Over 600 Acres of Yadkin River Headwaters Conserved to Protect Critical Native Brook Trout Habitat

Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) and NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) recently acquired 630 acres at the headwaters of the Yadkin River, marking a major milestone for aquatic conservation and water quality in the region. The acquisition establishes the first conservation project within the Dennis Creek watershed, an area recognized for harboring an exceptional population of Southern Appalachian brook trout.

“Not only does the Dennis Creek property provide outstanding resource values in its own right, but it has also proved to be pivotal acquisition for significantly expanding public land opportunities and broaden the footprint of conservation lands along the Southern Blue Ridge escarpment.” stated Ryan Jacobs, Mountain Eco-region Supervisor for NC Wildlife Resources Commission. “We are excited to incorporate the property as part of our Buffalo Cove Game Land.”

In addition to safeguarding the primary headwaters of the Yadkin River, the project permanently protects eight miles of stream habitat. Southern Appalachian brook trout are the only trout species native to western North Carolina, serving as key bioindicators for aquatic ecosystem health. Because they depend on clean, cold, and undisturbed water, human impacts have reduced their historic geographic range by 80% across the region. Protecting the remaining intact headwater streams is vital to halting further loss and ensuring the species can survive and thrive.

“Headwater streams provide numerous ecological benefits, such as protecting water quality, increasing groundwater recharge, providing physical habitat for aquatic organisms, and maintaining the flow of energy through the food webs of stream networks.” said Kin Hodges, Mountain Fisheries Supervisor for NC Wildlife Resources Commission. “This acquisition will protect a high-quality native brook trout population and a newly discovered species of crayfish within Dennis Creek, while also benefiting populations of threatened mussels downstream in the Yadkin River.”

Funding for the acquisition came from the N.C. General Assembly via the N.C. Land and Water Fund and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

“Protecting clean headwater streams is the most effective way to guarantee downstream water quality and safeguard vulnerable species,” said Eric Hiegl, Senior Director of Land Protection & Conservation Planning at BRC. “The Yadkin River headwaters are a biological treasure, and conserving land along these streams ensures native brook trout have a chance to survive.”

BRC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust, partners with landowners and local communities to permanently protect natural resources with agricultural, cultural, recreational, ecological, and scenic value in northwest North Carolina.