Headwaters
Project Background
Despite the growing body of knowledge about aquatic biodiversity and abundance in many southeastern rivers, a comprehensive understanding of aquatic diversity in the Chattahoochee has been non-existent. Funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), as well as Compton and Turner Foundations, allowed UCR to work in partnership with the University of Georgia’s Institute of Ecology to further our knowledge of the aquatic species found in the headwaters portion of the Chattahoochee River Basin. In addition to providing information about the occurrence and distribution of aquatic fauna in this watershed, this project will serve as an essential building block in laying the foundation for future aquatic studies and implementation of conservation strategies.
Project Objectives
Objectives of the Chattahoochee Headwaters Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation Project (CHABAC) included:
1) Establish historical distributions of native fishes and crayfishes in the Upper Chattahoochee River watershed.
2) Assess current distributions and abundance of native fishes and crayfishes throughout the Upper Chattahoochee River watershed.
3) Develop and recommend strategic conservation actions to conserve, protect and restore native fish and crayfish populations and their associated habitats.
4) Disseminate findings widely for use by scientists, resources managers, nongovernmental organizations, and local government decision makers for use in specific management actions.
Project Results
A review of the historical records and mapped data coverage helped to pinpoint gaps in fish distribution data for the watershed. A GIS database (housed at UGA) was created from the available data, the historical collections of native fish and crayfish species were reviewed and a targeted sampling plan was developed and implemented to enhance the currently known distributions of ten fish species of interest in the basin. These particular species were chosen based on whether they are native or rare to the Chattahoochee or Upper Chattahoochee basin, have limited distribution or are listed species. Once the data was collected and analyzed, a prioritization scheme was developed to target specific areas of the watershed for conservation efforts.
The discovery of two rare fishes (Coosa shiner and the Tennessee shiner) previously thought to be extirpated from the Chattahoochee Basin reinforces the need for obtaining more comprehensive data throughout the watershed. Additionally, the Halloween darter, which is considered to be one of the two most imperiled fish (the other being the Bluestripe shiner) in the Chattahoochee, was collected for the first time in White County’s Sautee Creek. It should be noted that these shiners were found in the most pristine streams in the watershed and were consistently absent from Headwater streams degraded by habitat alterations and poor development practices, highlighting the connection between high quality waters and aquatic biodiversity. To verify this assumption, future sampling efforts should be conducted to compare several of the relatively forested, undisturbed subwatersheds with some of those that are more pressured by urban development and anthropogenic sources of disturbance. Future studies are also needed to continue to fill in the large gaps in fish distribution data, a necessary precursor for formulating a more targeted and effective conservation strategy. At a minimum, the watersheds containing the rare target species should be resurveyed to identify any historical trends in the species’ status.
Copies of this final report have been distributed to local governments as well as to two active watershed groups and four local colleges. For the complete report, download the Upper Chattahoochee Biodiversity Study [PDF].
To obtain a copy of the project on a CD that includes data and maps: Contact Darcie Holcomb at Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper 770-531-1064 or by email. The actual GIS database is housed at UGA. For more information contact Dr. Bud Freeman at the UGA Institute of Ecology at 706-542-6032 or by email.
Please also visit these sections:
Headwaters Education Programs
Riparian Restoration & Education Project/Soque River Restoration Project
What Are Riparian Buffer Zones?
West Fork Little River Restoration in Hall County
