Fish Inventories of Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network Parks with Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, Final Report

Atkinson, James

During August and early September, 2002, fish species inventories were initiated in wadable aquatic habitats within the Mid-Atlantic Network (MIDN) parks which continued until 2004. The 2002 parks sampled were Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (FRSP), Richmond National Battlefield (RICH), Petersburg National Battlefield (PETE), Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (APCO) and Booker T. Washington National Monument (BOWA). All of the 2002 fish inventory fieldwork was conducted with backpack electrofishing gear. During the second year, 2003, of the MIDN fish inventory, several sites within each of FRSP, RICH, and PETE, were either resampled from among those initially sampled during 2002 or were sampled for the first time, expanding to include Valley Forge National Historical Park (VAFO), George Washington Birthplace National Monument (GEWA) and Thomas Stone National Historic Site (THST). The latter two parks are components of the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network (NCBN). A variety of sampling methods were employed at Pope’s Creek in GEWA, including boat mounted electrofishing gear, trawls, seines, minnow traps and angling gear. The areas within FRSP, RICH, and PETE that were either resampled or newly sampled during 2003 resulted in the addition of new species within each park that were not encountered during 2002. As in 2002, species diversity appeared to be most influenced by the number streams or other aquatic areas present within each park, stream size and/or diversity of habitat types within/between streams. During the third year, 2004, of the MIDN fish inventory, several sites within each of APCO, BOWA, and FRSP were resampled from among those initially sampled during 2002 and 2003 effectively completing the fish inventory in those three parks. Fish inventories in VAFO were also completed this year with the addition of a section of the Schuylkill River sampled by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). Also this year, the inventory was expanded to include Gettysburg National Military Park (GETT) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (EISE). Additionally, GEWA, was sampled extensively during 2004 as a follow-up to the preliminary 2003 sampling effort. Multiple electrofishing techniques were employed for inventories in the MIDN parks during 2003 and 2004 including backpack, towed and boat mounted gear. Towed and boat mounted gear and personnel were provided courtesy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and the PFBC. Sampling within the expansive aquatic habitats of GEWA was accomplished to a large degree with a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). A variety of sampling methods were employed within GEWA including the use of fyke nets, trawls, seines, and angling gear. The cumulative fish inventory effort from all streams and sites from all years include a total of 100 species from 44,076 individual fish captured. Cumulative fish species diversity within individual parks ranged from eight at THST to 41 at FRSP. Management Recommendations The park lands included in this inventory are relatively small in area and do not generally contain or otherwise have control of the headwaters of aquatic systems present. However, the aquatic systems present within many of the parks contain significant fishery resources. Many if not most streams within these parks will be affected by activities associated with development, agriculture or other disturbances further upstream. Where feasible, park staff should encourage programs and projects that result in improved water quality in areas upstream from the parks.

Fish Inventories of Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network Parks with Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, Final Report

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