Culture and Release of Eastern Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Catharpin Creek, Prince William County, Virginia

<p> In 2014 a project of study began with the students from James Madison High School in Fairfax Virginia U.S.A, participating in Trout Out of the Classroom. The program is designed to have high school students grow, raise and release Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis).  Sustainable brook trout populations require pristine, stable conditions with water temperatures between 1<sup>o</sup>C-22<sup>o</sup>C and pH 5.0-7.5. (Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture) With only 9% of areas that historically supported brook trout along the U.S. eastern seaboard still intact, it is essential successful breading and release programs to be in place (Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture).</p><p>James Madison High’s initial stocking of 50 fingerlings into Catharpin Creek in Haymarket Virginia. This stream is in a protected state-owned area, which was once a vacation resort in the early 1900’s but has been abandoned since a dam break in the 1930s. This site served a dual purpose for the work as both a possible viable ecosystem for the trout, since the stream initial test, using the Smith-Sklarew (2012) index that, among other factors, employs multivariate discriminant analysis to determine a numerical value between 0 and 100. This value "grades" the stream like one would grade a test. Composed of five main metrics - riffle run quality, dissolved oxygen, percent agriculture, distance to nearest road, and water temperature, this model is known as the Brook Trout Sustainability Index, or BKTI. Catharpin Creek rated an index score of 87.5. This score was a bit low (90 and above indicating pristine conditions) but with extensive tree canopy cover in the preserve and cool temperatures, it was chosen as a release site given the potential for improving conditions within the small watershed and the promise of very little future disturbance in the legally protected area. </p><p>Following the initial release in May 2017, one site survey the following December found 5 out of the 50 fingerlings had endured the heat of the summer, suggesting there was sufficient cold water within the system.  With the positive results other Fairfax County high schools (West Springfield and W.T. Woodson).</p><p>The student’s process was recognized by Trout Unlimited, The American Fisheries Society and the Izaak Walton League. All three organizations formed a charter, the TIA Alliance, in an effort to replicate the process pioneered by James Madison high teens.  The original index was created for brook trout but, in theory, the process could be molded for any species (plant or animal) at any location.</p>