SARP: Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership

Stream segments (700-1,300m) were treated in 2005.

Indian Prong with thriving brook trout population.

Introduction:

Brook trout, the only salmonid native to the southeast, have lost about 75% of their historic range due to past logging activities and introduction of non-native trout.  In 1993, the National Park Service identified 10 streams that can support native southern Appalachian brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The long term goal is to restore historic range of habitat for this native species.

Description of Site:

• One of the 10 identified streams is Lynn Camp Prong. Restoration activity was concentrated on 4.0 km of Indian Flats Prong, a second order tributary of Lynn Camp Prong.

Problem:

• Although upper reaches of Lynn Camp Prong has a population of Appalachian brook trout, Indian Flats Prong was populated with non-native hybrid brook trout that developed after stocking in 1938 of a northern hatchery strain of brook trout. The northern strain hybridized with remnant Appalachian brook trout, eliminating the native population.

• Three large barrier falls separate Indian Flats Prong from Lynn Camp Prong.

Strategy:

• Eliminate non-native brook trout from site by carefully using a piscicide followed by adetoxication process to neutralize waters.
• Collect about 200 native Appalachian brook trout from upper Lynn Camp Prong and distribute in selected locations in Indian Flats Prong.
• Involve volunteer stakeholders to remove the hybrids and stock the native fishes.

Sampling in 2008 indicates that the introduced native Appalachian brook trout have successfully reproduced and the population is expanding.