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

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.

The Cameron Peak Fire and East Troublesome Fire of 2020 were the two largest wildfires in Colorado history. They burned approximately 9% of the Rocky Mountain National Park, raising a concern for trout populations that currently support recreational fishing and success of on-going and future efforts to conserve native trout populations. In this study, we surveyed habitat characteristics and biological communities at 19 sites in summer of 2021 and a subset of 11 sites in summer of 2022 to characterize wildfire impacts on aquatic resources. We were primarily interested in trout population structure and abundance, which were compared to available pre-fire data. In addition, we collected information on physical habitat, water quality, algae and benthic macroinvertebrates because wildfire effects are complex and this array of data helps assist identifying ecological mechanisms that affect aquatic top predators (i.e., trout). The greenback cutthroat trout is listed as state and federally threatened and is the Colorado State Fish. The Colorado River cutthroat trout is a state species of concern and two distinct lineages occur in the burned areas of ROMO. Quantifying wildfire effects on stream ecosystems and trout populations is needed for ROMO to decide whether (1) ongoing conservation actions should continue including the Poudre Headwaters Project, (2) recreational fishing should be regulated, and (3) waters should require trout stocking or will naturally recover via trout immigration from connected populations.For more information see the report here: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2304877

Inventory project as-delivered dataset

Inventory project as-delivered dataset