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RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 9, 2004) — The Pigeon River, once written off for dead, is bounding with new life, according to Wildlife in North Carolina. The state’s wildlife magazine reports in its December issue that the Pigeon River is supporting reintroduced species of small fish and aquatic invertebrates. That may not sound impressive unless one knows the history of the troubled river. Flowing from North Carolina’s mountains into Tennessee, the Pigeon for almost a century amounted to little more than a toxic sewer. Only the hardiest fish species survived; mollusks such as snails and mussels — fragile yet crucial to river ecosystems — were wiped out. Culprits ranged from sewage and runoff to a paper mill in Canton. Over the past 20 years, as the mill cleaned up its act and other pollution sources came under tighter controls, the river’s chemically enhanced complexion faded from coffee-colored to a weak-tea tint. Environmental health regulators rescinded the “do not consume” warning on fish. The Pigeon River’s biological obituary was, it appears, a bit premature. But its long ecological slumber presented a scientific quandary: Although the river apparently could support animal life again, biologists had to surmise what species once inhabited the Pigeon River, and were therefore the most logical candidates for stocking. Some scientific detective work paid off. Archived biological surveys, some dating to the 19th century, turned up 40 native species of mollusks and 95 native fish species. In 1996 the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission — working with the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, the state of Tennessee and experts from the universities of Tennessee and Western Carolina — reintroduced snails into the lower stretch of the Pigeon River. Nine species of mussels followed in 2000. Their successes led to the reintroduction of tiny darters and shiners. Biological follow-ups in 2003 and earlier this year indicated they were acclimating to their new habitats. Some were even reproducing, a definite good sign. In September, hurricanes Frances and Ivan whipped across the North Carolina mountains. Widespread flooding washed untold quantities of debris and pollutants into the region’s rivers, including the Pigeon. Scientists working on the Pigeon River Recovery Project doubted that the restocked fish had survived the storms. But field reports from later this fall — after the current issue of Wildlife in North Carolina went to press — found that some of the minnowlike fish survived. Optimistic biologists plan to continue the restockings, adding new species and, perhaps within a generation, completing the resuscitation of the Pigeon River. Wildlife in North Carolina magazine is published monthly by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. For subscription information, call toll-free (866) 945-3746 or subscribe online. |