Statewide Fisheries Research - Completed Projects and Reports

Thurmond Reservoir supports a popular recreational striped bass fishery that is known regionally for trophy striped bass production. Trophy striped bass production at Thurmond is largely due to suitable habitat provided by artificially oxygenated, deep-water releases from Russell Dam, that provide cool, well-oxygenated water in the tailrace. Thermal stratification of Thurmond Reservoir during the summer leads to poor striped bass habitat throughout most of the reservoir, consequently striped bass congregate in the Russell Tailrace where cool well oxygenated water provides a summer-time refuge. Increased pump-storage operations starting in 2011 at Russell Dam could result in warmer water in the Tailrace, during some hydrologic conditions, and reduce Striped Bass habitat. To compensate for this potential loss of habitat the US Army Corps of Engineers installed an oxygen injection system in the lower reservoir during 2011 to create suitable striped bass habitat in the lower reservoir. An expansive hydroacoustic receiver array was deployed to monitor the seasonal distribution and describe the summer habitat (i.e., temperature and dissolved oxygen) occupied by Striped Bass.

• Striped Bass Distribution in J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir

The condition of the surrounding landscape largely determines the biological health of the receiving stream. Therefore, effective conservation of freshwater streams must include an approach that recognizes land and water resources as integrated parts of the same system.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with Clemson University initiated a comprehensive assessment of South Carolina's wadeable streams in 2006 to determine the status of native fish assemblages and aquatic resources throughout the state. The assessment of nearly 500 streams was completed in 2011, with a collection of biological, chemical, physical, and corresponding landscape data necessary to support proactive conservation planning of South Carolina's aquatic resources.

Downloadable files below are in PDF format.

• Stream Assessment SOP
• Final Report and Summary (SCDNR and Clemson University)
• Sampling Sites

Stream Assessment Publications

• Brochure
• South Carolina Wildlife Magazine Article
• Journal Articles

• Identification and Distribution of Crayfishes in South Carolina
• Broad River Mussel Investigation
• Mussel Field Guide
• Workbook and Key to the Freshwater Bivalves of South Carolina

Through a series of grants, factors affecting water quality in Lake Greenwood have been looked at. The Lake Greenwood model report (PDF) documents the development of a water quality model that was and can be used to predict how water quality would change when inflow conditions – especially nutrient load - were changed. The Lake Greenwood model supplement (Adobe PDF file) examines the affect of altering nutrient inflows from the Saluda River. The Saluda-Reedy watershed report (PDF) examines nutrient loading to Lake Greenwood from Saluda and Reedy river sources. The Saluda-Reedy supplement (PDF) estimates the relative contribution of point and non-point nutrient loads within the Saluda and Reedy river basins.

We hope that this information and the developed models can be used to conserve, maintain, and, possibly, enhance the water quality of Lake Greenwood.

A survey of the fish community of the Broad River was conducted in 2001-2002. This study was done to better define the composition and the condition of the aquatic community, which will lead to more effective management of the natural resources. Ten sites along the entire course of the river were sampled and 51 fish species were collected. The species most commonly collected were redbreast sunfish, whitefin shiner, and silver redhorse. The growth of redear sunfish and redear sunfish was assessed. The growth and condition of largemouth bass was evaluated. Eighty seven percent of the riparian habitat along the river was judged to be in good condition. An initial assessment of the freshwater mussel community was also performed. The completed final report (PDF), contains the detailed information obtained during this survey.

A survey of tributary streams of the Broad River was conducted in 2003-2005. The condition and diversity of the fish community was assessed at 45 sites. During these surveys, a total of 45 fish species, 12 of which were of conservation concern, were collected. In addition to fish community surveys, an examination of the macroinvertebrate community was conducted in 2005; a total of 323 different types were sampled. The final report (PDF) displays, in detail, the information obtained from this effort.

The Congaree National Park rests on a floodplain of the Congaree River just outside Columbia. The park preserves, in a wilderness state, the largest intact tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. The park boasts some of the tallest trees in the East with one of the highest canopies in the world. A broad biodiversity gives the park recognition as an International Biosphere Reserve, a National Natural Landmark, a Wilderness Area, and a "Globally Important Bird Area."

• 1997 Survey of Congaree National Park
• 2001-2002 Survey of Congaree National Park
• 2003 post-flood Survey of Congaree National Park

Conducted by James M. Long, Ph.D.

This multi-disciplinary work examines the role of vegetation as fish habitat on the structure and function of fish communities. We are quantifying how fish communities relate to vegetation at the wetland scale and at the vegetation patch scale by comparing wetlands that differ in vegetation composition and comparing among different vegetation types within wetlands. Furthermore, we are quantifying the energy dynamics in these wetlands by examining secondary production of fish and the food habits of the top predator, largemouth bass.

• Cooper River - final report to Sea Grant
• Cooper River - fish community evaluation