Endpoint distribution of Brook and Rainbow Trout in GRSM, 2015.

Endpoint distribution of Brook and Rainbow Trout in GRSM, 2015.

Inventory project as-delivered dataset

Inventory project as-delivered dataset

These data represent visual surveys of Federally Threatened and Endangered fish species in Abrams Creek, TN, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). These surveys are performed by employees (both seasonal and permanent), interns, and a cooperating partner, Conservation Fisheries Inc., which is based in Knoxville, TN. These data are numerical counts made visually by observers while performing snorkeling surveys within three-zones of Abrams Creek where the Smoky Madtom, Yellowfin Madtom, and Citico Darter are found. For surveying T&E fish, visual counts via snorkeling surveys are more effective than backpack electrofishing. Annual survey data are recorded in the GRSM Threatened and Endangered Fish Survey database. NOTE: Some of the ‘comments’ section in the 2019 field data sheets from these efforts list the observation of Greenside Darter and Banded Sculpin. While these native, non-game, fish aren’t considered T&E, they were extirpated from Abrams Creek at the same time as the madtoms and Citico Darter. Their reintroductions began in 2017 and appear to have been successful.

These data represent visual surveys of Federally Threatened and Endangered fish species in Abrams Creek, TN, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). These surveys are performed by employees (both seasonal and permanent), interns, and a cooperating partner, Conservation Fisheries Inc., which is based in Knoxville, TN. These data are numerical counts made visually by observers while performing snorkeling surveys within three-zones of Abrams Creek where the Smoky Madtom, Yellowfin Madtom, and Citico Darter are found. For surveying T&E fish, visual counts via snorkeling surveys are more effective than backpack electrofishing. Annual survey data are recorded in the GRSM Threatened and Endangered Fish Survey database. NOTE: Some of the ‘comments’ section in the 2019 field data sheets from these efforts list the observation of Greenside Darter and Banded Sculpin. While these native, non-game, fish aren’t considered T&E, they were extirpated from Abrams Creek at the same time as the madtoms and Citico Darter. Their reintroductions began in 2017 and appear to have been successful.

These data represent visual surveys of Federally Threatened and Endangered fish species in Abrams Creek, TN, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). These surveys are performed by employees (both seasonal and permanent), interns, and a cooperating partner, Conservation Fisheries Inc., which is based in Knoxville, TN. These data are numerical counts made visually by observers while performing snorkeling surveys within three-zones of Abrams Creek where the Smoky Madtom, Yellowfin Madtom, and Citico Darter are found. For surveying T&E fish, visual counts via snorkeling surveys are more effective than backpack electrofishing. Annual survey data are recorded in the GRSM Threatened and Endangered Fish Survey database. NOTE: Some of the ‘comments’ section in the 2020 field data sheets from these efforts list the observation of Greenside Darter and Banded Sculpin. While these native, non-game, fish aren’t considered T&E, they were extirpated from Abrams Creek at the same time as the madtoms and Citico Darter. Their reintroductions began in 2017 and appear to have been successful.

These data represent an assessment of Ichthyofaunal community structure in selected streams located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Sites are sampled on a rotational basis occurring once every two years. Currently (2020), there are ten watersheds being sampled using IBI protocols. Depending on the yearly rotation, these watersheds include Noland Creek, Deep Creek, Big Creek, Oconaluftee River, Eagle Creek, the East Prong of Little River (two sites), Straight Fork, Tabcat Creek, and Hazel Creek. In 2020, six sites were surveyed: East Prong Little River at Elkmont, Cataloochee Creek, Eagle Creek, West Prong Little River, Abrams Creek, and Oconaluftee River. Fish community assemblage assessments are made after collecting specimens using backpack electrofishing and seining techniques. Unlike the 3-Pass depletion method used to observe census data from GRSM streams, an IBI is used to determine how many species of fish are represented in a stream segment by surveying the various types of habitat: riffles, runs, pools, and shoreline. Techniques for IBI sampling also use seining in conjunction with electrofishing for fish capture. The point of IBI sampling isn’t to remove all the fish present, but rather to determine the community assemblage, i.e., species diversity within the stream segment. The GRSM Fishery Division works in conjunction with aquatics biologists at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), who then provide “scores” regarding the species’ representation or robustness given the site criteria. IBI scores and metrics are determined using the TVA IBI Stream Survey Recording System v2.02. Once data have been entered by GRSM staff in the TVA Stream Survey database, results are sent to TVA biologists, who then provide GRSM with the scores associated with the species observed. These scores for 2020 survey data were provided to GRSM by TVA during Fall 2020.

These data represent an assessment of Ichthyofaunal community structure in selected streams located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Sites are sampled on a rotational basis occurring once every two years. Currently (2020), there are ten watersheds being sampled using IBI protocols. Depending on the yearly rotation, these watersheds include Noland Creek, Deep Creek, Big Creek, Oconaluftee River, Eagle Creek, the East Prong of Little River (two sites), Straight Fork, Tabcat Creek, and Hazel Creek. In 2020, six sites were surveyed: East Prong Little River at Elkmont, Cataloochee Creek, Eagle Creek, West Prong Little River, Abrams Creek, and Oconaluftee River. Fish community assemblage assessments are made after collecting specimens using backpack electrofishing and seining techniques. Unlike the 3-Pass depletion method used to observe census data from GRSM streams, an IBI is used to determine how many species of fish are represented in a stream segment by surveying the various types of habitat: riffles, runs, pools, and shoreline. Techniques for IBI sampling also use seining in conjunction with electrofishing for fish capture. The point of IBI sampling isn’t to remove all the fish present, but rather to determine the community assemblage, i.e., species diversity within the stream segment. The GRSM Fishery Division works in conjunction with aquatics biologists at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), who then provide “scores” regarding the species’ representation or robustness given the site criteria. IBI scores and metrics are determined using the TVA IBI Stream Survey Recording System v2.02. Once data have been entered by GRSM staff in the TVA Stream Survey database, results are sent to TVA biologists, who then provide GRSM with the scores associated with the species observed. These scores for 2020 survey data were provided to GRSM by TVA during Fall 2020.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Lodi Fish and Wildlife Office (LFWO) Delta Juvenile Fish Monitoring Program (DJFMP) has intermittently sampled Liberty Island with various equipment since 2002. Liberty Island was a reclaimed agricultural island until it flooded in 1997-1998 and we subsequently left to passively restore as a tidally influenced wetland. Larval trawls and beach were the only sampling methods used during both early (2002-2005) and late (2009-2019) sampling periods. The main purpose of the sampling was to gather information about fish presence and abundance in Liberty Island during the passive restoration, with an emphasis on reproductive and early life-stages of native species. Larval trawls, or tow nets, were used to catch larval fish in 2004-2005 and again from 2013-2019. Zooplankton nets were used 2013-2019. Water quality measurements were collected alongside each tow.