Southern Appalachian brook trout are a genetically distinct subspecies that has been decimated by nonnative trout species, anthropogenic disturbance, and other factors. Remaining populations are largely limited to the protected high country found in the national forests and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Even in these areas, disturbance has extirpated brook trout from many watersheds. McNabb Creek in the Tellico River system was one such stream. Fortunately, government agencies and Trout Unlimited volunteers are working to restore this fishery.

The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Highway on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, is aptly named. Driving this route on top of the mountains is reminiscent of flying in a helicopter. The aerial vistas are enjoyed by many, particularly motorcyclists who relish the hairpin turns more than I did as a passenger in the backseat of Jim Herrig’s SUV. Jim, a member of TU’s Appalachian chapter and a fisheries biologist for the Cherokee National Forest, is a key player behind a coalition that aims to restore McNabb Creek. In addition to Jim, I met active TU members Robert Wilson, Don and Beverly Denney, and Gary Williams during my tour. Robert is the new president of Chattanooga’s Appalachian chapter while Don and Beverly are cornerstone members of the Hiwassee chapter. Gary Williams, of the Little River chapter, is a former Tennessee Valley Authority biologist who is currently spearheading a macroinvertebrate monitoring effort in McNabb Creek. I couldn’t have stumbled upon better hosts to teach me about the restoration of this fishery.

When the construction of the Skyway began in the ‘70s, it was not realized that the road was being cut through the unique Anakeesta formation. Anakeesta is a highly acidic sedimentary rock and when construction crews ground it up and used it for fill, they unknowingly exposed more surface area to runoff, resulting in highly acidic conditions in the watershed. For decades, McNabb Creek had a pH of below 5.5, rendering it unsuitable for diverse aquatic life and brook trout. In particular, low pH causes aluminum to leach out of the soil into runoff. Aluminum is highly toxic to trout and other aquatic organisms.

The first step towards restoring the creek was to elevate the pH. A year ago, the Cherokee National Forest and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) began depositing pH basic limestone sand at culverts along the highway (see the photos). Liming the culverts helps neutralize runoff from the Anakeesta fill, raising the pH the creek. After the liming began, aluminum started to precipitate out of the stream water, resulting in visible silver flakes on the creek bottom.

With the pH back towards neutral, Jim’s crew, TWRA, and Trout Unlimited volunteers from three chapters (Hiwassee, Appalachian, and Little River) electroshocked the creek late last summer, in an effort to remove a small population of rainbow trout that was somehow able to survive the acidic conditions. Rainbow trout out-compete brookies, so their removal is integral to the success of the restoration. Then, the team stocked about 200 native brook trout from a nearby watershed. Jim is anxiously waiting to shock the creek next month in search of fry. Everyone is hoping that the re-introduced brookies were able to spawn successfully.

See the photos HERE

To find out more about brook trout restorationand natural history, visit www.brookie.org.
For more information on the Appalachian chapter visit www.appalachiantu.org
If you are interested in the Hiwassee chaper, please check out www.hiwassee.net