e trispot darter is a small, colorful fish
with three prominent black saddles on its back.
e species, which grows up to 1.5 inches long,
is found only above the fall line in Alabama,
Georgia and Tennessee within the Coosa
River watershed.
e fish requires two interconnecting
habitats. Beyond breeding season, it
occupies the peripheral zones of the
Coosa River; during the breeding
season, it moves to shallower,
vegetated streams.
"e species utilizes distinct
breeding and nonbreeding
habitats," said Chad Fitch, a
biologist for Alabama Power.
In late winter, the winter-
spawning fish moves from
main river channels into
tributaries and eventually into
seepage areas, congregating
there until spring.
One breeding site is on
Alabama Power property in St. Clair County.
e area, a tributary of Little Canoe Creek,
is dry for about two-thirds of the year but
consistently maintains a water channel in
winter.
e site had a road crossing with two
metal culverts to allow water passage;
however, over time, the culverts became
perched just above the streambed. To help
the fish move through the channel, the
culverts were removed and replaced with
a bridge.
"is restores the stream to a more
natural condition and will allow the
fish to easily move through the area,"
Fitch said. "e work was completed in
four days and could not have gone more
smoothly. Our partners brought their
expertise, work ethic and passion for
conservation to this project."
Photos
courtesy
of:
Alabama
Cooperative
Extension
System
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