2002 surveys for aquatic oligochaetes and other macroinvertebrates occurring in the Park were conducted in April and August. Eleven stream sites, two spring/seep sites, and rimstone pools in Gregory Cave were surveyed by M.J. Wetzel and M.A. Morgan on 19-25 April. Two streams and two spring / springrun sites were surveyed by M.J. Wetzel on 21-24 August. In addition to surveys in aquatic habitats, malaise and blacklight traps (for flying insects) were deployed and retrieved at several sites on each of these two visits.
Complete locality information for each site is presented below. This information is taken from current editions of USGS topographic quadrangle maps (USGS tqm). UTM = Universal Transverse Mercator System coordinates. Latitude and longitude coordinates obtained in the field using a Garman eTrex Vista GPS unit were initially recorded in degrees+decimal minutes, then converted to decimal degrees, checked against information presented on the topographic quadrangle maps, and finally verified using TopoZone.com prior to entry into fields in the project database. Elevation (water level of stream, or at spring outflow) is expressed in feet above mean sea level (MSL). Habitat characterizations, site photographs, and values for field water quality parameters monitored at each site during the biological survey will be posted here as time permits.
By clicking on the active TopoZone.com URL associated with the locality information for each site, below, you will be directed through your internet browser to a map with a red cross on the exact site where sampling was conducted.
By clicking on the option ' Site Map, Locality Information' in the site navigation bar at the bottom of this page, you will be taken to a site that includes a map of the Park, with dots indicating the sites where we have conducted our surveys. Note that the map indicates sites collected in 1999, 2000, and 2001 (red dots), and those collected in 2002 (blue dots).
Locality information for sites surveyed in April 2002
GSMNP2002-01. USA: Tennessee: Blount Co.: Whiteoak Flats Branch, 5.6 km SE Townsend, just upstream (south side of) TN Hwy 73 / Little River Gorge road (mile 36.3); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6595° North, Longitude: 083.7017° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0255422m East, 3949349m North. Wear Cove, TENN. (7.5' series, 1953 edition, photorevised 1974; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 19 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-01), INHS; Rebecca .P. Shiflett (ATBI photographer). Elevation: 1,115' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Whiteoak Flats Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3949349&e=255422&s=25
GSMNP2002-02. USA: Tennessee: Blount Co.: Rich Mountain Road spring/seep, ~30m north (upslope of drainage) from hairpin turn of Rich Mountain Road (1-way), north of Cades Cove Rich Mtn Road proceeds north from Cades Cove Loop Road (north side), just west of Hyatt Road]; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6206° North, Longitude: 083.8194° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0244640m East, 3945335m North. Cades Cove, TENN. - N.C. (7.5' series, 1964 edition, photoinspected 1976; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 20 April 2002. Collector: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-02), INHS. Elevation: 2,260' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Rich Mountain Road spring/seep:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3945335&e=244640&s=25
Note: A Malaise trap for flying insects was deployed at this site on this date, then retrieved on 24 April when the aquatic habitat at this site was surveyed.
GSMNP2002-03. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Balsam Mountain Road spring run / 'garden', east side Balsam Mountain road, north of Blue Ridge Parkway, and just north of Masonic Monument; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5399° North, Longitude: 083.1692° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0303345m East, 3934885Nm North. Bunches Bald, NC (7.5' series, 1964 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 21 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-03), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 4,620' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Balsam Mountain Road spring run / 'garden' site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3934885&e=303345&s=25
GSMNP2002-04. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: 'Whim Knob Creek', 800m WSW of Whim Knob [elev. 5,501'], draining west through N side of small flat meadow on east side Balsam Mountain road, north of Blue Ridge Parkway; 0.16 mi S trailhead to Bunches Creek; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5508° North, Longitude: 083.1651° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0303745m East, 3936085m North. Bunches Bald, NC (7.5' series, 1964 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 21 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-04), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 4,840' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this 'Whim Knob Creek' site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3936085&e=303745&s=25
GSMNP2002-05. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Tow String Branch, along S side Tow String Road, ~150m downstream (SW) of park boundary [also, 850m upstream confluence with Oconaluftee River]; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5415° North, Longitude: 083.2897° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0292425m East, 3935310m North. Smokemont, N.C. (7.5' series, 1964 edition, photoinspected 1987; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 21 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-05), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 2,320' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Tow String Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3935310&e=292425&s=25
GSMNP2002-06. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Hazel Creek, 120m upstream mouth of creek with impounded Hazel Creek arm of Fontana Reservoir; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.472° North, Longitude: 083.729° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0252376m East, 3928612m North. Tuskeegee, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 22 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-07), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 1,670' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Hazel Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3928612&e=252376&s=25
GSMNP2002-07. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Shehan Branch, 30-60m upstream confluence with Hazel Creek (in Possum Hollow); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.474° North, Longitude: 83.7298° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0252308m East, 3928833m North. Tuskeegee, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 22 April 2002. M.J. Wetzel (#2002-08), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 1,680' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Shehan Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3928833&e=252308&s=25
GSMNP2002-08. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Lost Cove Creek, ~100m upstream (NW) confluence with Eagle Creek. [Fontana Reservoir was down ~30' in elevation at time of visit, and had been for months; Eagle Creek is a flowing stream at point of confluence of Lost Cove Creek]; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4841° North, Longitude: 083.7774° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0248020m East, 3930080m North. Fontana Dam, NC (7.5' series, 1978 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 23 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-09), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 1,720' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Lost Cove Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3930080&e=248020&s=25
GSMNP2002-09. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Eagle Creek, ~50-100m upstream confluence of Lost Cove Creek; ~300m upstream impounded Eagle Creek arm of Fontana Reservoir (reservoir arm mile 5.34); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4841° North, Longitude: 083.7757° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0248175m East, 3930075m North. Fontana Dam, NC (7.5' series, 1978 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 23 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-10), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 1,685' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Eagle Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3930075&e=248175&s=25
GSMNP2002-10. USA: Tennessee: Blount Co.: rimstone pools in Gregorys Cave, N side of Cades Cove / loop road (1-way), 370m north along trail from gravel parking lot,~40-60m NNE into cave from entrance (beyond locked gate just inside cave entrance); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6099° North, Longitude: 083.8059° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0245836m East, 3944110m North. Cades Cove, TENN. - N.C. (7.5' series, 1964 edition, photoinspected 1976; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 24 April 2002. M.J. Wetzel (#2002-11), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP), Rebecca P. Shiflett (ATBI photographer). Elevation: 2,000' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for Gregorys Cave (at entrance):
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3944110&e=245836&s=25
Note: Gregorys Cave is gated and locked to prevent public disturbance of federal and state listed endangered and threatened species of bats that use this cave; its also been rumored that rattlesnakes guard the entrance.
GSMNP2002-11. USA: Tennessee: Blount Co.: Tater Branch, ~20-50m upstream (E) of Rich Mountain Road culverts (2); Rich Mtn Road proceeds north from Cades Cove Loop Road (north side), just west of Hyatt Road; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6169° North, Longitude: 083.8241° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0244210m East, 3944935m North. Cades Cove, TENN. - N.C. (7.5' series, 1964 edition, photoinspected 1976; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 24 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-12), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 2,170' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Tater Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3944935&e=244210&s=25
GSMNP2002-12. USA: Tennessee: Blount Co.: Rich Mountain Road spring/seep, ~20m upstream (N) of hairpin turn of Rich Mountain Road (1-way) north of Cades Cove [Rich Mtn Road proceeds north from Cades Cove Loop Road (north side), just west of Hyatt Road]; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6206° North, Longitude: 083.8194° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0244640m East, 3945335m North. Cades Cove, TENN. - N.C. (7.5' series, 1964 ed., photoinspected 1976; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 24 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-13), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 2,260' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Rich Mountain Road spring/seep:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3945335&e=244640&s=25
GSMNP2002-13. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Chambers Creek, ~30-60m upstream foot/horse bridge crossing creek; ~200m upstream mouth of creek with Chambers Creek arm of Fontana Reservoir; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4497° North, Longitude: 083.6091° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0263195m East, 3925844m North. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 25 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-14), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 1,720' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Chambers Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3925844&e=263195&s=25
GSMNP2002-14. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Kirkland Branch, ~125m upstream (N) confluence of Kirkland Branch with inlet of Fontana Reservoir; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.447° North, Longitude: 083.6362° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0260720m East, 3925605m North. Tuskeegee, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 25 April 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-15), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP). Elevation: 1,740' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Kirkland Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3925605&e=260720&s=25
Locality information for sites surveyed in August 2002
During a public outreach/education and collecting trip to the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob, several sites were surveyed for the presence of aquatic oligochaetes and other macroinvertebrates. Blacklight and malaise traps were set to collect adult insects for other ATBI researchers.
GSMNP2002-15M. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: malaise trap collection for terrestrial insects, 30m SE weather station (towards house), at tree line, at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5869° North, Longitude: 083.0742° West. UTM: Zone 17, 312072m East, 3939915m North. Dellwood, NC (7.5' series, 1997 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. trap deployed: 22 August 2002; trap retrieved: 25 August 2002. Collector: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-38), INHS. Elevation: 4,640' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this malaise trap site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3939915&e=312072&s=25
GSMNP2002-16. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: blacklight trap for flying insects, old cabin springrun, ~50m SE of old cabin, at slump of jeep trail crossing of springrun, by relatively new split rail fence (to prevent horses, cars from taking old jeep trail south to access road); at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.58158° North, Longitude: 083.0725° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0312212m East, 3939305m North. Dellwood, NC (7.5' series, 1997 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 22 August 2002. Collector: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-39), INHS. Elevation: 4,600' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this blacklight trap site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3939305&e=312212&s=25
GSMNP2002-17. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: 'Purchase' tributary, 5-15m upstream road culvert crossing under access road to the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5765° North, Longitude: 083.0726° West. UTM: Zone 17, 17, 0312188m East, 3938751m North. Dellwood, NC (7.5' series, 1997 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 23 August 2002. Collector: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-40), INHS. Elevation: 4,250' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this 'Purchase' tributary site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3938751&e=312188&s=25
GSMNP2002-18. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: 'Purchase' tributary, ~175m W of old cabin, along old jeep trail; at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5816° North, Longitude: 083.0742° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0312059m East, 3939325 m North. Dellwood, NC (7.5' series, 1997 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 23 August 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-41), INHS, Rebecca P. Shiflett (DLIA-ATBI photographer, Knoxville, TN), Susan Sachs (NPS), and students from a high school science class (and their forestry instructor Miki Powell) at Cherokee High School, Cherokee, TN. Elevation: 4,630' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this 'Purchase' tributary site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3939325&e=312059&s=25
GSMNP2002-19. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: old cabin springhouse outflow, 0-2m downstream outflow, from under stone wall (S side) of springhouse, located about 40m NE of old log cabin, at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5817° North, Longitude: 083.0725° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0312212m East, 3939327m North. Dellwood, NC (7.5' series, 1997 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 23 August 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-42), INHS, Rebecca P. Shiflett (DLIA-ATBI photographer, Knoxville, TN). Elevation: 4,610' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this old cabin springhouse site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3939327&e=312212&s=25
GSMNP2002-20. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: Purchase Knob spring, downslope (west side) of Purchase Knob (along unmaintained road/trail between 'base' of knob and conifer tree farm), at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5852° North, Longitude: 083.0665° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0312765m East, 3939713m North. Dellwood, NC (7.5' series, 1997 edition; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 23 August 2002. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2002-43), INHS, Rebecca P. Shiflett (DLIA-ATBI photographer, Knoxville, TN). Elevation: 4,760' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Purchase Knob spring site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3939713&e=312765&s=25
Note: The spring was not flowing during this August 2002 visit [however, we did survey this spring when it was flowing, on 30 April 2003]. In fact, discussions with Paul Super, and a general reconnaissance of the base of and areas adjacent to 'The Knob' itself -- including the terrain associated with the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob -- revealed several spring, seep, and stream habitats that warrant future investigation (2003-2005).
GSMNP2002-21. USA: Tennessee: Blount Co.: Middle Prong Little River, 5 km SE Townsend, along E side of road to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (~300m downstream [NW] of Middle Prong bridge to Institute); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6425° North, Longitude: 083.6931° West. UTM: Zone 17, 256150m East, 3947442m North. Wear Cove, TENN. (7.5' series, 1953 edition, photorevised 1974; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 24 August 2002. M. J. Wetzel (#2002-45) INHS. Elevation: 1,318' MSL.
TopoZone.com map location URL for this site on Middle Prong Little River:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3947442&e=256150&s=25
Information pertaining to the processing of samples collected from the above sites is linked from "Progress" in the navigation bar, below. Highlights of field conducted in 2002, and a summary of research on this project completed to date was summarized in a presentation to participants at the annual meeting of DLIA, convened in Gatlinburg, TN, 4-6 December 2002; those highlights can be viewed via the "2002 Project Highlights" link in the navigator bar, below. A summary of field work and results to date were presented in a report submitted to DLIA in 2003.
I encourage you to visit the Discover Life in America, Inc. (DLIA) website for additional information on the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) program, the administrative staff of DLIA, summaries of ongoing research, and opportunities for public involvement in research and education in the Park. Please Note: The new DLIA / ATBI website has been expanded extensively over the last year; please visit and familiarize yourself with its own 'virtual' diversity of information and resources!
page update: 3 September 2006