Thorn Creek Aquatic Passage Project, Pendelton County, West Virginia
This project will remove the 9 identified fish passage barriers in a 50 square mile wild brook trout watershed in Thorn Creek of the South Branch of the Potomac. (Photo: Typical low water bridge crossing to be removed on Thorn Creek in West Virginia.)
These impediments block passage in one or both directions, and serve to sustain an outward migration of brook trout into waters which, currently, are lethally warm for brook trout in typical summer conditions. Removal of the blockages will open over 25 miles of perennial stream to brook trout, improving the long term security of the population. Thorn Creek serves as a brook trout nursery for the upper South Branch of the Potomac.
