Chapel Branch probably once was a thermal refuge during
the hot summer months for whatever population amounts of the
short-nosed sturgeon that still exist in Lake Marion. As of 1998,
there were no accurate population estimates of the short-nosed
sturgeon within the Santee River, Lake Marion, or Lake Moultrie.
[1]
The cool water that flows from an underground artesian well at the
head waters of Chapel Branch near Santee, South Carolina was a
perfect place for the sturgeon to escape the warm waters of the
lake during the summer months. However, at least for the past
seventeen years the problem is that the creek has been filled in
with storm water sediment and now there exists only a narrow
channel approximately 15 feet wide and approximately 2 feet deep
during the summer months. Flowing through two storm water pipes
storm water is excavating and dumping sediment originating from the
streets of Town of Santee and a gulch between Interstate 95 and
Bass Drive. The flow of the creek has been all but
dammed by the
sediment.
The Lake Marion population segment of short-nosed sturgeon
is considered land-locked. [1]
Other Reasons:
There are also other factors pertinent to the population decline
of the short-nosed sturgeon: the introduction of invasive species
that create predatory competition with the sturgeon (certain
species of catfish), contaminants that interfere with reproduction
(PCB's, waste water effluent), hydrological barriers that prevent
the natural migration of the sturgeon (dams), and capture from
fishing (bait and hook), etc. [1]
Populations Trends for Short-nose Sturgeon in
NC, SC.
- Winyah Bay, Waccamaw, Pee Dee, Black Rivers; SC, NC:
unknown trend [1]
[A].
- Santee River (SC): unknown
trend [1] [A].
- Cooper River (SC): unknown
trend [1] [A],
100-300 fish in recent years [3].
- ACE Basin (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers; SC):
unknown trend [1] [A].
The short-nose sturgeon was listed as endangered
throughout its range on March 11, 1967 under the Endangered Species
Preservation Act of 1966 (a predecessor to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973). The NMFS later assumed jurisdiction for short-nose
sturgeon under a 1974 government reorganization plan outlined in
Federal Register Id (38 FR 41370).
[4]
References:
[1]
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/recovery/sturgeon_shortnose.pdf
119 pages.
[2] National Marine Fisheries Service. 1998. Recovery Plan for the
short-nose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). Silver Springs,
Maryland. 104 pages.
[3] National Marine Fisheries Service. 2004. Biennial Report to
Congress on the Recovery Program for Threatened and Endangered
Species, October 1, 2002-September 30, 2004. Washington (DC):
Department of Commerce.
[4]
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/shortnosesturgeon.htm
1 page.
[A] extinct or not measured or can't seem to locate
(MB)
If there are any errors or ommissions, please contact Riverkeeper@SanteeRiverkeeper.org.