Chapter 2 The Need for Conservation
Appendix 2-2
reintroduction. The Spotfin Chub is federally and state listed as a threatened species. Appalachian Elktoe are state and federally listed as endangered. The Slippershell, Wavy-rayed Lampmussel, and Rainbow mussels are state-protected species, with Slippershell listed as endangered, Wavy-rayed listed as special concern, and Rainbow as threatened. Following improvements to water quality in the Cheoah River and increased flows downstream from Santeetlah Dam, these captive-bred federal and state-listed fish and mussel species were reintroduced to the river. Wavy-rayed Lampmussels and Rainbow mussels propagated at the CAC utilizing broodstock from the Pigeon and Little Tennessee Rivers have been stocked throughout the French Broad River basin in its mainstem and tributaries. These reintroduction efforts have shown varying levels of success, with the most successful being the Swannanoa River near Asheville, the upper French Broad River near Rosman, NC, and the lower French Broad near Hot Springs, NC. Wavy- rayed Lampmussels and Rainbow mussels have also been stocked into several Little Tennessee River tributaries. Although there is varied success across these stocking sites, the monitoring of sites in upper Tuckasegee near Cullowhee, NC, and Cartoogechaye Creek near Franklin, NC, have consistently shown the most success within the basin aside from the Cheoah River. Conservation efforts by the CAC, in partnership with NC State’s mussel hatchery, to propagate and reintroduce the federally endangered Tar Spinymussel have also shown great success. Endemic to North Carolina and with less than 100 individuals found in the wild, the CAC was able to produce thousands of these extremely rare
mussels. Biologists believe that the extinction of this species would very likely be imminent if it were not for the early propagation actions taken when sharp declines began 15 years ago. Following reintroductions, stocked populations are regularly monitored by NCWRC field staff to assess population health and determine if recruitment is recurring in the wild, which is
Tar River Spinymussel juveniles
the next step of recovery. In addition to augmenting existing populations, the CAC has worked to develop and maintain an ark population for over 10 years in hopes of preventing extinction if the wild populations are extirpated. Continued propagation by the CAC also enables research, which remains ongoing, to better understand the biology and ecology of this species.
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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