One of the coolest things about my job is that it requires me to visit some local rivers on a fairly regular basis. While we work in the Powell and Holston, the Clinch is where we spend the most of our time. I'm sure some of you have been to the Clinch for recreational purposes (and if you haven't, you should be ashamed of yourself), but I would wager that few of you know what an amazing resource it actually is. Allow me to get my nerd on for a few...
The Clinch spans 300 miles in length from Virginia to Tennessee. In Virginia alone, the Clinch is home to over 50 species of freshwater mussels, as well as more than 100 species of non-game fish (those are the little guys). These numbers are what allow the Clinch to be ranked as the most biologically diverse river in North America. And it's in your backyard. And you didn't even know it, did ya?
Of those 50 species of mussels that claim the Clinch as home, 34 are threatened or endangered (I may be off by one or two species - more have been listed recently). Fish aren't doing much better, coming in with 19 species on the imperiled list.
Then there are the obvious benefits of having such an awesome river so close to home. There are great fishing spots, lots of recreational opportunities, and of course, the scenery. I've snorkeled, kayaked, canoed and tubed the Clinch multiple times... it never ceases to amaze me.
A section of the Clinch in Scott County, VA. The ropes were set up as gridlines for a mussel survey. I took this pic from one of the many swinging bridges that span the river.
A displaying female oystermussel, Epioblasma capsaeformis.
Just a cool find. I can't go anywhere that I don't look for little things that most people miss... sometimes it pays off.
One of my river adventures... the day I found my first river baby!
An eastern spiny softshell turtle, Apolone spinifera spinifera.
Hard at work!
A candy darter, Etheostoma osburni.
Hope you've enjoyed today's lesson. If you haven't been to the Clinch, don't tell anyone... just go! I'd love to go with you...
