Partner(s): The Nature Conservancy Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency US Fish & Wildlife Service Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources National Park Service

South Fork Cumberland River -

Big South Fork NRRA, TN/KY

Description of Site:

• 125,000 acres in north central Tennessee with 450 miles of trails.
• 475 miles of streams with trails crossing at various points.

• 128 fish species and 31 mussel species, of which 10 mussel species and three fish species are endangered.

Problem:

• Often trail crossings are in un-protected fording areas, resulting in crushed organisms, increased erosion and greater stream sediment load.

Strategy:

• Delineate the corridor with slab rock.

  

  Unprotected fording areas threatened

  fish and mussels.

• Create stream crossings hardened concrete planks running parallel to the stream bank, placed across the width of the stream
• Utilize funding to purchase slab rock, tri-lock block and other materials.

• Utilize volunteers to install purchased slab rock; utilize park crews to install tri-lock block.

Success:

• Park monitoring efforts have documented a drastic reduction in the number of animals and plants crushed by user groups and decreased sediment load. The corridor is now clearly marked.

  

  Park visitors use newly-constructed

  stream crossings.

  Law enforcement action can be taken when users cross stream outside of the corridor.
• Duskytail darter, an endangered fish, has been observed using the area since the rocks were placed. It may take the mussels a few years to occupy the new habitat.
• Nine crossings are installed. Goal is 250 crossings.

Related Resources & Documents

• bigsouthforkfinal.pdf