Chapter 4 Habitats
Federal Status
State Status
Common Name
Scientific Name
AMPHIBIANS
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis
PE
SC
Eastern Hellbender
REPTILES Eastern Spiny Softshell
SC SC
Apalone spinifera spinifera Graptemys geographica
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Northern Map Turtle
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A USFWS assessment of imperiled fishes of the Southern Appalachian ecosystem noted the Hiwassee River is one of the highest priority stream systems in the ecosystem (Butler 2002a,b) . Five highly imperiled taxa were identified for the river system; of these taxa, four are found in North Carolina. The report identified five additional imperiled fishes occurring in the Hiwassee River Basin in North Carolina. The imperiled species found in North Carolina are: • Sicklefin Redhorse – occurs in clean streams with little sedimentation, generally in swift water over rocky substrata. • Greenside Darter – occurs in swift riffles with boulders and rubble. • Redline Darter – occurs in swift, shallow, rocky riffles in clear streams. • Olive Darter – occurs in fast boulder and bedrock chutes. • Smoky Dace – occurs in sand and rock pools of small montane streams. 4.5.9.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species Nonpoint source pollution and altered hydrologic regimes are primary impacts on native aquatic communities and their habitats in the Hiwassee basin. Human population growth, and associated residential and commercial development, are two of the most important issues in the basin. Development on steep slopes, and increased impervious surfaces, contribute to increased erosion and sedimentation, as well as increased wastewater and runoff of contaminants, which negatively impact water quality, hydrology, and aquatic habitat (NCDWQ 2012b) . Development is likely to increase substantially in the basin in the coming years. Impoundments. Including the seven impoundments regulated under FERC licensing or operated by TVA in the basin, a NCDEQ dam inventory (NCDEMLR 2014) indicates there are at least 62 impoundments in the basin. However, the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory & Prioritization Tool (SARP 2024) shows 120 dams and barriers in the basin. The 57 miles of historically free- flowing riverine habitats are now either seasonally or permanently flooded by Chatuge, Mission, Hiwassee, and Appalachia dams and reservoirs, or are indirectly affected by impoundment.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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