Roanoke LogPerch Habitat Restoration

Quickfacts:

  • The endangered Roanoke Logperch (RLP), a large darter found in the Roanoke River Basin, has declined due to sedimentation, pollution, and fragmentation caused by dams. Populations in North Carolina are vulnerable and fragmented. The 2014 Duke Energy Coal Ash spill highlighted the need for restoration, leading to the securing of priority riparian buffer habitats and the removal of the Power Dam on the Pigg River. These efforts, along with previous recovery actions, are fostering momentum for RLP habitat restoration and species recovery.
  • Transformation of the dam opened 48 miles of high quality, previously inaccessible habitat to RLP.
  • The project included sediment sampling upstream of the former dam to identify the most effective habitat feature designs and the best locations.
  • Project received approval from NC State Historic Preservation with no historic resources identified and a Biological Opinion was required and reviewed by March 2020, this was provided to USACE as finalized by USFWS.
  • In addition to benefits for the Roanoke Logperch, the habitat created is also suitable for rare aquatic mussels including the endangered James Spinymussel and the threatened Atlantic pigtoe and their host fish.

 July 15, 2019 – July 15, 2023

In partnership with the USFWS to enhance the habitat of the endangered Roanoke Log Perch (RLP) in the Dan River, specifically upstream of the Lyndsay Street Bridge dam removal project in Madison, NC. The project improved feeding, resting, and breeding areas for the RLP, a large darter species historically found throughout the Roanoke River Basin. 

Declines in the RLP population have been caused by sedimentation, pollution, and fragmentation from dams and other barriers. The 2014 Duke Energy Coal Ash spill highlighted the need for restoration in the Dan River watershed, leading to the securing of priority riparian buffer habitats and the removal of the Power Dam on the Pigg River in Virginia. These efforts, along with previous recovery actions, aim to help stabilize and recover the RLP population.

This dam transformation opened 48 miles of previously inaccessible habitat to the species, with biologists prioritizing this project for RLP recovery. To further improve upstream habitats, the team launched Project Yellow Brick Road, installing fish habitat structures between the dam and natural reaches upstream.

Location:

Dan River Watershed, Roanoke River Basin, Madison, Rockingham County, North Carolina

Partners: 

  • US Fish and Wildlife Service- Partners for Fish & Wildlife and Southeast Aquatic Habitat Team
  • Pinehall Brick
  • Kris Bass Engineering
  • Backwater Environmental

Funding:

PCC entered a Partners Agreement with the USFWS for $75,000 of funding support. These funds were solely used for the upstream habitat enhancement portion of the project.  The larger fish passage and dam adjustment was funded by multiple partners and sources, this totaled approximately $2.5 million.