Downeast Trout Unlimited to host meeting about water quality in streams

Downeast Trout Unlimited plans to host David Thorne, fisheries biologist and stream habitat coordinator for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, for a discussion of efforts to improve water quality and increase reproductive success of Brook Trout in streams impaired by acidic deposition.

The hybrid meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at the Moore Community Center, 125 State St. in Ellsworth, and via Zoom.

David Thorne is the fisheries biologist and stream habitat coordinator for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Submitted photo

Atmospheric acidic deposition has been recognized as a mechanism for degradation of water quality in West Virginia since the 1950s because the poor soils lack a natural buffering capacity. The soils and bedrock geology are overwhelmed, leading to failure of trout stream fisheries, according to a news release from Downeast Trout Unlimited.

Decades of research has shown that application of high calcium crushed limestone sand can improve the negative effects and increase recruitment and survival of native Brook Trout.

Since 1991, over 94,000 tons of limestone has been added to West Virginia streams. The program is using about 5,000 tons annually in 63 streams and five small impoundments, improving fisheries in over 300 miles of streams and 456 acres of small impoundments.

Thorne specializes in small stream management for native brook trout. Among his responsibilities are habitat management, restoration, and overseeing the DNR’s acid waters mitigation program. He has over 30 years of experience in fisheries, much of that researching ways to counter the effects of atmospheric acidic deposition on the infertile waters of West Virginia.

For more information, email the DETU secretary at tpackie@gmail.com. To register, visit downeasttu.org.