Smoky Mountain News

Learn about biological changes afoot in the Tuckasegee River since the removal of the Dillsboro dam two years ago during a program by a fish biologist at 7 p.m. July 23 in Sylva.

Mark Cantrell of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been monitoring aquatic species in the river before and after demolition of the dam, including how the endangered elk-toe mussel is adapting to the new river ecosystem where the dam once was. The Watershed Association of the Tuckaseigee River will host a talk by Cantrell, as well as provide an update on its own water quality projects.

Learn about mapping of river cane plots, the creation of an interpretive creek-side trail at Monteith Farmstead Park in Dillsboro and volunteer clean-ups of local waterways.

The program will be held at the Jackson County Library. Socializing starts at 6:15 p.m., with the formal program starting at 7 p.m. Watrnc.org.