MOLLUSKS
Haw River Land Acquisition Parcel Surveys by Emilia Omerberg, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist
I n June, staff visited two parcels proposed for purchase under Land and Water Fund grants to investigate whether rare aquatic species may be present. One site, located on an unnamed tributary of to the Haw River, was mostly dry, so no rare species were detected in seine surveys of the remaining pools and no evidence of mussel populations were seen. The other site, located on the mainstem of the Haw River, was both seined and snorkeled. A thriving community of mussels and fishes was detected; of partic- ular interest among the mussel were six Triangle Floaters (State Threatened; a new species record for the Haw River sub-basin) and one Creeper (State Threatened). All data was shared with the purchasing entities (Triangle Land Conservancy and Alamance County) as well as the NC Natural Heritage Program, the latter of which requested the surveys.
69 2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report NCWRC
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