Fisheries and Wildlife Management Plan

Home , Lake James, Lake James (Indiana), Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, Yadkin River

FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN

for the

CATAWBA RIVER BASIN

Douglas A. Besler Lawrence G. Dorsey Kinnon B. Hodges Kevin J. Hining Winthrop E. Taylor Robert J. Brown Mallory G. Martin

Fisheries Biologists

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission July 2004 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………... 4

I. SCOPE OF PLAN………………………………………………………………………….. 5

II. RESOURCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES………………………………………………. 5 A. AQUATIC HABITATS……………………………………………………………………… 5 1. Habitat Fragmentation…………………………………………………………………… 5 2. Diadromous Fish Passage ……………………………………………………………….. 5 3. Coldwater Streams………………………………………………………………………. 6 4. Brook Trout Management……………………………………………………………….. 6 5. Upper Catawba River……………………………………………………………………. 7 6. Linville River……………………………………………………………………………. 7 7. North Fork Catawba River………………………………………………………………. 7 8. Cool- and Warmwater Streams………………………………………………………….. 7 9. Lake James Reservoir…………………………………………………………………… 8 10. Lake James Tailwater and Catawba River Bypass……………………………………… 8 11. Johns River………………………………………………………………………………. 9 12. Lake Rhodhiss……………………………………………………………………………. 9 13. Lake Hickory…………………………………………………………………………….. 10 14. Oxford Tailwater…………………………………………………………………………. 10 15. Lookout Shoals Reservoir………………………………………………………………... 10 16. Lake Norman…………………………………………………………………………….. 11 17. South Fork Catawba River……………………………………………………………….. 12 18. Mountain Island Lake……………………………………………………………………. 12 19. Lake Wylie……………………………………………………………………………….. 12 20. Nonnative Aquatic Vegetation…………………………………………………………… 13 21. Reservoir Shoreline Management………………………………………………………... 13 22. Exotic Species Management……………………………………………………………... 13 23. Stream Water Quality Ratings……………………………………………………………. 13 24. Aquatic Habitat Protection……………………………………………………………….. 14 25. Stream Restoration Activities……………………………………………………………. 14 B. TERRESTRIAL HABITATS………………………………………………………………... 14

III. DESCRIPTION OF AREA………………………………………………………………… 18 A. GEOMORPHOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY……………………………………………….. 18 B. LIMNOLOGY……………………………………………………………………………….. 19 C. HABITAT…………………………………………………………………………………….. 21 D. BIOTA………………………………………………………………………………………... 22 E. HUMAN USE………………………………………………………………………………… 23

IV. PAST AND PRESENT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT……………… 34 A. SAMPLING RESULTS………………………………………………………………………. 34 B. REGULATIONS……………………………………………………………………………… 37 C. FISH STOCKING AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION……………………………………... 37 D. HABITAT MANAGEMENT………………………………………………………………… 39 E. INFORMATION GAPS……………………………………………………………………… 39

V. LITERATURE CITED……………………………………………………………………… 42 3

Table of Contents continued. Page

APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………………………… 45 A-1. Bibliography of Noncited Published Reports……………………………………………... 45 A-2. Bibliography of Noncited Unpublished Data Summaries…………………………………. 51 B-1. List of Data Collection Surveys on Streams……………………………………………….. 55 B-2. List of Brook Trout Populations…………………………………………………………… 60 B-3. List of Data Collection Surveys on Reservoirs…………………………………………….. 61 C-1. Fishing Regulations for Trout Waters……………………………………………………… 64 C-2. Fishing Regulations for Nontrout Waters………………………………………………….. 66 D-1. Summary of Fish Stocked in Streams……………………………………………………… 67 D-2. Summary of Fish Stocked in Reservoirs…………………………………………………… 74 D-3. Habitat Improvements in Reservoirs……………………………………………………….. 76 E-1. Comments received on draft fish and wildlife management plan………………………….. 78

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This management plan presents our goals for management of fish and wildlife populations in the Catawba River basin and summarizes information about those resources. The scope of the plan includes all lands and waters in the basin from the headwaters to the South Carolina state line.

Resource goals and objectives are outlined for aquatic habitats within the basin. These include the following: • Manage the Catawba River basin for habitats that will support diverse aquatic communities and provide angling opportunities. • Cold-, cool-, and warmwater streams in the basin will continue to be managed for naturally reproducing populations of game and nongame fish communities. • Reservoirs within the basin will continue to be managed for reproduction of cool- and warmwater fish populations. • Maintain catchable trout stocking programs at identified mountain streams and expand this program to appropriate sites. • Maintain striped bass and threadfin shad reservoir stocking programs. • Improve angler access to streams, rivers, and reservoirs throughout the basin. • Reduce the spread of exotic aquatic plant and animal species throughout the basin. • Protect undisturbed reservoir shoreline from development. • Continue habitat management programs on all reservoirs.

Resource goals for terrestrial habitats are also discussed, including the following. • Maintaining mature hardwood stands for hard mast production and den sites. • Maintaining some areas of early-successional habitat for soft mast production. • Bear populations will continue to be monitored using harvest data, biological samples and bait line surveys. • Wild turkey and deer populations will be monitored through harvest data. • Information will be gathered on nongame and endangered species, their distribution, and habitat requirements.

Watershed characteristics discussed include geomorphology, hydrology, limnology, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, biota, and human use of land and water resources. Past and present fisheries and wildlife management issues are detailed, including sampling efforts and results, fish and wildlife harvest regulations, fish stocking and wildlife restoration, and habitat management.

Needs for additional resource information are detailed, including the following: • The effect of reservoir shoreline development on the entire wildlife community. • Information on instream flows below the seven impoundments. • Current data on public use at the Duke Power Company (DPC) Catawba-Wateree projects and projected increases in use. • Impacts of exotic aquatic macrophytes, methods used for control, and the success of reestablishing native plant communities after control has been achieved. • Impacts of reservoir filling on fish reproduction and impacts on the littoral fish community. • Angler use data for streams and reservoirs within the Catawba River basin. • Genetic typing of brook trout populations in the basin. • Information for rare, threatened, and endangered species whose habitats have been impacted by the construction, operation, and indirect impacts from the DPC Catawba-Wateree projects.

I. SCOPE OF PLAN

The purpose of this management plan is to present the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) goals for the management of fish and wildlife populations in the Catawba River basin and summarize information about those resources. The geographical scope of the plan includes the entire Catawba River basin within North Carolina (Figure 1), a watershed of 3,285 mi2 (8,508 km2). The basin is located in parts of the following 13 counties: Alexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Union, and Watauga. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) owns a significant amount of land [≈400,000 acres (162,000 ha)] within the upper watershed as part of the Pisgah National Forest. Duke Power Company (DPC) operates the Lake James (completed in 1919), Lake Rhodhiss (completed in 1925), Lake Hickory (Completed in 1928), Lookout Shoals (Completed in 1915), Lake Norman (completed in 1963), Mountain Island (completed in 1923) and Lake Wylie (completed in 1925) hydroelectric projects in North Carolina jointly as the Catawaba-Wateree project under FERC license No. P-2232-NC. The Catawba-Wateree license expires in 2008. This license also includes the Fishing Creek, Great Falls-Dearborn, Rocky Creek-Cedar Creek, and Wateree hydroelectric projects in South Carolina. This plan will focus on areas within North Carolina. A bibliography of literature not cited in this document, but of relevance to the Catawba River basin is included in Appendix A-1 and Appendix A-2.

II. RESOURCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. AQUATIC HABITATS

The NCWRC is charged with the management of all species of fish, mollusks, and crayfish in the project area. Fisheries management activities within the project area include monitoring fish populations, establishing harvest and size limit regulations, stocking fish, and manipulating habitat. Many streams in the upper watershed contain wild trout populations; those managed for public fishing by the NCWRC are listed as Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. The seven DPC reservoirs in the plan area are managed for cool- and warmwater species.

The goal of the NCWRC is to manage the Catawba River basin for habitats that will support diverse aquatic communities and provide angling opportunities. The NCWRC generally advocates a management philosophy of working within the existing landscape of the basin. At this time there are no goals to seek removal of any of the major dams on the Catawba River. Although the NCWRC does not have near-term plans to re-establish historic natural plant and animal communities, we are interested in recovering threatened and endangered species, diadromous species, and species, subspecies, or specific assemblages of specific management interest (such as Southern Appalachian strain brook trout), where such opportunities exist.

1. Habitat Fragmentation

The seven major Catawba River reservoirs on the mainstem and numerous smaller dams on other streams fragment upstream and downstream aquatic communities. While resident game fish populations upstream and downstream are probably of sufficient sizes that genetic diversity in the resident populations is not of concern, diadromous species and rare, threatened, or endangered organisms may benefit from fish passage provisions.

2. Diadromous Fish Passage

Historically, diadromous runs of hickory shad, American shad, American eels, and striped bass possibly occurred in the North Carolina portion of the Catawba River. American shad and river herring ascended the 6

Catawba River to spawn as far upstream as Marion and supported valuable fisheries prior to closure of the river by dams (P. Brownell, NOAA Fisheries, personal communication). Presently, those runs are limited to the lower reaches of the Santee-Cooper River system in South Carolina. Passage of these species into North Carolina is unlikely until passage issues in South Carolina are addressed. The NCWRC is interested in establishing coastal stocks of diadromous fish populations; however, the diadromous species recovery plan also needs to consider impacts to inland fishery resources. Specifically, it is important that (1) expansion of diadromous stocks not occur beyond historical ranges and (2) reestablishment of diadromous runs, construction of fish passage structures, or stockings not result in the establishment of land-locked populations.

3. Coldwater Streams

Coldwater streams in the Catawba River basin that have naturally reproducing wild trout populations will continue to be managed for wild trout (brook-, brown-, and rainbow trout) under guidelines established by the NCWRC (1989). If future biological monitoring data indicates habitat degradation is occurring, the NCWRC will address corrective actions through its Watershed Enhancement Program. Problems with acid- producing bedrock and elevated levels of aluminum and copper have been encountered at some locations in western North Carolina. Future management of wild trout populations also may need to include remediation measures to contend with generally decreasing pH levels from atmospheric causes in the mountain region of North Carolina.

Some coldwater streams are hatchery supported with catchable-sized (>10 inches, 250 mm) trout to provide a put-and-take resource. Most streams in this category are transitional waters which have limited natural reproduction, elevated summer water temperatures, or are unable to support the fishing pressure they receive. These streams provide a valuable resource to anglers who like to harvest trout, are disabled anglers, or those who do not have the mobility to fish in more remote streams for wild trout. Streams in this program will continue to be managed with stocked trout to provide anglers with a variety of fishing opportunities. The NCWRC will continue to seek additional locations for hatchery supported waters within the constraints of trout production.

Access to coldwater streams appears to be adequate on public lands in the Catawba River basin. The majority of wild trout waters in the Catawba River basin are located on the Pisgah National Forest, South Mountains State Park, or the South Mountains Gamelands. Access to coldwater streams on private lands in the Catawba River basin has substantially declined in recent decades largely as a result of changing land ownership and development. The NCWRC is developing a program to pursue land acquisition, conservation or access easements, or long-term agreements which allow public access to coldwater fishing resources on private lands.

4. Brook Trout Management

There are currently no plans to manage wild brook trout populations separately from wild brown or rainbow trout populations with any special regulations. The NCWRC will protect wild populations of brook trout as a special resource–that being North Carolina’s only native salmonid (NCWRC 1989). Genetic testing on all known brook trout populations in the basin was completed in 2004. It is our goal to locate any additional brook trout populations within the basin and to prevent the loss of any individual populations. The decisions to enhance or restore Southern Appalachian strain brook trout populations will depend on an analysis of the geology and water quality of the receiving streams as well as the historical presence of fish in the proposed restoration reach.

5. Upper Catawba River

The mainstem Catawba River upstream of Lake James will continue to be managed for a coolwater fish community. Target species include smallmouth bass and rock bass and seasonal spawning runs of walleye and white bass in the lower portion of the reach above Lake James. Further surveys and monitoring of mussel and nongame fish communities will continue. Current access to the upper Catawba River for both bank angler and float (canoe) fishing opportunities is limited to public rights-of-way and private land. Additional public access is needed.

6. Linville River

The lower Linville River within the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area will continue to be managed for smallmouth bass, rock bass, and stocked brown trout. The NCWRC will continue to stock fingerling (<4 in., 100 mm) brown trout into the uppermost 2 miles (2.9 km) of the gorge below Linville Falls. Stocked fingerling brown trout will be managed as a put-grow-and-take resource under Hatchery Supported regulations. The Linville River upstream of the Linville Gorge Wilderness area will also be managed with stocked catchable trout to provide a seasonal put-and-take trout fishery under Hatchery Supported regulations. Access to the Linville River is currently adequate. Opportunities may exist to partner with the Blue Ridge Parkway in further developing the stocked trout program on Blue Ridge Parkway property and to provide additional angling opportunities for disabled anglers at those sites.

7. North Fork Catawba River

The North Fork Catawba River will continue to be managed for warm-, cool-, and coldwater fish communities. Target species for this river include trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and catfish species. A section of the North Fork Catawba River will also continue to be stocked with catchable trout and managed as a seasonal put-and-take trout resource under Hatchery Supported regulations. An inventory of mollusk and nongame fish resources is planned. Access to the majority of the river is through private land, although some public access to stocked trout waters exists within the headwaters on the Pisgah National Forest. Access to float angling by canoe is currently lacking and is needed.

8. Cool- and Warmwater Streams

Cool- and warmwater streams are primarily located on private lands in the Catawba River basin. These streams will continue to be managed for the locally adapted fish communities. Inventory and monitoring of nongame fish, mollusks, and crayfish will continue in cool- and warmwater streams throughout the basin. The federal and state endangered Carolina heelsplitter mussel inhabits the North Carolina portion of Waxhaw Creek in southern Union County. Habitat and water quality protection in the Waxhaw Creek watershed will be actively pursued in partnership with the USFWS. Overall, management emphasis will be placed on protection of the water quality in these systems through the permit review process and through the NCWRC’s watershed enhancement program.

Access to cool- and warmwater streams is limited. The NCWRC encourages land acquisition, conservation or fishing access easements, or long-term agreements which allow public bank and boat access to these fishing resources.

9. Lake James Reservoir

Lake James will continue to be managed for warm- and coolwater fish species. Target species for this reservoir include largemouth- and smallmouth bass, walleye, sunfish, crappie, and white bass. These populations are currently maintained through natural reproduction; however, hatchery-reared walleye fingerlings are stocked annually. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible.

Currently, 30,000 walleye fingerlings are stocked into the reservoir annually. Future walleye stocking rates may be adjusted based on the results of a research project completed in 2003 which was designed to evaluate the contribution of stocked walleye to the adult population. Results from the three-year study indicated that stocked fingerling walleye contributed to the adult population at a very low rate (Besler 2003b, Besler 2004). Future walleye stockings in Lake James may be altered. The NCWRC will continue to protect walleye spawning areas immediately upstream of Lake James on the Linville River below the NC 126 bridge by closure to angling during the spring spawning period (15 February to 15 April) and by reduced creel limits.

The forage base in Lake James has historically been comprised of gizzard shad and threadfin shad. Gizzard shad were native to the Catawba River basin and a population has remained in the reservoir since the initial impoundment. Threadfin shad, native to rivers in the U.S. Gulf Coast, were introduced as forage in 1946. Threadfin shad are intolerant of cold water temperatures and are subject to mortality at temperatures below 410F (50C). As a result, threadfin shad have been stocked repeatedly since 1946 to maintain the population. See APPENDIX B-2 for threadfin shad stocking history in Lake James. The traditional sources for threadfin shad stock have recently become contaminated with blueback herring and alewife, two forage species with several undesirable characteristics. Subsequently, stocking of threadfin shad after winterkill events in Lake James has been suspended pending location of a pure source of threadfin shad. The NCWRC has a goal of finding an uncontaminated source of threadfin shad to restock reservoirs after winterkill events occur.

Fish losses as a result of impingement, entrainment, or turbine mortality are not known. Boating access at Lake James is currently adequate with four public ramps, but will need to be evaluated and increased if needed as future usage increases. Bank fishing opportunities are currently limited to the Lake James State Park. Future bank fishing opportunities are needed as well as enhanced angling opportunities for disabled anglers.

10. Lake James Tailwater and Catawba River Bypass

The Catawba River between the Catawba dam and its confluence with the Linville River is a 3.0 mile (4.8 km) bypassed stream reach. The only flow present in the bypass reach is a result of seepage estimated to be less than 1 ft3 (<0.03 m3/s). Beaver have dams in this area form isolated pools. Sediment has accumulated in these pools and submerged and emergent aquatic macrophytes are abundant. Little information is known about the aquatic community present in this bypassed stream reach. Our goal is to obtain general survey information on the aquatic community sufficient to make a management determination.

The hydroelectric generation at Lake James provides a unique resource because a deep-water penstock intake (approximately 94 ft below normal pool elevation) delivers water cold enough year-round to support trout. That resource has been exploited by the NCWRC since the 1940s by stocking trout into the upper 1 mile of the tailwater. Currently, the upper 0.75-mile (1.1 km) of the Linville River between the Bridgewater powerhouse and the bypassed Catawba River channel will continue to be stocked with catchable trout and managed as a seasonal put-and-take fishery under Hatchery Supported regulations. The lower 12 miles (18 km) will be stocked with fingerling half-wild brown trout and will be managed for a put-grow-and-take trout resource. Current regulations from Muddy Creek to the City of Morganton’s low-head weir are Hatchery Supported, with the exception of no closed season. 9

The NCWRC will continue to survey the trout community in the Lake James tailwater to evaluate stocked trout performance and to explore potential future “trophy” trout management. Also, increased sampling efforts to determine the abundance of mussels in the tailwater is needed.

Public access to the upper 1 mile (1.5 km) of the tailwater is adequate. A pier constructed by the NCWRC provides a fishing platform as well as access for disabled anglers. Access to the remainder of the upper section is by wading or floating via a canoe launch.

Public access to the lower 12 miles of tailwater is insufficient. Access is currently provided by three facilities: the Bridgewater Fishing Access Area located approximately 0.25 miles (0.4 km) below Lake James, the Watermill Road (SR 1147) canoe launch (owned by City of Glenn Alpine) located approximately 4.0 miles (5.9 km) below Lake James, and the City of Morganton’s greenway canoe launch site located approximately 12.0 miles (18 km) below Lake James. These three access points provide limited entry into the tailwater for canoes. Larger boats (such as drift boats or Jon boats), however, are difficult to launch and retrieve at the current facilities. Public access to the tailwater for bank angling is restricted to these three points. Disabled angler access is only present at the NCWRC fishing platform and at two piers located on the City or Morganton’s greenway. Improved bank angling, boat launch, and disabled angler opportunities are important access objectives of the NCWRC.

11. Johns River

The lower Johns River will be managed as a coolwater fishery. Target species include smallmouth bass, rock bass, and muskellunge. Further surveys and monitoring of mussel and non-game fish communities will continue. Where opportunities exist, habitat conservation to sustain the relatively high aquatic diversity will be pursued, primarily through the permit review process and through the NCWRC’s watershed enhancement program. Current access to the Johns River is limited to public rights-of-way and private land in the upper reaches. The Johns River Access Area provides a takeout location just upstream of the impounded waters of Lake Rhodhiss. Despite the limited access, the Johns River is a popular fishing river. Additional float access as well as public bank fishing access is needed.

12. Lake Rhodhiss

Lake Rhodhiss will continue to be managed as a warm- and coolwater fishery. Warmwater target species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and catfish species. All warmwater species are maintained through natural reproduction. Coolwater target species include white bass and striped bass. White bass populations are maintained through natural reproduction and striped bass are dependent on stocking. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible.

Striped bass in Lake Rhodhiss will continue to be maintained through fingerling stocking. Striped bass will be managed under a put-grow-and-take strategy. Striped bass have been captured in the Catwba River within 0.5 miles (0.7 km) of the Lake James dam during annual electrofishing samples in September 2000-2002 (NCWRC unpublished data). The extent of striped bass predation on the developing Lake James tailwater brown trout population is unknown. Current surveys are designed to gain information on the striped bass population only in the impounded sections of Lake Rhodhiss. Future surveys may be designed to determine the extent and range of striped bass movement into the tailwater and their impact on trout. Information gained in these surveys may be used to adjust striped bass stocking rates, size and creel regulations, as well as trout stocking rates in the tailwater.

Fish losses as a result of impingement, entrainment, or turbine mortality are not known. Boating access at Lake Rhodhiss is currently adequate with four facilities, but may need to be increased as usage increases. Only one public bank fishing access area is present on Lake Rhodhiss at the Huffman Bridge Fishing Access Area. Disabled angler access is not available at this location. Additional bank fishing opportunities are needed as well as opportunities for disabled anglers.

13. Lake Hickory

Lake Hickory will continue to be managed as a warm- and coolwater fishery. Warmwater target species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and catfish species. All warmwater species are maintained through natural reproduction. Coolwater target species include white bass and striped bass. White bass populations are maintained through natural reproduction and striped bass are dependent on stocking. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible.

Striped bass in Lake Hickory will continue to be maintained with fingerling stockings and managed under a put-grow-and-take strategy. Current surveys are designed to gain information on the striped bass population. Information gained in these surveys may be used to adjust striped bass stockings and size and creel regulations.

Fish losses as a result of impingement, entrainment, or turbine mortality are not known. Boating access at Lake Hickory is currently adequate with five facilities, but may need to be increased as usage increases. Only three public bank fishing areas are present on Lake Hickory: Whittenburg Fishing Access Area, River Bend Park, and John Geiter Park. Disabled angler access is available only at two of these locations. Future bank fishing opportunities are needed as well as additional opportunities for disabled anglers.

Reduced water quality conditions in Lake Hickory may have contributed to or caused fish community disease and die-off problems in 2000, 2001, and 2002 (NCWRC unpublished data). Striped bass and yellow perch were the species primarily affected, although largemouth bass and several ictalurid species were also affected. Little is known about the water quality conditions present in Lake Hickory when these disease outbreaks and fish kill events occur, or if there is a relationship between them. Information is needed on the formation and duration of poor water quality conditions in Lake Hickory and if those conditions are having a detrimental impact on the aquatic community.

14. Oxford Tailwater

The impacts of peaking flows and base flows are not known. The Oxford tailwater will continue to be managed for a warmwater fish community. Target species include largemouth bass and sunfish species. Coolwater species, such as striped bass and white bass are seasonally important fisheries in the Oxford tailwater. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible. In addition, another goal is to increase sampling efforts to determine the abundance of mussels in the tailwater. Duke Power has developed plans to conduct mussel surveys in the Oxford tailwater (G. T. Everett, Duke Power Company, Personal Communication).

15. Lookout Shoals Reservoir

Lookout Shoals Reservoir will continue to be managed as a warm- and coolwater fishery. Warmwater target species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and catfish species. All warmwater species are maintained through natural reproduction. Coolwater target species include white bass and striped bass. White bass 11 populations are maintained through natural reproduction and striped bass are dependent on stocking. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible.

Striped bass in Lookout Shoals Reservoir will be maintained through fingerling stocking and managed under a put-grow-and-take strategy. Surveys will be designed to gain information on the striped bass population. Information gained in these surveys may be used to adjust striped bass stocking rates and size and creel regulations.

Fish losses as a result of impingement, entrainment, or turbine mortality are not known. Boating access at Lookout Shoals Reservoir is currently adequate with two facilities, but may need to be increased as use increases. No bank angling or disabled angler access areas are present. Additional bank and disabled angler access areas are needed. The primary need for small boat and angler access is below Lookout Shoals dam near Interstate 40.

16. Lake Norman

Lake Norman will continue to be managed as a warm- and coolwater fishery. Warmwater target species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and catfish species. All warmwater species are maintained through natural reproduction. Coolwater target species include white bass and striped bass. White bass populations are maintained through natural reproduction and striped bass are dependent on stocking. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible.

Striped bass in Lake Norman will continue to be maintained through fingerling stocking and managed under a put-grow-and-take strategy. Current surveys are designed to gain information on the striped bass population. Information gained in these surveys may be used to adjust striped bass stocking rates and size and creel regulations.

Blue-, channel-, and flathead catfish were introduced into Lake Norman in 1966. A substantial recreational fishery for large catfish has developed during the last decade. There is substantial interest among anglers and catfish angling organizations in creating a trophy catfish fishery through restrictive size and creel limits. Some information has been gathered on diet, growth, and movement of blue catfish (Grist 2002); however, abundance, population size structure, and other life history information about these catfish in Lake Norman is lacking. Information on these unknown parameters as well as information on angling pressure and harvest is needed before an informed decision on catfish management in Lake Norman can be made.

Fish losses as a result of impingement, entrainment, or turbine mortality are not known. Boating access at Lake Norman is currently adequate with 14 public facilities, but will need to be increased as usage increases. Currently, bank fishing is allowed at six of these areas: Lake Norman State Park, Marshall Fishing Area, Jetton Road County Park, Ramsey Creek Access Area, McGuire Fishing Area, and Blythe Landing County Park. However, only three of these are disabled angler accessible. Additional public bank fishing opportunities that are disabled angler accessible are needed. A maximum use study is needed as encroaching sprawl from the Charlotte metropolitan area will likely increase use and create conflicts among user groups.

Increased shoreline development of Lake Norman is resulting in a significant reduction of woody debris entering the lake. The impact of reduced woody debris inputs on the entire wildlife community is unknown. The NCWRC is interested in protecting existing woody debris and mitigating for the loss of woody debris through increased artificial habitats and cooperative programs utilizing developed areas of the lake to benefit all wildlife. A study of the impact of reduced woody debris and developed shorelines on the entire wildlife community is needed. 12

17. South Fork Catawba River

The South Fork Catawba River will be managed as a warmwater fishery. Target species include largemouth bass, catfish species, and redbreast sunfish. Surveys to assess status of nongame fishes, mollusks, and crayfish are planned for 2003. Current access to the South Fork Catawba River is limited to public rights-of- way and private land. Additional public access is needed.

18. Mountain Island Lake

Mountain Island Lake will continue to be managed as a warm- and coolwater fishery. Warmwater target species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and catfish species. All warmwater species are maintained through natural reproduction. Coolwater target species include white bass and striped bass. White bass populations are maintained through natural reproduction and striped bass are dependent on stocking. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible.

Striped bass in Mountain Island Lake will be maintained through fingerling stocking and managed under a put-grow-and-take strategy. Current surveys are designed to gain information on the striped bass population. Information gained in these surveys may be used to adjust striped bass stocking rates and size and creel regulations.

There are no records of NCWRC introductions of blue-, channel-, or flathead catfish into Mountain Island Lake. Populations of these fish developed naturally from adjacent populations or other unknown stockings. A substantial recreational fishery for large catfish has developed in Mountain Island Lake during the last decade. There is substantial interest among anglers in creating a trophy catfish resource through restrictive size and creel limits. Little is known about the abundance, population structure, or life history of these catfish species in Mountain Island Lake. Information on these unknown parameters as well as information on angling pressure and harvest is needed before an informed decision on catfish management in Mountain Island Lake can be made.

Fish losses as a result of impingement, entrainment, or turbine mortality are not known. Boating access at Mountain Island Lake is currently adequate with five facilities. Only one bank angling access areas is present, although the facility is technically in the tailwater of the reservoir (Mountain Island Tailrace Fishing Area). Although this facility is disabled angler accessible, additional bank and disabled angler access areas are needed.

19. Lake Wylie

Lake Wylie will continue to be managed as a warm- and coolwater fishery. Warmwater target species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and catfish species. All warmwater species are maintained through natural reproduction. Coolwater target species include white bass. White bass populations are maintained through natural reproduction. Our goals are to manage these populations for continued natural reproduction, optimal growth, and quality sizes with the least restrictive regulations possible.

Fish losses as a result of impingement, entrainment, or turbine mortality are not known. Boating access at Lake Wylie is currently adequate with six facilities (two in North Carolina), but will need to be increased as usage increases. A total of four bank angler access areas (Allen Fishing Access Area in North Carolina) are present and three of those are disabled angler accessible. Additional opportunities for bank anglers and disabled anglers are needed.

20. Nonnative Aquatic Vegetation

The introduction and spread of nuisance nonnative aquatic vegetation has increased in the Catwba River basin. Hydrilla has been introduced and established in Lake James, Lake Norman, and Mountain Island Reservoir. Parrot feather has been introduced into Lookout Shoals Reservoir and Lake Hickory. The NCWRC, in conjunction with DPC, NC Division of Water Resources, NC Cooperative Extension Service, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will continue to evaluate each new introduction of nonnative aquatic vegetation in the Catawba River basin and develop a management plan specific to that water body. The use of chemical, biological, and mechanical control options will be considered. Likely impacts of the introduction and the likely effects of treatment will be considered on a system-wide level prior to treatment at any location.

21. Reservoir Shoreline Management

The protection of remaining undisturbed shoreline is a management priority for the NCWRC. In addition to providing improved littoral zone fish habitat, protected riparian areas provide habitat and wildlife corridors for a variety of invertebrate, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal species. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission resource goals for these areas are to see remaining tracts of undisturbed shoreline protected from development, put into conservation easements, or sold to a County, State, or Federal entity for permanent protection. Another objective of the NCWRC is to ensure that all developed properties are in compliance with DPC’s Shoreline Management Plan guidelines and that buffer zone requirements and building restrictions be strictly enforced. Outside of the Shoreline Management Plan, the NCWRC advocates the protection and reestablishment of trees and other vegetation along the riparian zone of all reservoirs. Also, we advocate a “user pays” approach to mitigation of impacts to shoreline habitats from pier construction, shoreline stabilization, and vegetation removal.

22. Exotic Species Management

The introduction (unknown sources) and subsequent spread of exotic fish species has increased in the Catawba River basin. Flathead catfish, blue catfish, and spotted bass are now found in Lake James. Flathead catfish were discovered in Lake Rhodhiss in 2003. Blueback herring, alewife, spotted bass, and white perch are now found in Lake Norman. The NCWRC has enacted bait restrictions (1 July 2002) prohibiting the possession of blueback herring in Lookout Shoals reservoir or any waters upstream (NCWRC 2003). The NCWRC will continue to develop policies and regulations designed to minimize introductions and movements of nonnative species in the Catawba River basin. The NCWRC will not engage in stocking practices which could increase the possibility of introducing blueback herring or alewife into waters which do not already contain them.

23. Stream Water Quality Ratings

With the exception of streams located on public lands, streams within the basin are facing a number of threats, including channelization and/or relocation, sedimentation, loss of riparian canopy, water withdrawls, point source pollution, and nutrient loading. To gain the most protection from water quality degradation, the NCWRC seeks to have all streams receive the highest possible water quality classification from the NCDWQ.

24. Aquatic Habitat Protection

The NCWRC supports all efforts to protect aquatic habitats within the Catawba River basin, including the creation of buffers along all streams and reservoirs, restrictions on development, implementation of best management practices for forestry and agriculture, and stream restoration activities where appropriate. These measures would reduce sediment and other non-point sources of pollutants entering streams, provide overhead canopy cover to reduce water temperatures, reduce streambank erosion, and reduce sediment accumulation in reservoirs.

25. Stream Restoration Activities

An increasing number of stream restoration projects are being conducted throughout the Catawba River basin by various public, private, and nongovernmental (NGO) organizations. The goals of many of these projects include stabilization of eroding streambanks, recreating natural channel morphology, cattle fencing, and restoration of riparian vegetation. The NCWRC has formed a Watershed Enhancement program. One goal of this program is to cooperate with organizations performing stream restorations to ensure that projects are undertaken where most needed and that they provide significant improvements to fish habitats, are protected by conservation easements, enhance fisheries, and provide public access where appropriate.

B. TERRESTRIAL HABITATS

The NCWRC also is responsible for the protection and management of game, nongame, and endangered wildlife in the plan area. These responsibilities include research, survey, management, regulation, and other activities. The agency advocates a balanced management program for public and private lands that will provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

Game species of primary interest in the area are black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, dove, and quail. Also, any rare, threatened or endangered species (Table 2) is considered a target species and is a priority for research and management in the Catawba River basin. Notable among such species are those associated with wetland or riparian habitats, such as the bog turtle.

Managing multiple use areas to provide a variety of habitat types is the primary goal of wildlife managers. Changes in forest management policies by the USFS have lead to a decrease in timber harvesting and the virtual elimination of clear-cutting. These policies are having a negative impact on habitat for deer and ruffed grouse. Management strategies on public lands in the area (primarily USFS lands) should continue to focus on maintaining mature hardwood stands for hard mast production and den sites. There should also be an emphasis on creating and maintaining some areas of early-successional habitat for soft mast production, nesting, and insect foraging areas for grouse and turkeys and fawning and foraging for deer.

Bear populations will continue to be monitored using harvest data, biological samples (to document age structure and reproductive parameters) and bait line surveys (to monitor long-term population trends). Hard and soft mast surveys will continue to provide indices of food availability for bears and other species. Wild turkey and deer populations will be monitored through harvest data.

Ecosystems and wildlife habitats are already under stress from development, tourism, and special interest groups (ORV, ATV, mountain biking, horseback riding). Highway construction and increasing residential and commercial development will continue to have profound impacts on natural resources. Lands currently in public ownership need to be protected from further development and interference with wild animal movements and behaviors. Loss of wildlife habitats should be mitigated by land acquisition and conservation easements at every opportunity. 15

For nongame and endangered species, there is a clear need to gather information on their distribution and habitat requirements. Integration of new information about nongame species and their habitats into current management plans will ensure the continued existence of the rich diversity of nongame animals within the Catawba River basin.

= Pisgah National Forest

= North Carolina State Park

= NCWRC Gamelands

= County Boundaries N

W E Avery County

S e L i U r n Allexander Counttyy p v i p l L l e e r o

R C w

i r L e v e k e i r e t e e t r l L r k C e i r R t e i t w v l o e e L r Caldldwellll Coountyunty R i r v ive e a R r wb ata C L rk Burke CCoounty o Fo Lake Rhodhiss o . k N o kory u Lake James e Hic t Lak S h o Catawbwba Counttyy a ls IreIredell Countyounty ver R atawba Ri L e er C yle s iv C e R ree rv a k o b ir aw at McDowellll CCountyounty C

k e e r C y k d South Mountains State Park ree d d C oke Cro Mu

Upper Catawba River Basin

Figure 1. Upper Catawba River basin showing Pisgah National Forest land, North Carolina State Parks, county boundaries, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission game lands. 17

= State Boundary Ireeddell Cooununty Burke County = North Carolina State Park

reek = NCWRC Gamelands Fork C Henry = County Boundaries Cattaawbwba CoCounttyy

South Mountains State Park I

n LinLincoln Coununty n d

i a a

n m

r C o

S r N

e o u e

e t k h k

F a o L rk C a e ta k w a Lower Catawba River Basin b L a d R n la iv s e I Gaston Couuntnty r in C ta r n o u k w o e d M e e r rs C r C a g r e u e S k Mecklenburg County e k i e l e y r C W e n e i k lp a A L c M N o r S rt o h u C t a h r C o a li r n o a l in N a

Union County W E

Figure 1 continued. Lower Catawba River basin showing Pisgah National Forest land, North Carolina State Parks, county boundaries, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission game lands. 18

III. DESCRIPTION OF AREA

A. GEOMORPHOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY

The plan area is located in the southern section of the Blue Ridge Province of the Appalachian Mountains and western sections of the Piedmont Province. Approximately 85% of the basin is in the Piedmont Province. Terrain is highly variable within the plan area and elevations range from 510 to 5,840 ft (156- 1781 m) above mean sea level. Annual precipitation within the watershed is variable with averages ranging from 41-60 inches (104-152 cm). Precipitation in the basin is moderately acidic with an average pH range of 4.3-4.5 (Mason and Mattson 1990). The region is also moderately to highly sensitive to acidification (Mason and Mattson 1990). The geology within the basin is highly variable. Parent rock formations in the Blue Ridge Province are comprised predominantly of sedimentary and metamorphic schist, marble, and phylonite. The foothills and western piedmont are generally comprised of metamorphic gneiss, schist, and ampibolite with some metamorphosed granitic rock outcrops. The inner Piedmont Province area of the watershed is comprised largely of metamorphosed granitic rocks.

Lake James is formed by a series of three dams, which are located on the Catawba River, Paddy Creek, and the Linville River. Lake James is located at Catawba River mi 279 (km 449). The Catawba River, North Fork Catawba River, and the Linville River are the major tributaries of Lake James and are generally free flowing and exhibit natural hydrographs. Six impoundments <100 acres (40 ha) are located on the upper Linville River and have nonregulated flows. Lake Tahoma is a 160 acre (65 ha) impoundment of Buck Creek and has nonregulated flows. These impoundments have little impact on the natural hydrograph of the upper Catawba River. Average annual flow of the Catawba River prior to entering Lake James is estimated at 248.3 ft3/s (7.1 m3/s). Average annual flow of the Linville River prior to entering Lake James is estimated to be 151.3 ft3/s (4.3 m3/s). The average annual flow of the North Fork Catawba River is unknown.

Approximately 3.0 mi (4.8 km) of the Catawba River channel below Lake James is bypassed because water is diverted to the Bridgewater powerhouse where it is released into the Linville River. No water is released through the other two dams. Seepage flow into the bypassed Catawba River channel is negligible, resulting in a channel with isolated pockets of water. Water released through the Bridgewater powerhouse is discharged into the Linville River and rejoins the Catawba River channel approximately 1.1 mi (1.8 km) downstream. Minimum continuous flows into the Linville River during nongeneration are 25 ft3/s (0.7 m3/s).

The Lake James tailwater extends approximately 18 mi (29 km) from Lake James to Lake Rhodhiss. Flows from the Bridgewater hydroelectric facility fluctuate dramatically on a daily basis from 25-2,000 ft3/s (0.7-57 m3/s). The Lake James tailwater is the longest coldwater tailwater in North Carolina and is free flowing until it meets the impounded waters of Lake Rhodhiss. Muddy Creek, Warrior Fork, and Silver Creek are all free flowing tributaries to the Lake James tailwater and all exhibit natural hydrographs. The average annual flows of these tributaries are unknown.

The Lake Rhodhiss dam is located at Catawba River mi 243 (km 391). Major tributaries to Lake Rhodhiss are the Catawba River, Johns River, and Lower Creek. The Johns River and Lower Creek are free flowing except for several small impoundments and exhibit natural hydrographs. Average annual flow of the Johns River before entering Lake Rhodhiss is 368.3 ft3/s (10.4 m3/s). Average annual flow of Lower Creek is unknown. Maximum flows during generation of the Rhodhiss powerhouse are 6,000 ft3/s (169.8 m3/s). Minimum continuous flows during nongeneration are 40 ft3/s (1.1 m3/s).

The Lake Hickory dam (Oxford Dam) is located at Catawba River mi 226 (km 364). Major tributaries are the Catawba River, Gunpowder Creek, and the Middle Little River. Gunpowder Creek and the Middle Little River are free flowing and exhibit natural hydrographs. Average annual flows of Gunpowder Creek and the Middle Little River are unknown. Maximum flows during generation from the Oxford powerhouse are 5,418 ft3/s (153.3 m3/s). Minimum continuous flows during nongeneration are 40 ft3/s (1.1 m3/s). The Catawba River below Lake Hickory is free flowing for approximately 1.5 mi (2.4 km).

The Lookout Shoals Reservoir dam is located at Catawba River mi 216 (km 348). Major tributaries are the Catawba River and the Lower Little River. The Lower Little River is free flowing and exhibits a natural hydrograph. Average annual flow of the Lower Little River when it enters Lookout Shoals Reservoir is 51 ft3/s (1.4 m3/s). Maximum flows during generation from the Lookout Shoals powerhouse are 4,080 ft3/s (115.5 m3/s). Minimum continuous flows during nongeneration are 60 ft3/s (1.7 m3/s).

The Lake Norman dam (Cowans Ford Dam) is located at Catawba River mi 182 (km 293). Major tributaries are the Catawba River, Lyle Creek, Davidson Creek, and Buffalo Shoals Creek. Lyle Creek and Buffalo Shoals Creek are free flowing and exhibit natural hydrographs. Average annual flows from Lyle Creek, Davidson Creek, and Buffalo Shoals Creek are unknown. Maximum flows from Cowans Ford powerhouse during hydroelectric generation are 41,120 ft3/s (1,163.7 m3/s). Minimum continuous flows during nongeneration are 80 ft3/s (2.3 m3/s).

The Mountain Island dam is located at Catawba River mi 167 (km 269). The only major tributary to Mountain Island Reservoir is the Catawba River. Maximum flows from Mountain Island powerhouse during hydroelectric generation are 8,880 ft3/s (251.3 m3/s). Minimum continuous flows during nongeneration are 80 ft3/s (2.3 m3/s).

The Lake Wylie dam is located at Catawba River mi 139 (km 224). Major tributaries are the Catawba River, South Fork Catawba River, Long Creek, Crowders Creek, and Catawba Creek. The South Fork Catawba River is largely free flowing except for several small impoundments and exhibits a natural hydrograph. Average annual flow of the South Fork Catawba River before entering Lake Wylie is approximately 809.6 ft 3/s (22.9 m3/s). Long Creek, Crowders Creek, and Catawba Creek are free flowing and exhibit natural hydrographs. Average annual flow from Long Creek before it enters Lake Wylie is 36.1 ft3/s (1 m3/s). Average annual flows from the other tributaries are unknown. Maximum flows from the Lake Wylie powerhouse during generation are 10,480 ft3/s (296.6 m3/s). Minimum continuous flows during nongeneration are 411 ft3/s (11.6 m3/s).

A. LIMNOLOGY

The Catawba River basin contains over 3,000 miles (4,470 km) of streams. The North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) use support summary indicates that 79% of the stream miles in the Catawba River basin are fully supporting, 6% are impaired, while the remaining 15% are currently not rated (NCDENR 2000). Limnological characteristics of the seven impoundments in the Catawba River basin vary substantially and are influenced by direct discharges from upstream impoundments and inputs from surrounding watersheds (Table 1).

Lake James is the uppermost impoundment and displays the best water quality within the Catawba River basin chain of lakes (NCDENR 1999). Typical summer stratification on Lake James results in dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures of approximately 8 mg/L and 28oC at the surface to 4 mg/L and 17oC at a mid depth of 17 m (Duke Power 2000). Several streams in the Lake James sub-basin are classified as High Quality Waters (HQW) and/or Trout Waters (Tr) by the NCDWQ. Furthermore, approximately 13 miles (20.9 km) of the Linville River are designated as part of the North Carolina Natural Scenic River 20

System. The tailwater below Lake James contains 18 miles (26.8 km) of free-flowing river to the headwaters of Lake Rhodhiss. Three issues of concern directly related to the tailwater below Lake James include determination of an appropriate minimum flow from the Bridgewater hydroelectric facility below Lake James, seasonally low levels of dissolved oxygen during the late summer months, and the discharge of nonpoint sediment loads from the Muddy Creek watershed into the Catawba River. Duke Power Company has estimated that between 14,000-23,000 tons per year of sediment enter the Catawba River from Muddy Creek under typical streamflow conditions (NCDENR 1999). North Muddy Creek is estimated to contribute about 80% of this load (NCDENR 1999).

The next three impoundments are Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, and Lookout Shoals. While nutrient values are sufficient to support nuisance algal blooms in these lakes, short retention times generally prevent this from occurring (NCDENR 1999). Much of the northwest portion of the Lake Rhodhiss watershed contains waters designated as HQW, including a 23 mile (34.3 km) section of Wilson Creek that has National Wild and Scenic designation. However, nutrient loading from non-point and point sources occurs in Lake Rhodhiss. The primary non-point source is the Lower Creek watershed and point sources include waste water treatment plants (WWTP) for Marion, Valdese, Morganton, and Lenoir (NCDENR 1999). Typical summer stratification on Lake Rhodhiss results in dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures of approximately 10 mg/L and 28oC at the surface to 3 mg/L and 22oC at a mid depth of 5 m (Duke Power 2000).

Nutrients, chlorophyll a, and dissolved oxygen levels are parameters of concern in Lake Hickory. Outflows from Lake Rhodhiss account for most of the total suspended solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus loading to the system (NCDENR 1999). Furthermore, during periods of thermal stratification, relatively cold water coming from the base of Rhodhiss dam sinks beneath the relatively warm water on the surface of Lake Hickory (NCDENR 1999). This action results in a strong subsurface interflow that rapidly delivers cool water from the base of Lake Rhodhiss dam through the middle layers of Lake Hickory to the release at Oxford Dam (NCDENR 1999). This circulation pattern magnifies the effects of nutrient loading to the surface waters of Lake Hickory (NCDENR 1999), and may be partly responsible for low dissolved oxygen levels during summer months. Reduced water quality conditions in Lake Hickory may have contributed to or caused fish community disease and die-off problems in 2000, 2001, and 2002 (NCWRC unpublished data). Striped bass and yellow perch were the species primarily affected. Typical summer stratification on Lake Hickory results in dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures of approximately 9 mg/L and 28oC at the surface to < 1 mg/L and 23oC at a mid depth of 13 m (Duke Power 2000). Furthermore, dissolved oxygen levels fall below 3 mg/L at a depth of 5 m (Duke Power 2000). There are also two non-hydroelectric dams on Gunpowder Creek and one on the Middle Little River.

The water quality of Lookout Shoals Reservoir is more reflective of releases from Lake Hickory and Lake Rhodhiss than conditions in the surrounding watershed (NCDENR 1999). Sediment inputs from tributaries in the watershed will likely have adverse future impacts on the water quality as development within the watershed increases. Typical summer stratification on Lookout Shoals Reservoir results in dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures of approximately 9 mg/L and 31oC at the surface to 3 mg/L and 24oC at a mid depth of 9 m (Duke Power 2000).

Lake Norman is the largest reservoir located entirely within North Carolina. Located between Lookout Shoals Reservoir and Mountain Island Lake, the lake extends almost 34 miles (50.6 km) from the Cowans Ford Dam to the tailrace of Lookout Shoals Reservoir. The lake is the largest of the Catawba River basin chain lakes. The Catawba River, Lyle Creek, Davidson Creek, and Buffalo Shoals Creek are the major tributaries. Typical summer stratification on Lake Norman results in dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures of approximately 7 mg/L and 30o C at the surface to 1 mg/L and 17oC at a mid depth of 17 m (Duke Power 2000).

Mountain Island Lake is formed by the drainage of Lake Norman into the Catawba River. Although high nutrient levels were found in the McDowell Creek arm of the lake, problematic algal bloom conditions were not generally found (NCDENR 1999). Typical summer stratification on Mountain Island Lake results in dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures of approximately 7 mg/L and 31oC at the surface to 5 mg/L and 28oC at a mid depth of 8 m (Duke Power 2000).

The South Fork Catawba River flows southeasterly beginning in South Mountains State Park at the confluence of Jacob Fork and Henry Fork, both Outstanding Resource Waters. Water quality rapidly degrades in the South Fork Catawba River as it flows downstream through agricultural and industrialized areas (NCDENR 1998). The town of Maiden operates Maiden Lake, a 14-acre (5.7 ha) water supply impoundment, which is a tributary to the South Fork of the Catawba. Maiden Lake is monitored by NCDWQ. Recent surveys indicated that Maiden Lake was hypereutrophic in June, eutrophic in July, and mesotrophic in August (NCDENR 1998). A previous investigation by NCDWQ pursuant to a complaint regarding sediment buildup in the lake indicated that the entire Maiden Lake watershed is degraded (NCDENR 1993).

Lake Wylie receives inputs from the Catawba River as well as the South Fork Catawba River, Long Creek, Crowders Creek, and Catawba Creek. Lake Wylie experiences localized sedimentation and nutrient enrichment problems, especially in the Crowders Creek and Catawba Creek arms of the lake (NCDENR 1998). Furthermore, a previous study by NCDWQ and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) indicated that the South Fork Catawba River, Catawba Creek, and Crowders Creek contained elevated nutrient concentrations and were contributing to nutrient loading of the lake (NCDENR et al. 1992). Typical summer stratification on Lake Wylie results in dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures of approximately 8 mg/L and 29oC at the surface to 2 mg/L and 27 oC at a mid depth of 8 m (Duke Power 2000).

C. HABITAT

The Catawba River watershed contains 3,005 mi (4,835 km) of streams and 60,000 acres (24,300 ha) of impoundments in North Carolina (NCDENR 1998). The Catawba River is formed in the western part of North Carolina in Avery, Burke, Caldwell and McDowell counties and flows south and east before entering South Carolina. The flow of the river is heavily regulated as a result of seven major impoundments located along its watershed in North Carolina. There are also several unregulated tributaries that flow in the system particularly in the upper portion of the watershed.

The seven major impoundments of the Catawba River have a large impact on the habitat present in this system. Each reservoir contains varying degrees of limnetic and littoral habitats. These habitats are a result of natural features and anthropogenic alterations. Lake James, the uppermost reservoir on the system, contains warm- and coolwater fish assemblages as a result of the thermal profiles of its tributaries and the depth of the reservoir. Other reservoirs along the system are dominated by warmwater habitats but still contain lesser amounts of coolwater habitat. Littoral habitats are variable among and within the Catawba River system reservoirs (Table 2). Substrate type, wave action, shoreline slope, water level fluctuations, and human alterations to the near-shore environment mainly influence littoral habitats in the reservoirs.

The tailwaters of each reservoir also support aquatic communities. Physical habitat is often limited, however, in these sections of the river due to low minimum flows and fluctuating temperature regimes resulting from hydropower releases. With the exception of the section of the Catawba River above Lake James, all riverine stretches of the Catawba are affected by dam releases. Physical habitat in the areas immediately below the dams typically consists of large boulders and bedrock. The normal stream 22 sequence of run, riffle, and pool complexes are disrupted below these structures. Natural stream habitat types begin to reform as distance from the dam increases. Because the dams operate as effective silt traps, the upper reaches of tailwater are typically scoured to bedrock and devoid of fines. Sand and other fine sediment are typically deposited in the lower riverine stretches or in the upper impounded sections of each reservoir.

The major tributaries to the Catawba River system occur in the upper sections of the watershed. These tributaries include the upper Catawba River, the Linville River and the Johns River. Coldwater fish assemblages are supported in the upper basin while cool- and warmwater fish assemblages are found in the foothill and piedmont regions of the basin. Approximately 16 impoundments are located in the upper watershed, ranging in size from 4.5-26.3 acres (1.8-10.7 ha), and provide some lake habitat. The other major tributary is the South Fork Catawba River, which enters the system in Lake Wylie. Low head dams along its course also provide some lacustrine habitat. Other smaller tributaries enter the riverine and reservoir portions of the system and provide spawning and nursery habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species. Ecologically significant tributaries in the basin include Waxhaw Creek in Union County, Wilson Creek in Caldwell County, and Upper Creek in Burke County. These streams contain populations of rare or threatened mussels and aquatic insects.

The terrestrial habitats of the Catawba River basin continue to change as urbanization occurs and cultivated crop acreage is reduced. For the entire river basin, the amount of urban and developed lands increased by 35 % from 1982-1992 (NCDENR 1999). In contrast, cultivated croplands decreased by 37 % during the same time period. Other land types did not exhibit such dramatic changes during this period (Figure 2). Forest types within the Catawba River basin are variable and reflect the diverse topographic and geologic features in the basin. Forest hardwood species such as oaks, hickories, poplars, and maples dominate the piedmont and foothill areas of the basin. White pine, shortleaf pines, eastern hemlock, and other conifers are typically found in the higher elevations of the upper basin. Silviculture activities throughout the basin, however, have introduced pines throughout the basin in monoculture operations. The loss of mast-producing trees and increases in monoculture silviculture activities are providing lower quality habitat for wildlife species. There are few large wetland areas in the Catawba River basin (NCDENR 1999). Most wetlands in the impounded reaches of the Catawba River are located in transitional zones between reservoirs and tributary streams.

D. BIOTA

The combination of forests, wetlands, grasslands, cultivated crops, and developed areas within the varying topography of the Catawba River basin provides habitat for diverse plant and animal communities. Sixty-seven fish species are known to exist in reservoirs (Table 4) and 83 species are known to exist in streams (Table 5) within the Catawba River basin. Twenty-seven isolated brook trout populations, North Carolina’s only native salmonid, are present in the Catawba River Basin (Appendix B- 2). Thirty-seven rare, threatened, or endangered species have been documented or are likely to exist in the Catawba River basin (Table 6). The NCDWQ also has aquatic invertebrate collections from several locations in the plan area.

Several species of native animals were either extirpated or severely depleted by the early 1900s. Elk and bison herds and wolves are completely extirpated. Although wildlife agencies get occasional reports of mountain lion sightings, none have been confirmed in the last 80 years and no native populations are believed to exist. Most sightings are the result of mistaken identity (usually bobcats or coyotes) and those that seem credible may be animals acquired as pets and subsequently released into the wild.

Beavers and river otters disappeared from western North Carolina in the 1930s. Beavers have returned to the management area in recent years as a result of population expansion. River otters have become reestablished as a result of reintroduction efforts by the NCWRC in the early 1990s.

Black bear, wild turkey and white-tailed deer populations were severely depressed in the early 1900s. Bear populations have recovered largely due to a bear sanctuary program designed to protect core breeding areas and due to regulation and enforcement. Wild turkey populations have recovered through restoration and protection. White-tailed deer populations within the region vary from relatively low in the heavily forested mountain counties to moderate in the more agricultural counties of the upper piedmont. The quality and quantity of white-tailed deer habitat within the Pisgah National Forest will likely be degraded by reductions in timber harvest and clear-cutting, as a result of changes in forest management policies. Coyote populations have increased dramatically in the area in recent years primarily as a result of natural immigration from neighboring states.

E. HUMAN USE

Approximately 76% of the 3,285mi2 (8,508 km2) Catawba River basin is covered in forests and approximately 22% in upland herbaceous plants. Less than 2% of the basin is under active cultivation. Based on 1990 census data, approximately 1,033,347 people live in the Catawba River basin. Despite the high population densities in the lower basin, including the Charlotte metropolitan area, only 6% of the total basin is considered urban. Population density in the basin in 1990 was 312 persons/mi2 (808/km2) compared to 123 persons/mi2 (319/km2) statewide.

Boating and fishing occur in streams, rivers, and reservoirs in the plan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) estimated that 22% of North Carolina’s 5.9 million residents fished in 2001 (U.S. Department of the Interior et al. 2001). Fishing license sales in North Carolina have remained stable or decreased slightly in recent years (U.S. Department of the Interior et al. 2001). Despite the overall decreasing trend in wildlife-associated recreation, angling remains a popular outdoor activity. Anglers fished an estimated 15.4 million days in North Carolina during 2001 and spent an estimated 1.1 billion U.S. dollars in trip-related expenditures (U.S. Department of the Interior et al. 2001).

Hunting is an important economic and recreational activity in the area. Three of the four big game species found in North Carolina (black bear, white-tailed deer, and turkey) are present in the plan area and have established hunting seasons. Black bear, white-tailed deer, and eastern turkey populations have increased in recent years under current management strategies. Wild boar are present in the basin, however, these small populations are considered feral hogs by the NCWRC. The most popular small game species present in the basin are ruffed grouse, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, quail, ducks, and doves.

Economic development (industrial, agricultural, residential, commercial, and tourism) is likely to increase in the near future as the population within the basin continues to expand. This will likely lead to increased residential and commercial development of private lands. These activities will continue to affect wildlife and fisheries resources within the Catawba River basin. The Pisgah National Forest is the single largest tract of public land [≈400,000 acres (162,000 ha)] and is located in the headwaters of the Catawba River basin. There are four North Carolina State Parks covering more than 17,700 acres (7,169 ha) within the basin: Crowders Mountain State Park, South Mountains State Park, Lake James State Park, and the Lake Norman State Park. The NCWRC owns and manages approximately 31,000 acres (12,555 ha) of public Gamelands within the basin outside of the Pisgah National Forest. The natural resources contained within the Catawba River basin will likely receive increase public use, as the amount of recreational activities on all public land continues to increase (Cordell et al. 1999). An expanding population base, relatively small percentage of public lands (21%), and an increased recreational activity 24 level by the general public will likely negatively affect natural ecosystems, wildlife habitat, water quality, and other natural resources.

Table 1. Selected characteristics of the seven Duke Power Company (DPC) impoundments within the Catawba River basin. This information was obtained from Duke Power Company’s 2000 Shoreline Management Plan Update for the Catawba-Wateree Project and the North Carolina Division of Water Quality’s 1999 Catawba River Basin Plan (NCDENR 1999; Duke Power 2000). Trophic level classifications include oligotrophic (O), mesotrophic (M), and eutrophic (e). Major uses include hydropower production (H), recreation (R), and water supply (WS).

Reservoir Parameter L. James L. Rhodhiss L. Hickory Lookout Shoals L. Norman Mt. Island L. Wylie Year impounded 1923 1925 1927 1915 1963 1924 1904 Area (ha) 2,635 1,423 1,659 514 13,157 1,309 5,038 Watershed (km2) 482 1,383 1,662 1,838 2,271 2,359 3,832 Surface elevation (m) 365 303 285 255 231 197 173 Retention time (days) 208 21 33 7 239 12 39 Shore length (km) 233 144 169 62 837 98 526 Volume (1000 m3) 356,104 83,354 157,213 33,096 1,348,459 70,654 347,596 Maximum depth (m) 43.0 14.6 25.9 18.3 33.5 17.8 28.4 Average depth (m) 13.5 6.3 9.5 9.3 10.2 5.4 7.0 Maximum drawdown (m) 12.2 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.6 3.0 3.0 Average river flow (m3/s) 18.4 48.1 57.3 65.1 75.6 76.4 116.1 Fusilier’s LWQ Index 86 70 78 77 80 82 72 NC Trophic state Index -3.5 -1.5 -1.5 -1.9 -2.5 -2.4 -1.1 Trophic level O M O O O O E Chlorophyll a (mg/m3) 2.8 12.8 8.4 7.1 8.1 4.6 10.3 Conductance (us/cm) 41 63 55 54 55 57 92 Major reservoir uses H, R H, R H, R, WS H, R H, R, WS H, R, WS H, R

Table 2. Shoreline habitat types of the Catawba River reservoirs. Values reported are in percent of shoreline. This information was obtained from Duke Power Company’s 2000 Shoreline Management Plan Update for the Catawba-Wateree Project (Duke Power 2000).

Shoreline habitat Woody Miles of Reservoir Developed Sand Cobble Debris Vegetation Natural Undeveloped % Total shoreline Lake James 13.8 4.8 2.1 21.7 10.9 1.5 45.2 100 137.2 Lake Rhodhiss 1.5 2.3 1.4 9.4 21.8 2.6 61.0 100 97.5 Lake Hickory 51.6 1.3 0.8 2.5 16.5 0.0 27.3 100 106.1 Lookout Shoals 23.0 8.2 3.6 1.2 20.2 0.9 42.9 100 33.1 Lake Norman 59.8 2.0 0.4 0.1 12.1 0.4 25.2 100 569.2 Mt. Island Lake 11.3 4.3 1.3 0.8 33.6 2.5 46.2 100 79.7 Lake Wylie 45.0 3.3 .2 1.1 21.0 1.0 28.4 100 314.0

60%

35.1% 40%

20% 12.2%

0.9% 2.8% 0%

-4.7% -5.6% Percent change -20%

-40% -37.7%

-60% Cultivated Uncultivated Pasture Federal Forest Urban & Other crops crops developed

Land use type

Figure 2. Land use changes in the Catawba River basin from 1982-1992. Source data taken from North Carolina Division of Water Quality’s 1999 Catawba River Basinwide Water Quality Plan (NCDENR 1999). 28

Table 4. Fish species occurring in the Catawba River basin reservoirs. Source of data is followed by most recent year of collection, when known: MEN = Menhinick (1991); WRC = North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; DPC = Duke Power Company; DNR = South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Walleye are stocked into Lake James. Striped bass are stocked into Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Reservoir, and Lake Norman.

Lake Lake Lake Lookout Lake Mt. Island Lake Scientific name Common name James Rhodhiss Hickory Shoals Res. Norman Reservoir Wylie Alosa aestivalis blueback herring WRC(01) Alosa psuedoharengus alewife WRC(01) Ambloplites rupestris rock bass WRC(00) WRC(99) Amia calva bowfin WRC(00) MEN DPC(01) MEN Carassius auratus goldfish WRC(00) WRC(99) Carpoides cyprinus quillback WRC(01) WRC(00) DPC(96) DPC(95) DPC(97) DPC(01) DPC(01) Carpoides velifer highfin carpsucker MEN MEN MEN Catostomus commersoni white sucker WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(00) WRC(63) MEN MEN MEN Cyprinus carpio common carp WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(00) DPC(97) WRC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(01) WRC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Dorosoma petenense threadfin shad WRC(00) WRC(00) WRC(00) WRC(81) WRC(01) WRC(80) DPC(01) Erimyzon oblongus creek chubsucker MEN MEN DPC(99) Esox americanus redfin pickerel DNR(86) Esox masquinongy muskellunge WRC(01) Etheostoma flabellare fantail darter DPC(95) Etheostoma fusiforme swamp darter DPC(97) DPC(94) DPC(94) DNR(80) Etheostoma olmstedi tessellated darter WRC(01) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(00) DPC(01) Gambusia holbrooki eastern mosquitofish MEN DPC(01) DPC(99) Hybognathus regius eastern silvery minnow MEN DPC(00) MEN DPC(93) MEN DPC(95) Hypentelium nigricans northern hog sucker WRC(00) Ictalurus brunneus snail bullhead WRC(01) DPC(00) DPC(01) MEN DPC(94) DNR(80) Ictalurus catus white catfish WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(00) WRC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Ictalurus furcatus blue catfish WRC(00) WRC(01) Ictalurus melas black bullhead WRC(72) MEN Ictalurus natalis yellow bullhead WRC(72) WRC(63) Ictalurus nebulosus brown bullhead WRC(99) DPC(00) DPC(01) WRC(81) WRC(63) MEN DPC(01) Ictalurus platycephalus flat bullhead WRC(99) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(00) MEN DPC(01) Ictalurus punctatus channel catfish WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(00) WRC(81) WRC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Ictiobus bubalus smallmouth buffalo WRC(63) MEN DPC(00) Ictiobius cyprinellus bigmouth buffalo MEN Lepisosteus osseus longnose gar DPC(01) DPC(00) DPC(95) Lepomis auritus redbreast sunfish WRC(01) WRC(00) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Lepomis cyanellus green sunfish DPC(00) DPC(00) MEN DPC(00) Lepomis gibbosus pumpkinseed WRC(00) WRC(00) DPC(00) MEN WRC(63) DPC(99) DPC(01) Lepomis gulosus warmouth WRC(00) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01)

Table 4 continued.

Lake Lake Lake Lookout Lake Mt. Island Lake Scientific name Common name James Rhodhiss Hickory Shoals Res. Norman Reservoir Wylie Lepomis macrochirus bluegill WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(00) DPC(00) WRC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Lepomis microlophus redear sunfish WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Lepomis spp. hybrid sunfish DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(97) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Luxilus coccogenis warpaint shiner DPC(97) Micropterus dolomieu smallmouth bass WRC(01) Micropterus punctulatus spotted bass DPC(00) DPC(00) Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass WRC(01) WRC(00) DPC(01) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Minytrema melanops spotted sucker DNR(86) Morone americana white perch DPC(01) DPC(01) Morone chrysops white bass WRC(01) WRC(00) WRC(02) DPC(00) WRC(01) DPC(94) DPC(01) Morone saxatilis striped bass WRC(01) WRC(02) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(01) Moxostoma collapsum v-lip redhorse WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(00) DPC(97) MEN DPC(95) DPC(94) Moxostoma macrolepidotum shorthead redhorse DPC(01) MEN MEN Moxostoma pappillosum slender redhorse MEN MEN DNR(80) Mugil cephalus striped mullet DPC(01) Notemigonus crysoleucas golden shiner WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(00) DPC(00) WRC(63) DPC(01) DPC(01) Notropis chloristius greenfin shiner DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(01) DNR(80) Notropis galacturus whitetail shiner MEN Notropis hudsonius spottail shiner DPC(96) DPC(00) WRC(83) DPC(97) DPC(01) DPC(01) DNR(80) Notropis niveus whitefin shiner DPC(96) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Notropis procne swallowtail shiner MEN DPC(99) DPC(00) DPC(94) Oncorhynchus mykiss rainbow trout DPC(00) DPC(01) Perca flavescens yellow perch WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(02) DPC(01) DPC(00) DPC(01) DPC(01) Pimephales promelas fathead minnow DPC(01) Plyodictus olivaris flathead catfish WRC(00) WRC(03) WRC(00) Polyodon spathula paddlefish MEN Pomoxis annularis white crappie WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(00) WRC(01) WRC(65) WRC(79) Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) DPC(01) WRC(01) DPC(01) DPC(01) Scartomyzon brazius brassy jumprock DPC(00) DPC(00) DPC(97) DPC(96) Scartomyzon rupiscartes striped jumprock DPC(94) Sander canadensis sauger MEN Sander vitreus walleye WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(02) WRC(00) MEN MEN

Table 5. Fish species occurring in the Catawba River basin rivers and streams. Source of data is followed by most recent year of collection, when known: MEN = Menhinick (1991); WRC = North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; DWQ = North Carolina Division of Water Quality; COL = NCWRC collection permit reports. Brook, brown, and rainbow trout are stocked into the Lake James tailwater and many other streams in the upper Catawba River basin.

Upper Linville L. James Johns Oxford S. Fork Other Scientific name Common name Catawba R. River Tailwater River Tailwater Catawba R. streams Ambloplites rupestris rock bass WRC(01) WRC(01) MEN MEN WRC(00) Campostoma anomalum central stoneroller DWQ(97) WRC(01) WRC(01) COL(01) MEN WRC(99) Carassius auratus goldfish WRC(86) WRC(01) MEN COL(86) Carpoides cyprinus quillback WRC(86) Catostomus commersoni white sucker WRC(02) WRC(01) WRC(01) MEN MEN WRC(87) WRC(00) Clinostomus funduloides rosyside dace WRC(00) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(99) MEN COL(99) Cottus bairdi mottled sculpin WRC(00) Cyprinella chloristia greenfin shiner WRC(86) MEN MEN WRC(87) WRC(99) Cyprinella galactura whitetail shiner COL(82) COL(90) COL(95) WRC(99) Cyprinella labrosa thicklip chub DWQ(99) Cyprinella nivea whitefin shiner MEN COL(90) MEN WRC(87) MEN Cyprinella pyrrhomelas fieryblack shiner COL(82) COL(90) COL(95) MEN COL(97) Cyrpinella zanema thinlip chub MEN MEN MEN DWQ(99) Cyprinus carpio common carp WRC(86) WRC(01) WRC(87) WRC(87) Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad MEN WRC(00) MEN MEN WRC(93) Dorosoma petenense threadfin shad WRC(93) Erimyzon oblongus creek chubsucker DWQ(89) Esox americanus redfin pickeral MEN COL(01) Etheostoma collis Carolina darter MEN Etheostoma flabellare fantail darter DWQ(97) WRC(01) WRC(01) COL(95) MEN DWQ(00) Etheostoma fusiforme swamp darter WRC(87) Etheostoma olmstedi tesselated darter DWQ(97) COL(90) MEN MEN WRC(99) Etheostoma thalassinum seagrean darter MEN MEN MEN MEN COL(01) Fundulus rathbuni speckled killifish DWQ(97) Gambusia holbrooki eastern mosquitofish WRC(87) MEN Hybognathus regius eastern silvery minnow COL(82) WRC(87) COL(01) Hybopsis hypsinotus highback chub MEN MEN MEN DWQ(97) Hybopsis zanema Santee chub MEN COL(95) MEN DWQ(97) Hypentelium nigricans northern hog sucker WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) MEN MEN WRC(00) Ictalurus brunneus snail bullhead MEN COL(90) WRC(86) WRC(87) WRC(99) Ictalurus catus white catfish WRC(00) WRC(87) DWQ(99) Ictalurus melas black bullhead MEN Ictlaurus nebulosus brown bullhead MEN MEN WRC(93) MEN WRC(87) WRC(89) Ictalurus platycephalus flat bullhead MEN WRC(87) DWQ(00) Ictalurus punctatus channel catfish WRC(87) Lepisosteus osseus longnose gar DWQ(87) 31

Table 5 continued.

Upper Linville L. James Johns Oxford S. Fork Other Scientific name Common name Catawba R. River Tailwater River Tailwater Catawba R. streams Lepomis auritus redbreast sunfish WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) COL(95) MEN WRC(87) WRC(87) Lepomis cyanellus green sunfish MEN Lepomis gibbosus pumpkinseed COL(82) WRC(86) MEN WRC(87) DWQ(99) Lepomis gulosus warmouth WRC(01) MEN MEN WRC(87) Lepomis macrochirus bluegill WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) MEN MEN WRC(87) DWQ(97) Lepomis marginatus dollar sunfish MEN Lepomis microlophus redear sunfish WRC(01) WRC(87) MEN Luxilus coccogenis warpaint shiner DWQ(97) WRC(01) WRC(01) MEN WRC(99) Micropterus dolomieu smallmouth bass WRC(00) WRC(01) WRC(01) COL(95) MEN WRC(00) Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass WRC(00) MEN WRC(01) MEN MEN WRC(92) WRC(93) Morone saxatilis striped bass WRC(00) Mosostoma collapsum v-lip redhorse WRC(01) WRC(010) MEN MEN MEN WRC(99) Moxostoma macroleptidotum shorthead redhorse DWQ(97) Moxostoma pappillosum slender redhorse MEN WRC(87) DWQ(97) Nocomis leptocephalus bluehead chub DWQ(97) WRC(01) WRC(01) COL(95) WRC(87) WRC(00) Nocomis micropogon river chub COL(95) Notemigonus crysoleucas golden shiner MEN WRC(00) MEN MEN MEN DWQ(97) Notropis alborus whitemouth shiner MEN Notropis altipinnis highfin shiner MEN Notropis chiliticus redlip shiner DWQ(99) Notropis chlorocephalus greenhead shiner DWQ(97) MEN MEN WRC(87) COL(01) Notropis cummingsae dusky shiner MEN Notropis hudsonius spottail shiner DWQ(97) MEN MEN MEN WRC(87) DWQ(00) Notropis hypsinotus highback chub DWQ(00) Notropis lutipinnis yellowfin shiner DWQ(00) Notropis procne swallowtail shiner MEN COL(90) MEN MEN COL(01) Notropis rubricroceus Saffron shiner MEN MEN Notropis scepticus sandbar shiner DWQ(97) COL(90) COL(95) WRC(87) DWQ(00) Notropis spectrunculus mirror shiner COL(90) WRC(87) MEN Notropis telescopus telescope shiner MEN COL(90) MEN Noturus insignis margined madtom DWQ(97) MEN WRC(86) COL(95) MEN WRC(99) Oncorhynchus mykiss rainbow trout WRC(00) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(00) WRC(00) Perca flavescens yellow perch COL(82) WRC(01) DWQ(99) Percina crassa peidmont darter COL(82) WRC(86) COL(95) WRC(87) WRC(99) Phoxinus oreas mountain redbelly dace DWQ(99) Pimephales promelas fathead minnow MEN MEN Plyodictus olivaris flathead catfish DWQ(97) Pomoxis annularis white crappie WRC(87) Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie WRC(93) WRC(87) MEN 32

Table 5 continued.

Upper Linville L. James Johns Oxford S. Fork Other Scientific name Common name Catawba R. River Tailwater River Tailwater Catawba R. streams Rhinichthys atratulus blacknose dace WRC(93) WRC(01) MEN WRC(87) WRC(00) Rhinichthys cataractae longnose dace MEN WRC(01) MEN WRC(00) Salmo trutta brown trout WRC(00) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(00) WRC(00) Salvelinus fontinalis brook trout WRC(00) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(01) WRC(00) WRC(00) Scartomyzon brazius brassy jumprock COL(95) MEN DWQ(97) Scartomyzon rupiscartes striped jumprock DWQ(97) MEN MEN MEN MEN COL(99) Semotilus atromaculatus creek chub MEN COL(90) MEN MEN MEN DWQ(00) Sander canadensis walleye WRC(00)

Table 6. Rare, threatened, and endangered animal species regulated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission that possibly occur in the Catawba River basin. This list was compiled from data supplied by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Heritage Program.

Federal State Scientific name Common name listing listing Vertebrates Carpoides velifer highfin carpsucker T Cyprinella zanema Santee chub SR Ethesostoma collis Carolina darter SC Plethodon welleri Weller’s salamander SC Clemmys muhlenbergii bog turtle T(S/A) T Crotalus horridus timber rattlesnake SR Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle T E Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon E Catharus guttatus hermit thrush SR Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl SC Coccyzus erthropthalmus black billed cuckoo SR Dendroica magnolia magnolia warbler SR Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike SC Loxia curvirostra red crossbill SR Poecile atricapillis black capped chickadee SC Sphyrapicus varius yellow bellied sapsucker SR Myotis septentrionalis northern long-eared myotis SC Corynorhinus rafinesquii eastern big-eared bat SC Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus Virginia big-eared bat E E Myotis leibii eastern small footed bat SC Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus northern flying squirrel E E Neotoma magister Allegheny woodrat SC Neotoma floridana haematoreia southern Appalachian woodrat SC Sorex palustris southern water shrew SC Sorex dispar long-tailed shrew SC Sylvilagus obscurus Appalachian cottontail SR Microtus chrotorrhinus rock vole SC

Invertebrates Alasmidonata varicosa brook floater T Lasmigona decorata Carolina heelsplitter E E Villosa constricta notched rainbow SR Villosa delumbis eastern creekshell SR Tripopsis fulcidens dwarf threetooth SC Glyphyalinia vanattai honey glyph SC Mesodon subpalliatus velvet covert SC Pallifera hemphilli black mantleslug SC Paravitrea andrewsae high mountains supercoil SC Ventridens coelaxis bidentate dome SC

E = Endangered; T = Threatened; SC = Special concern; SR = Significantly rare; (S/A) = Similarity of appearance

IV. PAST AND PRESENT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMNT

A. SAMPLING RESULTS

The NCWRC and other management agencies, primarily the USFS and DPC, have conducted field surveys on streams and reservoirs within the plan area. Fish populations are sampled to assess species composition, abundance, biomass, size distributions, age composition, growth rates, and relative body conditions. The information is used, along with angler surveys, and habitat conditions, to make management decisions. Some trout streams and reservoirs have been monitored over time to provide data on long-term trends of their fish populations. Reports containing fish and wildlife information relevant to the Catawba River basin, but not cited below, are included in Appendix A-1 and Appendix A-2.

The earliest reported fisheries stream surveys in the Catawba River basin were at the Mt. Mitchell Wildlife Management Area in 1950 on Curtis Creek, McDowell County. Wildlife Management Areas were located entirely on National Forest land or North Carolina State Park land and were managed intensively by the NCWRC with stocked trout. Two other Wildlife Management Areas, South Mountains and Daniel Boone, were also in the Catawba River basin. Although over 60,000 acres (24,300 ha) of lands were included in this program, angling pressure was tightly controlled. Angling was generally limited to Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays from the first Saturday in April until Labor Day (Ratledge and Louder 1967). Creel surveys of all trout anglers were completed daily in these management areas from the early 1950s through the mid 1960s (Ratledge and Louder 1967). Catch rates of trout in this management area system between 1950-1963 were relatively high and averaged over 4 trout/person-trip (Ratledge and Louder 1967). A complete listing of known quantitative fish samples from trout streams in the Catawba River basin is compiled in Appendix B-1.

Since 1950, at least 89 streams within the Catawba River basin have been comprehensively surveyed. Fish were captured mainly using cresol or rotenone prior to 1965. Since the late 1960s, most of the sampling has been done using backpack electrofishing. Prior to 1989, standardized electrofishing protocols, such as multi-pass depletions, were not implemented. Since 1989, standardized sampling methods have produced more accurate data on fish populations in coldwater streams. In addition to general fish population sampling (Bonner 1984), five special trout studies have been conducted in the Catawba River basin (Wingate et al. 1981; Durham et al. 1999; Borawa 1995, 2002; Besler 2003a). These studies included stream reclamations, fish population sampling, stocked fish marking, and angler creel surveys.

Six streams located on the Daniel Boone Management Area were designated as Native Trout Waters in 1969. Wilson Creek, Harper Creek, North Harper Creek, South Harper Creek, Steeles Creek, and Lost Cove Creek, were managed for year-round fishing under a four-fish creel and 10-in. (250 mm) minimum size limit for rainbow and brown trout and 7-in. (175 mm) minimum size limit for brook trout. In addition, sections of Wilson Creek and Lost Cove Creek were designated as trophy trout water and managed as no kill streams, open to fishing year around, limited to single hook artificial flies, with a one fish/day creel for brown and rainbow trout >16 in. (406 mm) and brook trout >12 in. (305 mm) (Wingate et al. 1981). Trout standing crop estimates were obtained from these streams using single-pass backpack electrofishing from 1965-1978. In general trout standing crops and abundances significantly increased in Lost Cove Creek after implementation of the new regulation (Wingate et al. 1981). It was concluded that variables affecting wild trout abundance and standing crops included siltation, floods, fishing pressure, logging operations, and angler access to the stream (Wingate et al. 1981).

From 1989 to1996, a long-term wild trout monitoring project took place on four streams within the Catawba River basin. The streams included in this study were Andrews Creek, Curtis Creek, Steels 35

Creek, and Lost Cove Creek (Borawa et al. 2002). The objective of the study was to document annual variation in trout population densities, standing crops, length-frequency distributions, body condition and to identify trends in these characteristics when compared to historical data. These population characteristics were found to be highly variable among years and sites (Borawa et al. 2002). There was little evidence to suggest that natural reproduction was a limiting factor in wild trout populations (Borawa et al. 2002). It was also found that the population characteristics measured during the most recent survey were similar to those from past surveys (Borawa et al. 2002). The three-pass depletion sampling protocol used during the survey appeared to be adequate to monitor wild trout populations.

Brook trout distribution surveys were conducted on many streams in the Catawba River basin since 1990. A total of 27 brook trout populations are known to exist in the plan area (NCWRC unpublished data). Approximately 93% of known brook trout populations occur in the headwaters of the Johns River, Warrior Fork, and Wilson Creek watersheds located in Avery and Caldwell counties. The remaining 7% are located in the headwater streams of the upper Catawba River in McDowell County. Genetic typing has been completed on 10 of these populations (Durham et al. 1997, 1998, 1999; Hallerman and Borkholder 1993). The population in only one of these streams, Mackey Creek, appeared to contain brook trout with only the diagnostic Southern Appalachian strain allele. Two of the streams, Wilson Creek and Little Wilson Creek, appeared to contain brook trout with only the diagnostic northern strain allele. The remaining seven populations typed contain a mix of northern and Southern Appalachian strain alleles. See Appendix B-2 for a listing and the genetic typing of brook trout populations in the Catawba River basin.

The NCWRC has explored different ways to enhance the sizes of wild trout available to anglers. These attempts have proven only partially successful. A supplemental wild trout feeding study was conducted on four trout streams, one of them being Curtis Creek within the Catawba River basin. The objective of the study was to determine the response of wild trout populations to a feeding program where fishing pressure was not restricted and harvest was allowed (Borawa et al. 1995). Mechanical feeders were installed on each stream and fish were fed an artificial trout diet for approximately three years. Creel surveys were conducted on two of the four test streams. In general it was found that feeding increased standing crops of trout >200%, and increased the number of fish greater than 10 inches (250 mm). Catch rates of trout by anglers were not significantly different, however, between fed sections and control sections of the streams (Borawa et al. 1995).

A fingerling brown trout tagging and sampling survey was conducted from 2000 - 2002 on the Catawba River downstream of Lake James, also known as the Bridgewater tailwater (Besler 2001a, 2002a, 2003a). Fingerling brown trout have been stocked in the tailrace since 1996. The primary objective of this study was to determine if stocking fingerling brown trout was a suitable management strategy for maintaining a brown trout population in the tailwater. Between 75-88% of age 0 brown trout collected in the tailwater in 2000 - 2002 were of hatchery origin. Age 0 brown growth in 2000 - 2002 was between 0.5-0.75 in./month (16.7-18.3 mm/month) (Besler 2003a). The high proportionate contribution of stocked age 0 brown trout in conjunction with high growth rates and increasing capture rates suggest that stockings since 1996 have succeeded in establishing and maintaining a brown trout population in the Bridgewater tailwater.

The earliest documented reservoir fisheries survey within the Catawba River basin took place on Lake Hickory in 1956 (Tebo 1961). Since 1957, almost 100 surveys have been conducted on reservoirs within the Catawba River basin primarily by the NCWRC and DPC. See Appendix B-3 for a complete listing of Catawba River basin reservoir surveys. Most of these studies were general surveys designed to document species presence and to monitor game fish populations managed by the NCWRC through regulation.

The NCWRC introduced walleye fry into Lake James in 1949 and a self-sustaining population developed. Walleye stockings were halted after 1955 and the population was maintained by natural reproduction. Due to intensified public interest, the NCWRC resumed walleye stocking in 1980 to supplement natural reproduction. In 2000, a study was designed to measure the contribution of stocked fingerling walleye in Lake James (Besler 2001b, 2002b, 2003b). Approximately 30,000 walleye fingerlings were marked with oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) and stocked in Lake James in May 2000 and 2001. Gillnetting was a conducted one year later in November 2001 and 2002. Total catch of age-1 walleye varied substantially between 2001 (N=53) and 2002 (N=94). The percentage of age-1 walleye otoliths with OTC marks ranged from 3.7% in 2001 to 2.1% in 2002. The proportionate contribution reported for both years was below the 25% management criteria used to determine stocking success. This study will be repeated in 2003.

In 1975 the NCWRC stocked summer-run steelhead trout into four reservoirs, including Lake James, for nine years (Jones 1985). Few steelhead trout were recovered during subsequent sampling efforts on Lake James. It was determined that tributary streams to Lake James had very little suitable spawning substrate (Jones 1985). It was also determined that Lake James had a low forage base and low levels of dissolved oxygen at preferred water temperatures (Jones 1985). It was concluded that summer-run steelhead trout introductions into Lake James were unsuccessful (Jones 1985).

Duke Power Company conducted a study from 1999 - 2000 on three reservoirs in the Catawba-Wateree system examining the use of littoral fish habitat. Lake James and Lake Hickory were included in the study. The objectives of the study were to evaluate seasonal taxa composition, relative abundance of fish, relative weights of largemouth bass, and size distributions of major fish taxa in coarse woody debris, developed, and undeveloped littoral habitats in each reservoir (Barwick 2000). It was found that fish preferred habitat with coarse woody debris or developed littoral habitat over undeveloped habitat in most lakes during most seasons (Barwick 2000).

Due to public concerns about the fishery resources in Lake James, the NCWRC conducted a creel survey between March 1987 and February 1988 to determine day and night sport fishery characteristics. Day anglers made an estimated 72,249 trips to Lake James and exerted 294,817 angler-hours (109.2 hours/ha/yr) of fishing pressure (Borawa 1989). A total of 169,915 fish were estimated to have been caught during this time period (Borawa 1989). Night fishing effort during June, July, and August was estimated at 3,599 angler-hours (1.3 hours/ha/yr), and an estimated 2,090 fish were caught (Borawa 1989). Compared to other North Carolina reservoirs, trip characteristics are similar when lake location, size, pressure, and species assemblage are considered (Borawa 1989).

The NCWRC collects annual harvest and mortality data for bear, deer and turkey within the Catawba River basin. Although wild boar are found in portions of the Catawba River basin (mostly in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area), these animals are considered feral hogs and are not managed as game animals by the NCWRC. Bear and deer populations have remained relatively stable in recent years, while turkey populations have increased substantially. Biological samples are collected from bear (hunter kills and vehicle mortalities) to document age structures and reproductive parameters. Data from bait station lines are used in a regional index to monitor changes in bear populations. Turkey brood count surveys are conducted each fall to document reproductive success. Hard and soft mast surveys are recorded each fall to document food availability and annual variability of mast production.

The NCWRC also collects data on wood ducks by participating in a statewide trapping and banding program. This program is administered by the USFWS and is used to monitor populations. The NCWRC also participates in annual ruffed grouse surveys, in cooperation with local hunter organizations, to monitor population levels.

A significant number of nongame surveys have taken place in the Catawba River basin. The NCRWC has been involved in monitoring high-elevation northern flying squirrel populations within the basin since 1998. Other mammal surveys include an Alleghany wood rat assessment which was completed from 1995 to 1999. Several avian surveys have taken place or are ongoing in the basin. Peregrine falcon (Big lost Cove and Linville Gorge areas) and bald eagle nest sites (Lake James) have been located in the basin and have been monitored for nest success in cooperation with the USFWS. Song bird inventory surveys are completed in the basin annually along pre-selected transects in southwestern Burke County (South Mountains State Park). Several bog turtle populations are known to exist in the basin and are monitored by the NCWRC, USFWS, and volunteer organizations. These populations are known to exist in Avery, Burke, and Gaston counties. The NCWRC also collects data on the distribution and species composition of mussel populations throughout the Catawba River basin. Much remains unknown about the distribution and abundance of most nongame animals of the basin, particularly rare, threatened, and endangered species (Table 6).

B. REGULATIONS

The NCWRC regulates trout fishing through the use of six regulatory categories, five of which are currently in effect in the Catawba River basin (Appendix C-1). Streams located on private lands containing trout populations not open to public fishing are managed under the Hatchery Supported regulation category by default. Streams on NCWRC game lands in Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, and Rutherford counties are regulated under the Wild Trout category unless specified otherwise.

Harvest and size regulations for selected warmwater fish species are listed in Appendix C-2. Harvest and size regulations in the Catawba River basin are generally consistent with fishing regulations elsewhere in the state. One notable exception is walleye, which have a 15 in. (380 mm) size limit on Lake James and its tributaries. In addition, a section of the Linville River upstream from Lake James is closed to fishing from 15 February to 15 March each year to protect spawning walleye.

Hunting seasons and bag limits have not dramatically changed in the Catawba River basin in recent years. The bear season is split into two distinct periods and lasts for a total of seven weeks. The first season typically runs from mid October to late November and the second season runs from mid December to early January. The possession, bag, and season limit is one bear. The wild turkey season begins in the second week of April and lasts four weeks with a season bag limit of two bearded turkeys. Due to the large size of the Catawba River basin, the counties are divided into three distinct deer seasons: western, northwestern, and central. The bow and arrow season in the respective season zones typically begin on or near the same date in early September and run through early to mid November. Muzzle loading seasons are different among the respective season zones, with opening days varying from mid October in the western zone to mid November in the northwestern and central season zones. The duration of the gun seasons and the days which antlerless deer may be harvested also varies among season zones. In general, the gun deer season is open from mid November to late December. Dates which antlerless deer may be harvested range from the conservative season in the western counties of the basin (<1 week in mid December) to the maximum season in the southeastern portion of the basin (>7 weeks from mid November to early January). All counties in the Catawba River basin have a bag limit of six deer, four of which must be antlerless depending on season zone and weapon type.

C. FISH STOCKING AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION

Fish have been stocked in the Catawba River basin by the NCWRC since 1941 (earliest NCWRC record). A table listing known NCWRC fish stockings into plan area streams and rivers are listed in 38

Appendix D-1. Many streams were stocked by the NCWRC from the mid 1940s through the 1960s, some of which are still stocked today. Likewise, all of the seven major reservoirs were stocked with cool- and warmwater species intensively from 1945-1960; however, reservoir stockings have been greatly reduced in recent decades. Stream and reservoir stockings that have taken place from 1973 to1984 are largely unknown due to missing NCWRC stocking records.

A total of 162 streams have been stocked by the NCWRC in the Catawba River basin. Only 17 streams have been stocked since 1990. Although the number of stocked streams has been reduced by 90%, most of the streams that received trout in the past contained populations of self-reproducing trout. All warmwater streams which received stockings are currently managed for native fish assemblages and are not stocked. A total of 11 fish species have been stocked into streams in the Catawba River basin.

Prior to 1970, each of the major impoundments of the Catawba River was stocked with a variety of warmwater species including largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. A table listing known NCWRC fish stockings into Catawba River basin reservoirs is listed in Appendix D-2. Currently, threadfin shad is the only major warmwater species stocked. Stockings of threadfin shad occur only after significant winterkill events occur and depleted populations are documented. Discoveries of blueback herring and alewife in traditional threadfin shad collection locations have caused the NCWRC to remove threadfin shad from the stocking lists of Lake James, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, and Lookout Shoals reservoirs until a pure source population of threadfin shad can be found. Currently, all warmwater species are self-reproducing. Coolwater species such as walleye and smallmouth bass were widely stocked in the 1950s into all impoundments; however, self-reproducing populations of both species were established only in Lake James. Striped bass were stocked sporadically into Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Reservoir, Lake Norman, and Mountain Island reservoir prior to 1990 largely as a result of unreliable fish culture techniques. Since that time stockings were stabilized as a result of improvements in fish culture techniques. Attempts to introduce other nonindigenous species such as sauger and opossum shrimp were unsuccessful. Others, such as flathead catfish and blue catfish have established populations in Lake Norman, Mountain Island Reservoir, and Lake James. In addition, spotted bass have become established in Lake Norman and have been collected in low numbers in Lake James. More recently, triploid grass carp have been introduced into Mountain Island Reservoir and Lake James in an attempt to control the nonnative aquatic macrophyte hydrilla.

River otters have been released into the upper Catawba River basin by the NCWRC. A total of 79 otters were released in Burke, Catawba, and McDowell counties from 1990-1995. River otter populations have become established and continue to expand throughout the basin. River otter trapping is currently illegal (NCWRC 2003) in all counties within the Catawba River basin.

The first release of eastern wild turkeys into the Catawba River basin occurred in 1956. A limited number of releases occurred during the 1960s, but most of the restoration efforts occurred from 1970- 2000. A total of 938 birds were released at more than 50 sites. The wild turkey restoration efforts within the Catawba River basin have been completed and significant populations exist throughout the basin. All counties within the Catawba River Basin are currently open to spring turkey hunting (NCWRC 2003).

Whitetail deer were first released into the Catawba River basin in 1928. A total of 671 deer were known to be released into the basin prior to 1984. The majority of the deer were released into the upper mountainous counties of the watershed.

D. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

On private lands in trout counties within the basin (Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, McDowell, Rutherford, and Watauga), NCDWQ rules require a 25 ft (7.6 m) undisturbed riparian buffer zone in areas of development requiring a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit, NCDWQ 401 certification, or North Carolina Department of Land Quality permit. Variances can be issued for temporary disturbances not to exceed 10% of the length of the buffer area.

Some fish habitat improvements have been installed on private lands within the basin. These improvements have been installed primarily in streams managed by private trout fishing clubs to increase the amount of holding water for larger stocked fish.

Fish habitat structures have been installed in Catawba River basin reservoirs since 1988. Habitat structures have included automobile tires, wooden pallets, Christmas trees, and large hardwood trees (Appendix D-3). Habitat structures are typically placed in water <25 ft (7.6 m) deep in coves and along shorelines. These structures function to provide substrate for primary productivity, habitat for juvenile fish, feeding spots for adult fish, and as areas to concentrate fish for anglers.

The general terrestrial habitat management strategy has been to recommend protection of some areas for mature and old growth forest habitat and management of other areas for early-successional and transitional habitats for wildlife species that require a variety of habitat components. There is an abundance of mature forest habitat within the Catawba River basin under USFS, NCWRC (game lands), NC State Parks, and private ownership. Certain USFS and NC State Park lands have no active wildlife management activities taking place and are, in essence, managed as mature and old growth for those species that prefer those habitat types (flying squirrels, red squirrels, forest interior birds). Other USFS and NC State Park parcels of forest are designated suitable for active timber management. The NCWRC performs wildlife habitat management work on national forest land in coordination with the USFS and on NCWRC game lands. Activities include development and maintenance of wildlife openings to provide nesting and insect foraging areas for wild turkey and ruffed grouse, browse and fawning areas for deer, soft mast production for bears, and early-successional habitat for rabbits, quail, and nongame species. Old logging roads are daylighted, seeded, and maintained to provide additional habitat. Fruit trees are planted and maintained in open areas to provide soft mast.

A continuing rotation of moderate timber harvesting maintains early-successional habitat on USFS lands. Natural wildfires that historically provided early-successional habitat for deer, grouse, quail, rabbits, and other species are no longer tolerated by the human inhabitants of the area. Wildfires, particularly on private lands, are quickly extinguished and rarely create a significant amount of early-successional habitat. Timber harvesting in moderation provides additional nesting, foraging, and soft mast production for early-successional species as well as species that require a variety of habitat types (bear, raccoon, and wild turkey).

The creations of a diversity of wildlife habitats, although directed primarily at game species, also have beneficial impacts on nongame species (particularly birds and mammals requiring early-successional and mixed habitats). Limited additional management activities have been directed at nongame animals in the Catawba River basin.

E. INFORMATION GAPS

Shoreline development is increasing around all of the seven major impoundments in the Catawba River basin. The impact of development and resulting loss of natural shoreline habitat to fish, invertebrate, and 40 wildlife communities is largely unknown. Duke Power Company completed a study titled “Utilization of Coarse Woody Debris by Fish in Three Catawba-Wateree River Lakes” and found no statistical difference in fish abundance or biomass between developed shorelines and shorelines with an abundance of woody debris (Barwick 2000); however, statistical power of the tests were low. This study, however, did not address the importance of an undisturbed shoreline as a riparian corridor, buffer zones, and woody debris as habitat for a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate wildlife species. Data are needed to determine the effect of shoreline development on the entire wildlife community.

The Catawba River below Lake James currently supports trout for a distance of approximately 12 miles (18 km). Trout as well as other fish communities in this section of river are seasonally impacted by flows with low levels of dissolved oxygen released through the Bridgewater hydroelectric facility, typically from July to September. Data are needed on the downstream extent and duration of these seasonal oxygen depletions. In addition, water releases from the Bridgewater hydroelectric facility fluctuate on a daily basis 25-2,000 ft3/s (<2-71m3/s). Data are needed on the instream flows which would better support the fish communities present in the Catawba River below Lake James. The DPC reservoirs downstream of Lake James have much more limited tailwater sections; however, these reaches support riverine fish communities. Data on instream flows below these impoundments are also needed.

Public access facilities are currently present on all the seven major Catawba River reservoirs. The NCWRC currently maintains all DPC-owned boating access areas on Catawba River Reservoirs under a cooperative agreement. Demand for recreational opportunities continues to grow as the amount of public land around many of these reservoirs decreases. Current data on public use at these facilities as well as projected increases are needed. Additional data are needed on recreational use associated with lakefront private lands adjacent to these reservoirs. All recreational data should be updated periodically within the FERC relicensing process for hydroelectric projects in the Catawba River basin. More frequent updates should be provided where dam operations change or where shifts in type or intensity of recreational use are noted or anticipated.

The exotic aquatic macrophyte hydrilla is currently present in Lake James, Lake Norman, and Mountain Island Reservoir. To date, over 50,000 triploid grass carp have been stocked into Lake James and Mountain Island Reservoir in an attempt to control hydrilla. Significant portions of Lake Hickory and Lookout Shoals Reservoir have infestations of parrot feather and are being controlled by DPC with herbicide applications. The impacts of exotic aquatic macrophytes on native plant and animal communities in the Catawba River basin are unknown. Initial stockings of triploid grass carp have provided initial control of hydrilla in Lake James and Mountain Island Lake. The long-term impacts of sterile triploid grass carp introductions, however, are unknown. Data are needed on the impacts of exotic aquatic macrophytes, methods used for control, and the success of reestablishing native plant communities after control has been achieved. Data are also needed on the feasibility and success of providing large-scale artificial cover (sunken trees, emergent woody plants, brush hides, etc.) as a habitat substitute for aquatic communities in the absence of plant communities.

Reservoir filling through sedimentation is increasing in the Catawba River basin. The upper riverine portions of Lake James, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, and Lake Wylie are most impacted. These riverine portions are fish spawning and nursery areas. Sediment from nonpoint erosion continues to increase as does the amount of impervious surface within the basin (NCDENR 1998). Certain species, such as walleye and white bass in Lake James, make significant spawning runs up the Catawba and Linville rivers outside the project boundary. These annual spawning runs could be impacted in years when high flows combined with low reservoir water levels make access to the river difficult for entering adults or emigrating fingerlings. Data are needed on the impacts of sedimentation on reservoir filling as it affects littoral fish reproduction as well as impacts on other life stages of the littoral fish community.

Angler use data are lacking for many streams within the Catawba River basin. The NCWRC has conducted limited creel surveys on streams in the Catawba River basin. Early stream creels were conducted on the Daniel Boone, South Mountain, and Mt. Mitchell wildlife management areas during the mid 1960s (Wingate 1981). More recently, a creel survey was completed in 1998 on Curtis Creek, McDowell County, as part of an overall creel survey designed to evaluate the Hatchery Supported regulation type. Data from that creel survey have not been summarized. Recent creel data on Catawba River basin cold- and coolwater streams are needed.

Recent angler use data on Catawba River reservoirs are lacking. Creel surveys were conducted on Lake James in 1987-1988 and in 1997-1998. Lake Rhodhiss and Lake Hickory were sampled with creel surveys from 1996-1998. Preliminary data summaries have been prepared by Duke Power for Lake Rhodhiss and Lake Hickory. A final report is in preparation on recent creel surveys of all three reservoirs. Data are needed on angling pressure, catch, and harvest on all major Catawba River reservoirs.

Surveys for brook trout are ongoing within the Catawba River basin. Additional surveys are needed on both public and private lands. Of the known 27 populations of brook trout in the basin, only 10 (37%) have been genetically typed. A listing of those populations can be found in Appendix B-2. Genetic typing of all remaining brook trout populations in North Carolina was initiated in October 2003 and will be completed by June 2005.

Since the inception of the NCWRC Nongame and Endangered Wildlife program, the driving force of conservation efforts has been endangered species survey and management. As a result of limited funding and manpower, there are more unanswered questions regarding most aquatic and terrestrial nongame species than for game species within the Catawba River basin. General or historical distribution for most species is known; however, their present status, life history, and ecological relationships are generally poorly known. Consequently, information from surveys and ecological studies is needed to guide management planning for many nongame species throughout the basin. There is an immediate need for information on rare, threatened, and endangered species whose habitats have been directly or indirectly impacted by the construction and operation of the DPC Catawba-Wateree projects. Some tributaries have been surveyed recently for aquatic non-game species and further surveys are planned. In the mainstem Catawba River, the status of many species remains poorly understood. Of particular interest are mussel populations, native riverine fishes, and terrestrial species associated with riparian habitats. 42

V. LITERATURE CITED

Barwick, D. H. 2000. Utilization of coarse woody debris by fish in three Catawba-Wateree River lakes. Duke Power Company.

Besler, D. A. 2001a. Contribution of stocked fingerling brown trout in the Bridgewater tailrace. Interim Report, project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2001b. Contribution of stocked fingerling walleye in Lake James. Interim Report. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2002a. Contribution of stocked fingerling brown trout in the Bridgewater tailrace–2001. Interim Report, project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2002b. Contribution of stocked fingerling walleye in Lake James. Interim Report, project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2003a. Performance of stocked fingerling brown trout in the Bridgewater tailrace, 2000- 2002. Final Report, project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2003b. Contribution of stocked fingerling walleye in Lake James. Interim Report, project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2004. Contribution of stocked fingerling walleyes in Lake James. Final Report, project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Bonner, W. R. 1984. An update of special projects in the western region. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Borawa, J. C. 1989. Lake James creel survey, 1987-1988. Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh. 24 pp.

Borawa, J. C., C. J. Goudreau, and M. M. Clemmons. 1995. Responses of wild trout populations to supplemental feeding. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Borawa, J. C., J. H. Mickey, Jr., C. J. Goudreau, and M. M Clemmons. 2002. Wild trout population summary, 1989-1996. Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh. 101 pp.

Cordell, H. K., C. J. Betz, D. B. K. English, S. H. Mou, J. C. Bergstrom, R. J. Teasley, M. A. Tarrant, and J. Loomis. 1999. Outdoor recreation in American life: a national assessment of demand and supply trends. Sagamore Publishing, Champaign, Illinois.

Duke Power. 2000. The Catawba: An update on the Catawba River Basin and the Catawba reservoirs. Duke Power Company.

Dunham, R. A., A. Emory, and J. Borawa. 1997. Biochemical genetics of brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, in North Carolina. Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn. 43

Dunham, R. A., J. Liu, and H. Kucuktas. 1998. Genetics and breeding of fishes in North Carolina. Annual Performance Report Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-33-12. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Dunham, R. A., J. Liu, and H. Kucuktas. 1999. Genetics and breeding of fishes in North Carolina. Annual Performance Report Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-33-13. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Grist, J. D. 2002. Analysis of a blue catfish population in a southeastern reservoir: Lake Norman, North Carolina. Master’s thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.

Hallerman, E. M., and B. D. Borkholder. 1993. Genetic characterization of brook trout of the Wine Spring system of the Nantahala National Forest. U.S. Forest Service Southeastern Experiment Station, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Jones, T. W. 1985. Steelhead trout runs from Nantahala, Santeetlah, Fontana, and James reservoirs. Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh. 12pp.

Mason, R. J., and M. T. Mattson. 1990. Atlas of United States environmental issues. MacMillon Publishing Company, New York.

Menhinick, E. F. 1991. The freshwater fishes of North Carolina. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Boating and Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

NCDENR (North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources). 1993. Division of Water Quality. Maiden Creek investigation, Catawba County, sub-basin 03-08-35. Ecosystems Analysis Unit. Raleigh, NC.

NCDENR (North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources). 1998. Division of Water Quality. Environmental Science Branch Basinwide Assessment Report, Catawba River Basin.

NCDENR (North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources). 1999. Division of Water Quality. Catawba River Basinwide Management Plan.

NCDENR (North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources). 2000. Division of Water Quality. Water Quality Progress in North Carolina 1998-1999 305(b) Report.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1989. Casting the future of trout in North Carolina: a plan for management of North Carolina’s trout resources. Division of Boating and Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 2003. North Carolina inland fishing, hunting and trapping regulations digest, 2003-2004. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. 1992. Water quality investigation of Lake Wylie, April 1989- September 1990. Report No. 92-04. 44

Ratledge, H. M. and D. E. Louder. 1967. Coldwater stream studies. Final Report, project F-13-R, Workplan V. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Tebo, L. B., Jr. 1961. Inventory of fish populations of lentic waters. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Fish Division, Raleigh.

U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2001. National survey of fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation. Washington, DC.

Wingate, P. J., J. H. Davies, W. R. Bonner, R. J. Brown, H. M. Ratledge, and J. H. Mickey. 1981. Fall sampling of native and trophy trout streams. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

APPENDIX A-1. Bibliography of reports containing information on streams and reservoirs in the Catawba River basin not cited in the text of this document.

Adair, W. D. and J. B. Looper. 1968. Lake James investigation. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Borawa, J. C. 1989. Lake James creel survey, 1987-1988. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-13. Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Borawa, J. C. 1993. First year assessment of delayed harvest regulations. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Boating and Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Borawa, J. C., J. H. Mickey, Jr., and M. S. Davis. 1993. First year assessment of delayed harvest trout regulations. Proceedings of the forty-seventh annual conference Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 47: 642-649.

Borawa, J. C., and M. M. Clemmons. 1998. Evaluation of a wild trout regulation with a natural bait allowance. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J., Goudreau, C. J. and Borawa, J. C. 1987. Evaluation of the fishery resources of Lake James with special emphasis on the management of the walleye. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-13, Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J., Goudreau, C. J. and Borawa, J. C. 1989. An evaluation of the fishery resources of Lake James emphasizing walleye management. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-11. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Buff, B. M., and R. J. Brown. 1979. Trout stream assessment in South Mountains State Park. Final Report, project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Cloutman, D. G., R. D. Harrell, and L. E. Miller. 1988. Mountain Island creel summary. Duke Power Company research report, PES/88-11.

Davies, J. H. 1978. Native and trophy trout streams survey, 1978. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Duke Power Company. 1975. The lower Catawba lakes. Characterization of phyto- and zooplankton communities and their relationships to environmental factors.

Fish, F. F. 1969. Trout fishery surveillance. Statewide fisheries research study VI. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Flebbe, P. A. 1999. Trout use of woody debris and habitat in Wine Spring Creek, North Carolina. Forest Ecology and Management 114(1999):367-376.

APPENDIX A-1 continued.

Hudy, M., M. J. Van Den Avyle, and D. Fowler. Unknown date. Fish community structure inpotentiallyacid-sensitive streams of the Southern Blue Ridge Province. Unit Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0009-1598, Work Order No. 5. Georgia Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, School of Forest Resources University of Georgia, Athens.

Kearson, L. L. 1988. Assessment of trout population characteristics following the 1983 trout regulation changes. Division of Boating and Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

McInerny, M. C. 1988. Characteristics of the largemouth bass population in Lake Wylie. Duke Power Company research report, PES/88-02.

McNoughton, W. D. 1966. Upper Catawba and upper Yadkin River reservoirs: 1965 surveys. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Messer, J. B. 1966. Mountain reservoirs, 1965 Surveys. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Mickey, J. H., Jr. 1982. Surveys on Lookout Shoals Reservoir. Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Miller, R. W. 1972. River basin studies–effects of thermal pollution upon Lake Norman fishes. Completion Report F-19-4. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1952. Fish management investigations of trout streams. Quarterly progress report, volume II, number 2. Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1953. Fish management investigations. Quarterly progress report, volume III, number 1. Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1954. Coldwater fish management investigations. Quarterly progress report, volume IV, number 2. Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1961. Inventory of fish populations in lentic water. Job completion report. Federal Aid project F5R and F6R, Job #1. Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1972. Statewide fisheries management. Annual progress report, Study I, Management Recommendations (S&I). Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1973. The bioeconomics of supplemental feeding waters under “Native Trout” fishing regulations. Final Report, Jobs Nos. 1 and 2. Raleigh.

NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 1985. Steelhead trout investigations in North Carolina. Final Report, project F-24-9. Raleigh.

Newcomb, T. J., and J. S. Fuller. 2001. Anadromous and catadromous fish survey of Santee/Cooper basin in North Carolina and South Carolina. Final Report. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA. 47

APPENDIX A-1 continued.

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 2000. Basinwide assessment report - Catawba River Basin.

Olmstead, L. L., and D. G. Cloutman. 1979. Life history of the flat bullhead Ictalurus platycephalus in Lake Norman. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 108:38-42.

Phillips, H. A. 1966. Lower Yadkin and lower Catawba River reservoirs: 1965 surveys. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Plumb, J. A. 1973. Investigations of diseased fish from reservoirs in the Yadkin and Catawba river systems, North Carolina, November 5-7, 1973. Southeastern Cooperative Fish Disease Project. Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures. Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

Ratledge, H. M. 1955. Special investigations and research on wildlife management area streams. Completion report project F-6-R, Job No. 3. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Fish Division, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1956. Special investigations and research on wildlife management area streams. Completion report project F-6-R, Job No. 3. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Fish Division, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1957. Special investigations and research on wildlife management area streams. Completion report project F-6-R, Job No. 3. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Fish Division, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1958. Special investigations and research on wildlife management area streams. Completion report project F-6-R, Job No. 3. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Fish Division, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1960. Special investigations and research on wildlife management area streams - 1959 trout season. Completion report project F-6-R, Job No. 3. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Fish Division, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1961. Cold-water stream studies - 1960 trout season. Completion report work plan I, Job V, Project F-13-R. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1962. Trout management studies - 1961. Cold-water stream studies. Progress report work plan V, Job V, Project F-13-R. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1963. Trout management studies - 1962. Cold-water stream studies. Progress report work plan V, Project F-13-R. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1964. Trout management studies - 1963. Cold-water stream studies. Progress report work plan V, Job V, Project F-13-R. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1966. Survey and classification of the major cooperative wildlife management area trout streams. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh. 48

APPENDIX A-1 continued.

Ratledge, H. M. 1966. Summary of trout creel census data and stocking on the western wildlife management areas, 1966. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1966. The impact of increasing fishing pressure upon wild and hatchery-reared trout populations. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1967. Creel census data and stocking for eleven wildlife management areas, 1950-1963. Appendix 1, appendices to the cold-water stream studies. Final Report, project F-13-R, Workplan V. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1967. Progress report depicting creel census data and stocking for eleven wildlife management areas, 1964. Appendix 2, appendices to the cold-water stream studies. Final Report, project F-13-R, Workplan V. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1967. Creel census data and stocking numbers for eleven wildlife management areas, 1965. Appendix 3, appendices to the cold-water stream studies. Final Report, project F-13-R, Workplan V. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1967. The impact of increasing fishing pressure upon wild and hatchery-reared trout populations. Appendix 4, appendices to the cold-water stream studies. Final Report, project F- 13-R, Workplan V. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1967. Experimental “native trout” streams. Fish management research , work plan IX, trout studies. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M., W. R. Bonner, and T. E. Crowell. 1970. The management of waters under "Native Trout" fishing regulations. Annual progress report, Study XI-A, Project F-19-2. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M. 1971. Fish population survey of Lake James. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M., W. R. Bonner, and T. E. Crowell. 1971. The management of waters under "Native Trout" fishing regulations. Final Report, Study XI-A, Project F-19. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Ratledge, H. M., W. R. Bonner, and T. E. Crowell. 1972. The bioeconomics of supplemental feeding waters under “Native Trout” fishing regulations (Research). Annual progress report, Study XI, Project F-21-1. Division of Inland Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Ratledge, H. M. and J. H. Cornell. 1985. Migratory tendencies of the Manchester (IA) strain of rainbow trout. Pages 630-638 in T. Fendley, ed. Proceedings of the First-Sixth Annual Conferences Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners, 1947-1952. 49

APPENDIX A-1 continued.

Richardson, F. and H. M. Ratledge. 1960. Lake Hickory Study 1960. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Richardson, F. and H. M. Ratledge. 1961. Upper Catawba River reservoirs and Lake Lure. Pages 161-223 in L. B. Tebo, ed. Inventory of fish populations in lentic waters. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Santee-Cooper basin diadromous fish passage restoration plan. 2001. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. National Marine Fisheries Service. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Tatum, B. 1961. Yadkin and lower Catawba reservoirs. Job completion report, F5R and F6R, Job No. 1:151-158. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Tebo, L. B. Jr. 1957. Cold-Water fish management investigations. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration, Project F-6-R North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Tebo, L. B. Jr. 1957b. Cold-Water fish management investigations. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration, Project F-6- R. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Tebo, L. B. Jr. 1958. Cold-Water fish management investigations: Inventory of fish populations in impounded cold-water reservoirs. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration, Project F-6-R. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Tebo, L. B. Jr. 1959. Hickory Reservoir. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Tebo, L. B. Jr. 1959. Cold-Water fish management investigations: Inventory of fish populations in impounded cold-water reservoirs. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration, Project F-6-R. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1975. USEPA national eutrophication survey. Report on Lake James, Burke and McDowell counties, North Carolina. EPA Region IV. Working Paper No. 383.

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1975. USEPA national eutrophication survey. Report on Lake Hickory, Alexander, Caldwell,and Catawba counties, North Carolina. EPA Region IV. Working Paper No. 380.

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1975. USEPA national eutrophication survey. Report on Rhodhiss Lake, Burke and Caldwell counties, North Carolina. EPA Region IV. Working Paper No. 388.

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1975. USEPA national eutrophication survey. Report on Mountain Island Lake, Gaston and Iredell counties, North Carolina. EPA Region IV. Working Paper No. 386.

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1975. USEPA national eutrophication survey. Report on Lookout Shoals Lake, Alexander, Catawba, and Iredell counties, North Carolina. EPA Region IV. Working Paper No. 385. 50

APPENDIX A-1 continued.

USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). 1975. USEPA national eutrophication survey. Report on Lake Norman, Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties, North Carolina. EPA Region IV. Working Paper No. 387.

USFS (United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service). 1994. Land and resource management plan, Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, Amendment 5. National Forests in North Carolina, Asheville.

Van Horn, S. L. 1994. Summer habitat selections of striped bass in Lake Norman. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-23-15, Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Wingate, P. J., W. R. Bonner, R. J. Brown, J. H. Davies, J. H. Mickey, and H. M. Ratledge. 1984. Effects of regulation changes on lotic populations of wild trout. Proceedings of the Thirty- fifth Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 35:654- 660.

Wingate, P. J., Brown, R. J. & Buff, B. M. 1982. Creel survey and exploitation rates of white bass in Lake Wylie’s Allen steam station cooling canal. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Wohl, D. L., J. B. Wallace, and J. L. Meyer. 1995. Benthic macroinvertebrate community structure, function and production with respect to habitat type, reach and drainage basin in the southern Appalachians (USA). Freshwater Biology 34:447-464.

APPENDIX A-2. Bibliography of unpublished North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reports and data summaries containing information on streams and reservoirs in the Catawba River basin not cited in the text of this document. Reports are maintained in NCWRC district or regional files.

Adair, W. D. and Looper, J. B. 1968. Lake James investigation. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 1999a. Lake James crappie investigation survey summary 1998. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-23. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 1999b. Lake Rhodhiss crappie investigation survey summary 1998. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-23. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 1999c. Lake Rhodhiss striped bass investigation survey summary 1999. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2000a. Lake James white bass investigation survey summary 1999. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2000b. Lake Rhodhiss crappie investigation survey summary 1999. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2000c. Lake James crappie investigation survey summary 1999. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2000d. Lake James white bass investigation survey summary 1999. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2000e. Lake James walleye investigation survey summary 1999. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2001c. Lake James crappie investigation survey summary 2000. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2001d. Lake James walleye investigation survey summary 2000. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Besler, D. A. 2001e. Lake James white bass investigation survey summary 2000. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. 1979. Cove rotenone samples on Lake James, 1979. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-5. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. 1980a. Cove rotenone samples on Lake James, 1980. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-6. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. 1980b. Assessment of stocked steelhead trout in Lake James. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-6. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh. 52

APPENDIX A-2 continued.

Brown, R. J. 1996. An evaluation of trap nets for sampling crappie populations on Lake James. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-20, Survey Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. 1981. Cove rotenone samples on Mountain Island Reservoir, survey summary 1980. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24, Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. 1998. Lake James crappie investigation progress report, 1998. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-22. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Besler, D. A. 2001a. Lake James crappie investigation survey summary 2000. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Besler, D. A. 2001b. Lake Rhodhiss crappie investigation survey summary 2000. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Goudreau, C. J. 1996. Preliminary analysis of Lake James crappie populations. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-21. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Goudreau, C. J. 1997. Lake James crappie investigation, progress report 1996- 1997. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-22. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Kearson, L. L. 1984. Lake James survey report, 1981-1983. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-9. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Kearson, L. L. 1985. Lake Rhodhiss rotenone samples. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-9. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Kearson, L. L. 1986. An evaluation of the fishery resources of Lake James with special emphasis on the management of the walleye – progress report 1984. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-10. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Kearson, L. L. 1987. An evaluation of the fishery resources of Lake James with special emphasis on the management of the walleye – progress report 1985. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-11. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Brown, R. J. and Mickey, J. H. 1976. Lake James fishery management, 1957-1976. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-1. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Bustle, R. G. 1979. Striped bass population investigations: Badin Lake and Lake Norman 1975-1976. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-23-S. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

APPENDIX A-2 continued.

Chapman, W. R. 1979. Evaluation of largemouth bass population in Lake Norman. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-23-3. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Dorsey, L. G. 1998. An evaluation of two sampling techniques and population characteristics of black crappie in Lookout Shoals Reservoir. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24. Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Dorsey, L. G. 1999. Characteristics of the black and white crappie populations in Lake Hickory, survey summary 1998. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-S, Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Dorsey, L. G. 2000. Black and white crappie population characteristics in Lake Hickory using electrofishing. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24-S, Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Goudreau, C. J. 1996. Synopsis of Newberry Creek fishery management and preliminary analysis of the implementation of a catch-and-release regulation on brook trout. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Goudreau, C. J. 1997. Wilson Creek regulation assessment. Project F-24-21, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division if Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Goudreau, C. J. 1998. Bridgewater tailrace survey – 1997. Project F-24-22, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Goudreau, C. J. 1998. Effect of a catch-and-release regulation on brook trout in Newberry Creek. Project F-24-22, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries, Raleigh.

Hodges, K. B. 1997. A comparison of large mesh and standard mess trapnets in Lake Hickory and Lookout Shoals Reservoir. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-22, Final Report, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Hodges, K. B. 1998. A comparison of crappie collected with trap nets from 1 vs. 2 day sets in Lake Hickory and W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-22, Final Report, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

McNaughton, W. D. 1966. Upper Catawba and upper Yadkin River reservoirs, survey summary 1965. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Mickey, J. H. Jr. 1982. Surveys on Lookout Shoals Reservoir, survey summary 1981. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24, Final Report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Mickey, J. H. Jr. 1984. Lake Hickory, survey summary 1983. Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-24, Final Report North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

APPENDIX A-2 continued.

Mickey, J. H. Jr. 1993. Lookout Shoals Reservoir bass survey 1990. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Mickey, J. H. Jr. 1993. Lake Hickory bass survey 1990-1991. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Phillips, H. A. 1966. Lower Yadkin and lower Catawba River reservoirs, survey summary 1965. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

Van Horn, S. 1981. North Carolina bass catch survey summary, 1980 fisherman’s report. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.

APPENDIX B-1. List of fish population samples and creel survey efforts on streams within the Catawba River basin. For each stream, the source of data, years of collection, and method of sampling (C/R = cresol/rotenone, EF = electrofishing, CS = creel survey) are provided. Fish standing crop data were collected as follows: prior to 1969 with cresol, rotenone, or electrofishing; 1969-1971 by single-pass electrofishing using a generator; 1972-1978 by single pass electrofishing (Wingate et al. 1981); and 1979-present by multiple-pass electrofishing. Additional fish sampling information may be available from other sources not documented in this report.

Stream Year(s) data collected Data sources C/R EF CS Andrews Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X 1978 Brown (1979) X 1972-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1990-96 Borawa et al. (2001) X Anthony Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Armstrong Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1983-85 NCWRC (1985) X Back Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Boone Fork 1980 Bonner (1983) X Buck Creek1 1952-64 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1983-85 NCWRC (1985) X 1993 Unpublished NCWRC X Buck Creek2 1980 (Unpublished NCWRC) Buck Timber Creek 1976 Unpublished NCWRC X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Buffalo Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X Camp Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X 1993 Unpublished NCWRC X Carroll Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Catawba River 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X 1996 Goudreau (1997) X 1997 Goudreau (1998) X 2000 Besler (2001a) X 2001 Besler (2002a) X 2002 Unpublished NCWRC X Craig Creek 1952-56, 1958-63, 1965 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Cranberry Creek 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X Curtis Creek 1950-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1966-67 Ratledge (1967) X X X 1983-85 NCWRC (1985) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1979 Bonner (1983) X 1991-93 Borawa et al. (1995) X 1993 Borawa et al. (1995) X 1990-95 Borawa et al. (2001) X Frankum Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X

1 = McDowell County 2 = Burke County 56

APPENDIX B-1 continued.

Stream Year(s) data collected Data sources C/R EF CS Frankum Creek (Cont.) 1991 Unpublished NCWRC X Friddle Creek 1991 Unpublished NCWRC X Georges Creek 1991 Unpublished NCWRC X Gingercake Creek 1952-55, 1957-62, 1964 NCWRC (1967) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X Gragg Prong Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X Harper Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1969 Ratledge et al. (1970) X X 1969-71, 1975, 1978 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1970 Ratledge et al. (1970 X 1978 Bonner (1983) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Henry Fork 1958-64 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1995 Unpublished NCWRC X Henry River 1981 Bonner (1983) X Holly Springs Creek 1963-64 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X Honeycut Creek 1978 Bonner (1983) X Irish Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Jacobs Fork 1957-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1978 Bonner (1983) X Jarrett Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Joe’s Fork 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Johns River 1996 Unpublished NCWRC X Little River 1966 Ratledge (1966) X Laurel Branch 1968 Fish (1969) X Laurel Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Laurel Fork Creek 1979 Bonner (1983) X Laurel Log Creek 1979 Bonner (1983) X 1991-96 Goudreau (1996) X Little Buck Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X Little Fork Creek 1963-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 57

APPENDIX B-1 continued.

Stream Year(s) data collected Data sources C/R EF CS Little Wilson Creek 1996 Unpublished NCWRC X Ling Branch 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X Linville River 1952-61 NCWRC (1967) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1983-85 NCWRC (1985) X 2000-01 Unpublished NCWRC X Little Fork 1980 Bonner (1983) X Little River 1968 Fish (1969) X Little Wilson Creek 1969-72, 1974-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Lost Cove Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1970 Ratledge et al. (1970 X 1970-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1983 Bonner (1984) X 1990-94, 1996 Borawa et al. (2001) X Mackey Creek 1950-53, 1960-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1973-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1978 Brown (1979) X 1979 Bonner (1983) X 1995 Unpublished NCWRC X Major Branch 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X Mill Creek 1952 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X Mill Creek 1979 Bonner (1983) X 1991 Unpublished NCWRC X Milltimber Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X Mulberry Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1996 Unpublished NCWRC X Murray Branch 1957-61, 1963-64 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1978 Bonner (1983) X Nettles Branch 1957-62, 1964-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1978 Bonner (1983) X Newberry Creek 1950-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1979 Bonner (1983) X 1991-97 Goudreau (1998) X New Years Creek 1996 Unpublished NCWRC X North Fork Catawba R. 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1983-85 NCWRC (1985) X North Harper Creek 1969 Ratledge et al. (1970) X X 1969-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 58

APPENDIX B-1 continued.

Stream Year(s) data collected Data sources C/R EF CS North Harper Creek 1970 Ratledge et al. (1970 X (Cont.) 1978 Brown (1979) X 1978 Milltimber Creek 1996 Unpublished NCWRC X

Paddy Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1983-85 NCWRC (1985) X Parris Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Persimmon Ridge Br. 1978 Bonner (1983) X Phillips Mills Branch 1955, 1958-64 Ratledge (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Pritchard Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Raider Camp Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Ripshin Creek 1952, 1961-63, 1965 NCWRC (1967) X Ripshin Creek 1966 Ratledge (1966) X Rockhouse Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1991 Unpublished NCWRC X Roses Creek 1952-58 NCWRC (1967) X 1960-65 Ratledge (1966) 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1968 Fish (1969) X Sally Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Sassafras Creek 1952-59 NCWRC (1967) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 2001 Unpublished NCWRC X Sheehan Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Shiny Creek 1957-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1978 Bonner (1983) X Spencer Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X South Harper Creek 1969 Ratledge et al. (1970) X X 1970 Ratledge et al. (1970 X 1978 Bonner (1983) X Sorrell Hollow Branch 1979-82 Brown (1982) X Stack Rock Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Steels Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1962 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1969 Ratledge et al. (1970) X X 1969-70 Ratledge et al. (1971) X 1970 Ratledge et al. (1970 X 1969, 1972-78 Ratledge et al. (1972) X X 1969-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1972 NCWRC (1973) X 1978 Bonner (1983) X 59

APPENDIX B-1 continued.

Stream Year(s) data collected Data sources C/R EF CS Steels Creek (Cont.) 1983, 1986 Kearson (1988) X 1991-93 Borawa et al. (2001) X 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X Sugar Cove Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Swannanoa Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X 1979 Bonner (1983) X Swannanoa Creek 1998 Unpublished NCWRC X Thorps Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Thunderhole Creek 1968 Fish (1969) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X Timbered Branch 1960 Ratledge (1961) X 1961 Ratledge (1962) X 1963 Ratledge (1964) X 1978 Bonner (1983) X 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X 1993 Unpublished NCWRC X Toms Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Upper Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1963 Ratledge et al. (1970) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1969 Ratledge et al. (1970) X X 1969-72 Ratledge et al. (1971) X 1970 Ratledge et al. (1970 X 1969-72 Ratledge et al. (1972) X X 1969, 1971-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1972 NCWRC (1973) X 1978 Bonner (1983) X 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X 1990-95 Borawa et al. (2001) X Walnut Bottom Creek 1980 Bonner (1983) X Webb Creek 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X Webb Prong 1968 Fish (1969) X 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X West Fork Linville R. 1979-82 Brown (1982) X Whiteoak Creek 1957-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1966 Ratledge (1966) X 1968 Fish (1969) X Wilson Creek 1952-65 NCWRC (1967) X 1968 Fish (1969) X 1969 Ratledge et al. (1970) X X 1969-78 Wingate et al. (1981) X X 1970 Ratledge et al. (1970 X 1978 Brown (1979) X 1980 Bonner (1983) X 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X 1996 Goudreau (1997) X Yellow Fork 1980 Bonner (1983) X 60

APPENDIX B-2. Listing of brook trout populations and their genetic typing within the Catawba River basin (updated July 2004). Streams are listed in order of location in the drainage beginning at the lowest point and going upstream. Genetic typing is based on the diagnostic CK-A2 allele frequencies. "Southern" type, CK-A2 100 allele frequency = 1.000; "Northern" type, CK-A2 78 allele frequency = 1.000; "Mixed" type, CK-A2 100 allele frequency <1.000, but >0.000. Streams with the same letters are considered one single population. ND = No Data. NBKT = indicate streams that were sampled but no brook trout were found.

CK-A2 allele frequency

Stream Sample size Genetic type 100 78 Johns River (a)Frankum Creek NBKT ND ND ND (a)Georges Creek NBKT ND ND ND (b)Mills Creek ND ND ND ND (b)Friddle Creek NBKT ND ND ND Mulberry Creek 20 Mixed 0.50 0.50 Left Fork Mulberry Creek 20 Mixed 0.37 0.63 Unnamed tributary to Anthony Creek 17 Mixed 0.79 0.21 New Years Creek 23 Mixed 0.83 0.17

Wilson Creek North Harper Creek 13 Mixed 0.35 0.65 Sassafrass Creek 20 Northern 0.00 1.00 (c)Webb Creek ND ND ND ND (c)Unnamed tributary to Webb Creek 11 Northern 0.00 1.00 (d)Gragg Prong 25 Mixed 0.08 0.92 (d)Major Branch ND ND ND ND (d)Unnamed tributary to Major Branch ND ND ND ND (d)Ling Branch ND ND ND ND Bucks Timber Creek 20 Northern 0.00 1.00 Little Wilson Creek 18 Northern 0.00 1.00 (Big) Wilson Creek 20 Northern 0.00 1.00

Warrior Fork Timbered Branch NBKT ND ND ND Cranberry Creek 25 Mixed 0.76 0.24 Buck Creek 20 Northern 0.00 1.00 Gingercake Creek 20 Mixed 0.64 0.36 Steels Creek NBKT ND ND ND Unnamed tributary to Steels Creek NBKT ND ND ND

North Fork Catawba River Bee Rock Creek 20 Southern 1.000 0.000 Bad Fork 3 ND ND ND

Catawba River Mackey Creek 25 Southern 1.000 0.000 Newberry Creek 21 Mixed 0.675 0.325

APPENDIX B-3. List of data collections and creel survey efforts on Reservoirs within the Catawba River basin. For each reservoir, the source of the data, year of collection, and method of sampling are provided. Methods include: CR = cove rotenone; EF = electrofishing; GN = gill net; TN = trammel net; TRN = trap net; CS = creel survey; LS = limnological survey; SV = angler opinion survey.

Reservoir Year(s) data collected Report CR EF GN TN TRN CS LS SV Lake James 1957-59 Richardson & Ratledge (1961) X X X X 1961 Richardson & Ratledge (1961) X 1965 McNaughton (1966) X X X 1968 Adair & Looper (1968) X X X 1971 Ratledge (1971) X X 1973 Brown & Mickey (1976) X X X X X Plumb (1973) X X X X X 1975 Unpublished DPC X 1976 Brown & Mickey (1976) X X X X X 1978-79 Brown (1979; 1980b) X X 1980 Brown (1980a; 1980b) X X X 1981-82 Brown & Kearson (1984) X X 1983-86 Brown & Kearson (1984; 1986; 1987) X X X X Brown et al. (1987) X X X X 1987 Brown et al. (1989); Borawa (1989) X X X X X 1988 Brown et al. (1989); Borawa (1989) X X X X 1989-90 Unpublished NCWRC X X X 1991 Unpublished NCWRC X 1992 Unpublished NCWRC X 1993 Unpublished NCWRC X 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X 1995 Brown & Goudreau (1996) X X X X 1996 Brown & Goudreau (1997) X X X X 1997 Brown & Goudreau (1997) X X X Brown 1998 X X X 1998-99 Besler (1999a; 2000a) X X X X Besler (2000c; 2000d; 2000e) X X X X 2000 Besler (2001c; 2001d; 2001e) X X X X Brown & Besler (2001a) X X X X Unpublished NCWRC X X X X 2001 Unpublished NCWRC X X 2002 Unpublished NCWRC X X Unpublished DPC X X Lake Rhodhiss 1957-59 Tebo (1958; 1959) X 1965 McNaughton (1966) X X X 1973 Plumb (1973) X X 1983 Brown & Kearson (1985) X 1990-95 Unpublished NCWRC X X 1997-02 Besler (1999b; 2000b) X X X X Brown & Besler (2001b) X X X X Lake Hickory 1956-58 Tebo (1957; 1957b; 1959) X X X X 1959 Tebo (1959) X X X 1960 Richardson & Ratledge (1960) X 1965 McNaughton (1966) X X X 1972 Unpublished NCWRC X X X 1973 Plumb (1973) X X 1983 Mickey (1984) X X 62

APPENDIX B-3 continued.

Reservoir Year(s) data collected Report CR EF GN TN TRN CS LS SV Lake Hickory 1990-91 Mickey (1993) X (Cont.) 1991-94 Unpublished NCWRC X 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X 1997-1998 Dorsey (1999) X 1997-1998 Hodges (1997; 1998) X 1999 Dorsey (2000); X Unpublished NCWRC X 2002 Unpublished NCWRC X Lookout Shoals 1957-1959 Tebo (1958; 1959) X 1965 McNaughton (1966) X X X 1980 Van Horn (1981) X 1981 Mickey (1982) X X X 1990 Mickey (1993) X 1991-93 Unpublished NCWRC X 1994 Unpublished NCWRC X 1997 Hodges (1997) X 1998 Dorsey (1998) X X Lake Norman 1963 Unpublished NCWRC X 1965 McNaughton (1966) X X X 1973 Plumb (1973) X X 1975 Bustle (1979) X 1973-77 Chapman (1979); DPC X 1978 Unpublished DPC X X Unpublished NCWRC X X 1979 Unpublished DPC X 1980-81 Unpublished DPC X X X Unpublished NCWRC X X X 1982 Unpublished DPC X X Unpublished NCWRC X X 1983 Unpublished NCWRC X Unpublished DPC X 1984 Unpublished DPC X X X 1985 Unpublished DPC X 1986 Unpublished NCWRC X X Unpublished DPC X X 1987 Unpublished NCWRC X Unpublished DPC X 1988 Unpublished DPC X 1989 Unpublished NCWRC X X Unpublished DPC X X 1990 Unpublished DPC X 1991-92 Unpublished NCWRC X X Unpublished DPC X X 1993-94 Unpublished NCWRC X X Unpublished DPC X X Mountain Island 1957-59 Tebo (1958; 1959) X 1961 Tatum (1961) X 1965 Phillips (1966) X X X 1973 Plumb (1973) X X 1980 Brown (1981) X Unpublished DPC X 1989 Unpublished DPC X 1991-94 Unpublished NCWRC X X X 63

APPENDIX B-3 continued.

Reservoir Year(s) data collected Report CR EF GN TN TRN CS LS SV Lake Wylie 1957-59 Tebo (1958; 1959) X 1965 Phillips (1966) X X 1973 Plumb (1973) X X 1979 Unpublished DPC X X 1980-81 Unpublished DPC X 1982 Unpublished DPC X X 1983-85 Unpublished DPC X 1986 Unpublished DPC X X X 1987 Unpublished DPC X 1991-92 Unpublished NCWRC X 1993-94 Unpublished NCWRC X 1993-94 Unpublished SCDNR X 1995-96 Unpublished SCDNR X X 1999 Unpublished NCWRC X 64

APPENDIX C-1. Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters fishing classifications and regulations in effect on waters in the Catawba River basin (NCWRC 2003).

Daily creel Minimum Classification Waters Season limit size limit Lure restriction Wild Trout All waters on game lands not Year-round 4 7 inches Artificial lure classified otherwise having one All waters located on South single hook Mountains State Park (except the main stream of Jacob Fork between the mouth of Shinny Creek and the lower park boundary and Henry Fork and its tributaries) Gragg Prong Nettle Branch (game lands portion) North Harper Creek Rockhouse Creek South Harper Creek Webb Creek

Hatchery Archie Coffee Lake Open year 7 None None Supported Armstrong Creek (Cato Holler lower around line downstream to Greenlee upper except March line) 1 to Friday Boone Fork Pond before first Boyde Coffee Lake Saturday in Carroll Creek (game lands above SR April 1405) Henry Fork (lower South Mountains State Park line downstream to SR 1919 at Ivy Creek) Little Buck Creek (game lands portion) Linville River {Land Harbor line (below dam) to Blue Ridge Parkway boundary line, except where posted against trespass; game lands portion below the Blue Ridge Parkway; first bridge on SR 1223 below Lake James powerhouse to Muddy Creek} Mill Creek (upper railroad bridge to US 70 bridge) Milltimber Creek North Fork Catawba River (headwaters to North Cove School at SR 1569 bridge) Thorps Creek (falls to NC 90 bridge) Wilson Creek (Phillips Branch to Brown Mountain Beach dam)

Delayed Jacob Fork (Shinny Creek to lower South October 1 to No trout NA Artificial lures Harvest Mountains State Park boundary) Friday before may be having one Curtis Creek (game lands portion first Saturday harvested or single hook downstream of the US Forest Service in June possessed boundary at Deep Branch)

APPENDIX C-1 continued.

Daily creel Minimum Classification Waters Season limit size limit Lure restriction Catch and Wilson Creek (game lands portion) Year-round No trout NA Artificial lures Release– Henry Fork (portions on South may be having one Artificial Mountains State Park) harvested or single hook Lures Only Newberry Creek (game land portion) possessed

Catch and Lost Cove Creek (game lands portion, Year-round No trout NA Artificial flies Release– excluding Gragg Prong and Rockhouse may be having one Artificial Creek) harvested or single hook Flies Only possessed

APPENDIX C-2. Size and creel regulations for warmwater game fish found in the Catawba River basin.

Species Minimum size limit Daily creel limit Crappie (black and white) None Nonea Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) 12 inches, except 2 fish may be <12 inches 5b Striped bass and hybrid striped bass 16 inches, except 2 fish may be <16 inchesc 8d White bass None 25 Walleye Nonee 8f Muskellunge and tiger muskellunge 30 inches 2 All other warmwater game fish None None

a In Lake James the daily creel is 20 crappie (black and white). b Only five black bass in aggregate may be retained in the daily creel. c In Lake Norman the minimum size for striped bass and hybrid striped bass is 20 inches. d In Lake Norman only 4 striped bass and hybrid striped bass in aggregate may be retained in the daily creel. e In Lake James and its tributaries the minimum size for walleye is 15 inches. f In Linville River upstream of Lake James, the daily creel is 4 walleye. 67

APPENDIX D-1. Summary of stocking by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in streams in the Catawba River basin. Data are derived primarily from unpublished stocking records. Because the stream records were filed by county, and not by river basin, data for streams with common names or crossing county boundaries could not always be distinguished. Streams for which the data could not be clarified are in italics and should not be considered reliable. Data in the files for unknown streams were not included. Streams stocked since 1990 are bold.

Stream County Species Year(s) stocked Amos Creek Caldwell Brown trout 1951 Andrews Creek Avery Brook trout 1971 Rainbow trout 1967-70 Anthony Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1941, 1944, 1949-52, 1955, 1959, 1963-64, 1967-68, 1973 Brown trout 1945-47 Rainbow trout 1943, 1945-46, 1948, 1950-55, 1957-58, 1960-61 Armstrong Creek McDowell Brook trout 1943-51, 1955, 1959, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1944-45, 1947, 1950-54, 1956, 1958-64, 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1941-51, 1953-60, 1963-69, 1985-2004 Back Creek Burke Brown trout 1953 Bailey Camp Creek Caldwell Rainbow trout 1961 Bandit Cove Branch Burke Rainbow trout 1953 Barkhouse Creek Burke Brook trout 1955 Bee Rock Creek McDowell Brook trout 1949-51, 1955-56 Rainbow trout 1960 Big Camp Rock Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942-44 Big Grassy Creek Avery Brown trout 1953 Big Lost Cove Creek Avery Brook trout 1950-54 Rainbow trout 1946-48, 1950-54 Bird Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942-43 Brown trout 1951, 1953 Bill White Creek Avery Brook trout 1946, 1961 Brown trout 1952 Boone Fork Caldwell Brook trout 1987-2004 Brown trout 1990-2004 Rainbow trout 1987-2004 Buck Creek Burke Brook trout 1944, 1946-55 Brown trout 1943 Rainbow trout 1948, 1962 Buck Creek McDowell Brook trout 1944-45, 1953-58, 1971 Brown trout 1944, 1946, 1950 Rainbow trout 1941-48, 1950-52, 1957 Smallmouth bass 1964, 1966, 1972 Buck Timber Creek Avery Brook trout 1955, 1962-68 1950, 1953, 1960 Buffalo Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1941-42, 1949-53 Brown trout 1941-45, 1948-68, 1971 Rainbow trout 1941-42, 1944-53, 1959, 1961-63, 1965-66 Buffalo Creek Catawba Brook trout 1944 Bunt House Branch Burke Rainbow trout 1950 Camp Creek Avery Brook trout 1945-46 Rainbow trout 1945-46 Camp Creek Burke Brook trout 1967 68

APPENDIX D-1 continued.

Stream County Species Year(s) stocked Camp Creek (Cont.) Brown trout 1951 Rainbow trout 1960-66 Catawba River Burke3 Brown trout 1949-51, 1996-2004 Rainbow trout 1947, 1949, 1972 Largemouth bass 1945 Allexander Smallmouth bass 1950, 1960 Rock bass 1959 Iredell Bluegill 1951-52 Largemouth bass 1951 Rock Bass 1955-61 Sauger 1962 Smallmouth bass 1952, 1960 Gaston Bluegill 1947-48 Largemouth bass 1942, 1946, 1952 Carroll Creek Burke Brook trout 1953-60, 1963-72, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1946, 1962, 1985-2004 Cary Flat Branch Avery Brook trout 1989 Rainbow trout 1985, 1989-90 Clear Creek McDowell Brook trout 1945, 1952-53 Rainbow trout 1945-52 Smallmouth bass 1977 Cold Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1944 Rainbow trout 1947, 1961 Cold Spring Creek Caldwell Rainbow trout 1952 Cold Springs Creek Burke Brook trout 1951 Rainbow trout 1954 Coldwater Creek Caldwell Rainbow trout 1950 Cow Creek McDowell Brook trout 1955 Craig Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1941, 1945, 1950-56 Rainbow trout 1941, 1965-71 Cranberry Creek Burke Brook trout 1963 Crooked Creek McDowell Brown trout 1953 Rainbow trout 1946, 1962 Smallmouth bass 1949-50 Crossnore Creek Avery Brook trout 1963-69 Curtis Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942-44, 1946, 1948, 1950-73, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1947-48, 1952, 1954, 1964-65, 1967-73 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1942-73, 1985-2004 Davie Creek Caldwell Brown trout 1950 Dennis Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1941-42, 1960 Rainbow trout 1950, 1960-61 Dew Hart Creek Gaston Bluegill 1942 Dixon Spring Branch Avery Rainbow trout 1953 Duck Creek Allexander Brook trout 1957-60, 1970 Rainbow trout 1951-72 Duncan Cove Creek McDowell Brook trout 1953-73 Rainbow trout 1953 Dutchman Creek Gaston Largemouth bass 1942 East Fork Allexander Brook trout 1959, 1961-66 Rainbow trout 1960, 1962, 1967-69 69

APPENDIX D-1 continued.

Stream County Species Year(s) stocked East Prong Allexander Brook trout 1965-66 Fork Timber Branch Avery Brown trout 1950, 1956 Frankum Creek Caldwell Brown trout 1986 Gabes Mountain Creek Avery Brook trout 1965 Rainbow trout 1945, 1953, 1969 Gingercake Creek Burke Brook trout 1946-54 Gragg Prong Avery Brook trout 1941, 1947-70, 1972 Brown trout 1943-72 Rainbow trout 1943, 1946-72 Grandmother Creek Avery Brook trout 1944, 1962-66 Brown trout 1951-53, 1955, 1957-59 Rainbow trout 1951, 1953, 1955, 1957-61, 1967-69 Grandmother Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1945 Griffin Creek Burke Brown trout 1956 Griffith Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1954, 1962, 1963 Gunpowder Creek Caldwell Smallmouth bass 1962-63 Harpers Creek Avery Brook trout 1953-55, 1958 Brown trout 1970 Rainbow trout 1953-55, 1958, 1963-64 He Creek Burke Brown trout 1941 Rainbow trout 1961 Henry Fork River Burke Brook trout 1959, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1959, 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1956-67, 1969, 1985-2004 Smallmouth bass 1962, 1987 Catawba Rock bass 1948 Henry River Burke Rainbow trout 1941, 1963 Rock bass 1949 Smallmouth bass 1949, 1955, 1959-60, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 1971 Hickory Branch Avery Brook trout 1950 Hickory Branch McDowell Brook trout 1943 Honeycutt Creek McDowell Brown trout 1956 Rainbow trout 1945-60 Horse Pen Branch Burke Brook trout 1944 Hoyle Creek Burke Brown trout 1987 Rainbow trout 1987 Hull Branch Burke Brook trout 1963 Irish Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1941 Irwin Creek Union Largemouth bass 1991 Jacob Fork River Burke Brook trout 1963, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1953-63, 1965-72, 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1961-68, 1968, 1970-72, 1985-2004 Bluegill 1957 Catawba Largemouth bass 1964 Rainbow trout 1942, 1953-61, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1971-72 Rock bass 1948 Smallmouth bass 1964, 1966, 1968, 1976 Jarrett Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942 Joes Fork Caldwell Brook trout 1948-61, 1963, 1968-71 Brown trout 1954, 1956-61, 1971 Johns Creek McDowell Brook trout 1968 70

APPENDIX D-1 continued.

Stream County Species Year(s) stocked Johns River Burke / Brook trout 1942, 1955, 1963-64 Caldwell Brown trout 1942, 1945, 1953, 1955 Rainbow trout 1942, 1945, 1950-66, 1985 Bluegill 1952, 1957 Channel catfish 1951 Largemouth bass 1945, 1960 Rock Bass 1942, 1948-49, 1952-53 Burke / Smallmouth bass 1941, 1949-51, 1953-55, 1957, 1960, 1962-64 Caldwell 1968, 1972 Kawkins Creek Caldwell Brown trout 1950 Larkin Creek Caldwell Brown trout 1950-51 Laurel Branch McDowell Brook trout 1955 Laurel Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1961 Laurel Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1942, 1944-56 Brown trout 1950 Laurel Jog Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942-44, 1946 Lick Log Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942-43, 1953-61 Lin Cove Creek Avery Rainbow trout 1945, 1953 Linville Creek Avery Brook trout 1951 Linville River Avery1 Brook trout 1945-46, 1964, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1942-46, 1948-63, 1966-72, 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1943, 1945, 1947-48, 1950-51, 1958-63, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1985-2004 Smallmouth bass 1952 Burke2 Brown trout 1951-61, 1963-69, 1971-72, 1985-2002 Rainbow trout 1958-59, 1962-63, 1965-67 Burke3 Brook trout 1951, 1959, 1985-2002 Brown trout 1941, 1943, 1946, 1948, 1950-62, 1965, 1968-72, 1985-2002 Rainbow trout 1945-46, 1948-49, 1953, 1956-72, 1985-2002 Rock bass 1952-53 Smallmouth bass 1954 Walleye 1950 Little Buck Creek McDowell Brook trout 1944-73, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1994-2004 Rainbow trout 1942-43, 1994-2004 Little Creek Rainbow trout 1962 Little Duck Creek Allexander Rainbow trout 1962, 1965 Little Fork Creek Burke Brook trout 1944, 1973 Brown trout 1956 Rainbow trout 1953-54, 1962-63, 1965-66 Little Lost Cove Creek Avery Brook trout 1942, 1944, 1945-48, 1950-52, 1955 Rainbow trout 1949, 1952-53 Little Mackeys Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1943 Little River Allexander Largemouth bass 1950 Little River Catawba Rainbow trout 1950 Little Sugar Creek Union Bluegill 1983 Redear sunfish 1983 Little Wilson Creek Avery Brook trout 1955-67 Brown trout 1958, 1971 Rainbow trout 1945, 1950, 1953, 1959, 1967-70 Locust Cove Creek McDowell Brook trout 1969-70 71

APPENDIX D-1 continued.

Stream County Species Year(s) stocked Lost Cove Creek Avery Brook trout 1943-44, 1951, 1953, 1954-59, 1966-67 Brown trout 1943, 1948, 1951 Rainbow trout 1944, 1951, 1953-59, 1967 Lotts Mill Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1950 Mackeys Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942-44, 1946, 1948, 1950-52 Brown trout 1943, 1947, 1949-50 Rainbow trout 1943, 1945-46, 1948-53 McDowell Creek Avery Brook trout 1941 McGalliard Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1990-2004 Brown torut 1988, 1995, 1997, 1999 Rainbow trout 1985-91, 1993 Middle Prong Allexander Rainbow trout 1965 Mill Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942, 1944, 1949-50, 1962, 1966, 1988-2004 Brown trout 1945-46, 1950-52, 1954-60, 1963-73, 1987-2004 Rainbow trout 1941-51, 1953, 1958-59, 1963-64, 1970, 1985-2004 Mill Timber Creek Avery Brook trout 1951, 1962-72, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1949-59, 1971, 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1952-55, 1960-61, 1985-2004 Muddy Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1945 Bluegill 1964 Redear sunfish 1964 Mulberry Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1941, 1989 Brown trout 1953, 1989 Rainbow trout 1942, 1953-59, 1985-2004 Smallmouth bass 1976-77 Murray Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1955-61 Murry Creek Catawba Rainbow trout 1950 Neals Creek McDowell Brook trout 1965 Newberry Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942-44, 1946, 1948-73, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1943, 1948 Rainbow trout 1942-71, 1985-86, 1990 Negro Trestle Branch Caldwell Brook trout 1955 Brown trout 1950 Nettles Branch Burke Rainbow trout 1954-61 North Fork Catawba River McDowell Brook trout 1941, 1946, 1948, 1955-56, 1962, 1985-2004 Brown trout 1944-45, 1947, 1949-50, 1953, 1956-57, 1959, 1961-62, 1967-68, 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1941-42, 1945-54, 1956-71, 1985-2004 Bluegill 1945 Crappie 1941 Largemouth bass 1944-45, 1949-50, 1967 Smallmouth bass 1946 North Harper Creek Avery Brook trout 1942-54, 1956-64 Brown trout 1944, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1963-64, 1970 Rainbow trout 1943-64 North Prong Allexander Rainbow trout 1965 Norwood Creek Avery Brook trout 1952 Paddy Creek Burke Brook trout 1951-70, 1972 Rainbow trout 1954, 1962 Parrish Creek McDowell Brook trout 1942 72

APPENDIX D-1 continued.

Stream County Species Year(s) stocked Phillip Creek Caldwell Rainbow trout 1971 Pinchgut Creek Caldwell Rainbow trout 1950 Pups Creek McDowell Brook trout 1955 Rackett Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1963, 1967-68, 1972-73 Brown trout 1971 Rainbow trout 1946, 1957, 1959, 1962-67, 1972 Rip Shin Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1944 Brown trout 1956 Rockhouse Creek Avery Brook trout 1941, 1946-47, 1951, 1972, 1988 Brown trout 1960 Rainbow trout 1941, 1943-45, 1948-72, 1985-2002 Rock House Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1957-58, 1970-71 Roses Creek Burke Brook trout 1944-51 Rainbow trout 191-43, 1961-62 Roses Creek McDowell Brook trout 1944-46, 1949, 1951 Rainbow trout 1943 Russells Creek Burke Brook trout 1945 Rainbow trout 1944 Sally Creek Caldwell Brown trout 1950-51 Sally Queen Creek Rutherford Rainbow trout 1942 Sams Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1952 Sandy Creek Burke Brook trout 1956-60 Sassafras Creek Avery Brook trout 1942, 1950-52 Rainbow trout 1946-48, 1950 Shinny Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1956, 1958 Shinny Mountain Creek Burke Rainbow trout 1950, 1954-72 Shook Creek Burke Brook trout 1956 Simpson Creek Burke Brook trout 1944 Singecat Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1942, 1945 South Fork Catawba River Lincoln Bluegill 1948, 1952, 1961, 1963 Largemouth bass 1949-56, 1961, 1966, 1968 Smallmouth bass 1954 Gaston Bluegill 1957 Crappie 1941 Largemouth bass 1942, 1957, 1961, 1963 South Harper Creek Avery Brook trout 1963-64 Brown trout 1944, 1946-47, 1970, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990 Rainbow trout 1963-64, 1970 Sparks Creek Burke Brook trout 1946 Stacy Creek Avery Brook trout 1962-65 Rainbow trout 1950, 1960 Steels Creek Burke Brook trout 1942-63, 1966 Brown trout 1943, 1947-48, 1950, 1955-63, 1970 Rainbow trout 1941, 1947-54, 1962-63 Sugar Cove Creek McDowell Brook trout 1954-73 Rainbow trout 1953 Sugar Creek Avery Brook trout 1963 Rainbow trout 1951, 1954, 1963 Sugar Creek McDowell Brook trout 1970 Summey Creek Burke Brook trout 1942 Swannanoa Creek McDowell Brook trout 1958-61, 1964-71, 1973 Brown trout 1947, 1966 73

APPENDIX D-1 continued.

Stream County Species Year(s) stocked Swannanoa Creek (cont.) Rainbow trout 1948, 1962-63, 1967 Thorpe Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1993-2002 Brown trout 1951, 1986, 1993-2002 Rainbow trout 1990-2002 Three Mile Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1951-52 Three Top Creek Burke Brook trout 1960 Thunder Creek Caldwell Rainbow trout 1953-56 Thunderhole Creek Caldwell Brook trout 1941, 1944, 1968 Rainbow trout 1945, 1961, 1967, 1972 Timber Branch Creek Burke Brook trout 1955 Rainbow trout 1954, 1963 Tom Speagle Branch Catawba Brown trout 1943 Rainbow trout 1943 Turkey Cove Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1945 Upper Creek Burke Brook trout 1962-69 Brown trout 1942, 1945-47, 1949-54, 1960, 1963-66, 1970 Rainbow trout 1941, 1943, 1946-47, 1949-65 Bluegill 1957 Rock bass 1953 Burke Smallmouth bass 1941, 1950-51, 1955, 1957, 1959-60, 1962-64 1966, 1968 Walnut Bottom Caldwell Brook trout 1941 Rainbow trout 1955, 1962 Webb Prong Avery Brook trout 1962-66, 1988-98 Brown trout 1988-98 Rainbow trout 1952, 1960, 1969, 1972, 1985-98 West Prong Allexander Rainbow trout 1965 White Creek Burke Brook trout 1956-60 White Oak Creek Burke Brook trout 1963 Brown trout 1964 Rainbow trout 1946, 1950, 1953-72 Wilson Creek Avery / Brook trout 1963, 1970, 1972, 1985-2004 Caldwell Brown trout 1942, 1947, 1949-72, 1985-2004 Rainbow trout 1942, 1945-72, 1985-2004 Smallmouth bass 1941, 1950, 1955-56 Youngs Creek McDowell Rainbow trout 1945

1 = Linville River upstream of Linville Falls including National Park Service land, 2 = Linville River above Lake James primarily within the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. 3 = Approximately 1.5 km section of Linville River below Lake James (Bridgewater tailrace) is listed as both Catawba and Linville Rivers on several NCWRC stocking records. Some stocking did occur in the Catawba River downstream of Lake James as well. 74

APPENDIX D-2. Summary of stocking by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in major reservoirs in the Catawba River basin. Data are derived primarily from unpublished stocking records.

Reservoir Species Year(s) stocked Lake James Bluegill1 1942, 1944, 1947, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1961, 1972 Channel catfish 1966, 1972, 1979, 1982, 1992 Largemouth bass 1941-44, 1946-47, 1949-50, 1952, 1957-58, 1995, 2000 Redear sunfish 1997 Smallmouth bass 1942, 1953-57, 1959, 1961-62, 1966, 1969-70, 1977-78, 1981-87 Threadfin shad 1946, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1983- 1987, 1990-92, 1995, 1997 Steelhead trout 1976-83 Walleye 1949-50, 1952, 1954, 1977-78, 1981-86, 1989-2004 White bass 1960-61 Opossum shrimp 1970-71 Lake Rhodhiss Bluegill1 1948, 1952, 1956-58 Largemouth bass 1949-51, 1953, 1956-58, 1960-63, 1969 Smallmouth bass 1955, 1959, 1962, 1964 Striped bass 1959, 1961-63, 1966-68, 1976, 1985, 1987-90, 1992-2004 Tiger muskellunge 1976-82 Threadfin shad 1946, 1967-68, 1986-88, 1992, 1995, 1997 White bass 1960-61 Walleye 1950, 1954-55 Lake Hickory Bluegill1 1951, 1954, 1957, 1972 Largemouth bass 1951-54, 1958, 1972 Rainbow trout 1960 Smallmouth bass 1953-55 Striped bass 1953-56, 1959, 1975-77, 1981, 1984-90, 1992, 1994-95, 1997-2004 Threadfin shad 1967-68, 1977, 1985-87, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997 Walleye 1954-55 White bass 1960-61 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Bluegill1 1954 Channel catfish 1981 Hybrid catfish2 1964 Largemouth bass 1949-54, 1958, 1960-61, 1963-64, 1978 Smallmouth bass 1950-51, 1956 Striped bass 1955, 1976-77, 1981-82, 1984-85, 1987-90, 1992-95, 1997-2004 Threadfin shad 1967-68, 1983-84, 1987-88, 1992, 1995 Walleye 1954-55 White Bass 1954 Lake Norman Blue catfish 1966 Bluegill1 1949, 1963 Channel catfish 1965-66 Flathead catfish 1965-66 Gizzard shad 1999 Largemouth bass 1941-44, 1946-47, 1949, 1960-61, 1963, 1966, 1978 Sauger 1962 75

APPENDIX D-2 continued.

Reservoir Species Year(s) stocked Lake Norman (cont.) Smallmouth bass 1963-65 Striped bass 1966-69, 1971-72, 1975-79, 1981-2004 Threadfin shad 1963 Mountain Island Reservoir Bluegill1 1950-51, 1954, 1957, 1960-61, 1963 Largemouth bass 1950-58, 1961 Striped bass 1965, 1975-79, 1981-82, 1984, 1986-90, 1992-95, 1997, 1999-04 Walleye 1954 White Bass 1952, 1954, 1963 Lake Wylie Threadfin shad 1961 Walleye 1956 White bass 1952

1 = Species listed usually as “bream” on stocking records. Anecdotal evidence suggests the species actually stocked was bluegill Lepomis machrochirus. 2 = No information given regarding the species of catfish used to create hybrid. 76

APPENDIX D-3. Habitat improvement structures installed by the NCWRC into Catawba River reservoirs by year.

Year Reservoir Type of structure Number of structures 1988 Lake Hickory Tires1 600 1989 Lake Hickory Wood pallets2 300 Lookout Shoals Reservoir 300 1990 Lake James Christmas trees3 900 Lake Rhodhiss Christmas trees 200 Lake Hickory Christmas trees 600 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Wood pallets 200 1991 Lake James Christmas trees 900 Lake Hickory Christmas trees 400 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Wood pallets 100 Mountain Island Reservoir Christmas trees 300 1992 Lake James Christmas trees 500 Lake Rhodhiss Christmas trees 200 Lake Hickory Christmas trees 300 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Christmas trees 200 1993 Lake James Christmas trees 500 Lake Hickory Christmas trees 250 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Christmas trees 200 Mountain Island Reservoir Christmas trees 200 Lake Wylie Christmas trees 200 1994 Lake James Christmas trees 300 Lake Rhodhiss Christmas trees 200 Lake Hickory Christmas trees 200 Mountain Island Reservoir Christmas trees 200 Lake Wylie Christmas trees 200 1995 Lake James Christmas trees 300 Lake Rhodhiss Christmas trees 200 Lake Hickory Christmas trees 200 Mountain Island Reservoir Christmas trees 200 Lake Wylie Christmas trees 200 1996 Lake James Hardwood trees4 45 Lake Hickory Hardwood trees 40 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Hardwood trees 25 Mountain Island Reservoir Christmas trees 200 1997 Lake James Hardwood trees 40 Lake Hickory Hardwood trees 40 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Hardwood trees 30 Mountain Island Reservoir Hardwood trees 20 1998 Lake James Hardwood trees 40 Lake Hickory Hardwood trees 42 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Hardwood trees 25 Lake Wylie Hardwood trees 30 1999 Lake James Hardwood trees 30 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Hardwood trees 20 2000 Lake James Hardwood trees 30 Lake Rhodhiss Hardwood trees 25 77

APPENDIX D-3 continued.

Year Reservoir Type of structure Number of structures 2000 (Cont.) Lake Hickory Hardwood trees 20 2001 Lake James Hardwood trees 15 Lake Rhodhiss Hardwood trees 10 Lake Hickory Hardwood trees 30 Lookout Shoals Reservoir Hardwood trees 10 2002 Lake James Hardwood trees 30 Lake Rhodhiss Hardwood trees 12 Lake Hickory Hardwood trees 26

1 = Automobile tires bundled together. 2 = Wood pallets bundled together in groups of 5-7. 3 = Christmas trees bundled together in groups of 6-10. 4 = Large hardwood trees anchored in 15-25 ft water. 78

APPENDIX E-1. Comments received by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission on the draft Fish and Wildlife Management Plan for the Catawba River Basin. 79

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90