about this. Motion by Frank Fiss (TN), seconded by Dan Catchings (AL) to accept this Financial Statement as presented. Motion passed.

C. Old Business

C1. Committee Officers

After soliciting volunteers and speaking with several committee members, Chairman John Copeland reported that Frank Fiss (TN) had agreed to serve as Chairman-Elect and will assume Chairmanship at the February 2005 meeting held at the SDAFS meeting in Virginia Beach, VA. Recent chairman have been appointed by acclamation rather than election and serve for a 2-year term.

C2. Committee Membership
Dennis Riecke, Secretary-Treasurer mentioned that the committee lacks “official members” (those appointed by state fisheries chiefs) from Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Maryland. The committee does not have any members employed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Chairman John Copeland stated that he had worked on compiling accurate memberships lists with correct contact information.

C3. Jimmie Pigg Student Travel Award
Fund raising items to finance this award were discussed. Mallory Martin (NC) suggested sending a letter to each AFS Chapter president to solicit donations. Frank Fiss (TN) asked the committee to strive to reach a specific funding amount. Chris Thomason (SC) suggested donating funds to the Virginia Chapter to buy a guided trip to auction off at the 2005 Mid-year SDAFS meeting. Chairman John Copeland will discuss this item with Scott Smith.

C4. Committee History
Secretary-Treasurer, Dennis Riecke (MS) presented a one page sheet that lists the highlights of past committee activities and indicated that would like to reorganize and make it more specific with dates associated with each event. This could be posted on our website. Dennis Riecke (MS) asked the members if this action was a good idea. The consensus was yes. Members commented that such a listing may help people find contacts for information since plenty stuff is not published. Chris Thomason (SC) stated that such a listing would illustrate the variety of committee activities. Chairman, John Copeland (VA) stated that he will assist since he has well-organized, complete committee records from past chairman.

C5. Warmwater Streams Values Video Update
Chairman, John Copeland (VA) stated that most of his time in this area has been spent coordinating duplication of the video by the Virginia Cooperative Service. He is working with Dr. Lou Helfrich of Virginia Tech University. Virginia Tech will duplicate VHS copies for $10.00 each. The members thought we should pursue producing CD and DVD formats of the video.

We discussed posting the video summary, outline and synopsis along with a video clip on our website. We need to have the synopsis on the back of the video cover case along with the production credits. John Lucas (SCDNR) was the producer and videographer. Glenn Gardner (SCDNR) was the narrator. Script writers were Ed Scott (TVA), Reggie Harrell, Dr. William “Rocky” English (Clemson Univ.), Dan Catchings (AL), Frank Fiss (TN) and perhaps others. Dan Catchings (AL) will review his records to compile a complete list. Dennis Riecke (MS) would like to post the final video script onto the website but lacks this document. Dan Catchings (AL) offered to search his files for the final script version and send it to Dennis Riecke (MS).

Frank Fiss (TN) commented on his efforts to distribute the video in Tennessee. Latest interest has been from Cooperative Extension Agents. Local television stations were not interested in it. Chris Thomason (SC) said that advanced biology classes are the best educational outlet for the video. Members discussed ideas for future distribution of the video. Perhaps we should target national conservation organizations.

Don Orth (VA Tech Univ.) suggested that we write a funding proposal for marketing and distribution for submission to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. We should seek a grant to sponsor a meeting to invite educators to view the video. We should develop a list of educators (middle and high school teachers) and county extension agents. We should link up the national leaders in the Cooperative Extension Service.

C5. SDAFS State Stream Sampling Protocols
Dennis Riecke (MS) suggested that since we are nearing completion of our video project, perhaps a worthwhile endeavor in service to our membership base would be to compile state stream sampling protocols and provide links or actual files on our website. Members liked the idea and thought it was worth pursuing.

South Carolina and Alabama are trying to establish such guidelines. Chris Thomason (SC) has obtained some draft guidelines from several states. Dan Catchings (AL) stated that perhaps we could post the documents on the website from those states that have developed protocols. Frank Fiss (TN) mentioned that it is easier to post pdf files on the website. This effort should not be restricted to state agencies.

Chairman John Copeland (VA) asked for a volunteer to collect the files and send them to SDAFS Webmaster Fred Janssen. Dan Catchings (AL) volunteered to begin this with assistance from Dennis Riecke (MS). Kin Hodges (NC) stated that North Carolina doesn’t have an official protocol but each region has sampling plans. Dan Catchings (AL) will determine if his reports are current and seek pdf files from agencies. Dan Catchings (AL) intends to begin with wadeable streams and focus on fish inventories and species collections. Dan Catchings (AL) will determine what he has; contact agencies that are not represented; see if they currently have programs; and what they would be willing to provide.

D. New Business

D1. Meeting Dates
Chairman John Copeland (VA) asked if September was a good time of year for our fall meeting or does it prevent attendance by university personnel due to teaching obligations?

Several members stated that this was not the case since they usually do not attend any committee meetings. Dr. Don Orth (VA Tech Univ.) suggested that the committee keep reaching out to university employees and host a summer meeting at a university town.

D2. Secretary-Treasurer Position
Chairman John Copeland stated he is trying to appoint a new Secretary-Treasurer to also serve a 2-year term concurrent with chairman’s term.

D3. State Stream Mitigation Program Status - Eric Cummins (KY)
Eric Cummins (KY) polled the SDAFS states and got a response from April Layher (AR). Tennessee and Kentucky have similar mitigation programs. A committee reviews proposed projects and an oversight committee rates the project’s suitability. They use funds from the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP), federal farm bill and private donations. Members asked who does the restoration work. Kin Hodges (NC) said that in his state, there are 2 restoration biologists and 2 technicians. They used to do mitigation work for the state transportation dept. There is less funding now but they are getting money from 1 grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund - a state fund, general appropriation. A new project is being created to have mitigation work done prior to construction projects commencing. This is the opposite of what currently occurs. In the future land will be purchased rather than leased. There are mitigation programs and a fee-in-lieu-of mitigation option. Dan Catchings (AL) asked who receives the fees. In North Carolina there is an EEP group within the state transportation dept. that receives those monies. EEP has purchased land and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Agency (NCWRA) can apply for EEP funds. Jim Borowajc is the contact for the NCWRA. NCWRA biologists do the project design work, hire construction firms to do the physical work. NCWRA biologists can do the design work for less money than private firms. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in some counties uses farm bill monies (LIP, EQUIP, WHIP programs) to fund projects. NCWRA is using State Wildlife Grant (SWG) for restoration projects. North Carolina is beginning to monitor and evaluate stream restoration projects.

Chairman John Copeland (VA) said that Fred Leke is the Virginia Department Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) contact for stream mitigation. Virginia has a fee-in-lieu-of mitigation option. The US Army Corps of Engineers set up a wetland fund that has been combined with a stream fund. They turned the program over to The Nature Conservancy, which requires permanent land easements. The VDGIF has two stream restoration biologists on staff (one in fisheries, one in wildlife - nongame). They concentrate their efforts on tributaries and headwaters in watershed that contain “species at risk” and have cattle watering areas. LIP funds with SWG funds are used to pay the biologist salaries. Virginia works with the local Soil & Water Conservation Districts. They have not had much activity in the fee-in-lieu-of mitigation program.

Dennis Riecke (MS) states that the Mobile District of the Corps of Engineers is keeping track of stream mitigation credits for road construction projects done by the Mississippi Dept. of Transportation. They have not stopped MDOT from working but one day they will ask what MDOT has done to obtain these credits. There is one private stream mitigation bank in operation. The Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) is proposing to build a new state fishing lake and the Mobile District is requiring a stream mitigation plan. To meet this requirement the MDWFP is proposing to establish it’s own stream mitigation bank on property it will purchase on the upper end of an existing state fishing lake and sell or trade credits to other state agencies that need them. The Vicksburg District of the Corps of Engineers has not engaged in requiring stream mitigation yet.

Chris Thomason (SC) mentioned that Ron Ahle (SC) is the South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources contact for stream restoration.

Eric Cummings (KY) stated that Kentucky has a fee-in-lieu-of mitigation program and the big contributors are coal companies and the state department of transportation. Funds must be used within the watershed where the impact occurred. One staff member coordinates the program which has 13 million dollars. Only 500,000 dollars has been spent since it is difficult to find restoration sites. Kentucky’s program is similar to Tennessee’s. LIP, WHIP & EQUIP programs could help fund projects in other watersheds.

Dan Catchings (AL) stated that the Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR ) has an Environmental Coordinator, John Hornsby who works on stream restoration projects. Their fee-in-lieu-of mitigation program got $110,000 from a coal company and $400,000 for a project on the Duck River which will impact fisheries habitat and stream flow. The ADCNR will not accept any more funding until they have the staff to administer the program. Most of the fee-in-lieu-of mitigation funds have been going to The Nature Conservancy and land trusts. The Alabama Dept. of Transportation has been receiving credit for “preserving” but not “restoring”. They have a wetland mitigation bank but no stream mitigation bank. Dave Rogen’s stream restoration procedures are being used by private consultants within the state. LIP is only used for lands/waters containing “high risk” species. NRCS has used farm bill funds for restoration work (Sec. 319- Clean Water Act). LIP may be used on a competitive basis but the focus is on a watershed approach and areas with high profile species. Nationally, LIP is funded at 30 million dollars.

Dennis Riecke (MS) recalled that Steve Filipek (AR) recommended at the WWSC meeting in Fayetteville, AR several years ago that fisheries personnel get on the Wildlife Technical Committee in each state that decide on how to disburse farm bill monies for WHIP, LIP, and EQUIP.

Dennis Riecke (MS) asked everyone to send their stream mitigation program comments to him and Eric Cummins (KY) via E-mail. A separate file for this information could be created for posting on our website.

D4. Exotic Species Regulations - Kin Hodges (NC)
Kin Hodges (NC) stated that the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Agency has regulatory authority under state law but lacks specific rules in this area. They have always had a rule banning possession of certain species, but did not have regulations regarding species release. Flathead catfish were native to western North Carolina in the Mississippi River drainage but via angler introductions they are now present in eastern North Carolina. Trout clubs release trout into stream sections. Reservoir stockings generated increased interest in this issue. Anglers want the NCWRA to stock alewives and blueback herring in reservoirs as prey for striped bass. Doing so would depress walleye populations. Anglers are already stocking alewives into NC reservoirs. So, NCWRA needs regulations on release of aquatic species. The NCWRA began work on this issue in Feb. 2004 by consulting with their agency attorney. They defined “stocking”, “catch and release”. Concerns about the terms “arbitrary” and “capricious” led to a list of prohibited species being included into the regulations. Draft regulations await commission approval and would become effective in July 2005. There are two rules, one for stocking the other for possession. Alabama, Oklahoma, and North Carolina all have new prohibited species lists. South Carolina has drafted new rules for importation.

Committee members detailed the exotic species regulations in their state and some sent information to Kin. Everyone was encouraged to do so to assist North Carolina.

Presentation - North Fork Shenandoah River Flow Study - Dr. Don Orth (VA Tech. Univ.)

From 1990- 2002 population increased between 9.9 - 36% in counties in the river basin. By 2025 water demand will exceed Low Daily Mean Flow of Record in the North Fork of the Shenandoah R. This basin is 66.8% forested land, 29.5% planted/cultivated land and 2% developed land.

How does the state mange river flows during a drought? Virginia has limits on agricultural users before they have to report their usage. So, there is no mechanism for regulating water use in a drought. Strategy of this study was to develop this mechanism or trigger.

Agricultural demand is difficult to quantify. Biological and recreational water demands are not quantified but research is beginning to do this. More frequent low flow events occur in the upper river. Use of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Index of Hydrologic Alteration (32 metrics) - a regression analysis showed no statistically significant trends over time which was contrary to popular belief. This index can be downloaded from the TNC website and is easy to use.

The major habitat types were particle runs and bedrock runs. PHABSIM was used for habitat modeling. In the North Fork of the Shenandoah R., the off stream water uses are not compatible with maintaining stream health during prolonged low flow periods i.e. presence of algal mats and blue-green algae blooms.

Smallmouth bass catch per effort for age-0 fish versus mean June discharge peaks at 3,000 cfs, then declines as flow increases to 11,000 cfs. Catch per effort increases from 1,000 cfs to 3,000 cfs. Depth, water velocity, substrate and cover yield habitat area per kilometer of stream. Discharge, water temperature, water quality yield habitat area per kilometer of stream.

During drought flows in 1999, dissolved oxygen ranged from 2-16 ppm - similar to a pond. There were wide swings throughout the basin in dissolved oxygen and temperature. Ammonia (unionized) levels are potentially toxic to aquatic life, particularly mussels. The EPA (1999) water classification lists the North Fork of the Shenandoah R. as having a high potential for nitrogen runoff and phosphate levels exceed the EPA recommendations.

This study used a guild structure approach which is consistent among basins. The following species groups were subjected to PHABSIM: pool-cover, pool-run, fast-generalist, and riffle. Depth, and Water Velocity criteria were developed for all guilds. Substrate criteria were developed for the riffle guild.

One of the objectives of this study was to develop aquatic conservation flow alerts or triggers for:

1. normal zone
2. watch zone
3. 3) emergency conditions.

During the 2002 drought, water temperature was not a concern. Modeling was done to answer the following questions: If water use was restricted during low flow periods, would the area of good habitat increase? Answer: Yes. There was not a benefit evident in June but increased benefits occurred in August and September.

A public involvement process was used to implement the drought watch and establish drought warnings for stream flows and water restrictions.

Emergency Drought Level Water Use Recommendations

1. Ecosystem Targets Must Be Clearly Stated.
2. Long-Term Community Involvement is Essential.
3. Monitoring Programs Must Be Functioning.
4. Develop Aquatic Conservation Flow Alternatives that recognize that there are several minimum flow or thresholds.
5. Do Not Wait to Act.

Flow Triggers Result in Specific Actions.

Criteria for Flow Triggers

1. Algae blooms are associated with extended periods of unsuitable microhabitat.
2. Fish kills are associated with high levels of ammonia.
3. Aquatic life forms in the fast-riffle guild are most sensitive to reductions in flow as measured by microhabitat indices.
4. Aquatic triggers must permit habitat enhancement if water use is reduced.
5. Aquatic triggers must be based on measurable and easy to implement discharge values.
6. Aquatic triggers must be consistent with existing state policy - can’t be less than 7Q10
7. Aquatic triggers are not equal categories of flow, need time lags for various flow alerts.

Compiled flow levels (cfs) for watch and emergency alerts at stream gauges.

See the Gleick (2003) article in Science. Also see:

Richter, B.D., R. Mathews, D.L. Harrison, and R. Wigington. 2003. Ecologically sustainable water management: managing river flows for ecological integrity. Ecological Applications, 13(1): 206-224.

The Nature Conservancy has a CD called Ecologically Sustainable Water Management (Managing Water for People and Healthy Rivers). See www.freshwaters.org or contact the following for copies:
TNC Freshwater Initiative
2424 Spruce St.
Boulder, CO 80302

Presentation - Status of the Brown Trout Fishery in the Smith River:
Opportunities for Enhancement by Dr. Don Orth

This was a Federal Aid project. Philpott Dam, a US Army Corps of Engineers flood control and power generation reservoir was completed in 1953. Base flow release is 40 cfs. There are two 700 cfs turbines which generate in 1-8 hours production time frames.

The Smith R. brown trout fishery is managed for trophy fish and is listed in Trout Unlimited’s publication of the 100 best trout streams. Prior to this study it was known that the trout were reproducing naturally, and that trophy size and numbers were decreasing. A highly altered daily flow pattern exists.

Data present were 5 years of hour water temperatures, electrofishing at 12 sites three times per year and other surveys. Only 19 of 31,334 brown trout collected in 2002-2003 exceeded 16 inches (trophy size). A 1995 creel survey documented that 6,700 brown trout were caught and 343 (5%) were harvested. The fishery had a value of $656,000 dollars which was $13,000 dollars less than the value of the electricity generated by Philpott Dam.

Anglers indicated that doubling their catch rate for trophy trout would more than double the economic impact of that fishery. Alewives were stocked into Philpott in the 1970's, passed downstream and serve as valuable forage for trout, although they no longer pass through the dam.

Cold water temperatures in the tailwater limit nongame fish and crayfish production. So trout utilize insects as prey. Trout biomass figures are similar to other rivers in the Tennessee River System. Aging their otoliths is difficult so PIT tags were used. Few trout survive past 5 years of age. Growth rates decline dramatically at 3 and 4 years of age. The Wr is below the desired goal of 84-92. Length frequency and tagging studies indicate a very high mortality rate. Diet studies revealed that only in the zone farthest away from the dam do trout feed on other trout. Peak water flows cause rapid cooling each day during the summer. In some reaches the water temperature and lack of food influence trout growth.

Hypothetical Scenarios for Dam Operations
1. 12 degree outflow scenario
2. New turbine scenario (operate at ½ magnitude for longer periods)
3. Steady baseflow scenario

The study predicted changes in the ending weights of age-1 brown trout. The 12 degree scenario was best closest to the dam. The steady baseflow scenario was best furthest from the dam.

Roanoke logperch, an endangered species, is in the river system and 59 specimens were captured at 7 of 13 sampling sites. The number of fish species increases with increasing distance from the dam. Creeks are a refuge for native fishes and the tributary influence results from warm water temperatures.

The 12 degree release scenario increased the range of good growth temperatures for brown trout and logperch all through the system. There were persistent longitudinal patters of abundance in terms of diversity and distribution of native fishes. Temperature, tributary location and peaking flows highly influence the fish community.

Brown trout spawn in the system usually in Nov. & Dec. when the water temperature is <48 F. There are 2 good redd sites in 1/4 of the total tailwater area in the middle section of the river downstream from the dam. Further down, more sand and silt is found in pools.

Peak flow occurrence and magnitude are negatively correlated with the abundance of age-0 brown trout. Age-0 densities of trout decline with trout abundance and increase with water temperature in the upstream reaches.

Summary

1. Peak flows near the dam and large amounts of sediment impair spawning habitat resulting in good spawns in middle reaches – those that have suitable small particles.
2. Prey capture success of drift feeding brown trout declines with increasing water velocity.

Recommendations to the Corps of Engineers for Reservoir Operation
A 2-step release - delay the operation of the second turbine by 30 minutes. This increases the adaptation time for anglers and fauna and reduces the sheer stress.

Study Conclusions

1. Trout are constrained by low water temperatures, lack of prey, and lack of spawning sites.
2. Brown trout recruitment is reduced by the occurrence and magnitude of peak flows. So reduce the peaking in key times of their life cycle.
3. Spawning habitat for brown trout is reduced by the lack of sediment-free pools.
4. Native fish species – the prey base for brown trout -- numbers are low.
5. Few fish are present in trout diets.
6. Water velocities from instantaneous releases cause enough sheer stress to move spawning gravel.
7. Brown trout exhibit high mortality and low recruitment.
8. Fishery improvement is possible via water temperature management.
9. Martinsville Dam (downstream) blocks brown trout recruitment from downstream.
10. After the removal of Martinsville Dam, perform some instream habitat improvements.
11. Adopt 2-step ramping of turbine operation.

The study report is available at: www.cnr.vt.edu/fisheries/Smith_River
www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/special_programs

Section 216 authority allows the Corps of Engineers to examine the operation of dams and consider changes to such.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. and was followed by a roundtable discussion. See the Sept. 2004 roundtable minutes for what transpired.