Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1540062
The trispot darter is getting by with a little help from some friends. In 2020, Alabama Power and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stepped in to build a bridge and reconnect the trispot darter with its critical breeding grounds off Little Canoe Creek in Springville to support populations of the tiny fish. The trispot darter, which is federally protected, lives only in the Coosa River and its tributaries and uses small, seasonally wet streams to spawn. Before the new bridge was constructed, occasional high water flow had eroded the culverts beneath the roadway, making it difficult for the darters to swim upstream to their natural breeding habitat. One of the Yellowhammer State's smallest and most elusive fish, the trispot darter inhabits small, shallow streams, hovering slightly above the creek bed. The 2-inch fish is also found in Georgia and Tennessee. "The trispot darter is important to the environment because the more diversity we have in our streams, the better," said Dylan Shaw, Environmental Affairs specialist. "We have these little fish, a species that many people have never heard of, that are actually filling important roles in the local ecosystem." "Alabama Power and its parent company, Southern Company, are very committed to the native species that exist in the waters we operate in and around. It is very important for us to make sure we're including these species in our conservation plans as we're going about our duties to provide power." By Donna Cope 5 Charles W. Abrams 84, Retiree, Greene County Steam Plant, Feb. 26, 2025. Bobby M. Armistead 88, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, March 31, 2025. Raymond T. Austin 65, Retiree, Montgomery, March 1, 2025. James L. Bean 77, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, April 23, 2025. Paul D. Biddy 78, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, May 24, 2025. Cary R. Bryant 66, Retiree, Plant Greene County, March 9, 2025. Willie M. Bush 67, Retiree, Gaston Steam Plant, April 30, 2025. Haurice E. Conway 97, Retiree, Fort Deposit, March 27, 2025. Robert B. Crocker 83, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, May 11, 2025. Walter R. Crow 87, Retiree, Southeast Division Office, May 27, 2025. Danny L. Edmondson 64, Active, Phenix City, May 16, 2025. Margaret A. Ellison 90, Retiree, Metro-South-Pelham, April 25, 2025. Brenda M. Frias 71, Retiree, Columbiana, May 26, 2025. Walter H. Graham 70, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, April 4, 2025. Charles W. Guthrie 94, Retiree, Substation Maintenance Crew, March 18, 2025. Walter S. Hackett 76, Retiree, Plant Gaston, April 16, 2025. Larry E. Hamby 66, Retiree, East Jefferson, May 29, 2025. Kevin F. Hammons 71, Retiree, Plant Gaston, April 22, 2025. Larry C. Harvill 81, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, June 5, 2025. Hansel L. Hudson 98, Retiree, Western Division Office, May 20, 2025. Russell E. Hull 92, Retiree, Montgomery, April 20, 2025. Dan C. Kelly 91, Retiree, Southeast Division Office, April 27, 2025. William M. Maynord 80, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, June 14, 2025. Verlie B. McBrayer 96, Retiree, East Jefferson, April 2, 2025. Ronald W. McKee 78, Retiree, Plant Barry, April 12, 2025. Ernest M. Moore 82, Retiree, Aliceville Office, May 15, 2025. Elmer L. Nesmith 90, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, June 1, 2025. Willard O. Nesmith 88, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, March 30, 2025. Gilbert W. Nicholson 66, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, May 15, 2025. Arnold G. Norris 81, Retiree, Fayette Office, April 2, 2025. Robin C. Ray 70, Retiree, Clanton Office, March 30, 2025. Kenneth L. Reynolds, 77, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, April 16, 2025. Neil J. Sanders 86, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, May 19, 2025. Edie L. Sharp 90, Retiree, General Services Complex, May 25, 2025. Charles E. Shirah 78, Retiree, Logan Martin Dam, March 24, 2025. Marvin L. Simmons 85, Retiree, Jacksonville, April 15, 2025. Kim M. Thomas 64, Retiree, Plant Miller, April 7, 2025. Chester B. Vance 89, Retiree, Plant Greene County, April 13, 2025. Burdnette M. Watford 72, Retiree, Corporate Headquarters, March 20, 2025. James E. Webster 76, Retiree, Plant Miller, April 16, 2025. DonaldL. Williams 73, Retiree, Substation Maintenance Crew, May 1, 2025. Jerry D. Willis 86, Retiree, Plant Gaston, May 17, 2025. Timothy W. Wilson 50, Active, Schillinger Road Crew Headquarters, May 29, 2025. Ronald P. Windham 71, Retiree, Jasper Office, May 15, 2025. In Memoriam E N V I R O N M E N T A L S T E W A R D S H I P Meet Alabama's trispot darter – the small fish at home in small streams Environmental Affairs Specialists Shaw (left) and Colin Dinken monitor the health of the trispot darter. The trispot darter is federally protected. (Photos by Phil Free)