The degradation of many streams and rivers throughout the country has resulted from various activities, such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and construction activities. Degraded aquatic habitats have been attributed to declines in numerous fish populations, especially rare species with complex habitat requirements, and species dependant upon high water quality conditions.

In an effort to enhance and/or restore a previously degraded aquatic habitat, BDY/BDA worked with Turkey Creek Land Partners (TCLP) in eastern Tennessee to relocate and restore a small degraded stream located amidst intense development to a nearby protected conservation area. This 2,400-foot long spring-fed stream was also known to support a small population of rare flame chub minnows (Hemitremia flammea). Although flame chubs were present in the degraded stream, suitable habitat for the rare Cyprinid was sparse.

The new stream was designed and constructed to utilize naturally occurring processes for the purpose of providing optimal habitat for flame chubs. Biologists from BDY/BDA researched historical accounts of flame chubs and used documented habitat descriptions for designing the new stream. Stream geomorphology techniques developed in the western United States by Leopold and Rosgen were also implemented during the design phase of the new stream. To increase the quantity of suitable flame chub habitat available within the restored stream channel, habitat enhancements consisting of an alternating series of riprap and river rock were placed in the constructed channel of the new stream to create pool-run complexes. Aquatic vegetation was also transplanted to the newly restored stream channel to further enhance suitable flame chub habitat.

   

   

Stream restoration/enhancement efforts would have been futile if viable flame chub habitat was not successfully created. As such, the ultimate judge of all the restoration/enhancement efforts would be the flame chubs themselves. To document the success of the stream restoration effort and the restoration of viable flame chub habitat, a comprehensive monitoring program was developed to assess restoration/enhancement efforts by evaluating flame chub populations in the newly restored stream. In addition to this population study, flame chub habitat preferences and habitat availability were also monitored within the restored stream to identify characteristics of stream reaches most utilized by flame chubs. Information gained during the habitat analysis could be used modify stream enhancements for the purpose of creating optimal forage and spawning habitat within the new stream.

In 1996, prior to the stream relocation, the original stream was surveyed to assess the existing flame chub population. Of the 2,400 feet of degraded stream, only two reaches produced flame chubs during the survey. A total of 30 flame chubs were collected from the two stream reaches, and a Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) coefficient was calculated and used as part of a baseline population estimate to be compared with flame chub population estimates within the restored stream. By October 1998, the stream relocation was complete and all the enhancements were in place. Monitoring began in December 1998. Randomly selected reaches along the restored stream channel produced a total of 32 flame chubs with a statistically similar CPUE as calculated for the original stream. At this point, the stream restoration efforts appeared to be supporting a population of flame chubs almost equivalent to that supported by the original degraded stream.

To further assess the flame chub population within the restored stream channel, Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) micro tagging was used as part of a mark-recapture population assessment. As a result of this assessment, flame chub numbers were estimated to reach 1,129 in the restored stream during 1998, and 1,883 in 1999. Since the first monitoring effort was initiated in December 1998, the flame chub population within the restored stream channel has steadily increased. Samples collected from the restored stream in April of 1999, 2000, and 2001 have been reviewed to assess changes in the flame chub population. Current data strongly suggests that the restored stream supports a far greater number of flame chubs than the original degraded stream.
As a result of good science, careful planning, quality workmanship, and a commitment to excellence, this restoration effort has produced positive results for this stream, as well as for the resident flame chub population. The restoration techniques implemented for this project should provide permanent habitat for flame chubs without the need for future maintenance or human intervention, while the permanent conservation easement will provide long-term protection for critical flame chub habitat in perpetuity.

Techniques developed and implemented on this project could easily be adapted for propagation of other rare fish species or even sport fish.