Cooperatove Conservation Project
COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Protecting Fish Habitat in SC

Partners for Trout Protects and Restores Rare South Carolina Waters

Location: Southeastern Region: South Carolina

Project Summary: A powerful coalition of private citizens and federal, state, and local agencies, is restoring South Carolina's rare trout waters.
Click for Full Size
Amy O. Maxwell, SC USDA-NRCS
Resource Challenge
Naturally reproducing trout populations are native to the Eastatoee, and fish management efforts in this area date back to the 1930’s. Trout require cold, well oxygenated water and are highly sensitive to excessive silt loads, increased water temperatures and lowered oxygen levels. Over time, development, agriculture, dam construction, logging, road construction, etc., have degraded the trout-producing habitat.

 

Water temperatures rose due to loss of tree cover and vegetation alongside the streambank. This resulted in unsuitable living conditions for the trout which meant the trout either died or swam upstream to cooler waters. This project is the beginning of long-range efforts to restore trout populations and return the Eastatoee to an environment that protects and provides a haven for trout.

 

Examples of Key Partners

Partners for Trout is comprised of Eastatoee Valley landowners, the Foothills Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Trout Unlimited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s), U.S. Forest Service, and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

 

 

 

Results and Accomplishments

Partners for Trout developed a resource plan to accomplish three major objectives—1) conserving, enhancing, and restoring cold-water trout habitat and fish stocks with high priority given to Eastern Brook Trout populations; 2) developing and maintaining increased recreational trout fishing facilities and access and; 3) promoting public education of the value and benefits of SC’s trout fishery and conservation measures that protect it. 

One practice installed to combat erosion was the Cross-Vane (see figure A, page 1), which decreases velocity and stream power, while increasing the energy in the center of the channel. The Cross-Vane is a carefully calculated structure with each rock placed at a specific angle in relation to the current and the bank. The structures were placed at strategic locations along the water body in an effort to centralize the current. Each structure was placed according to a specific elevation at the point where most of the energy occurred. The J-Hook is a gently sloping structure of natural materials located on the outside of stream bends. The structure helps reduce bank erosion by decreasing velocity and stress to the streamside. The hook also creates a pool area that dissipates energy and provides excellent fish habitat. Other techniques included whole-tree revetments which use bundles of cabled trees to stabilize curves within the stream and protect the streambank from excessive erosion. Willow limbs were also planted in hopes of creating live cover along the bank. Root wads stabilize the bank and provide protection for fish and wildlife habitat.  Tree cover is also a key solution to this natural resource concern, because once established, the canopy will naturally lower water temperature, thus increasing dissolved oxygen and providing vegetation and cover for wildlife

 

 

 

 

 

 

Innovation/Highlight

This project is yet another successful example of the power of partnership. By combining ideas, experience, resources, and energy, Partners for Trout is making a difference by protecting and rehabilitating Upstate South Carolina’s fragile trout waters.

Project Contact
David Demarest
Foothills RC&D Coordinator
Foothills RC&D
301 University Ridge, Suite 4400
Greenville, SC 29601
864-467-2775
dave.demarest@sc.usda.gov
Amy Maxwell
Public Affairs Spec.
USDA-NRCS
1835 Assembly Street, Room 950
Columbia, SC 29201
803-765-5402
amy.maxwell@sc.usda.gov
Website:

To request additions or corrections to this case study email the Administrator