Watauga Reservoir

Dissolved oxygen

Dissolved oxygen rated at the upper end of the fair range at the forebay and poor at the mid-reservoir. Dissolved oxygen typically rates poor at the mid-reservoir, while ratings at the forebay consistently have been good or “high fair.” However, dissolved oxygen rated good at both monitoring locations in 2004, the only good rating to date at the mid-reservoir.

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll levels were within the expected range at both monitoring locations and rated good, consistent with most previous years.

Fish

The fish community rated fair at the forebay and good at the mid-reservoir monitoring location. Fish catch rate and species diversity were slightly lower than expected at both locations, with composition dominated by bluegill. Over time, the fish community has rated fair consistently at the forebay and good or at the upper end of the fair range at the mid-reservoir site.

Bottom life

Bottom life rated fair at both monitoring locations because the benthic communities were dominated by high densities of tolerant organisms. Fair ratings are typical for the mid-reservoir. However, prior to 2006, bottom life had rated poor at the forebay. There were more organisms collected in 2006 and 2008 than in previous years, and although the animals were primarily species capable of tolerating poor conditions, this resulted in improved (fair) ratings.

Sediment

Sediment quality rated good at both monitoring locations. The forebay has received a good rating most years; however, the mid-reservoir first received a good rating in 2006. In prior years, the mid-reservoir site rated fair because sediment samples contained low levels of chlordane, a pesticide previously used to control termites and crop pests.

See definitions of ecological health indicators and monitoring locations.