Investigation of the effects of thermal enrichment and acid mine drainage on sensitive aquatic biota in the Stony River, Grant County, West Virginia

Surveys have indicated that fish and crayfish populations are small in the Stony River, which is influenced by thermal enrichment and acid mine drainage (AMD). During a crayfish trapping survey, Cambarus bartonii was the only species captured. Capture rates were higher downstream of the confluence with a healthy tributary than in thermal and AMD influenced reaches. In situ bioassays were undertaken with C. bartonii during summer. Survival decreased with extended elevated temperatures, and was not statistically related to AMD. Larval fish were surveyed during spring 2004. Overall capture was low and dominated by white suckers (Catostomus commersoni). White sucker larvae appeared earlier in the Stony River than a reference tributary. Capture rates were lower in AMD mixing zones than non-mixing zones. Fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas) larvae were used for in situ bioassays. Survival was zero in an AMD mixing zone, but uncorrelated to temperature and AMD parameters at other sites.