A baseline survey of crayfish species in the Pigeon River, Tennessee and North Carolina

The Pigeon River watershed has been the focus of a ­­major recovery project to reintroduce fish and other aquatic species into the river where they were historically present. A paper mill at Pigeon River Mile 63.2 began operations in 1908 and discharged effluents which had a detrimental impact on the aquatic wildlife. Recent modifications to the mill have significantly improved effluent quality such that most aquatic organisms are recolonizing the river. The present study is a baseline survey of crayfish species in the Pigeon River and its tributaries; it also includes a comparison of crayfish abundance and diversity upstream and downstream of the paper mill. Crayfish were collected using modified minnow traps, snorkeling along ‘turning rocks, and electroshocking; the method used was determined based on characteristics of the stream reach sampled. A total of 306 crayfish specimens representing 7 species were collected during the 7-month study. Crayfish were found in 9 Pigeon River tributaries and also in the mainstem river upstream of the paper mill and below the hydroelectric facility at PRM 13.2. No crayfish were collected or found downstream of the paper mill to Waterville Lake at the hydroelectric facility.