Comparison between the subsurface environment of brown trout (Salmo trutta) redd and nonredd sites in two North Carolina streams

The gravel environment of 30 brown trout (Salmo trutta) redds and adjacent nonredd sites in two western North Carolina streams were studied during the incubation period in 1979-1980 and 1980-1981. Intragravel water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, and percent oxygen saturation were highly correlated with surface water measurements, indicating that intragravel water is of surface origin. Permeability ranged from 250 to 149,350 cm/hr and averaged 6,150 cm/hr. Apparent velocity varied from 0 to 1,000 cm/hr and averaged 30 cm/hr. Permeability in redds was significantly greater than at nonredd sites. No significant differences in apparent velocity were found between redd and nonredd sites. No consistent differences in permeability or apparent velocity were found between streams or over time. Permeability and apparent velocity decreased significantly with depth.

Freeze cores were collected from redd and nonredd sites and divided into three 10-cm layers for analysis. Geometric mean diameter, sorting coefficient, fredle index, percent fines <2.00 mm, and percent porosity were highly variable and averaged 11.8 mm, 2.8, 4.2, 17.0 percent, and 19.0 percent, respectively. No significant differences were found among factors tested. Correlations between these gravel indices and permeability and apparent velocity were low. The gravel and intragravel environments appeared to be adequate for larval survival. Measurements did not reveal any clear trends during the incubation period. Brown trout did not by choice or redd construction appear to select or create (by redd construction) a subsurface environment different from the surrounding stream bed.