Mainspring to solve minnow mystery
The federally threatened Spotfin Chub migrates from larger rivers to smaller creeks each fall. Donated photo
Mainspring Conservation Trust is partnering with the Tennessee Valley Authority in a study to better understand what triggers thousands of minnows to migrate from rivers to smaller creeks each fall.
Shiners and minnows can be found almost everywhere, but many of those living in Western North Carolina prefer free-flowing streams to still lakes. Every fall, river shiners embark on a massive migration to smaller creeks.
To better understand what triggers this migration, Mainspring biologists are analyzing what creeks or habitats fish are searching for and how long they remain in the creeks after they find them before returning to the rivers. In creeks where shiners have been observed before, Mainspring biologists are surveying each week to determine when the migration begins. The week of Oct. 8 marked the first indication that 2018’s migration had started.
Small streams are often the most neglected, but they’re ecologically important, especially at this time of year. Landowners with streams on their property should shade the water and use alternative watering sources for livestock.
