Species
The Black Warrior River watershed covers 6,276 square miles and touches parts of 17 counties, making it the largest river system contained entirely within Alabama, America’s leading state for freshwater biodiversity.
Alabama rivers contain 38 percent of North America's fish species, 52 percent of its freshwater turtle species, 43 percent of its freshwater gill-breathing snails and 60 percent of its freshwater mussels. (Alabama Department of Freshwater Resources). Alabama has more species of freshwater fish, crayfish, mussels, turtles and snails than any other state (The Nature Conservancy).
The Black Warrior River watershed is home to 127 freshwater fish species (Geological Survey of Alabama), 48 species of mussels (9 of which are federally listed as threatened or endangered), 15 turtle species (Dr. Ken Marion), and numerous other reptiles and amphibians.
With thousands of spotted bass per river mile, the Black Warrior River’s free-flowing Locust Fork is the best all-around fly-fishing river among the Black Warrior’s three major forks (Sipsey, Mulberry and Locust), surpassing its very scenic & biodiverse counterparts in both quality and quantity of fishing.Alabama rivers contain 38 percent of North America's fish species, 52 percent of its freshwater turtle species, 43 percent of its freshwater gill-breathing snails and 60 percent of its freshwater mussels. (Alabama Department of Freshwater Resources). Alabama has more species of freshwater fish, crayfish, mussels, turtles and snails than any other state (The Nature Conservancy).
The Black Warrior River watershed is home to 127 freshwater fish species (Geological Survey of Alabama), 48 species of mussels (9 of which are federally listed as threatened or endangered), 15 turtle species (Dr. Ken Marion), and numerous other reptiles and amphibians.
There are 12 Federally listed endangered species of animals in the Black Warrior River basin. There are two endangered fish: Watercress Darter (Etheostoma nuchale) and Vermilion Darter (Etheostoma chermocki). One endangered snail: the Plicate rocksnail (Leptoxis ampla). Nine threatened or endangered species of mussels including: the Triangular kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus greenii), and Inflated Heelsplitter (Potarnilus inflatus). There is also a threatened reptile, the Flattened Musk Turtle (Sternotherus depressus) and a threatened list candidate amphibian, the Black Warrior Waterdog (Necturus alabamensis).
Photos © Dr. Pat O'Neil, Dr. Randy Haddock, Mark Bailey, Beth Young, and Nelson Brooke
