Mid-Atlantic Council of TU

Nemacolin Chapter of TU

*this page is still under construction*

Projects:

Matthew Run, Neff Run

Source: DNR Brook Trout Management Plan

Neff Run has been a stream that has undergone a major restoration project in

recent years from impacts of severe AMD and sediment loads (Johnson 2000). This

stream has been identified as a stream in need of restoration by several agencies including

the Nemacolin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the MDE BOM, MD DNR, GCWA, the

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Allegany Soil Conservation

District. The MD DNR Chesapeake and Coastal Watershed Services Watershed

Restoration Division conducted a Stream Corridor Assessment Method (SCAM) survey

of Neff Run. This survey identified problem areas such as bank erosion, AMD, pipe

outfalls, fish barriers, trash dumping and other unusual conditions along Neff Run. As a

result of this survey several stream restoration projects have be completed or are planned

in the near future. For example, the NRCS has just completed Phase I of a major in-

stream habitat restoration project where 43 in-stream rock vanes were constructed in

order to reduce down cutting, improve bank stabilization, and improve physical in-stream

fish habitat (C. Hartsock, personal communication). The Nemacolin Chapter of TU

along with many other organizations conducted a riparian zone tree-planting project, and

the MDE BOM eliminated one source of AMD into the stream during 2001. The MDE

BOM is planning to conduct AMD abatement measures in the Neff Run watershed by

utilizing limestone fines stream dumping and the construction of five limestone leach

beds in 2003 (J. Mills, personnel communication).

An electrofishing survey of Neff Run upstream of the AMD-impacted Matthew

Run tributary was conducted in 1987 (Davis 1987) and a small population of brook trout

was present in the stream. Blacknose dace, creek chubs, and mottled sculpins were also

found in low abundance. Pegg (1989) found similar fish species composition in Neff

Run upstream of Matthews Run, and showed that the AMD-impacted Matthew Run

reduced fish and benthic macroinvertebrate populations in Neff Run. A survey

conducted by the MD DNR Fisheries Service during 1994 in Neff Run upstream of

Matthews Run showed that the brook trout population was reduced due to a new source

of AMD. The brook trout population of Neff Run was restricted to the short headwater

area, and probably consisted of only a few individual fish. We noted that AMD, high

embeddedness, and partial canopy coverage were limiting factors for fish populations in

Neff Run (Johnson 2000). This source of AMD has since been eliminated, and brook

trout have re-colonized this section of the stream. Stream habitat improvements in Neff

Run were completed in 2002, and should reduce high bedloads and sedimentation in the

stream. Portions of Neff Run’s riparian zone have been planted in trees, and should

eventually improve coldwater temperature regimes.

Matthew Run upstream of the AMD source in the lower portion of this stream

supports viable brook trout and mottled sculpin populations (Johnson 2000). AMD

remediation projects in Neff Run and Matthews Run are planned to start construction in

2003. Matthews Run can serve as a source of coldwater fish species to re-colonize Neff

Run as water quality improves.