Appalachian streams are among the most bio-diverse river systems in the United States, hosting an array of fascinating fishes, mollusks, aquatic insects, reptiles, and amphibians, many of which are endemic (found nowhere else on Earth!) to these montane watersheds. Most people are unaware of the beauty that these seemingly inconspicuous waterways hold beneath their waters, but there has been a recent push to delve into these aquatic environments through a slightly unorthodox activity: snorkeling. Snorkeling may not be the first activity that comes to mind when you think of river recreation, but it is an effective means of exploring and learning about local streams through first hand interactions with the river ecosystem. As you submerge yourself in the aquatic environment, you begin to notice complexities hidden in plain sight, and start to paint a more complete picture of the river.
Since I arrived in Highlands, I've spent my free time fishing and snorkeling numerous river systems, each with their own environmental characteristics that shape unique ecological communities. In the upper Cullasaja River, I found myself surrounded by flashes of color as schools of Warpaint Shiner darted through the heavy current, and I'd occasionally spot a River Chub or stocked Rainbow Trout below the riffles waiting for an unfortunate insect to drift by. Near the gravel bottom of the stream, I'd often find small groups of Northern Hogsucker, a fish that spends its time sifting through the gravel with its tube-like, papillose lips. Many species on the Cullasaja are adapted to heavy current, with streamlined, torpedo shaped bodies that allow for fast movement through riffles.
The Tuckasegee, on the other hand, is a larger, lower gradient river with a wide variety of habitat types. A great place to find fish in larger rivers is within riffles, shallow areas of fast flowing current and structure that supply fishes and other organisms with a strong food base and oxygen-rich water. A wide variety of darter species are often found in and around riffles, and the Tuckasegee is no exception. Darters are adapted to life on the river bottom, preferring to sit along gravel beds or within rocks around swift current in search of aquatic insects such as Stoneflies and Mayflies. They are among the most colorful and diverse groups of fishes in the United States, with 38 species present in North Carolina alone.
I started my snorkel along a gravel run, where groups of Gilt darter lined the stream bottom, sporting brilliant reflective yellow and red coloration. These fish are a more curious darter species, occasionally pursuing prey higher up in the water column. As I ventured into swifter water over cobble and small boulders, I began to notice an occasional Greenfin darter hiding among the rocks. Every time I went to get a good look at one, it would dart to another hiding place, eventually poking its head out to check if the coast was clear. They appeared to be quite numerous, though reclusive. In a slower pool, I spotted a few Mottled Sculpin, another benthic fish that perfectly blends in with the stream bed environment, and the Tuckasegee darter, a fish endemic to the Tuckasegee that can often be found on and among large rocks.
While traversing through large bedrock outcrops, I spotted a large Hellbender nestled in the crack between two slabs. This less-than-graceful (albeit charming) salamander was not alarmed by my presence, and waddled along the river bed, occasionally stopping to stick its head under a rock. I watched it in awe for a few minutes and snapped a few pictures before leaving it to its business.
Coming face to face with a Hellbender is an experience I'll never forget, and was only possible because I was willing to don a snorkel mask. Though it may seem strange at first, I encourage you to take the plunge in your local river and witness the hidden beauties that it has to offer. If you aren't sure where to start, a recent initiative coined "Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail" designated public access sites where river snorkeling is encouraged, with informational signs detailing where to find each of the sites' unique species. For more information on the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail, visit https://ncfishes.com/blue-ridge-snorkel-trail/
- Tayton Alvis