Trout Stocking in the Lower Saluda River

SCDNR stocks Brown and Rainbow Trout every year into suitable lakes and rivers including the Lower Saluda River.  Over 300,000 catchables are distributed under this program annually along with as many as 100,000 fingerlings. SCDNR does not release the time and location of stocking runs. These efforts are aimed toward perpetuating South Carolina’s trout resource and providing a satisfactory angling experience for the sportsman. Healthy trout fisheries are the priceless reward for all South Carolinians for proper trout management. To see a weekly trout stocking summary, visit http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/stocking/results.

Here is a video of SCDNR releasing Rainbow and Brown Trout at Saluda Shoals Park.

Dutch Fork Elementary School 5th Grade Ornithology Program.

Saluda Shoals Park staff presented our Ornithology Program to 5th Graders from Dutch Fork Elementary School on December 1st, 2014. As part of the outdoor Data Tracking experience, our park resident birders Patricia Voelker and Irvin Pitts took small groups  around the wetland area to identify birds that visit the park. This is a cumulative list of birds seen or heard.
Click on the  following  website and find the birds sightings that were recorded for the day. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20782064

The ebird website (below) explains the importancce of sending bird sighting data to the site. You can set up your own school account,  keep track of your bird lists, explore maps and graph regarding bird data and learn  so much more.
(http://ebird.org)

Happy birding everyone!!

Adult Coyote

Up Close

The pictures below were taken with one the new Ipads and microscopes that were bought for the Park Rangers using money donated by the Saluda Shoals Park Foundation.  The equipment will be used for education programs when school groups visit the park for a Park Ranger led program.  The mosquito and scorpion in the photos were collected and cataloged by Saluda Shoals Park resident scientist Dr. Lou Rigley.  The mosquito was collected in the park during Dr. Rigley’s mosquito study but the scorpion was collected elsewhere and saved for research purposes.  Dr. Rigley has completed his mosquito study using the park as his primary research facility and has plans to conduct other studies within the park.  For more information research projects in the park be sure to visit our website at www.icrc.net.

Mississippi Kite Release

Mississippi Kite release

From time to time, as Park Rangers, we have an opportunity to release rehabilitated wildlife back into their natural habitat. Our most recent release, two Mississippi Kites, came from Carolina Raptor Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Raptor Center wanted to have these Kites released further south since this is the time they begin their southern migration.  It is always a pleasure getting to see these majestic creatures take flight back into the world.

Mississippi Kites are migratory birds of prey that have about a three foot wingspan and a migration range from Southern US to mid South America. They are insect eaters and can actually eat their prey in flight. You will often see them in woodland areas on the edge of meadows where they can easily find prey.

Unfortunately, birds of prey are not always this lucky and sometimes become permanent captive birds or have to be humanely put down.  But, there are things YOU can do to help!  Picking up litter or not littering at all decreases the amount of mice and rodents on the side of the road. That in turn decreases the number of hawks or owls that come to hunt and may get hit by a car. A bird house or feeder in your yard offers migrating birds a place to stop and rest along their route.

A Season of Events and Change

A season of events and change

As summer begins to wind down most parks around the country see the number of visitors decrease from peak use during the warmer months.  The sight of the leaves changing color at Saluda Shoals Park means that the busiest time of the year has really just begun for our staff.  To complement the beautiful scenery created by Mother Nature, visitors will begin to notice the work being done to prepare for some of the most popular special events held in the park.  Each of these events are celebrations of the coming seasons and offer visitors the chance to see all of the wonders of Saluda Shoals Park.  Even on days when there is not an event taking place, the change in seasons offers many opportunities to experience the beauty of nature as plants and wildlife prepare for the cold winter ahead.  Whether you are a bird watcher, nature lover, art enthusiast, or just enjoy viewing Christmas lights with your family, Saluda Shoals Park is the place for you this autumn and holiday season.

 

Special Events

Unearth:  A celebration of naturally inspired art.  Sunday October 6, 2013 1:00-5:00 PM.  This annual celebration of the arts held at Saluda Shoals Park showcases visual, performing and literary arts. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in art, nature and the creative process. Art demonstrations and instruction, a variety of musical performances and hands on art activities will engage visitors in a unique art experience.  $5 parking fee, unearth event is Free.

Will o’ the Wisp:  Saturday October 26, 2013 6:00-9:00 PM.  This fun Halloween celebration is for children ages 2–8.  Children can stroll along the boardwalk gathering candy and visiting with Nature Interpreters to learn about nocturnal animals; play games, decorate a cookie, make s’mores, and enjoy some hot cider! This year, lighted Jack-o-lanterns will sing songs and tell stories!  Come in costume and bring a flashlight or lantern.  $5 per child.

Holiday Lights on the River:  November 27-December 31, 2013, 6:00-10:00 p.m.  From November 27th through December 31^st, Saluda Shoals Park will come alive in a blaze of more than a million sparkling lights. Holiday Lights on the River features over 400 themed, animated light displays on a two-mile loop of the Park!  Enjoy the Dazzling Dancing Forest with it's dancing, lighted trees synchronized to classical and whimsical holiday music. See the three dimensional Victorian Village, Old Man Winter, the holiday classic Twelve Days of Christmas and much more, all in sparkling lights.  Holiday Lights Admission:  Cars: $15; 15-Passenger Vans: $25; Buses: $40 

 

For more information on these and other events please see our website:  http://www.icrc.net/events

Saluda River Trout Fishing

Photo courtesy of South Carolina DNR

When you visit Saluda Shoals Park you are entering a beautiful, safe haven for many different types of plants and animals. The park’s location along the banks of the Lower Saluda River offers many diverse habitats, but the most unique habitat in the park is the river itself. The Lower Saluda River is regulated by the release of water from the Lake Murray Dam. The water that flows through the river comes from deep in the lake where the waters are much colder which keeps the Lower Saluda River water temperature between 50-60 degrees year around.

These lower than normal water temperatures make the Saluda River suitable for trout to survive. Consequently, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has introduced two non-native species, Rainbow and Brown trout into the river to provide sporting opportunities for fisherman. DNR releases nearly 28,000 trout into the river each December, many of those fish are stocked by helicopter to ensure that the fish do not become over populated in a specific area. Currently, DNR is conducting a trout study in the Lower Saluda to develop a better understanding of how long these trout are surviving in the river. Of the fish released during December 2012, 5,000 were weighed, measured, and tagged before release. When an angler catches one of these trout, they are asked to call DNR and report the measurements of their catch. This information allows biologist to determine how well the fish are growing and how long they are surviving. A drop box for the red tags has been placed near the Saluda Shoals Park boat ramp where fisherman can deposit the tags after reporting their catch.

Trout are some of the most sought after sport fish and have been introduced in many areas outside of their natural ranges. The Rainbow trout is native to the West Coast and northern parts of North America, while the Brown trout is native to Europe. In their native homes these fish would be born in fresh water rivers and streams, then leave those waters to live and grow in the oceans. Once the trout mature, they return to their native rivers to lay eggs and reproduce or spawn.

The trout that call the Lower Saluda home cannot leave the river for the ocean because as the Saluda water moves further from the dam, the water temperature rises to a point that is not suitable for the fish. This short stretch of the lower Saluda River has become a “put and take” fishery where the fish are stocked each year to be caught by fishermen. Through efforts of SC DNR, SCE&G, local officials, and local fishing groups, the water in the river has improved to a point that some fish are surviving for longer than a year. Larger fish of trophy size have become more abundant in the river and Saluda Shoals Park is one of the best access points for fisherman to find the “big ones.” The shoals in the Saluda River are trout hot spots where many fishermen have found success.

The largest set of shoals can be easily found by taking a short walk down the paved Greenway Trail that begins near the Environmental Education Center. The shoals are located at the upper end of Corley Island and are very visible from the trail. Many of the large rocks in this part of the river funnel water into a swift current creating hiding spots where trout wait for food to flow downstream. Overhanging trees, downed logs, and thick blankets of aquatic plants also offer additional hiding places for the trout. Many types of fishing techniques have been successful in the river. Fly fisherman can be seen wading throughout the river imitating the different hatches that are in the area during that time. Canoes and kayaks offer access to deeper areas that may be difficult to wade.

For a fun day of fishing and the unusual chance to catch trout in the south, come to Saluda Shoals Park. A park ranger will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and give advice on how to land a “wall hanger.”

For more information on the Lower Saluda Trout Study please visit: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/troutstudy/report.html.

For current river conditions and river information visit: http://www.sceg.com/en/our-community/outdoor-recreation/lower-saluda-river/