2003 surveys for aquatic oligochaetes and other macroinvertebrates occurring in the Park were conducted 27 April - 1 May and again 21-25 September 2003 by M.J. Wetzel and Peggy Morgan. During the April/May visit, twelve stream sites and four spring/seep sites were surveyed. Durng this Park visit, we had the opportunity to participate in a DLIA-sponsored public outreach opportunity - ''Take a Llama to Lunch'' hike along Lynn Camp Prong, located SE of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. During this hike (on Sunday 27 April), DLIA Administrative Officer Jeanie Hilten and NPS/ATBI entomologist Becky Nichols introduced 14 participants to the ATBI project and several of the current research projects being funded by DLIA, including our surveys for aquatic oligochaetes and other macroinvertebrates. Local naturalist and author Ila Hatter (Stecoah, NC) shared her botanical expertise with participants, and photographer Kevin Fitz Patrick recorded participants' experiences for the ATBI project. Llamas were provided by Sandy Sgrillo of Smoky Mountains Llama Treks - and were quite well-behaved during this outing. We also 'survived' the earthquake on Tuesday, 29 April (4:59.36 EST), while camping along Forney Creek (Fontana Reservoir drainage) on the south side of the Park.
During the September trip, 13 stream sites, one spring site, and the Smokemont sewage treatment lagoon were surveyed. On Monday 22 September, we had the opportunity to work with Susan Sachs (NPS-Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob) and Jonathan Mays (NPS) during a public education/outreach activity with two science classes from Cherokee High School; we worked with each class and their forestry instructor Miki Powell at Mingus Creek, near the Smokemont Visitors Center, demonstrating field collecting techniques for aquatic invertebrates, and discussing some of the habitat requirements and morphological adaptations of many of the stream macroinvertebrates that students collected from the stream.
Locality information for each site noted below (to be completed soon) will be 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 recorded in decimal degrees, then verified using TopoZone.com prior to entry into fields in the project database. Note that the all latitute / longitude and UTM coordinates are expressed in NAD83/WGS84; many of the topographic maps are editions referencing NAD 1927. 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 soon.
Abbreviated locality information for sites surveyed in April/May and September 2003.
GSMNP2003-01. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Lynn Camp Prong, 12 km SE Townsend (6 km SE of Tremont Institute), at Panther Creek trail crossing / junction with Middle Prong Trail (~165m upstrm confl. of Panther Creek); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6079° North, Longitude: 083.6370° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0261136m East, 3943662m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 2,595' MSL. Thunderhead Mtn, N.C.-TN (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 27 April 2003 [12:40]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-10), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP); other observers: Jeanie Hilten (DLIA Adminisrative Officer), Becky Nichols (NPS-GRSM entomologist), Kevin Fitz Patrick (DLIA photographer), and participants in the ''Take a Llama to Lunch Day'' hike along Lynn Camp Prong (an educational outreach and fundraising hike for DLIA).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Lynn Camp Prong site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.6079&lon=-83.63699&s=24&size=m&u=5&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-02. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Goldmine Branch, 50-90m upstream (NNW) confluence with reservoir arm (from 10m upstrm of confluence of small tributary and seep area drainage); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Longitude: 35.45063° North, Longitude: 083.54934° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0268626m East, 3926005m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 1,695' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 28 April 2003 [13:45]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-11), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Goldmine Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.45063&lon=-83.54934&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-03. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Goldmine Branch seep, 75m north of upper end of Goldmine Branch arm of Fontana Reservoir; between Goldmine Creek (20m west), and small unnamed tributary (15m east); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4503° North, Longitude: 083.5487° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0268680m East, 3925963m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 1,690' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 28 April 2003 [14:05]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-12), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Goldmine Creek seep site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3925962.99963073&e=268679.999897525&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-04. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Tunnel Branch, 35-70m upstream confluence with Goldmine Branch arm of Fontana Reservoir; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4498° North, Longitude: 083.5480° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0268749m East, 3925909m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 1,690' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 28 April 2003 [15:45]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-13), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Tunnel Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=3925908.99963155&e=268748.999897743&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-05. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Forney Creek, 50-150m upstream confluence with Forney Creek arm of Fontana Reservoir; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.470° North, Longitude: 083.5632° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0267415m East, 3927853m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 1,710' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 28 April 2003 [18:30]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-14), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Forney Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.467&lon=83.5632&datum=NAD83&u=5
GSMNP2003-06. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Gray Wolf Creek, 40-60m upstream (NE) confluence of creek with small inlet on east side of upper Forney Creek arm of Fontana Lake; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4609° North (NAD83/WGS84). Longitude: 083.5598° West. UTM: Zone 17, 267706m East, 3927169m North. Elevation: 1,715' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 29 April 2003 [12:05]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-15), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Gray Wolf Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.4609&lon=-83.5598&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-07. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: bluff seepage area emanating from several small outlet points, along SE side of trail/old roadbed; trail is upslope from SE edge of small inlet at confluence of Gray Wolf Creek, on east side of upper Forney Creek arm of Fontana Lake; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4609° North, Longitude: 083.55965° West. UTM: Zone 17, 267719m East, 3927168m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 1,715' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 29 April 2003 [12:50]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-16), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this bluff seepage area adjacent to Gray Wolf Creek at confluence with Fontana Lake:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.4609&lon=-83.55965&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-08. USA: North Carolina : Swain Co.: Jenny [Cut] Branch, 50-75m upstream (N) confluence with small inlet on the north side of Fontana Lake; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4577° North, Longitude: 083.5819° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0265691m East, 3926865m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 1,710' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 29 April 2003 [14:25]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-17), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Jenny [Cut] Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.45777&lon=-83.5819&datum=nad83&u=5"
GSMNP2003-09. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Welch Branch, 75m upstream (NW) confluence with inlet of Fontana Lake, along south side of abandoned road/trail; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.4423° North, Longitude: 083.5953° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0264429m East, 3925189m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 1,720' MSL. Noland Creek, NC (7.5' series, 1987 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 29 April 2003 [16:40]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-18), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Welch Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.4423&lon=83.5953&datum=NAD83&u=5
GSMNP2003-10. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: Purchase Knob spring/seep, downslope (W side) of Purchase Knob, along overgrown road/trail between ‘base’ of knob and conifer tree farm); just E of apple tree; at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5853° North, Longitude: 083.0663° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0312782m East, 3939923m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 4,740' MSL. Dellwood, NC (7.5’ series, 1997 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 30 April 2003 [13:40]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-19), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Purchase Knob spring/seep site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.5852&lon=-83.0665&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-11. 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 (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 4,610' MSL. Dellwood, NC (7.5’ series, 1997 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 30 April 2003 [14:35]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-20), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this old cabin springhouse outflow site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.5817&lon=-83.0725&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2002-12. USA: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: north ‘Purchase’ tributary to Hemphill Creek, 10-30m upstream of road culvert crossing under gravel access road to the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Latitude: 35.5765° North, Longitude: 083.0725° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0312204m East, 3938954m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 4,250' MSL. Dellwood, NC (7.5’ series, 1997 edition, NAD27) USGS tqm. 30 April 2003 [15:20]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-21), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this tributary to Hemphill Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.5765&lon=-83.0725&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-13. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Kephart Prong, ~60m upstream of Kephart Prong trail footbridge, 10.2 km NNW Oconaluftee Visitor Center/Park Ranger station; this site accessed from secondary trail that forks to the north (along E side of creek) from main trail at the footbridge; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5897° North, Longitude: 083.3624° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0285965m East, 3941011m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 2,830' MSL. Smokemont, N.C. (7.5’ series, 1964 edition, photoinspected 1987; NAD 1927) USGS tqm. 1 May 2003 [11:35]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-22), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Kephart Prong site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.5897&lon=-83.3624&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-14. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Smith Branch, 2-20m upstream (NE) of culvert, along Kephart Prong trail [north from US Hwy 441], ~50m upstream (N) of its confluence with Kephart Prong; 9.8 km NNW Oconaluftee Visitor Center/Park Ranger station; in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5871° North, Longitude: 083.3598° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0286194m East, 3940712m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 2,750' MSL. Smokemont, N.C. (7.5’ series, 1964 edition, photoinspected 1987; NAD 1927). 1 May 2003 [12:54]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-14), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Smith Branch site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.5871&lon=-83.3598&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-15. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Walker Camp Prong, 20-40m upstream (NNE) stone arch culvert bridge at Newfound Gap Road (U.S. Hwy 441); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.6242° North, Longitude: 083.4168° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0281126m East, 3944956m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 4,510' MSL. Clingmans Dome, N.C.-TENN. (7.5' series, 1964 edition; NAD 1927). 1 May 2003 [14:53]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-24), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Walker Camp Prong site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.6242&lon=-83.4168&datum=nad83&u=5
GSMNP2003-16. USA: North Carolina : Swain Co.: Couches Creek, 15-30m upstream (NW) Newfound Gap / US 441 stone culvert bridge (~2 km SSE Smokemont campground); in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Latitude: 35.5364° North, Longitude: 083.3033° West. UTM: Zone 17, 0291182m East, 3934971m North (NAD83/WGS84). Elevation: 2,110' MSL. Smokemont, N.C. (7.5’ series, 1964 edition, photoinspected 1987; NAD 1927). 1 May 2003 [16:25]. Collectors: M.J. Wetzel (#2003-25), INHS, M.A. Peggy Morgan (FL DEP).
TopoZone.com map location URL for this Couches Creek site:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=35.5364&lon=-83.3033&datum=nad83&u=5
Specific locality information for the sites, below, will be added soon.
GSMNP2003-17. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Sweet Branch, at Park boundary, upstream (N) TN Hwy 129 culvert.
GSMNP2003-18. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Pole Bridge Branch, at Park boundary, upstream (NE) TN Hwy 129 culvert.
[site numbers for sites, below, have been corrected from those on field datasheets]
GSMNP2003-19. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Mingus Creek, 0-35m upstream of footbridge (adjacent to parking lot/restrooms) along trail to Mingus Mill (with Susan Sachs and Jonathan Mays [NPS], and a Cherokee High School biology class [morning session]). 21 September 2003. All specimens collected and used during this field 'classroom' education/outreach session were returned live to the stream; none were retained for the project.
GSMNP2003-20. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Smokemont sewage treatment lagoon (NE corner), ~0.5 km S Smokemont Campground.
GSMNP2003-21. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Becks Creek, 20-35m upstream (N) restricted service road culvert (adjacent to confluence with Oconaluftee River), ~1 km SE Smokemont sewage treatment lagoon.
GSMNP2003-22. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Mingus Creek, 0-35m upstream of footbridge (adjacent to parking lot/restrooms) along trail to Mingus Mill (with Jonathan Mays [NPS], and a Cherokee High School biology class [afternoon session]). 21 September 2003. All specimens collected and used during this field 'classroom' education/outreach session were returned live to the stream; none were retained for the project.
GSMNP2003-23. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Ledge Creek, 60-80m downstream (SW) of Balsam Mountain road (one-way), ~15-35m downstream of confluence of unnamed second-order tributary.
GSMNP2003-24. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Round Bottom Spring, at springhead and springrun, west side of Straight Fork Road.
Note: Round Bottom Spring and Round Bottom Creek are not associated with each other.
GSMNP2003-25. USA: North Carolina: Swain Co.: Round Bottom Creek, 20-40m upstream (SE) of confluence with Straight Fork.
GSMNP2003-26. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Sugarland Branch, 40-70m upstream (SW) of US Hwy 441 culvert (~0.5 km SSE Sugarlands Visitor Center).
GSMNP2003-27. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Jake's Creek, just west of gravel road loop (at gate), in Elkmont campground.
GSMNP2003-28. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Bearwallow Branch, south side of trail (old, gated road) east of Elkmont campground (and directly south/across trail from site on Little River - GSMNP2003-29).
GSMNP2003-29. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Little River, north side of trail (old, gated road) east of Elkmont campground (and directly north/across trail from site on Bearwallow Branch - GSMNP2003-28).
GSMNP2003-30. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Ash Hopper Branch, just W of gate at S end of service road loop, directly south from Little River Road at Sugarlands Visitor Center).
GSMNP2003-31. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Twomile Branch, downslope (NE) of restrooms/parking area for horse concession, ~0.6 km NE Sugarlands Visitor Center).
GSMNP2003-32. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Hickory King Branch, 20-60m upstream (SSW) of US Hwy 441 culvert (~4 km SSE Sugarlands Visitor Center).
GSMNP2003-33. USA: Tennessee: Sevier Co.: Cole Creek, 20-45m upstream (NW) of US Hwy 441 culvert (just north of ''The Loop'').
Information pertaining to the processing of samples collected from the above sites soon will be linked from "Progress" in the navigation bar, below. Highlights of field work conducted in 2003, 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, 1-6 December 2003), and presented in a project report submitted to DLIA in August 2004.
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: 14 September 2007.