Environmental Contaminants
Exceptional Drought Conditions in the Duck River Watershed
The Duck River watershed in Middle Tennessee has been experiencing exceptional drought conditions during the summer and fall of 2007. Service Environmental Contaminant and Endangered Species personnel have been cooperatively working with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in assessing water quality and quantity issues in the mainstem of the river downstream of Tims Ford Dam. Permanent monitoring stations have been established at three sites. Channel cross-sections were surveyed, flow measurements were performed, and water quality samples are being collected to measure dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and nitrogen. These collaborative efforts will continue until the current drought conditions subside.
Tims Ford Biological Opinion
The construction and operation of the Tims Ford Dam on the Elk River has resulted in the drastic decline of several endangered freshwater mussels and the endangered boulder darter.
Historical flow regimes have been altered by the dam. Fluctuations in flow due to hydropower peaking and releases to achieve winter reservoir pool levels have made substrate habitats and stream-banks unstable. Lower water temperatures resulting from hydropower generation hinder freshwater mussel reproduction.
The Environmental Contaminant program is providing valuable assistance in formulating the Service's biological opinion on the effects of discharges from the dam, which is influencing the survival and recovery of listed species.
Black Oak Ridge
Historic releases of PCBs, mercury, and radionuclides resulted in contaminated sediments that require active management and the issuance of fish consumption advisories for Lower Watts Bar reservoir. The Service is cooperatively working with the EPA on clean-up and ecological risk assessments for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR).
As a member of the ORR Natural Resources Trustee Council , the Service helped secure the establishment of a conservation easement on a 3000-acre parcel, known locally as Black Oak Ridge, on the ORR. Black Oak Ridge supports a variety of habitats for game species and neo-tropical migratory birds, including the rare cerulean warbler
Information or questions concerning the Environmental Contaminants Program in Tennessee can be obtained from Mr. Steve Alexander.
