Tallapoosa River Fish Passage Information Document

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TALLAPOOSA RIVER FISH PASSAGE INFORMATION DOCUMENT

MARTIN RELICENSING PROJECT FERC NO. 364

Prepared by:

JANUARY 2011

TALLAPOOSA RIVER FISH PASSAGE INFORMATION DOCUMENT

MARTIN RELICENSING PROJECT FERC NO. 364

Prepared by:

JANUARY 2011

TALLAPOOSA RIVER FISH PASSAGE INFORMATION DOCUMENT

MARTIN RELICENSING PROJECT FERC NO. 364

ALABAMA POWER COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN AND FISH PASSAGE LIMITATIONS ...... 2

3.0 BIOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED ...... 6

4.0 SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND ...... 11

5.0 SCIENTIFIC UNKNOWNS ...... 29

6.0 OBSERVATIONS – RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 30

7.0 LITERATURE CITED ...... 31

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 2-1 LOCATION OF THE LAKE MARTIN HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT ON THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER, AL ...... 3 FIGURE 2-2 LOCATION OF ALABAMA PROJECTS ON THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER ...... 4 FIGURE 2-3 LOCATION OF DAMS ON THE ALABAMA, COOSA, AND TALLAPOOSA RIVERS ...... 5

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 3-1 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED IN THE ALABAMA RIVER ...... 6 TABLE 3-2 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED OR BELIEVED TO BE PRESENT DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER ...... 8 TABLE 3-3 TIER 1 MIGRATORY FISH SPECIES DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER ...... 9 TABLE 3-4 TIER 2 FISH SPECIES THAT ARE HOSTS FOR MUSSEL SPECIES ...... 9 TABLE 3-5 PERCID SPECIES PRESENT DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER ...... 10 TABLE 4-1 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED IN THE ALABAMA RIVER ...... 15 TABLE 4-2 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED OR BELIEVED TO BE PRESENT DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER ...... 26

i TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D.)

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX-ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE) APPENDIX B HISTORIC WALLEYE COLLECTIONS IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM APPENDIX C DISTRIBUTION OF THE AMERICAN EEL IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER

J:\535\008\Docs\Martin SP-1 Migratory Fish Tallapoosa Basin Literature Report 12-22-10.doc

TALLAPOOSA RIVER FISH PASSAGE INFORMATION DOCUMENT

MARTIN RELICENSING PROJECT FERC NO. 364

ALABAMA POWER COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Alabama Power Company (Alabama Power) is currently relicensing the Martin hydroelectric project on the Tallapoosa River, Alabama. The relicensing process includes a multi-year cooperative effort between Alabama Power and interested stakeholders to address operational, recreational, and ecological concerns associated with hydroelectric project operations. During the initial (scoping) phase of the relicensing process, Alabama Power consulted a wide variety of stakeholders, including state and federal resource agencies, non- governmental organizations and concerned citizens, by seeking their input on important relicensing issues. Stakeholders identified several issues to be addressed during this relicensing process, including fish passage on the Tallapoosa and Alabama Rivers.

As part of the relicensing process, Alabama Power held several meetings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other stakeholders to further refine the fish passage issue. As part of these discussions, the USFWS identified preparation of a Fish Passage Information Document which would describe the fish passage issue and identify potential opportunities to enhance fish passage for anadromous, catadromous, and diadromous species on the Tallapoosa River. The purpose of this document is to present the framework for addressing fish passage in the Martin relicensing process. Specifically, this document outlines the information needed to address the fish passage issue:

• What are the current limitations for fish passage on the Alabama and Tallapoosa Rivers? • What are the identified biological objectives for fish passage? • What biological/fish passage information do we currently have? • What biological/fish passage information do we need? • What is a reasonable initial approach to address fish passage?

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN AND FISH PASSAGE LIMITATIONS

The Tallapoosa River is located in a sub-basin of the Mobile River basin that begins in western Georgia and flows southwesterly through east central Alabama (Figure 2-1). The headwaters of the Tallapoosa and Little Tallapoosa Rivers begin in Paulding and Carroll counties, Georgia and enter Alabama in Randolph County southwest of the City of Atlanta to form the main stem of the Tallapoosa River. From this point, the Tallapoosa meanders southwesterly through four Alabama Power owned hydroelectric projects (R. L. Harris Dam, Martin Dam, Yates Dam, and Thurlow Dam) before joining the Coosa River to create the Alabama River. The four dams are located on the Tallapoosa River at: R. L. Harris Dam - River Mile (RM) 139.1; Martin Dam - RM 60.6, Yates Dam – RM 52.7, and Thurlow Dam – RM 49.7 (Figure 2-2) (APC 2008). In addition to the dams, a natural bedrock outcrop – Tallassee Falls – exists at RM 49 to RM 47. Over this two river mile section, the river channel drops approximately 9 ft in elevation. This change in elevation was likely a natural barrier to fish movement. Although the nearby Alabama River is considered a critical navigation route for commercial barge traffic, the Tallapoosa River does not contain locks on any of the dams that would allow passage for motorized boats of any kind. However, flows from the Tallapoosa River contribute significantly to navigational and environmental flows necessary to sustain operations in the Alabama River.

The confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers form the Alabama River near Wetumpka, Alabama. In order to improve navigation on the Alabama River, three locks and dams at Robert F. Henry, Millers Ferry, and Claiborne were built and opened to navigation in 1972 (Figure 2-3). Robert F. Henry Lock and Dam forms R.E. “Bob” Woodruff Lake and is located in Lowndes and Autauga counties. Millers Ferry Lock and Dam forms William “Bill” Dannelly Lake and is located in Wilcox County. Claiborne Lock and Dam, located in Monroe County, is the southernmost dam on the Alabama River. The 82 miles below Claiborne Lock and Dam to the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers are the last undammed sections of river habitat in Alabama and support high species diversity and abundance. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2009).

FIGURE 2-1 LOCATION OF THE LAKE MARTIN HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT ON THE

TALLAPOOSA RIVER, AL

FIGURE 2-2 LOCATION OF ALABAMA PROJECTS ON THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER

FIGURE 2-3 LOCATION OF DAMS ON THE ALABAMA, COOSA, AND TALLAPOOSA RIVERS (Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2008)

3.0 BIOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED

The biological objectives should address three main areas:

• Which species are targets for fish passage on the Tallapoosa River (e.g., diadromous/catadromous/anadromous fishes, mussel hosts, percid species that have experienced severe habitat fragmentation)? • What are the fish passage goals for the selected species (e.g., upstream and downstream for the American eel)? • What are the long-term restoration goals for the selected species (e.g., restore connectivity/reduce fragmentation)?

In 1996, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) prepared a Section 1135 Preliminary Restoration Plan for the Alabama River in response to a request from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The plan states that there are 144 species of fish in the Alabama River (Mettee et al. 1996), but there are 32 migratory species (Table 3-1) that may benefit from fish passage at Claiborne Lock & Dam. Species of special concern are the Gulf sturgeon, Alabama sturgeon, paddlefish, Alabama shad, and the American eel. As described in Section 2.0, there are currently no fish passage facilities at the Claiborne Dam other than the boat lock facility.

TABLE 3-1 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED

IN THE ALABAMA RIVER (USACE 2001)

SPECIES OF MOVEMENT SPECIES SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS CONCERN Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) x Anadromous Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi) x Diadromous mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) Diadromous paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) x Diadromous alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula) Diadromous American eel (Anguilla rostrata) Catadromous Alabama shad (Alosa alabamae) x Anadromous skipjack herring (Alosa chrysochloris) Diadromous Southeastern blue sucker (Cycleptus Diadromous meridionalis) Alabama hog sucker (Hypentelium etowanum) Diadromous smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) Diadromous

SPECIES OF MOVEMENT SPECIES SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS CONCERN quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) Diadromous highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer) Diadromous spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops) Diadromous river redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) Diadromous black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei) Diadromous golden redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) Diadromous blacktail redhorse (Moxostoma poecilurum) Diadromous channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Diadromous blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) Diadromous flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) Diadromous Atlantic needlefish (Strongylura marina) Diadromous white bass (Morone chrysops) Diadromous striped bass (Morone saxatilis) Anadromous spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) Diadromous largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) Diadromous southern walleye (Sander vitreus) Diadromous freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) Diadromous hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus) Diadromous striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) Diadromous

From 1984 through 2009, Alabama Power has conducted fisheries surveys on the Tallapoosa River downstream of the Thurlow Project as part of a minimum flow evaluation plan for that project. The anadromous, catadromous, and diadromous fish species collected during those surveys or believed by the USFWS to be present in the Tallapoosa are listed in Table 3-2.

TABLE 3-2 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED OR BELIEVED TO BE PRESENT

DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER

COLLECTED IN MOVEMENT COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME TALLAPOOSA BY CHARACTERISTICS ALABAMA POWER Alabama sturgeon Scaphirhynchus suttkusi Diadromous No paddlefish Polyodon spathula Diadromous Yes American eel Anguilla rostrata Catadromous Yes mooneye Hiodon tergisus Diadromous Yes Alabama shad Alosa alabamae Anadromous No skipjack herring Alosa chrysochloris Diadromous Yes "shoal chub" Machrybopsis sp. cf. M. aestivalis "A" Yes (as M. aestivalis) Yes (as M. aestivalis) "shoal chub" Machrybopsis sp. cf. M. aestivalis "B" silver chub Macrhybopsis storeriana Yes southeastern blue sucker Cycleptus meridionalis Diadromous Yes river redhorse Moxostoma carinatum Diadromous Yes shadow bass Ambloplites ariommus Diadromous Yes redspotted sunfish Lepomis miniatus Yes redeye bass Micropterus coosae Diadromous Yes stippled studfish Fundulus bifax No crystal darter Crystallaria asprella Yes lipstick darter Etheostomoa chuckwachatte No freckled darter Percina lenticula Yes muscadine bridled darter Percina smithvanizi No southern walleye Sander vitreus Diadromous Yes

These species were ranked by the USFWS into three “Tiers” for fish passage consideration. Table 3-3 lists “Tier 1” Migratory Fish species identified that are targets for restoration and fish passage. Table 3-4 lists “Tier 2” fish species that are hosts for mussel spawning. Table 3-5 lists “Tier 3” percid fish species.

TABLE 3-3 TIER 1 MIGRATORY FISH SPECIES DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE

TALLAPOOSA RIVER

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME JUSTIFICATION AND NEED Alabama sturgeon Scaphirhynchus Movements are restricted in Alabama River by suttkusi the three Corps of Engineers Dams. Recent collection of individual on the Alabama near. paddlefish Polyodon spathula Current spawning occurs in the Tallapoosa River. Maintain or increase spawning conditions to insure continued success of species. American eel Anguilla rostrata Catadromous species that was historically abundant in the Tallapoosa Basin. APC collections have detected species in Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam. mooneye Hiodon tergisus Alabama shad Alosa alabamae skipjack herring Alosa chrysochloris southeastern blue Cycleptus sucker meridionalis river redhorse Moxostoma carinatum

TABLE 3-4 TIER 2 FISH SPECIES THAT ARE HOSTS FOR MUSSEL SPECIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME JUSTIFICATION AND NEED Blacktail shiner Cyprinella venusta Known host for the southern clubshell. Machrybopsis sp. cf. "shoal chub" M. aestivalis "A" Machrybopsis sp. cf. "shoal chub" M. aestivalis "B" Ambloplites shadow bass ariommus redspotted sunfish Lepomis miniatus redeye bass Micropterus coosae Known host for the fine-lined pocketbook.

TABLE 3-5 PERCID SPECIES PRESENT DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE

TALLAPOOSA RIVER

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME JUSTIFICATION AND NEED crystal darter Crystallaria asprella Etheostomoa lipstick darter chuckwachatte freckled darter Percina lenticula muscadine bridled darter Percina smithvanizi southern walleye Sander vitreus

Fish Passage and/or Restoration goals for each of these species should follow approved fishery management plans if they are in place (FERC 2003). These will include any U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and/or NOAA Fisheries conservation agreements or restoration plans.

4.0 SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND

This section consolidates much of the existing information for the fish species identified in Tables 3-1 through 3-5 (i.e. habitat, spawning characteristics, spawning characteristics, general characteristics, distribution and whether they are documented in the Tallapoosa Basin.

Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)

The Gulf sturgeon is an anadromous species that occurs in most river systems from the Mississippi River to the Suwannee River and in marine waters of the East and Central Gulf of Mexico south to Florida Bay (USFWS and GSMFC 1995). Although the Mobile River and its tributaries were excluded from the 2003 critical habitat (CH) designation, numerous historical records of Gulf sturgeon occur as far up the Coosa River as Wetumpka, and up the Cahaba River as far as Centerville. Gulf sturgeon typically spends about 8 months in rivers and the remainder of the year in the marine environment. In the spring, adult sturgeon stage in bays and coastal rivers prior to making spawning runs up the rivers. Spawning typically occurs between March and May, over hard substrates (clay, gravel, or shell). Eggs are deposited individually or in ribbonlike strands and adhere to rocks or other permanent structure as they drift downstream (Boschung and Mayden 2004). The decline of the sturgeon is attributed to over-fishing, habitat modification resulting from navigational development, and water quality degradation (USFWS 2000a).

Due to the large size of the Gulf sturgeon and the fact that it typically occupies benthic habitats, they will likely require specialized structures to move upstream. These structures could be anything from installing lifts to simply making modifications to the sill. Restoration goals for the Gulf sturgeon are to restore and increase population levels by providing upstream and downstream access to historic spawning grounds and coastal habitats.

Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi)

The Alabama sturgeon is a diadromous species endemic to the Mobile River basin. It is a small, freshwater “shovel-nose” sturgeon historically occurring in the Black Warrior, Tombigbee, Alabama, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Mobile, Tensaw, and Cahaba Rivers. It has apparently disappeared

from 85 percent of its historic range, including the upper Tombigbee, lower Black Warrior, lower Tallapoosa, and upper Cahaba, where it was last reported in the 1960's; the Mobile- Tensaw Delta, last reported in 1985; the lower Coosa, last reported ca. 1970; lower Tombigbee, last reported ca. 1975; and lower Cahaba, last reported in 1985 (USFWS 2000a). Very little is known about the life history and habitat requirements of the Alabama sturgeon; however, the preferred spawning habitat is presumed to be stable gravel and sand substrates in flowing river channels (Burke and Ramsey 1985). The decline of the species has been attributed to overfishing, loss and fragmentation of habitat resulting from navigational development and water quality degradation (USFWS 2000a).

Since no previous studies have addressed passage of the Alabama sturgeon, it might be safe to presume that a strategy similar to the Gulf sturgeon will work. There is a pending critical habitat rule that will designate the Alabama River from its confluence with the Tombigbee River, upstream to R.F. Henry Lock and Dam as critical habitat. The rule also encourages agencies and industries to work together to provide passage at the three Alabama River projects. Restoration goals for the Alabama sturgeon are to restore population levels by providing upstream and downstream access to riverine habitats upstream of Claiborne L&D.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

The striped bass or “rockfish” as it is often called is an anadromous species that ascends freshwater rivers to spawn. Although the striped bass spawns over a variety of substrates (from hard-gravel bottoms to silt and sand bottoms) it always requires flowing stretches of riverine habitat for egg and larval development. Velocities must be strong enough to keep the eggs suspended in order to prevent them from settling to the bottom and suffocating. Striped bass also utilize freshwater rivers as cool water refuges. Springs and deep riverine channels are heavily utilized during the summer and early fall months. The inability to access these areas may be one of the most important limiting factors affecting striped bass in the Mobile River system (SBTTF 2006).

In recent years, there has been considerable discussion over two genetically distinct races of striped bass, the Gulf and the Atlantic race (SBTTF 2006). The Gulf race is the native species in the Mobile River system; however, by the late 1960’s it was nearly extirpated from the system.

Since that time both the Gulf and Atlantic race striped bass have been widely stocked and persist in most areas of the Mobile Basin.

According to the SBTTF (2006), the specific restoration goals for the striped bass in the Mobile- Alabama-Tombigbee Rivers are to: (1) maintain a mixed Gulf and Atlantic race recreational fishery at an optimum yield level that is supported by natural reproduction and escapement from upstream waters and supplemental stocking of Gulf race striped bass, 2) maintain Gulf race striped bass broodstock sources in Lewis Smith Lake and Lake Martin in the short term, and (3) establish a self-sustaining population of Gulf race striped bass that can support a recreational fishery at an optimum yield level consistent with the carrying capacity of available, restored, and enhanced habitat in the Tallapoosa River between R.L. Harris Dam and Lake Martin in the long term. The specific restoration goal for this project is to provide the native Gulf race upstream access to riverine reaches of the Alabama as well as its larger tributaries and downstream access to the Gulf of Mexico.

American eel (Anguilla rostrata)

The American eel is a catadromous species that historically occurred in nearly all inland waters throughout the east and Gulf coasts of North and South America. In the Mobile Basin, the species occurred from the headwaters to Mobile Bay. The American eel is a long-lived species (>30 yrs) with an unusual life cycle. It spends most of its adult life in fresh or brackish waters and returns to the ocean (presumably the Sargasso Sea) to spawn (ASMFC 1999). Its life cycle consists of several notable stages including egg, leptocephalus, glass eel, elver, yellow, and silver; the silver eel is the recognized adult form. It normally takes between 7 to 30 years for the species to reach sexual maturity. The elver is the form typically observed in estuarine and riverine habitats ascending its freshwater destinations. The decline of the species is attributed to over-harvest and loss and fragmentation of habitat resulting from navigational developments and other impoundments.

Construction of specialized eel-ways has been successful at moving eels upstream in several Atlantic Coast drainages. These structures typically consist of an inclined ramp with a textured surface that allows the eel to use its natural motion to move up and over the dam. Restoration goals for the American eel are to restore population levels by providing upstream and downstream access to inland riverine habitats and coastal waters.

During their historic collections in the Tallapoosa River, Alabama Power collected 11 eels in 1990, 7 in 1991, 5 in 1992, 7 in 1997, and 1 during 2002 by boat electrofishing. These numbers result from combining the two Tallapoosa river sampling sites -- one near the Fall Line, and one upstream of Hwy. 231. Alabama Power consistently collected more individuals downriver near Hwy. 231. Rotenone sampling conducted in October 1997 resulted in an estimate of 4.6 American eels/hectare in the Tallapoosa River below Thurlow. No raw data sheets could be located to determine how many individuals were collected in order to generate this estimate.

In addition, a considerable amount of information for the American eel was consolidated for this document. A list of papers is included as Appendix A. Each of these papers is included on a Compact Disk that was distributed to MIG 1 members for review.

Target Species without Formal Recovery or Management Plans

Although no specific recovery plans exist for most of the species listed in Table 3-1, there is a recovery plan for the Mobile River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem. Ecosystem Management Objectives include increasing management flexibility, promoting higher levels of water and land stewardship, using existing State and Federal legislation and regulations, and assisting private economic interests and landowners toward protecting and managing aquatic habitats throughout the basin. The Recovery Plan for the Mobile River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem outlines how to achieve these objectives. The tasks (stated in broad terms) are protection of habitat that support or may support imperiled aquatic species, mitigation strategies for avoidance and restoration of free-flowing rivers and streams, promote voluntary stewardship and BMPs, support watershed planning and partnerships, educate and involve the public, research endemic aquatic species, develop technology for propagating and maintaining species in captivity, reintroduce species, monitor listed species, and coordinate and prioritize management actions among various partners (USFWS 2000b).

Table 4-1 and Table 4-2 provide short descriptions of spawning criteria for the fish species presented in Tables 3-1 through 3-5. In addition, a table of historic walleye collections by Alabama Power in the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow dam is included in Appendix B.

TABLE 4-1 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED IN THE ALABAMA RIVER (Mettee et al. 1996) (USFWS 1995) (USFWS 2000a) (American Eel Plan Development Team 1999)

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN Gulf sturgeon Migrates from salt In the spring, Gulf sturgeon Major population limiting Historically, the subspecies No (Acipenser water into coastal migrates upriver from the factors are thought to include occurred in most major rivers rivers to spawn and Gulf of Mexico to spawn. barriers (dams) to historical from the Mississippi River to oxyrinchus spend the warm Sturgeon do not reproduce spawning habitats, loss of the Suwannee River, and desotoi) months; majority of until they are about 8 years habitat, poor water quality, marine waters of the central its life is spent in old and overfishing and eastern Gulf of Mexico fresh water to Florida Bay

Alabama No critical habitat has Likely to migrate upstream The decline of the Alabama Only known to survive in the Yes (Historically) sturgeon been designated for during late winter and spring Sturgeon is attributed to over- Alabama River from Millers this species. Found in to spawn. Currents are fishing, loss and Ferry Lock and Dam, (Scaphirhynchus the main stems of the required for the development fragmentation of habitat for downstream to the mouth of suttkusi) Alabama River. of the eggs. Sexual maturity foraging and spawning as a the Tombigbee River. The Species prefers is believed to occur at 5 to 7 result of historical navigation- historic range included about relatively stable years of age. Spawning related development, and 1,000 miles of the Mobile substrates of gravel frequency is influenced by water quality degradation. River in Alabama and and sand in river food supply and fish Relatively small freshwater Mississippi, encompassing channels with swift condition, and may occur fish, standard length of about major rivers downstream of currents. Riverine every 1 to 3 years 80 cm. The head is broad and the fall line, including the (flowing water) are flattened shovel-like at the Alabama, Tombigbee, Black required to complete snout. A mature fish weighs 1 Warrior, Coosa, Tallapoosa, the life cycle to 2 kilograms. It has an and Cahaba river systems. elongate, heavily armored, However, the species depressed body. Life span is currently inhabits only about estimated 12-15 years 15 percent of its historic range and is restricted to a 134-mile reach of the Alabama River below the Miller's Ferry Lock and Dam

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN American eel Collected mostly When American eels are Adult Size: 2.9 to 4.9 ft American eels are found in American eels are (Anguilla around aquatic stimulated to spawn, they American eels feed on every river system in the found in the rocky vegetation and from begin a long migration crayfishes, small fishes, and Mobile basin and in several shoals of tailwater rostrata) undercut banks in downstream into the Gulf of insects in fresh water and on coastal drainages in areas below Jordan reservoirs, rivers, and Mexico, around the tip of bivalves, small crustaceans, southeastern Alabama. The and Thurlow dams large streams Florida, and finally into the and polychaete worms in majority of eel concentrations on the Coosa and Atlantic Ocean. Actual coastal areas occur in the southern half of Tallapoosa rivers, spawning has never been the state, especially in the respectively observed but is assumed to Mobile Delta. Angler reports occur sometime during mid- indicate a decline in to late winter. The exact abundance with each spawning area is not known, upstream dam however, ichthyologists speculate that it is near the Sargasso Sea and the island of Bermuda. The eels die after they spawn mooneye Mooneyes are surface Spawning occurs in March Adult size: 12 to 18 in. Distribution in Alabama Collected mooneye feeders in large and April, probably in swift unknown. Previous reports in the Alabama, (Hiodon tergisus) streams and rivers water over sand and gravel stated that mooneye had not Cahaba, Coosa, and substrates been collected in the Tallapoosa river Tennessee River drainage systems below the since 1938 and 1941 Fall Line in the Mobile Basin

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN paddlefish Paddlefish are A migratory species, Adult size: 3.9 to 5.9 ft. Paddlefish occur Yes (Polyodon generally found in paddlefish congregate below Paddlefish are long-lived, life predominately below the Fall open water, however dams to spawn. They spawn spans of 20 to 30 years. This Line in the Mobile basin. spathula) individuals as long as during March and April. fish has a long, paddle-shaped They do not inhabit coastal 3 to 4 feet have been Spawning is believed to snout which helps stabilize the rivers collected in relatively occur in open water. Eggs fish while swimming. The small streams drift with the current to the snout also contains specialized bottom and stay there until cells that assist in detecting hatching. Paddlefish need the plankton, the fish’s main consistent water flow and source of food. In the gravel to successfully spawn Alabama River System, Paddlefish have been recorded moving over 100-miles and have moved upstream over Claiborne Lock and Dam during high water events alligator gar Live in Alabama's Spawning probably occurs in Adult size: 5.9 to 9.8 ft. Still inhabit Mobile Delta and No (Lepisosteus coastal estuaries and the spring adjacent coastal waters, but major rivers and large recent reports indicate inland spatula) streams. Moderate occurrences are rare current, predominantly sand and gravel substrates. Mobile Bay- silt and mud

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN Alabama shad Adults live mostly in Dams block spawning runs. Adult size: 12 to 18 in. The largest remaining No (Alosa alabamae) salt water but migrate Each year in March, shad population is in the into free-flowing enter the Choctawhatchee and Appalachicola River system streams to spawn Conecuh river systems to below Jim Woodruff Dam. In spawn. Spawning usually the past, inhabited most Gulf occurs in April, and probably Coast drainages from the occurs in open, flowing water Mississippi River east to the over sand bars in the late Suwannee River in Florida. afternoon or night During the last 20 years, declined due to construction of dams and water pollution. Recent Mobile basin records are limited to collections of single adults in the Alabama River below Claiborne and Millers Ferry locks and dams skipjack herring Surface and midwater Large numbers of adults Adult size 12 to 15 in.; closely All river systems in Alabama. Yes (Alosa areas, esp. in rivers, congregate in swift flowing resemble Alabama Shad Jigging for skipjacks is reservoirs, and large tailrace areas below dams in popular below Claiborne and chrysochloris) streams. Occasionally late March and early April, Millers Ferry locks and enter saline water presumably to spawn below dams on the Alabama River southeastern blue Large flowing rivers Adult size: 24 to 35 in. Range of the species has Yes sucker (Cycleptus and tailwaters below expanded substantially since dams 1993- Alabama River. meridionalis) Following spawning, individuals can move over 100 miles downstream, well below Claiborne Lock and Dam

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN Alabama hog Bottom dwelling Spawning occurs in April and Adult size: 9.1 to 12 in. Extremely widespread and Yes sucker fishes that prefer early May in Alabama frequently abundant above moderate or fast the Fall Line (Hypentelium currents over gravel, etowanum) cobble, or sand substrates smallmouth A riverine species, Spawn in early to middle Adult size: 24 to 35 in. The species is widespread Yes buffalo (Ictiobus although juveniles spring, when water and abundant in the Mobile infrequently occur in temperatures reach 59-62 F; basin, primarily below the bubalus) small streams as well; active spawning occurs in the Fall Line especially abundant rapids along riverbanks and in open waters of reservoirs quillback Occur in large Spawning in April and May Adult size: 12 to 20 in. Widespread in Mobile Basin Yes (Carpiodes streams, rivers, and reservoirs. Tailwaters cyprinus) of most locks and dams in the Mobile Basin highfin Primarily in rivers Spawning April through June Adult size: 10 to 16 in. Widespread and abundant in Yes carpsucker and reservoirs and Mobile basin, particularly occasionally in below the Fall Line (Carpiodes moderate to large velifer) streams. Tailwaters of most locks and dams

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN spotted sucker Spotted suckers The spawning season is from Adult size: 12 to 18 in.; diet A widespread species; Yes (Minytrema inhabit a variety of late February into April, with includes algae, organic bottom distributed in every river habitats, including males running milt for some material, and associated system in Alabama melanops) rivers, reservoirs, time before and after aquatic invertebrates swamps, small and spawning. Adult suckers also large streams, and enter small stream tributaries springs. They flourish of rivers and reservoirs to in little or no current spawn over sand and mud substrates. Greatest densities occur in swamps, overflow pools, and backwater sloughs of Mobile delta rivers river redhorse Occur in medium- Spawn in 71 to 76 F, lower Adult size: 12 to 28 in; diet More widely distributed than Extended the (Moxostoma sized and large Coosa in April includes Asian clam and previously believed, in upstream range in streams having aquatic insect larvae are Alabama River below Millers the Tallapoosa carinatum) moderate to swift primary food items Ferry River system to currents over sand, below Harris Dam gravel, and cobble substrates. Also collected them in rivers and reservoirs where currents are slow and substrates consist mainly of sand and silt

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN black redhorse Most collections are Spawn in April and May; Adult size: 10 to 15 in; Collection locations (Moxostoma from medium-sized or select spawning habitats with consume a variety of benthic occur above and small streams having precise concentrations of fine invertebrates, especially below the Fall Line duquesnei) moderate to swift and coarse gravel and sand at crustaceans and aquatic in the eastern currents and rock, depths of 12 to 24 inches; insects Mobile basin but gravel, and sand two males usually spawn are lacking in the substrates with a single female western portion golden redhorse Inhabit almost all Migrate into moderate or Adult size: 12 to 20 in.; as the Has been collected in all river Yes (Moxostoma aquatic environments small streams to spawn in young grow into juveniles, systems in Alabama's Mobile in Alabama, including April and early May, and they progressively move basin, although its numbers erythrurum) rivers, reservoirs, and they leave the area afterward downstream; diets consisting diminish in the southern half small and large mainly mayflies, caddisflies, of the state streams and midge larvae blacktail redhorse Widespread and often Spawning occurs in March Adult size: 10 to 16 in.; Distributed throughout the Yes (Moxostoma abundant in rivers, and April, adults frequently pondraised fingerlings feed on Mobile basin, never in the reservoirs, small to enter small streams to spawn small crustaceans and aquatic Tennessee River poecilurum) large streams, and leave shortly thereafter; insect larvae but also consume swamps, and the tailwaters below locks and pelleted food Mobile Delta. Occur dams provide good spawning in swift to standing habitat water over sand, silt, rock, or gravel substrates and around aquatic vegetation

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN channel catfish Inhabit rivers, Spawning begins in May and Adult size: 15 to 24 in; feed Native to Alabama but range Yes (Ictalurus reservoirs, small to continues for several months; on aquatic insect larvae, has greatly expanded in the large streams, males guard the nest and crayfish, mollusks, and small United States and Canada punctatus) backwaters, swamps, schools of fry and small fish fish through its introduction into and oxbow lakes. and sometimes escape from Slow to moderate private and commercial currents over sand, ponds gravel, and silt and around submerged trees and aquatic vegetation blue catfish Prefer riverine and Adult size: 18 to 24 in.; Widespread and occasionally Yes (Ictalurus reservoir habitats, opportunistic feeders abundant in the Mobile basin tailwaters below and Tennessee River furcatus) dams, swift currents, substrates of sand, gravel, and rock. Also congregate around submerged treetops flathead catfish Flowing water over Spawning over excavated pits Adult size: 18 to 24 in; Widespread and occasionally Yes (Pylodictis sand, gravel, and mud occur in June and July in aggressive predators and abundant in all rivers and substrates; Alabama and Tennessee opportunistic feeders reservoirs of the Mobile olivaris) underwater structures Basin, common in the such as fallen trees, Tennessee River and many of stumps, rock ledges, its major tributaries; Conecuh and riprap and Escatawpa

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN Atlantic Usually found near Spawning occurs in late Adult size: 7.7 to 19 in; Common inhabitant of Yes needlefish the surface of large spring and summer, when efficient predator; in coastal waters from Maine to rivers and the lower females produce sinking, Alabama- feeds on shiners, Brazil, invaded fresh waters (Strongylura reaches of large filamentous eggs that attach shad, and brook silversides in Alabama, occurring in marina) tributaries, preferring themselves to each other or to coastal rivers and estuarine open water submerged objects; inland environments populations apparently spawn in fresh water white bass Inhabit surface and Spawnings between one or Adult size: 10 to 15 in.; Widely distributed in Yes (Morone pelagic (midwater) more males and a single aggressive predators feed on Alabama, not generally areas of rivers, female usually occur at gizzard and threadfin shad abundant except in Tennessee chrysops) reservoirs, and large midwater depths in March and Chattahoochee rivers streams. We have and April collected them along riprap, downed trees, and other structures below dams striped bass Schools of native and Spawning occurs from late Adult size: 20 to 24 in.; feed In Alabama mixture of Gulf Yes (Morone introduced March through April in primarily on gizzard and Coast and Atlantic Coast populations of striped Alabama threadfin shad fish; ADCNR reestablished saxatilis) bass inhabit free- Gulf Coast populations in the flowing rivers and Mobile basin. Native reservoirs populations probably still enter the Mobile Delta and lower Alabama and Tombigbee drainages

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN spotted bass Usually occur around Spawning occurs in April and Adult size: 12 to 17 in.; the Native throughout Alabama Yes (Micropterus aquatic vegetation, May, often in the mouths of male guards the nest; food with the possible exception submerged logs, and tributary streams items include small fishes, of the Appalachicola River punctulatus) rock or riprap walls in crayfishes, and aquatic insects basin small to large flowing streams, rivers, and reservoirs; two subspecies largemouth bass Occupy almost all Spawning from April to late Adult size: 12 to 30 in.; prey Native populations occur Yes (Micropterus aquatic habitats in May, when water temps reach upon bluegills and redear throughout the eastern United Alabama; thriving in about 63 to 68 F sunfish in stocked ponds States. The Florida salmoides) lakes, ponds, and subspecies has been stocked reservoirs; more in Alabama since 1971 tolerant of turbidity and slack current than other species southern walleye Associated with large During spawning individuals Adult size: 12 to 31 in; Widespread, naturally and Yes (Sander vitreus) rivers and stream move to shoal areas or feeding usually occurs at from introductions; tributaries and tailwaters over riprap night, migrate from deeper throughout the Mobile basin impoundments, downstream of dams. areas to shallow shoals; larger and also in Tennessee River frequently preferring Spawning occurs from March individuals prey on fish drainage clear, quiet through May with eggs backwaters over sand, broadcast in open water. Inlet gravel, mud, rubble, streams to impoundments are and silt known spawning grounds in those habitats

DOCUMENTED IN HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL THE DISTRIBUTION PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS TALLAPOOSA BASIN freshwater drum Small freshwater Pelagic spawning occurs Adult size: 28 in; bottom Distributed across southern Yes (Aplodinotus drum in backwaters from May through mid- feeder consuming aquatic Canada and the central and along the margins summer insects, amphipods, fish, United States; known from grunniens) of rivers, reservoirs, crayfish, and mollusks numerous main-river and their large collections in the Mobile tributaries. Large basin; and from the individuals prefer Tennessee River swift areas below dams hogchoker Small hogchockers Most spawning takes place Adult size 3 to 6 in; food In Alabama, the hogchocker No (Trinectes are found well during the summer in lower items include small occurs throughout estuarine upstream in fresh estuarine areas crustaceans and worms and nearshore habitats and in maculatus) tidal inlets and around fresh water, and upstream to grass beds near tidal Claiborne Lock creek mouths; large individuals are found around bay mouths in deeper waters striped mullet Prefer open water of Spawning occurs offshore Adult size: 9 to 15 in. Striped mullet are found No (Mugil cephalus) estuarine and during late fall and winter, worldwide in circumtropical freshwater with small mullet entering areas. Widespread in the environments, nearshore coastal waters by lower reaches of the Alabama observed traveling in early spring and lower Tombigbee rivers, schools near the decreasing in abundance near surface the Fall Line

TABLE 4-2 ANADROMOUS, CATADROMOUS, AND DIADROMOUS FISH SPECIES COLLECTED OR BELIEVED TO BE PRESENT

DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER (Mettee et al. 1996)

DOCUMENTED IN THE HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL SPECIES DISTRIBUTION TALLAPOOSA RIVER BY PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS ALABAMA POWER shoal chub Also speckled chub; Occurs from late April to Adult size: 1.8 to 3 in.; food Alabama, Cahaba, Yes (Macrhybopsis confined to flowing August includes aquatic insect, Tallapoosa, lower aestivalis) river habitats and particularly midges Coosa, and upper often found over Tombigbee rivers, gravel and sand generally near or bars in moderate to below the Fall Line; swift currents the Conecuh, Pea, and Choctawhatchee rivers, and the extreme upper Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers

silver chub Sluggish waters in Occurs from April through Adult size: 3.5 to 6.1 in.; Alabama, Cahaba, Yes (Macrhybopsis main river channels June food items include insects, Tallapoosa, lower storeriana) and streams zooplankton, and plant Coosa, and upper material Tombigbee rivers, generally near or below the Fall Line; the Conecuh, Pea, and Choctawhatchee rivers, and the extreme upper Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers

DOCUMENTED IN THE HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL SPECIES DISTRIBUTION TALLAPOOSA RIVER BY PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS ALABAMA POWER shadow bass Weedbeds, Occurs in late March and Adult size: 6 to 8 in.; food Collected in most Yes (Ambloplites undercut banks, and early April items include crayfishes, drainages south of the ariommus) brush piles of aquatic insects, and an Tennessee River medium to large occasional small fish slow-moving streams and rivers redspotted sunfish Rivers, reservoirs, Occurs from May through Adult size: 6 to 8 in. Throughout the Yes (Lepomis miniatus) lowland streams, July Tennessee River swamps, and drainage in Alabama oxbow lakes, but and in most of the most abundant in Mobile basin the Mobile Delta redeye bass Small to medium- Occurs from April to June Adult size: 14 to 17 in.; diet Distributed above the Yes (Micropterus sized upland includes aquatic and Fall Line in the coosae) streams and rarely terrestrial insects, small Coosa and Tallapoosa large rivers or fishes, and crayfishes river systems impoundments. Often living in ` aquatic vegetation, along an undercut bank, or near a submerged stump or boulder stippled studfish Small or medium- Probably spawns in late Adult size: 3 to 3.7 in. In the Tallapoosa No (Fundulus bifax) sized streams spring and early summer River system in flowing over sand Alabama and and gravel; slow Georgia, eastern eddies along the tributary of lower margins of riffle Coosa River runs

DOCUMENTED IN THE HABITAT SPAWNING GENERAL SPECIES DISTRIBUTION TALLAPOOSA RIVER BY PREFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS ALABAMA POWER crystal darter Sand and gravel Begins in late February or Adult size: 2 to 5.1 in. Near or below the Yes (Crystallaria bars in large early March through late Fall Line asprella) flowing rivers and April streams; remain in deep water during the day and move to shallow sand and gravel at dusk lipstick darter Riffles of medium From late April to late June, Adult size: 1.2 to 2.2 in.; eat Tallapoosa River No (Etheostoma to large streams with peak activity in May aquatic insect larvae system in Alabama chuckwachattee) with a swift current and Georgia and cobble, gravel, and boulder substrates freckled darter Deep runs or rapids Presumably spawns in Adult size: 3.9 to 6.6 in.; Below the Fall Line Yes (Percina lenticula) with moderate to spring, late March to early eats aquatic insects and fast current; May crustaceans juveniles occurring in Justica beds of shallow riffles

muscadine bridled Below riffles in From March through early Adult size: 1.8 to 2.3 in.; In the Piedmont No darter (Percina deeper runs with June, with peak activity in eats blackflies, stoneflies, portion of the smithvanizi) moderate to slow April and mayflies Tallapoosa River current over sand system and gravel; over swift gravel in shoals of main river channels

5.0 SCIENTIFIC UNKNOWNS

There were several scientific unknowns to address.

• What information do we need to know about fish biology and fish passage requirements in addition to our current base knowledge? • What changes can be made on the Tallapoosa River that will enhance fish passage or recovery goals downstream of Tallassee Falls? • Would effectiveness studies be needed?

Most of the current research regarding fish passage has been focused on Claiborne Lock & Dam.

Additionally, the FERC (2003) recommends including the following two items if a fish passage plan is developed:

1) an effectiveness monitoring plan should be included in the license articles that evaluates upstream or downstream fish passage; and 2) a defined duration of monitoring (typically 2-4 years depending on flow conditions).

6.0 OBSERVATIONS – RECOMMENDATIONS

The following list of bullets are observations regarding fish spawning downstream of Thurlow Dam and the potential need for fish passage at the Martin Project.

• There are currently two FERC licensed dams located downstream of the Martin Hydroelectric Project – Yates and Thurlow Hydroelectric Projects. • No Threatened or Endangered aquatic species have been detected in the Tallapoosa River downstream of Martin Dam or Thurlow Dam – per results of Study 5 – Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Surveys. • Alabama Power historic field surveys have determined that American eel, paddlefish, and walleye are present in the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam. • The current operations of the Martin Project typically results in releases of 6,000 cfs or higher during March – April each year, which provides spawning flows for paddlefish and other fishes in the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam. Changes to the Rule Curve may affect the magnitude and frequency of these “spawning flows”. More information on flows downstream of Martin Dam is presented in Study 3 – Evaluation of Minimum Flows Downstream of Martin Dam. • The current minimum flow downstream of Thurlow Dam appears to provide an adequate baseline flow for aquatic habitats in the Tallapoosa River.

Alabama Power recommends that the USFWS reserve their authority for fish passage as part of Section 18 consultation for the Martin Hydroelectric Relicensing Process.

7.0 LITERATURE CITED

Alabama Power Company. 2008. Martin Preliminary Application Document (PAD). May 2008. American Eel Plan Development Team and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 1999. Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel (Anguilla rostrata). Boschung, H. T., Jr. and R. L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Books: Washington, D.C. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 2003. Evaluation of mitigation effectiveness at hydropower projects: Fish passage, draft report. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC. Mettee, M. F., P. E. O’Neil, and J. M. Pierson. 1996. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile basin. Oxmoor House, Birmingham, AL. Striped Bass Technical Task Force. 2006. The striped bass fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, United

States: a regional management plan. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Ocean

Springs, Mississippi.

United States Army Corps of Engineers. 2001. Claiborne Dam Fish Passage Environmental Restoration Project: 2001 web page. http://www.caria.org/ClaiborneUpdate12Sep01.html, updated September 12, 2001, accessed April 22, 2009. United States Army Corps of Engineers. United States Army Corps of Engineers. 2008. National Inventory of Dams web page. https://rsgis.crrel.usace.army.mil/apex/f?p=397:1:3337218966969831, accessed May 21, 2008. United States Army Corps of Engineers. United States Army Corps of Engineers. 2009. US Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District Water Management web page. http://water.sam.usace.army.mil/., updated January 23, 2009, accessed April 22, 2009. United States Army Corps of Engineers. United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC). 1995. Gulf sturgeon recovery plan. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2000a. 50 CFR Part 17. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Final Rule to List the Alabama Sturgeon as Endangered; Final Rule. FR:26438-26461. May 5, 2000. United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2000b. Mobile River Basin Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA.

APPENDIX A

AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX-ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE)

AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX – ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE) CODE TITLE Studies of Upstream Migrant American Eels at the AFS_33_153_166 Moses-Saunders Power Dam on the St. Lawrence River near Massena, New York Surface and Midwater Trawling for American Eels in the AFS_33_307_313 St. Lawrence River Development of Hydrosonic Telemetry Technologies AFS_33_329_341 Suitable for Tracking American Eel Movements in the Vicinity of a Large Hydroelectric Project Evaluation of the Tagging Effects on the Behavior of AldenResearchLab_2007Report Silver-Phase American Eels Feeding Selectivity of the American Eel Anguilla Am_Midland_Natur_129_301_308 rostrata (LeSueur) in the Upper Delaware River AnsonEelPilotStudyReportJanuary20 Interim American Eel Downstream Passage 2005 Pilot 06 Study Report Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel ASMFC_2000_Report (Anguilla rostrata) Filament Tracking and Casting in American Elvers Biol_Bull_191_314_315 (Anguih rosirutu) Downstream Passage Behavior of Silver Phase Brown_2005MS American Eels at a Small Hydroelectric Facility The Role of Olfaction in Homing and Estuarine Can_J_Fish_Aqu_Sci_55_564_575 Migratory Behavior of Yellow-Phase American Eels Life History Characteristics and Strategies of the Can_J_Fish_Aqu_Sci_56_795_802 American Eel, Anguilla rostrata Canada_J_Fish_Aquat_Sci_60_1487 Demographic attributes of yellow-phase American eels _1501 (Anguilla rostrata) in the Hudson River estuary Homing of the American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, as Canadian_Field_Natur_85_241_248 Evidenced by Returns of Transplanted Tagged Eels in New Brunswick Use Of Sound For Fish Protection At Power Production Facilities: A Historical Perspective Of The State Of The Carlson_1994Report Art Phase I Final Report Evaluation of the Use of Sound to Modify the Behavior of Fish The Ultrastructure of the Integument of the American Cell_Tissue_Res_171_1_30 Eel, Anguilla rostrata

A-1

AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX – ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE) CODE TITLE Locomotor Activity of the American Eel (Anguilla Ches_Sci_7_137_147 rostrata) Food Habits and Seasonal Abundance of the American Ches_Sci_16_62_66 eel, Anguilla rostrata, from the Lower Chesapeake Bay Compar_Biochem_Physiol_90_57_6 Orientation Responses of American Eels, Anguilla 1 rostrata, to Varying Magnetic Fields Sex, Size, and Gonad Morphology of Silver American Copeia_1997_415_420 Eels, Anguilla rostrata COSEWIC assessment and status report on the CW69-14-458-2006E American eel Anguilla rostrata in Canada Behavior and passage of silver-phase American eels, Dana_12_41_50 Anguilla rostrata {LeSueur), at a small hydroelectric facility Deflecting eel with light, Deflecting eels with light MONITORING BEHAVIOR v03 First report of the invasive eel pest Pseudodactylogyrus Dis_Aqu_Org_44_53_60 bini in North America and in wild American eels Anguillicola crassus infection in Anguilla rostrata from Dis_Aquatic_Org_79_37_45 small tributaries of the Hudson River watershed, New York, USA Energy Trade-Offs and Foraging Mode Choice in Ecology_72_310_318 American Eels Downstream Migratory Behavior of Silver-Phase Eltz_2006MS American eels (Anguilla Rostrata) At a Small Hydroelectric Facility Downstream Migratory Behavior of Silver-Phase Eltz_Haro_Castro- American eels (Anguilla Rostrata) At a Small Santos_Presentation_2005 Hydroelectric Facility (PowerPoint) Origins of the Freshwater Attractant(s) of Migrating Envir_Biol_Fish_17_185_200 Elvers of the American Eel, Anguilla rostrata Density, Size Distribution and Home Range of American Envir_Biol_Fish_17_309_314 Eels, Anguilla rostrata, in a Massachusetts Salt Marsh Olfactory Clues Play a Critical Role in the Estuarine Envir_Biol_Fish_53_283_291 Migration of Silver-Phase American Eels

A-2

AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX – ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE) CODE TITLE Evidence for Environmental Sex Determination in the Envir_Biol_Fish_55_381_389 American Eel, Anguilla rostrata Homing and movement of yellow-phase American eels Envir_Biol_Fish_58_393_399 in freshwater ponds Variation in Population and Life History Traits of the Envir_Biol_Fish_59_141_151 American eel, Anguilla rostrata, in Four Rivers in Maine Movement Behavior of American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) EPRI_2007Report on an Angled Louver Array at a Hydroelectric Project Recruitment season, size, and age of young American Fish_Bull_100_299_306 eels (Anguilla rostrata) entering an estuary near Beaufort, North Carolina Population Decline of the American Eel: Implications Fisheries_9_7_16 for Research and Management The Development of Advanced Hydroelectric Turbines Fisheries_26_14_23 to Improve Fish Passage Survival American Eel Subpopulation Characteristics In The Goodwin_MS1999 Potomac River Drainage, Virginia Hadderingh_Smythe_Report_1997 Deflecting Eels From Power Stations With Light Seasonal movements of yellow-phase American eels Hammond_2003MS (Anguilla rostrata) in the Shenandoah River, West Virginia Haro and Castro-Santos 1997 (eel Downstream Migrant Eel Telemetry Studies, Cabot telemetry report 1996) Station, Connecticut River, 1996 Summary of Downstream Migrant Eel Telemetry Pilot Haro_CastroSantos_1996Report Studies, Connecticut River, 1995 An Investigation of the Feasibility of Employing Haro_Degan_Horne_Kulik_Boubee_ Hydroacoustic Monitoring As a Means to Detect the 1999Report Presence and Movement of Large, Adult eels (Genus Anguilla) Sexual Dimorphism and Natural Movements of the Helgo_Meer_27_156_166 American eel (Anguilla rostrata) in Rhode Island Streams and Estuaries The behavior of migratory eels, Anguilla rostrata, in Helgo_Meer_27_211_233 response to current, salinity and lunar period

A-3

AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX – ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE) CODE TITLE Using Strobe Lights and Sounds to Protect American Hydro_Rev_19_98_102 Eels Selective tidal stream transport in the estuarine migration ICES_J_Mar_Sci_40_262_271 of glass eels of the American eel {Anguilla rostrata) Statistical methods for analysis of plankton and nekton ICES_J_Mar_Sci_44_90_103 distribution, with application to selective tidal stream transport of juvenile American eels (Anguilla rostrata) Precision of Behavior of Migrating Juvenile American J_du_Conseil_44_80_89 Eels (Anguilla rostrata) Utilizing Selective Tidal Stream Transport Validation of daily otolith increments in glass-phase J_Exp_Mar_Biol_Ecol_257_219_22 American eels Anguilla rostrata (LeSueur) during 7 estuarine residency The effects of temperature, river flow, and tidal cycles J_Fish_Biol_46_891_902 on the onset of glass eel and elver migration into fresh water in the American eel Fecundity of the American eel Anguilla rostrata at 45) N J_Fish_Biol_51_840_847 in Maine, U.S.A. Discrepancies between otoliths of larvae and juveniles of J_Fish_Biol_57_1189_1198 the American eel: is something fishy happening at metamorphosis? Regional Variation and the Effect of Lake: River Area J_Fish_Biol_58_943_952 on Sex Distribution of American Eels Anguilla rostrata glass eel ingress into two, U.S. east J_Fish_Biol_69_1081_1101 coast estuaries: patterns, processes and implications for adult abundance Sensitivity of American Eels (Anguilla rostrata) and J_Fish_Res_Board_Canada_30_657_ Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) to Weak Electric and 663 Magnetic Fields Homing Ability and Home Range of Yellow-Phase J_Mar_Biol_Ass_UK_75_127_140 American Eels in a Tidally Dominated Estuary Preliminary Technical And Economic Feasibility Of Kleinschmidt2005Report Deploying A Fish Diversion And Bypass System At The Saunders And Beauharnois Generating Stations

A-4

AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX – ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE) CODE TITLE Preliminary Technical And Economic Feasibility Of Kleinschmidt2006Report Deploying A Trap And Transport System For American Eel At Iroquois Dam Winter Occurrences Of Anguxla Rostrata Elvers In New Limnol_Ocean_5_338_340 England And Middle Atlantic Estuaries Mar_Biol_150_681_695 Anguilliform larvae collected off North Carolina Species assemblages of leptocephali in the Sargasso Sea Mar_Ecol_Prog_Ser_121_11_26 and Florida Current Interpretation of geographic variation in size of American eel Anguilla rostrata elvers on the Atlantic Mar_Ecol_Prog_Ser_168_35_43 coast of North America using their life history and otolith ageing Simulation of the Impact of Dams and Fishing Weirs on N_Am_J_Fish_Mgmt_21_592_605 Reproductive Potential of Silver-Phase American Eels in the Kennebec River Basin, Maine American Eel Emigration Approach and Downstream Normandeau_2007Report Passage Routes at the Holyoke Project, 2006 Swim Bladder Volume Maintenance Related to Initial Science_208_1481_1482 Oceanic Migratory Depth in Silver-Phase Anguilla rostrata Distribution and Abundance of American Eels in the SE_Naturalist_5_693_710 White Oak River Estuary, North Carolina OPG Action Plan for Offsetting Turbine Mortality of American Eel At the R.H. Saunders Generating Station StanleyPope_2008Report 2006 – 2011 Research into Trap and Transport as a Potential Mitigation Using Traditional Fisheries Methods 2008 American Eel Distribution and Growth in Selected Strickland_MS2002 Tributaries of the James River Occurrence of Anguillicola crassus, an Exotic Parasitic Trans_AFS_125_794_797 Swim Bladder Nematode of Eels, in the Southeastern United States Relative Abundance, Food Habits, and Age of the Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_99_54_59 American Eel, Anguilla rostrata (LeSueur), in Certain New Jersey Streams Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_110_396_402 Biology of American Eels in Lake Champlain, Vermont

A-5

AMERICAN EEL CD INDEX – ALPHABETICAL ORDER (CD CATALOG CODE) CODE TITLE Local Movements and Inshore Population Sizes of Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_112_111_116 American Eels in Lake Champlain, Vermont Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_113_132_141 Size, Age, and Sex of American Eels in a Georgia River Age, Growth, and Sex Ratio of American Eels in Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_113_744_749 Brackish-Water Portions of a South Carolina River Population Size and Home Range of American Eels in a Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_114_821_825 Georgia Tidal Creek Environmental Correlates of the Freshwater Migration of Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_115_258_268 Elvers of the American Eel in a Rhode Island Brook Distribution and Abundance of American Eels in Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_124_789_803 Virginia Streams: Tests of Null Models across Spatial Scales Movements and Growth Rates of Yellow-Phase Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_126_638_646 American Eels in the Annaquatucket River, Rhode Island Sexually Different Growth Histories of the American Eel Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_131_203_211 in Four Rivers in Maine Relations between Physical Habitat and American Eel Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_133_515_526 Abundance in Five River Basins in Maryland Abundance of Yellow-Phase American Eels in the Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_133_896_910 Hudson River Estuary Trans_Am_Fish_Soc_136_1699_171 Anthropogenic Impacts on American Eel Demographics 3 in Hudson River Tributaries, New York

A-6

APPENDIX B

HISTORIC WALLEYE COLLECTIONS IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER DOWNSTREAM OF THURLOW DAM

APC WALLEYE COLLECTION RECORDS FROM THE LOWER TALLAPOOSA RIVER BELOW THURLOW DAM, 1984 – PRESENT NO. DATE LOCALITY GENDER LENGTH WEIGHT COLLECTED 25-Apr-1985 Tallapoosa River ca. 4.3 1 ? 576 mm TL 4.46 lb miles NNW of Mt. Meigs 11-Oct-1990 Tallapoosa River ca. 2.5 1 ? 495 mm SL 1412 g miles S of Tallassee 24-Apr-1997 Tallapoosa River below 1 ? 338 mm TL 385 g new boat launch (Fall Line) 10-Nov-1997 Tallapoosa River at new 1 ? 383 mm TL 471 g boat launch (Fall Line)

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APPENDIX C

DISTRIBUTION OF THE AMERICAN EEL IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER

MARTIN RELICENSE STUDY PLAN 1 INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF THE AMERICAN EEL IN THE TALLAPOOSA RIVER NOVEMBER 18, 2010 Alabama Power provides this additional information on American eel distributions on the Tallapoosa River as part of Martin Relicense Study Plan 1.

Based on one reference, American eels were historically present in the Tallapoosa River as far upstream as Coley Creek in Martin Lake during 1930 (Williams 2010)

Information provided by Mr. Jon Hornsby (retired Alabama Dept. of Natural Resources fishery biologist) indicate that American eel were historically present downstream of Thurlow Dam and likely in the reservoir during the 1950’s and 1960’s. This is based on his personal observation of eel elvers climbing the face of Thurlow Dam and observation of elvers downstream of the dam in the Tallassee Shoals. Mr. Hornsby also provided information from one of his friends (Ernest Pattillo) who remembered catching American eels in Sougahatchee Creek (Yates Reservoir) during the 1970’s (approximately 40 years ago). Mr. Pattillo also recalled catching an American eel in the Thurlow forebay during mid 1980’s. Mr. Hornsby recalled several collection efforts that were made in Thurlow and Yates Reservoirs by the ADCNR and Auburn University during the 1980’s and early ‘90’s, but could not recall American eel being one of the species listed.

Recently, Steve Krotzer (Alabama Power) checked the electronic database for the Auburn University fish collection and did not find any records for American eel from the Tallapoosa River anywhere upstream of the Thurlow tailrace. Steve also checked the American eel account in each of the two major "Alabama fish books" (Mettee et.al. 1996, Boschung and Mayden 2004). Neither of these references list any records for American eel from anywhere upstream of Thurlow. This is significant because the authors of these two references would have had access to records in all the major southeastern reference collections.

Based on the information examined and current information provided by Alabama Power collections downstream of Thurlow Dam, it is clear that American eels were historically present in the upstream portions of the Tallapoosa River and are currently present in the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam. However, based on this same information, we are fairly confident that there are no current documented records of American eel from Yates Reservoir and Sougahatchee Creek immediately downstream of Martin Dam.

LITERATURE CITED Boschung, H.T., Jr. and R.L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C. xviii + 736 pp. Mettee, M.F., P.E. O'Neil, and J.M. Pierson. 1996. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Oxmoor House, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama. xii + 820 pp. Hornsby, Jon [email protected] Retired Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources. October 21, 2010. Personal communication with John Grogan of Alabama Power. Williams, Kathleen P. 2010. History of Lake Martin. Article No. 1 in the Feb-Mar 2010 edition of Shop280.com (http://stillwatersarea.com/shop280.html). Excerpt included.

From my earliest childhood memories, Lake Martin has been here. Having been born on May 2, 1927 (the same year that Martin Dam began producing electricity), I have always known that Lake Martin was the largest manmade lake in the world at the time it was completed and allowed to fill up. My family lived in Clay County about 26 miles from Coley Creek which was part of the "backwaters" from the new lake. I remember the men in our family going there to fish and bringing home tubs full of fish and everyone would come to our house for fish fry suppers on Saturday night after their fishing trips. The first fish fry I can clearly remember was in the summer of 1930. Daddy caught an eel and brought it home with the fish. I can still close my eyes and see that ugly eel. They dressed that thing and cooked it but I didn't eat any of it. It looked like a big fat snake to me.

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