Wildlife Recovery: Assessment of North Carolina's Rivers and Hellbenders a Year Post-Hurricane Helene
In the lush landscapes of Western North Carolina, spring and summer have brought a much-needed splash of colour, as forests show signs of regrowth and rivers teem with life. However, beneath the surface, a more concerning story unfolds.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left an indelible mark on the region's wildlife, particularly the Eastern Hellbender, a unique species that inhabits the oxygen-rich, cold rivers of the area. This amphibian, often referred to as the salsbury salamander, has faced significant challenges in the wake of the storm.
The floodwaters of Helene washed contaminants from homes, gas stations, factories, and debris like cars, gas tanks, building equipment, clothes, toys, and houses into the rivers. This pollution has had a devastating impact on the hellbenders, whose habitats were flooded, and whose rocks were buried under sediment.
Sadly, some cleanup efforts have done more harm than good. Heavy equipment, used in the name of restoration, has crushed and buried rocks and animals, removed excessive woody debris, and left riverbanks bare and vulnerable. This has caused further damage to the hellbender habitats, burying or breaking hellbender nest rocks, churning up sediment, and contaminating the water.
Community members are encouraged to report any concerns related to these cleanup efforts impacting hellbender habitats by calling (223) FIX FEMA.
Despite these challenges, there have been glimmers of hope. Surveys have revealed the resilience of these creatures, with hellbenders of all ages found, including larvae sheltering beneath woody debris. In some locations, as many as eight hellbenders were found in a single spot. Remarkably, hellbenders have been found persisting in the upper French Broad Watershed post-Helene.
The current breeding season for hellbenders is underway, and ongoing and future surveys will help gauge the health of various hellbender populations. However, the Eastern Hellbender populations in Western North Carolina are currently threatened, with declines noted across their range due to environmental pressures. Recently, the species has been proposed to be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act to provide it with legal protections and support recovery efforts.
Defenders of Wildlife will continue to push for Hellbenders to be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The terrain of Western North Carolina still bears visible scars from the storm: uprooted trees, scoured riverbanks, and mountains of woody debris. But amidst these scars, human-powered cleanup efforts and stream restoration projects are underway along hundreds of miles of Western North Carolina rivers.
As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, we are reminded of the delicate balance between nature and human intervention. While the rivers have undergone natural and human impacts, causing new river channels, sedimentation, habitat destruction, and increased flooding risk, it is crucial that we tread lightly in our efforts to restore and protect these vital ecosystems.
This blog was written by Defenders of Wildlife Southeast Interns, Halle West and Zach Grady. Muddy hats are hanging from trees 15 feet above the water, serving as a stark reminder of the extent of the flood. Let us continue to support and advocate for the conservation of these remarkable creatures and the protection of their habitats.
