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ON THE COVER 

Tallapoosa River, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park 

Photograph by: Michael Mallin 
Assessment of Water Resources and Watershed 

Conditions in Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, 

Alabama 

Natural Resource Report NPS/SECN/NRR—2010/268 

JoAnn M. Burkholder 

Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology 

North Carolina State University 

620 Hutton Street, Suite 104 

Raleigh, NC 27606 

Meghan B. Rothenberger 

Department of Biology 

P.O. Box 26170 

University of North Carolina Greensboro 

Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 

December 2010 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

National Park Service 

Natural Resource Program Center

Fort Collins, Colorado 
ii 

The National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center publishes a range of reports that 

address natural resource topics of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National 

Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and 

environmental constituencies, and the public. 

The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate high-priority, current natural resource 

management information with managerial application. The series targets a general, diverse 

audience, and may contain NPS policy considerations or address sensitive issues of management 

applicability. 

All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the 

information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended 

audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received formal peer 

review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting 

of the data, and whose background and expertise put them on par technically and scientifically with the 

authors of the information. 

Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not 

necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the 

Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or 

recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. 

This report is available in the Reports and Publications section of the Southeast Coast Inventory 

and Monitoring Network webpage (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/secn/) and the Natural 

Resource Publications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/NRPM). 

Please cite this publication as: 

Burkholder, J. M. and M. B. Rothenberger. 2010. Assessment of water resources and watershed 

conditions in Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, Alabama. Natural Resource Report 

NPS/SECN/NRR—2010/268. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

NPS 407/106161, December 2010 
iii 

Contents 

Page 

Figures........................................................................................................................................... vii

Tables ............................................................................................................................................. ix

Appendices ..................................................................................................................................... xi

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... xiii

Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... xv

Water Quality ......................................................................................................................... xv

Ecosystem and Community Health ....................................................................................... xv

Groundwater and Air Quality ............................................................................................... xvi

Education Outreach .............................................................................................................. xvi

Acknowledgments....................................................................................................................... xvii

Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................... xix

Park Description.............................................................................................................................. 1

Background .............................................................................................................................. 1

Location, Size, and Boundaries .......................................................................................... 1

History of the Park .............................................................................................................. 2

Creation of the Park............................................................................................................ 4

Land Use / Land Cover in the Middle Tallapoosa Sub-basin ............................................. 5

Hydrologic Information ........................................................................................................... 7

Surface Waters .................................................................................................................... 7

Geology, Soils, and Groundwater Resources ................................................................... 12

Wetlands ............................................................................................................................ 13

Biological Resources ............................................................................................................. 15

Microalgae ........................................................................................................................ 16
iv 

Terrestrial Vegetation ....................................................................................................... 16

Wetland and Aquatic Vascular Plants .............................................................................. 16

Benthic Macroinvertebrates .............................................................................................. 20

Amphibians and Reptiles................................................................................................... 20

Fish ................................................................................................................................... 23

Birds .................................................................................................................................. 24

Mammals ........................................................................................................................... 26

Rare and Threatened Species............................................................................................ 27

Invasive Species ................................................................................................................ 30

Assessment of Park Water Resources ........................................................................................... 33

Water Quality Standards ........................................................................................................ 33

Surface Water Quality ........................................................................................................... 35

Groundwater Quality ............................................................................................................. 39

Potential Sources of Pollutants .............................................................................................. 39

Other Issues of Concern ......................................................................................................... 44

Changing Land Use, Population Growth, and Pollution ................................................. 44

Air Quality ........................................................................................................................ 45

Park Land and Water Use Issues ...................................................................................... 46

Synopsis of Stressors to Aquatic Resources at HOBE NMP Tallapoosa River and Wetlands .... 48

Drinking Water ...................................................................................................................... 49

Groundwater .......................................................................................................................... 49

Recommendations for Addressing Impairments, Potential Impacts, and Water Bodies .............. 50

General Comments ................................................................................................................ 50

Specific Recommendations ................................................................................................... 50

Water Quality .................................................................................................................... 50
v 

Ecosystem and Community Health ................................................................................... 51

Groundwater and Air Quality ........................................................................................... 51

Education Outreach .......................................................................................................... 52

Literature Cited ............................................................................................................................. 54

vii 

Figures 

Page 

Figure 1. Location of HOBE NMP (left – red dot; right – green area with red dot) in 

east central Alabama, within the middle Tallapoosa sub-basin (designated sub-basin 

#03150109) between Harris Lake and Lake Martin (direction of water flow, from north 

to south). ....................................................................................................................................... 1

Figure 2. HOBE NMP (NPS map; green indicated the present-day park boundary). ................... 2

Figure 3. Map of the battle at Horseshoe Bend, 1814. ................................................................... 3

Figure 4. Land use / land cover (2001) in the middle Tallapoosa sub-basin (03150109) 

that includes HOBE NMP (area in white). ..................................................................................... 6

Figure 5. The interactive map for GIS files and metadata, created by the Environmental 

Research and Mapping Facility (ERMF 2007) at the University of Tennessee - 

Chattanooga. ................................................................................................................................... 7

Figure 6. Location of the Tallapoosa watershed (white, arrow) in Alabama and 

Georgia. ........................................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 7. Daily discharge at the USGS stream flow gaging station at New Site, AL, 

near HOBE NMP during September 2001 – 1 July 2007, showing extremely low flow 

during a late summer - fall drought period, and maximum flow in early spring. ......................... 10

Figure 8. ERMF’s (2007) map of streams in the park (boundary in green). ............................... 12

Figure 9. Locations of wetlands in the park. ................................................................................ 14

Figure 10. Relationship between land area (hectares) and species richness, excluding 

exotic (introduced) species, among 16 parks within the Southeast Coast Network of the 

NPS, including HOBE NMP......................................................................................................... 21

Figure 11. Water quality sites in the park with data collected between 1986 and 1996 

(USGS), 1994 - 1997 (NPS), 1993 - present (Boat Ramp station - Alabama Water 

Watch, AWW), and 2004-2006 (Tallapoosa Watershed Program, TWP). ................................... 36

Figure 12. Water temperature and turbidity (upper and lower panels, respectively) in 

the Tallapoosa River at HOBE NMP (Boat Ramp station, Jul 1993 - Feb 2007) ........................ 40

Figure 13. Water pH, alkalinity, and hardness (upper, middle, and lower panels, 

respectively) for the Tallapoosa River at HOBE NMP (Boat Ramp station, Jul 1993 - 

Feb 2007) f .................................................................................................................................... 41
viii 

Figure 14. Dissolved oxygen as concentration and percent saturation (upper and lower 

panels, respectively) for the Tallapoosa River at HOBE NMP (Boat Ramp station, Jul 

1993 - Feb 2007) . ......................................................................................................................... 42

Figure 15. The segment in the upper Tallapoosa basin, in Cleburne County, where the 

TMDL was developed (ADEM 2002).. ........................................................................................ 45
ix 

Tables 

Page 

Table 1. Area and percent cover of each land use class in the middle Tallapoosa subbasin (03150109), from analysis by the NCSU CAAE. . .............................................................. 6

Table 2. USGS data for mean annual discharge at HOBE NMP during the period of 

complete available records (1987 – 2007). ..................................................................................... 9

Table 3. Wetland fern species in the park (NPS 2008). ............................................................... 17

Table 4. Wetland and aquatic plant flora (basis: Godfrey and Wooten 1981a,b) that are 

known in the park, including indication of exotic or non-native species (e

) and weedy 

species (w) ..................................................................................................................................... 18

Table 5. Herpetofauna of HOBE NMP, documented from field surveys, museum 

specimens, literature records, and reliable personal communications. ......................................... 22

Table 6. Fish species known to be in the park. ............................................................................ 23

Table 7. Bird species that have been observed in the park .......................................................... 25

Table 8. Mammals of HOBE NMP .............................................................................................. 26

Table 9. In-stream water quality standards for non-coastal surface waters with 

designated use as Fish and Wildlife. ............................................................................................. 33

Table 10. Summary of Alabama state standards for acceptable water quality in waters 

classified as Fish and Wildlife designated use (ADEM), and of conditions for 

acceptable water quality recommended by other sources. ............................................................ 34

Table 11. Locations of water quality sampling sites at HOBE .................................................... 36

Table 12. Dates of water quality sampling, and parameters sampled in surface waters of 

the park.......................................................................................................................................... 38

Table 13. Previous water quality conditions in the Tallapoosa River at HOBE NMP, 

sampled by the NPS. ..................................................................................................................... 38

Table 14. Seasonal mean nutrient concentrations, based upon monthly data (1993 - 

2006, n = ~160), at the Boat Ramp station within the park.. ....................................................... 43

Table 15. Current and potential stressors that are affecting or may affect HOBE NMP ............. 48

xi 

Plates 

Page 

Plate 1. View of the island (indicated by the red star in Figure 3) from the present-day 

park.. ............................................................................................................................................... 5

Plate 2. Left: Tallapoosa River bridge, viewed from HOBE NMP; right: Remains of 

old covered bridge next to the Tallapoosa River bridge, showing rock substrata. ....................... 10

Plate 3. Small spring at HOBE NMP to the east of Battlefield Hill. ........................................... 11

Plate 4. A second small spring in the park (left) that becomes a small perennial 

tributary stream (right) to the Tallapoosa River. .......................................................................... 11

Plate 5. Riparian area with woody swamp wetland along the Tallapoosa River. ........................ 15

Plate 6. Podostemum ceratophyllum and Brasenia schreberi, two aquatic plants on the 

NPS (2008) list. ........................................................................................................................... 17

Plate 7. Snag along the Tallapoosa River at HOBE NMP. .......................................................... 24

Plate 8. A long-nosed (nine-banded) armadillo in the park.. ....................................................... 27

Plate 9. The Cahaba lily (Carolina spiderlily or shoals spider-lily). ............................................ 29

Plate 10. The protected mussel species, Lampsilis atilis (fine-lined pocketbook), that 

may be in the park.. ....................................................................................................................... 29

Plate 11. The Tallapoosa shiner, 1 of 4 fish species endemic to the Tallapoosa River in 

the reach that includes HOBE NMP, but not reported in the park by NPS (2008). ..................... 30

Plate 12. The exotic invasive species Corbicula fluminea ........................................................... 31

Plate 13. Dead fish, part of a fish kill from a raw sewage spill at Wadley, AL on a 

tributary of the Tallapoosa River in the middle basin.. ................................................................. 43

Plate 14. A fresh clearcut about 0.5 mile from HOBE NMP, November 2006. .......................... 44

xiii 

Executive Summary 

The purpose of this report was to locate and examine existing information pertaining to the water 

quality in and around Horseshoe Bend National Military Park (HOBE NMP), assess the present 

and likely future water conditions of the park, and make recommendations to fill existing 

information gaps. Water quality and quantity, habitat issues, the potential for invasive species, 

trends in park resource use, and watershed influences and other stressors were addressed insofar 

as possible through available data and first-hand observations. 

HOBE NMP is a small park (2,040 acres) with only one significant water body, a ~3.7-mile 

segment of the Tallapoosa River that flows through it and represents its most prominent natural 

feature. The park is named for a “horseshoe-like” bend in the river. The park also contains two 

springs, a small perennial stream, and several intermittent streams. The park’s wetlands have not 

been well characterized, but they were recently delineated using GIS and occur as narrow fringes 

of swamp forest mostly along the river. 

The middle Tallapoosa River basin, including the park, is a predominantly rural setting with 

mostly forested land cover. The park is located along the river between dams and hydropower 

facilities at two run-of-river impoundments, Harris Lake about 20 miles upstream, and Lake 

Martin’s dam about 25 miles downstream. Since the upstream dam was constructed in 1980, the 

river segments downstream, including the park area, have been subjected to changes in river flow 

from as low as zero to 16,000 cfs. Thus, river flow is highly regulated, and the park has no 

control over river stage. The upper Tallapoosa River system also has been targeted as a potential 

source of potable water for Atlanta, GA. 

Based on recently compiled species lists, the park contains a rich wetland plant flora. Fish 

species and herpetofauna also are well represented, but information is not available for 

microalgae (suspended or benthic) and little is known about benthic macroinvertebrates. 

The larger Mobile River watershed, which contains the Tallapoosa River and HOBE NMP NMP, 

historically was home to many endemic species including fishes, mussels, aquatic snails, turtles, 

aquatic insects and crustaceans. During the past two centuries, watershed development has led to 

species extinctions at a rate unparalleled elsewhere in the mainland U.S., and various aquatic and 

wetland species are now threatened or endangered. The habitat fragmentation imposed by the 

Harris and Lake Martin dams, along with two other dams on the lower Tallapoosa River, have 

affected faunal diversity, species distributions, and fisheries. For example, shoals of the 

Tallapoosa River support populations of Cahaba lily (Hymenocallis coronaria), which has a 

limited distribution and requires swift current to flourish. This wetland plant has been eliminated 

from portions of its native range by impoundments, and is not listed among the park flora. Two 

protected mussel species, the finelined pocketbook (Lamsilis atilis) and the ovate clubshell 

(Pleurobema perovatum), are thought to be rare although present within park boundaries, but 

their ability to re-colonize the Tallapoosa, including park waters, is impeded by the 

impoundments along the river. Three of the four endemic fish species known from the 

Tallapoosa basin are on the park species list, including the lipstick darter (Etheostoma 

chuckwachatte), the Tallapoosa shiner (Cyprinella gibbsi), and the mottled sculpin (Cottus 

bairdi). 
xiv 

The Tallapoosa River serves as a transportation corridor for exotic species, and exotic animal 

and plant species, both terrestrial and aquatic, are a major concern for HOBE NMP. The aquatic 

invasive Asiatic clam, Corbicula fluminea, is assumed to be present in Park waters. Given its 

high growth and reproduction rates and its high tolerance for polluted environments, this species 

has the capacity to alter the aquatic food web of the river and to displace native bivalve molluscs. 

There is a general dearth of information about the park’s aquatic resources, with exception of a 

USGS stream flow station that tracks hydrologic conditions. Water quality data are available 

Auburn University’s Alabama Water Watch for a short period of record. From these data, pH 

and dissolved oxygen were below acceptable conditions for Fish and Wildlife classification in 

36% and 5%, respectively, of the samples collected, whereas turbidity was acceptable for 

maintenance of aquatic life. Limited nutrient data suggest mesotrophic (moderately productive) 

or eutrophic (nutrient over-enriched) conditions. The state environmental agency monitors some 

sites along the Tallapoosa River, not near the park, for mercury content in fish, and occasionally 

has reported fish consumption advisories. Data are lacking for fecal coliform bacteria, nutrient 

concentrations, chlorophyll a as an indicator of algal biomass, or toxic substances. 

Present water quality concerns in the middle Tallapoosa sub-basin are sedimentation from 

increased clearcutting, pollution from agriculture and silvaculture, and atmospheric deposition of 

dust/particulates, toxic contaminants, and other pollutants from larger cities in the state and from 

Atlanta, Georgia. While the middle Tallapoosa sub-basin, at present, is only about 5% 

urbanized, the combined pressures of anticipated increased development in both the upper and 

middle basins are expected to increase land disturbance and water pollution including excessive 

suspended sediments, nutrients, fecal bacteria, and toxic substances. Although the overall 

potential for nonpoint source impairment in the middle sub-basin has been evaluated as low, 

more than half of the sub-watersheds in this sub-basin were estimated by the state environmental 

agency to have moderate potential of nonpoint source impairment because of runoff from 

forestry practices, clearcutting, and sedimentation. 
xv 

Recommendations 

The Tallapoosa River is the most prominent natural feature of HOBE NMP, yet the status of the 

park’s water resources is very poorly known. The NPS is ill-equipped to protect its vitally 

important water resources from airshed and watershed pollution and other stressors because of 

the near-total lack of fundamental information on water quality conditions or aquatic community 

health. The following recommendations were developed considering these points. The first four 

recommendations concern water quality; the next six recommendations pertain to ecosystem and 

community health, including sampling programs for macroinvertebrates and fish, updated 

inventories of herpetofauna and wetland flora, and baseline inventories for suspended and 

benthic microalgae. The last recommendation covers action that is needed to strengthen public 

stewardship through education outreach. 

Water Quality 

As a short-term, high-priority action, a two-year water quality monitoring program should be 

established for at least two stations in the Tallapoosa River within the park. This program should 

be put in place on a biweekly (preferably, to capture effects of pollution from storm events) or 

monthly basis in order to establish and track water quality conditions in the Tallapoosa River 

within the park. Parameters measured should include, at a minimum, water temperature, pH, 

dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, turbidity, nutrients (TN, TP, nitrate, ammonium, BOD5), 

fecal coliform densities, and chlorophyll a concentrations. The data should be evaluated with 

respect to published benchmarks for acceptable water quality. 

Data should be collected at least once per year on toxic substance concentrations (PCBs, heavy 

metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals) in sediments and fish or benthic faunal tissues. 

The park should inventory changes in land use/land cover in the middle Tallapoosa basin, 

especially within ten miles of the park, including traditional categories but also septic tanks in 

new subdivisions, new highway projects, new shopping centers, and other potential sources of 

water pollution. The data should be used to create GIS maps of these sources, which can be 

upgraded over time to help the NPS track pollution and its impacts in park waters. 

The smaller streams in the park should be assessed during high-precipitation periods to assess 

whether any of them are a source of suspended sediments and other pollution to the Tallapoosa 

River in the park area. 

Ecosystem and Community Health 

At least once per year during an appropriate seasonal timeframe, the macroinvertebrate 

communities in the park segment of the Tallapoosa River should be assessed in at least two 

stations. Benchmarks should consider published descriptions of healthy macroinvertebrate 

communities in warmwater streams. The data should be used to track stream ecological condition 

(rated from Excellent to Poor) over time. 

At least once per year during an appropriate seasonal timeframe, the fish community in the park 

segment of the Tallapoosa River should also be assessed. The fish data should be used to develop 

an Index of Biotic Integrity and an Index of Well-Being for fish population health over time. 
xvi 

The park’s wetland ecosystems should be assessed, and then updated at five-year intervals, for 

indices of diversity, function, and overall health. 

An updated biological inventory should be completed for herpetofauna, and further updates 

should be completed at five-year intervals. 

A baseline biological inventory is needed for the composition and abundance of microalgal 

assemblages. In at least two stations, triplicate samples should be collected monthly for 

suspended microalgae, and at least five samples should be collected bimonthly for benthic 

microalgae. Chlorophyll a concentrations should also be assessed for suspended microalgae. The 

data on suspended microalgae should be assessed over time to discern relationships with 

environmental conditions such as nutrient concentrations and turbidity. The benthic microalgal 

data should be use to develop a periphyton index of biotic integrity as another measure of 

ecosystem health for the Tallapoosa River in the park area. 

A sampling program should be developed to establish present conditions and track changes in 

exotic invasive species affecting terrestrial as well as aquatic/wetland sources in the park. 

Assessment of exotic invasive species should be repeated at least at three-year intervals. 

Groundwater and Air Quality 

Groundwater resources of the park should be assessed through partnership with the USGS, 

including recharge/discharge areas, movement, and chemical quality. 

Data are needed to assess the extent to which air pollution is affecting the park, and to forecast 

how increasing air pollution from major population centers will affect its waters and other 

natural resources. The park should install sampling devices to establish present air quality 

conditions and track air pollutants such as ammonium, particulates, and toxic substances (for 

example, mercury). 

Education Outreach 

HOBE NMP serves as an important greenspace. The park should strengthen its environmental 

education program to instruct visitors about the importance of greenspaces in ecosystem 

sustainability.
xvii 

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Park Service, Southeast Coast Network. In addition to 

the individuals listed as interviewed, we thank Eva DiDonato and Joe DeVivo of the National 

Park Service and Michael Mallin of the University of North Carolina Wilmington for facilitation 

and helpful review comments. 

We are grateful to Jim Cahill, Chief Ranger at HOBE NMP, for his kindness in providing 

counsel and many helpful insights, and to Carol Kinder and Elle Allen for their assistance in data 

gathering and fact-checking. In addition, we thank the following colleagues: Sara McCort at the 

NPS, who provided GIS shapefiles for HOBE NMP boundaries, hydrology, trails, and places. 

Eric Reutubuch, a research associate at the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture at 

Auburn University, provided a link to water quality information for the Tallapoosa River 

(https://fp.auburn.edu/icaae/Sitesdata.aspx?dg=1&AwwCode=07001&GroupName=Lake% 

20Watch%20of%20Lake%20Martin&ChartID=0). These data, the only water quality data 

presently available for Park waters, were collected as part of a volunteer monitoring effort called 

Alabama Water Watch (of Auburn University). Eric Reutubuch also provided nutrient data 

(2004-2006) from the Tallapoosa River near the Boat Ramp site, collected as part of Auburn 

University’s Tallapoosa Watershed Project (http://www.twp.auburn.edu/). 

xix 

Abbreviations 

ADEM – Alabama Department of Environmental Management 

AL – Alabama 

AWW – Alabama Water Watch (volunteer program of Auburn University) 

cfs – cubic feet per second 

cfu – colony-forming units 

DO – dissolved oxygen 

ERMF – Environmental Research and Mapping Facility (of the University of Tennessee) 

HOBE NMP – Horseshoe Bend National Military Park 

m – meter 

mgd – million gallons per day 

mg/L – milligrams per liter (= parts per million) 

μg/L – micrograms per liter (= parts per billion) 

N – nitrogen: TN, total nitrogen 

NCSU CAAE – North Carolina State University’s Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology 

NPS – National Park Service 

NTU – nephelometric turbidity units 

P – phosphorus: TP, total phosphorus; SRP, soluble reactive phosphate 

park – Horseshoe Bend National Military Park 

STORET – Storage and Retrieval Environmental Data System (of the U.S. EPA) 

TWP – Tallapoosa Watershed Project (of Auburn University) 

TMDL – total maximum daily load 

TSS – total suspended solids 

U.S. EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency 

USGS – United States Geological Survey 

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ay park. Also

Modified from w

eneral Andre

ed “retaliator

on the Creek

a in Alabam

mpted to ass

reeks intens

families afte

re already at

illings, ange

nths later at B

oldiers and p

dened the Cre

d, a Red Stic

labama Rive

the Red Stic

attle at Horse

o shown are p

www.nps.gov

ew Jackson, 

ry vengeance

ks, and ~500

ma (Figure 3,

similate them

ified when a

er being told

t war. After a

red Red Stic

Burnt Corn C

plundered th

eek Civil W

ck leader, ord

er on 30 Aug

cks killed ab

eshoe Bend, 1

park features a

v/hobe. 

an expansio

e” (Schafer 2

0 Creeks wer

 Plate 1). A

3 

mselves into 

a group of U

d erroneous i

a Creek triba

cks set out to

Creek in Ala

heir munition

ar to include

dered his wa

gust 1813. A

bout 500 peo

1814; the gre

and the Alaba

onist who saw

2003). In N

re killed dur

Although the 

white cultur

Upper Creeks

nformation, 

al council tri

o destroy wh

abama, Red 

ns. This exch

e American f

arriors to ass

Although We

ople. 

een border sh

ama Water W

w the opport

November of 

ring the battl

Creeks defe

re. In Febru

s, known as t

that the Uni

ied and exec

hite settlemen

Sticks retali

hange, later 

forces. Incit

sault an Ame

eatherford at

ows the boun

Watch water q

tunity to sec

1813, Jacks

les of Tallush

eated Tennes

uary 1813, 

the Red Stic

ited States an

cuted the Cre

nts and oppo

iated against

called the B

ted to fight, 

erican stocka

ttempted to 

ndaries of the

uality samplin

cure Creek la

on lead an 

hatchee and 

ssee militiam

cks, 

nd 

eeks 

osing 

t a 

attle 

ade, 

ng 

and, 

men 
4 

in three minor engagements in January 1814, they finally were overcome in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March 1814. HOBE NMP preserves the site of Jackson’s decisive victory in the 

Creek War of 1813-14, where nearly 900 of 1000 Creek Indians were killed. As DeVivo (2004) 

wrote, “Never before or since in the history of the United States have so many Native Americans 

lost their lives in a single battle. This battle ended, for all time, the power of the Creek Nation”. 

Creek lands subsequently were added to the United States and opened for settlement. 

Creation of the Park 

HOBE NMP, including its museum and Visitor’s Center, was dedicated March, 27, 1964 on the 

150th anniversary of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, culminating more than 50 years of effort. As 

early as August of 1907, Alabama state legislature voted to petition the United States Congress 

to establish Horseshoe Bend Battle Park to memorialize a battle site of “great patriotic and 

educatory value” (Cummings and Gebhard 1996). Congress voted in April 1914 to appropriate 

$5,000 to erect a small stone monument on the battleground, but petitions to establish a military 

park at the site were rejected in 1909, 1911, 1913, and 1914 because the “national significance” 

of the event was in doubt (Cummings and Gebhard 1996). During this same time period, a 

controversy erupted over who owned the battle site and who would control the region's emerging 

hydroelectric technology. Benjamin Russell, a local industrialist, began to build his own dam 

near Alexander City. In 1911, the Alabama Power Company, which planned to build its own 

dam on the river at Cherokee Bluff, brought suit against Russell and was successful at having 

construction stopped. In 1923, the Alabama Power Company purchased Horseshoe Bend from 

Russell. The company’s president, Thomas Martin, whose great-grandfather had fought with 

Jackson’s army in 1814, recommended to the Power Company’s board of directors that no action 

on a dam should be taken until every effort to win congressional approval for a national park had 

been expended (Martin 1959). 

After much research, Martin succeeded in convincing Congress of the significance of the battle. 

In July 1956, a bill to establish a national park at Horseshoe Bend was passed unanimously by 

the House and Senate, and the bill was signed into law by President Eisenhower in 1959. The 

Alabama state legislature provided $150,000 to purchase part of the 2,040 acres comprising the 

new park; the rest, about 560 acres, was donated by the Alabama Power Company; and the deeds 

for the land were presented to the Secretary of the Interior on 24 April 1959 (Cummings and 

Gebhard 1996). 

 
Plate 1. V

Mallin.

Land Us

The midd

miles and

confluen

Departm

Center fo

for this su

Unit Cod

Survey (U

download

Using the

modified

agricultu

grid was 

of each la

indicated

(~70%), 

1, Figure

View of the isl

se / Land Co

dle Tallapoo

d includes al

ce of the Tal

ent of Envir

or Applied A

ub-basin usi

de) Geograph

USGS), and 

ded from the

e Spatial An

d to include e

ure, (4) forest

reclassified,

and class wi

d that the par

which helps

e 4). The rem

and (indicate

over in the M

osa sub-basin

ll lands and s

llapoosa and

onmental M

Aquatic Ecol

ing the follow

hic Informat

National La

e USGS Seam

nalyst extens

eight general

ts, (5) grassl

, the Spatial 

ithin the subrk is in a pre

s to provide f

mainder is m

d by the red s

Middle Talla

n, which incl

surface wate

d Little Talla

Management [

ogy (NCSU 

wing proced

tion System 

and Cover da

mless Data D

ion of ArcG

l categories:

lands, (6) wa

analyst “tab

-basin surrou

dominantly 

favorable co

mostly grassla

5 

star in Figure 

apoosa Sub

ludes HOBE

ers that drain

apoosa River

[ADEM] 200

CAAE) gen

dure. The sub

(GIS) data l

ata for 2001 

Distribution 

GIS9.1, the la

 (1) urban ar

ater, (7) wetl

bulate area” f

unding HOB

rural setting

onditions for 

and (~9%), p

3) from the p

b-basin 

E NMP, has a

n to the Talla

rs and Marti

05). North C

nerated a new

b-basin boun

ayer was pro

(most recen

System (htt

and use class

reas, (2) row

land, and (8)

function was

BE NMP (Ta

g consisting m

good water 

pasture/hay a

present-day p

an area of 5

apoosa River

in Dam (Figu

Carolina Sta

w land use-la

ndary (8-dig

ovided by th

nt dataset ava

tp://seamless

sification sys

w crop agricu

) barren/dist

s used to cal

able 2). This

mostly of fo

quality (AD

agriculture (

park. Photo b

589.7 square 

r between th

ure 1) (Alab

ate Universit

and cover m

it Hydrologi

he US Geolo

ailable) were

s.usgs.gov/).

stem was 

ulture, (3) an

turbed. Once

lculate the ar

s analysis 

orested land c

DEM 2005; T

(~9%), urban

y M. 

he 

bama 

ty’s 

map 

ic 

gical 

e

. 

nimal 

e the 

rea 

cover 

Table 

n
developm

cover. Th

that may 

Table 1. A

from analy

Seamless

Land 

Cover 

Type 

Milesw 

km2 

% of Total 

Figure 4.

HOBE NM

ment (5%), a

his informati

affect the pa

Area and perc

ysis by the NC

s Data Distrib

Urban

79.6

206.3

5.0%

Land use / la

MP (area in w

and water (~5

ion can serve

ark’s natural

cent cover of 

CSU CAAE. 

ution System 

Pasture/ 

Hay

147.6

382.7

9.3%

and cover (20

white). Prepare

5%), with w

e as a baselin

l resources.

each land us

National Lan

(http://seaml

Row 

Crops

Fo

0.3 1,0

0.8 2,8

0.02% 68

01) in the mid

ed by the NCS

6 

wetlands com

ne from whi

se class in the

d Cover data

ess.usgs.gov

orest Grassl

094.4 14

835.2 37

8.9% 9

ddle Tallapoo

SU CAAE. 

mprising only

ich to assess

e middle Talla

a for 2001 wer

v/ ). 

land Water

46.6 77.9

79.8 201.9

9.2% 4.9%

osa sub-basin

y about 1.4%

s future wate

apoosa sub-b

re downloade

Wetland

22.7

58.8

1.4%

n (03150109) 

% of the land 

ershed chang

asin (031501

ed from the U

Barren

20.1 1

52.1 4

1.3%

that includes 

ges 

09), 

SGS 

Total

,589.7

4,117.4

100%
Environm

Chattano

NMP (Fi

processin

of digitiz

contours,

boundari

digitized 

visitor ce

picnic sh

hiking tra

USGS bo

informati

applicatio

Figure 5.

Mapping F

Hydrolo

The clim

annual pr

season ty

occur dur

Surface 

The Talla

km2), wh

mental Resea

ooga (2007) w

igure 5). ER

ng and devel

zed topograp

, the river an

ies. Primary 

to show 26 

enter/admini

helters, three 

ails (~3 mile

oundary mar

ion as well a

on. 

The interacti

Facility (ERM

ogic Inform

mate in the pa

recipitation r

ypically occu

ring March. 

Waters 

apoosa Rive

hich is the 6th

arch and Ma

was retained

RMF conduct

lopment to d

phical map co

nd creeks, str

forest distrib

burn units w

stration buil

interpretativ

es), dirt fire r

rkers, and int

as scanned h

ve map for G

MF 2007) at th

mation 

ark area is m

ranging from

urs from mid

r is a major 

h

 largest rive

apping Facili

d by the NPS

ted data surv

derive geospa

omponents a

ructures, pav

butions were

within the pa

lding, mainte

ve shelters, a

roads (~12 m

terpretative 

istorical doc

IS files and m

e University o

moist and tem

m 49 to 53 in

d-summer to

tributary wit

er basin in th

7 

ity (ERMF) 

S to develop 

veys, field da

atial files an

and developm

ved roads, di

e developed.

ark. Distinct 

enance build

a barricade lo

miles), wood

stops along 

cuments are 

metadata, crea

of Tennessee

mperate (mea

nches, with m

 late fall, wh

thin the Mob

he U.S. From

at the Unive

and maintai

ata collection

nd metadata. 

ment of disti

irt roads, mo

. Existing fir

data layers w

ding, three ho

ocation, wat

den fencing, 

the main tou

available on

ated by the E

e - Chattanoo

an annual tem

minimal snow

hereas maxim

bile River B

m its headwa

ersity of Ten

in a GIS bas

n, and additi

Tasks inclu

inct data lay

onuments, an

re manageme

were also de

ouses, a boa

ter-sewage-e

three drilled

ur road withi

n an autorun 

Environmenta

ga. 

mperature, 6

wfall (USGS

mal precipita

asin (44,000

aters in north

nnessee – 

e map for H

ional file 

ded verificat

yers includin

nd the park 

ent maps we

eveloped for 

at ramp, two 

electrical lin

d water wells

in the park. T

compact dis

l Research an

61oF), with m

S 1997). A d

ation and flo

0 mi2 or 113,

hwest Georg

HOBE 

tion 

g 

ere 

the 

es, 

s, 

The 

sc 

nd 

mean 

dry 

ow 

,959 

gia 
(four cou

southwes

form the 

within th

The reach

and hydr

AL, built

(Figure 1

Dam resu

(DeVivo 

the park 

(America

flow and

artificial 

source of

Supply a

Figure 6.

Water Wa

A ~3.7-m

relatively

high faun

station on

(USGS 0

0315010

unties west o

st through A

Alabama Ri

he Piedmont 

h of the Tall

ropower faci

t and operate

1), and, as a 

ult in two hig

2004). Sinc

area, have b

an Rivers 20

water tempe

flow regime

f potable wa

nd Water Co

Location of t

atch Program

mile segment

y deep chann

nal diversity 

n the Tallapo

02414715, Ta

9; latitude 3

of Atlanta), th

Alabama (16 

iver. In Alab

(with HOBE

lapoosa Rive

lities, the R.

ed by the Ala

result, is stro

gh-water eve

ce the dam’s 

een subjecte

003). In addit

erature patte

e. Moreover,

ater for Atlan

onservation 

he Tallapoosa

, Auburn Univ

t of the Talla

nel marked b

(Irwin and F

oosa River, d

allapoosa Ri

2.9772, long

he Tallapoo

counties) un

bama, the Ta

E NMP) and

er that runs t

L. Harris Da

abama Powe

ongly flow-r

ents per day

construction

ed to change

tion to chang

erns. The par

, the Tallapo

nta, GA throu

Managemen

a watershed 

versity Fisher

apoosa River

by several sh

Freeman 200

designated a

iver near Ne

gitude -85.73

8 

sa River flow

ntil it joins th

allapoosa Ri

d Coastal Pla

through HOB

am (~20 mil

er Company)

regulated. Pe

, causing riv

n in 1980, th

s in river flo

ges in water 

rk has no con

oosa River sy

ugh interbas

nt Plan 2003

(white, arrow

ies Dept. (ww

r winds thro

hoals, habitat

02) (cover p

as the Horses

ew Site, AL [

397; drainag

ws for 195 m

he Coosa Riv

iver basin (4

ain physiogra

BE NMP is l

les upstream

) and Martin

eak power g

ver levels to 

he river segm

ow from as lo

r level, the da

ntrol over th

ystem has be

sin transfer (N

; DeVivo 20

) in Alabama 

ww.twp.aubur

ough the park

t features tha

hoto). The U

shoe Bend si

[Horseshoe B

ge area, 2,058

miles (314 km

ver near Mo

4,680 mi2 or 

aphic provin

located betw

m from the pa

n Dam near A

generation ac

fluctuate as 

ments downs

ow as zero t

am affects b

he sometime

een targeted 

(North Georg

004).

and Georgia 

rn.edu/). 

k. In this are

at characteri

USGS maint

ite in Tallap

Bend]; hydr

8 square mil

m) southntgomery, A

12,121 km

2

)

nces (Figure 

ween two dam

ark near Linv

Alexander C

ctivities at H

much as 5-6

stream, inclu

o 16,000 cfs

both in-stream

s-extreme 

as a potentia

gia Draft Wa

(from the AL

ea the river is

istically supp

tains a gagin

poosa County

rologic unit 

les; gage 528

AL to 

) lies 

6). 

ms 

ville, 

City 

Harris 

6 feet 

uding 

s

m

al 

ater 

s a 

port 

ng 

y, AL 

8.6 
9 

feet above sea level). Data collected include river discharge in cubic feet per second, and stage 

(http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/) (Table 2, Figure 7). Annual flow at this cite has averaged 

3,254 cfs during the 21-year period from 1986-2007; gage height averaged 3.94 feet based upon 

eight years of available data (1991-1993, 1998-1999, 2002-2004). 

Table 2. USGS data for mean annual discharge at HOBE NMP during the period of complete available 

records (1987 – 2007). 

Water Year 

00060 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

1987 2,572 

1988 1,461 

1989 3,213 

1990 4,903 

1991 2,792 

1992 3,314 

1993 4,428 

1994 3,122 

1995 3,153 

1996 5,065 

1997 3,981 

1998 5,003 

1999 2,146 

2000 1,556 

2001 3,105 

2002 1,585 

2003 5,852 

2004 2,473 

2005 4,658 

2006 2,517 

2007 1,423 

The Tallapoosa River is the major perennial water body within HOBE NMP, and the park’s 

major natural feature. This fifth order stream has a rock, silt, sand and gravel bottom interspersed 

with patches of organic matter. Some riffle areas occur, as well as areas of woody debris (Plate 

2). Other surface water resources in the park include two small springs: One emerges from a hill 

about 0.5 mile from the top of Battlefield Hill, to the east (#1, Plate 3). A second small, spring 

originates from a series of seeps near the second hill of the battlefield, and then becomes a small 

unnamed perennial stream near visitor’s Stop 1 (#2, Plate 4). ERMF (2007) mapped the 

locations of various other small streams in the park (Figure 8) that are intermittent (J. Cahill, 

HOBE NMP, pers. comm.). 
Figure 7.

during Se

period, an

Plate 2. L

next to the

Daily dischar

eptember 200

nd maximum f

Left: Tallapoos

e Tallapoosa 

rge at the US

1 – 1 July 200

flow in early s

sa River bridg

River bridge,

GS stream flo

07, showing e

spring. 

ge, viewed fro

, showing roc

10 

ow gaging sta

extremely low

om HOBE NM

k substrata. 

ation at New S

w flow during a

MP; right: Rem

Photos by J. 

Site, AL, nea

a late summe

mains of old c

Burkholder a

r HOBE NMP

er - fall drough

covered bridg

and M. Mallin.

P

ht 

ge 
Plate 3. S

Plate 4. A

the Tallap

Small spring a

A second sma

poosa River. 

at HOBE NMP

all spring in th

Photos by M.

 to the east o

e park (left) th

. Mallin.

11 

of Battlefield H

hat becomes 

Hill. Photo by

a small pere

 M. Mallin. 

nnial tributary stream (right) to 
Geology

The park

region, an

1997). T

reddish lo

basin (Jo

typically 

Piedmon

soil, alluv

deeper an

capacity.

through o

although 

that is we

Figure 8.

(J. Cahill, 

A second

the Talla

y, Soils, and

k lies within t

nd consists o

The bedrock 

oam or clay.

ourney and A

consist of u

nt Geological

vium, and sa

nd form in ar

 In these aq

openings bet

data are not

elded shut, a

ERMF’s (200

pers. comm.

d small sprin

poosa River

d Groundwa

the southern

of metamorp

materials ar

. Porous-me

Atkins 1996, 

unconsolidate

l Province, w

aprolite deriv

reas of igneo

quifers groun

tween cleava

t available fo

as the park is

07) map of str

).

ng in the park

r. Photos by 

ater Resour

n boundary o

phic and igne

e granite, gn

edia and frac

USGS 1997

ed or poorly

which includ

ved from roc

ous and meta

ndwater mos

age plains. W

or HOBE NM

s now suppli

reams in the p

k (left) that b

M. Mallin.

12 

rces 

of the Northe

eous rocks o

neiss, and sch

cture-conduit

7). The poro

y consolidate

des HOBE N

cks of variou

amorphic ro

stly moves th

Water quality

MP. On the 

ied by water 

park (bounda

becomes a sm

1

2

ern Piedmon

of Paleozoic 

hist, and the

t aquifers oc

ous-media aq

ed sediments

NMP, occurs 

us age. Fract

ocks, and gen

hrough fractu

y is generally

park ground

from the ne

ary in green), 

mall perenni

nt Upland ph

to Precambi

e soils are we

ccur in the T

quifers are sh

s. Most grou

in these aqu

ture-conduit 

nerally have 

ured or brok

y evaluated 

ds is a well h

earby town o

most of which

ial tributary 

hysiographic 

ian age (USG

ell-drained 

Tallapoosa R

hallow and 

undwater in t

uifers, within

aquifers are

lower storag

ken rock, and

as “good”, 

house and a w

of New Site.

h are intermit

stream (righ

GS 

River 

the 

n

e

ge 

d

well 

ttent 

ht) to 
13 

The estimated groundwater use in the Tallapoosa River basin is ~14 mgd. Of this total, about 

41% has been used for public water supply, 32% for domestic water supply, 24% for agricultural 

use, and 3% for self-supplies industrial and commercial activities (USGS 1997). Groundwater 

levels fluctuate in response to natural and anthropogenic processes, such as seasonal changes in 

rainfall, interaction with the surface-water system, and groundwater withdrawal. Annual low 

water levels generally occur in the fall after the dry summer, and annual high water levels occur 

in the early spring because of recharge following rainfall during the winter (USGS 1997). 

Groundwater levels in the middle Tallapoosa River basin fluctuate in response to natural and 

anthropogenic processes such as seasonal changes in precipitation, interactions with surface 

waters, and groundwater withdrawals (USGS 1997). Based upon long-term water level data 

measured biannually for four wells in fracture-conduit aquifers during 1968-1993, significant 

year-to-year or long-term changes in the average water level of the aquifer were not apparent. 

The data suggested that mean annual recharge and discharge are similar, with minimal 

permanent changes in aquifer storage. 

Wetlands 

Wetlands are defined as transitional lands between terrestrial and permanent (deeper) standingwater habitats (Cowardin et al. 1979). The water table in wetlands is at or near land surface, or 

the land is covered at times by shallow water. In the Tallapoosa River basin, most wetlands are 

forested floodplain systems, maintained by the natural flooding regime of rivers and streams 

(ADEM 2005). This description is characteristic of the woody wetlands in HOBE NMP, which 

occur as narrow fringes along the Tallapoosa River (Figure 9). More than 20% of the vegetative 

cover in these wetlands consists of forest or shrub vegetation (Plate 5). The wetlands have not 

been well characterized, but a recent survey of plant species indicates that there is a rich diversity 

of wetland and aquatic plant species in the park (below). 
Figure 9. Locations of wetlands in the park (delin

14 

eated by green lines – see Figure 5; ERMF 2007). 
Plate 5. R

Biologic

The large

provides 

events su

uncertain

wetland a

fishes, 33

crustacea

As in oth

fisheries 

Four dam

(R.L. Ha

fragment

the aquat

most end

Mobile R

Riparian area

cal Resour

er Mobile Ri

a variety of

uch as the las

n as to how m

and aquatic f

3 mussels an

ans. 

her regions, d

in southeast

ms have been

rris Dam) an

tation effecti

tic communi

dangered rive

River watersh

a with woody

rces 

iver watersh

f habitats for 

st ice age res

many of thes

fauna, histor

nd 110 aquat

dams have st

tern U.S. riv

n constructed

nd three dow

ively has com

ities in-betw

ers in 2003 (

hed, the follo

y swamp wet

hed which co

plants and a

sulted in a re

se species m

rically endem

tic snails, as 

trongly affec

ers (Neves a

d on the Tall

wnstream (La

mpletely alte

een, to the e

(American R

owing inform

15 

tland along th

ontains the T

animals, and

elatively high

ay have occu

mic fauna of

well as vario

cted faunal d

and Angerme

lapoosa Rive

ake Martin D

ered both up

extent that th

Rivers 2003)

mation is spe

he Tallapoos

Tallapoosa R

d its isolation

h number of

urred in the 

f the Mobile 

ous turtles, a

diversity, spe

eier 1990, L

er, including

Dam, Yates D

pstream and d

he Tallapoos

. Within this

ecific to the 

sa River. Pho

River and HO

n by time and

f endemic sp

park, but co

River water

aquatic insec

ecies distribu

Lydeard and M

g one upstrea

Dam, Thurlo

downstream

a was listed 

s broader con

park. 

oto by M. Ma

OBE NMP 

d geological

pecies. It is 

onsidering 

rshed include

cts and 

utions, and 

Mayden 199

am from the 

ow Dam). Th

m influences u

in the top te

ntext of the 

allin. 

l

ed 40 

95). 

park 

hus, 

upon 

en 
16 

Microalgae 

There apparently are no published studies of the phytoplankton assemblages or benthic 

microalgae in the Tallapoosa River. Some unpublished water quality and phytoplankton 

biomass records (the latter, as chlorophyll a) are available for the Tallapoosa River near HOBE 

NMP and for the Harris and Martin reservoirs, which are located above and below the park 

(Figure 1). Mean chlorophyll a concentrations in the Tallapoosa River at US Highway 280 were 

7 μg/L in 2003 and 4 μg/L in 2004 (ADEM 2005). Mean chlorophyll a concentrations (photic 

zone composite samples collected monthly from April through October) at several locations of 

Harris Reservoir were highest (5-15 μg/L) among the mainstem Tallapoosa River reservoirs, and 

trophic site index (TSI) values derived from chlorophyll a concentrations in Harris Reservoir 

were at or below the mid-eutrophic range (ADEM 2000, Wetzel 2001). With the exception of the 

eutrophic upper portion of Martin Reservoir, mean annual chlorophyll a concentrations in Martin 

Reservoir were much lower (3-5 μg/L) than those of Harris Reservoir, and TSI values were often 

in the oligotrophic to mesotrophic range (ADEM 2000, Wetzel 2001). 

Terrestrial Vegetation 

The park is near the northern boundary of longleaf pine, and historically the floodplains and 

drainages consisted of mixed hardwoods, while patches of longleaf pine grew along the 

ridgetops. The hillsides and ridgelines also had a climax beech (Fagus spp.)-oak (Quercus spp.)-

hickory (Carya spp.) forest, mixed with ash (Fraxinus spp.), walnut (Juglans spp.), and chestnut 

(Castanea spp.) (DeVivo 2004). Since the battle of 1814, the vegetation was altered extensively 

by human settlement, logging, and the introduction of exotic species until the park was 

established in 1959 (NPS 2000). Many agricultural fields are now managed in loblolly pine or 

are undergoing ecological succession, and some of the park is also maintained through mowing 

as open grasslands. The present-day forest type is primarily mixed hardwood with floodplains, 

drainages, and hillsides consisting of hickory, oak, ash, walnut, and chestnut (Castanea spp.) 

(DeVivo 2004). Drier areas and ridge tops are dominated by loblolly pine, and the open understory is dominated by sapling elms, blueberries, silver bells, muscadines, and ferns (NPS 2000). 

The NPS (2008) listed 7 species of ferns (primitive vascular plants, order Polypodiales) and 

~700 (704) species of higher vascular plants that are known or suspected to be in the park. 

HOBE NMP contains many species of plants endemic to the Piedmont region and to the 

Southeastern and Southern Coastal Plains. Southern pine beetles (Dentroctnus frontalis) have 

done considerable damage to the pine species, and many trees lie on the forest floor because of 

beetle damage and windfall from Hurricane Opal (October 1995) (Dusi and Dusi 1997). 

Wetland and Aquatic Vascular Plants 

About half (9) of the fern species (primitive vascular plants) that are known or suspected to be in 

the park (NPS 2008) occur in wetland habitats (Table 3). 
Table 3. W

Species 

Broad beec

(Phegopter

Cinnamon 

Chainfern (

New York f

Royal fern 

Sensitive fe

Southern la

Survey in

About 48

in the par

4). Only 

Brasenia

modified

can be am

water. Th

species, d

(Crataeg

U.S. Dep

(see http:

Plate 6. P

Photos: P

schr.html

Wetland fern 

chfern 

ris hexagonopt

fern (Osmunda

(Woodwardia a

fern (Thelypter

(Osmunda reg

ern (Onoclea s

ady fern (Athyr

nformation i

8% (198) of 

rk are wetlan

two species 

a schreberi) a

d angiosperm

mphibious (f

hus, nearly a

daisy fleaban

gus spathulat

partment of A

://plants.usd

Podostemum 

Podostemum –

(by Eleanor S

species in the

tera or Thelypte

a cinnamomea

areolata)

ris noveboracen

galis)

sensibilis)

rium asplenioid

ndicates tha

the 412 spec

nd and aquat

(hornleaf riv

are predomin

m known in a

facultatively

all of the 198

ne (prairie o

ta), and spot

Agriculture a

a.gov/java/p

ceratophyllum

– NCSU CAA

Saulys, with p

e park (NPS 2

eris hexagonop

a)

nsis)

es) 

at the park ha

cies of highe

tic vascular p

verweed, Po

nantly aquat

aquatic envir

y wetland spe

8 species are

r rough fleab

tted St. John

as having a f

profile? symb

m and Brasen

AE; Brasenia –

permission).

17 

2008). 

ptera)

as a rich dive

er vascular p

plants (listed

odostemum c

tic (Plate 6).

ronments (Sc

ecies), existi

e wetland rat

bane, Eriger

nswort (Hype

fairly high p

bol=HYPU)

nia schreberi, 

– http://www.c

Habitat 

moist wo

swamps, 

acidic bo

moist, hu

swampy 

open swa

stream an

ersity of wet

plants that ar

d in Godfrey

ceratophyllu

. Hornleaf r

culthorpe 19

ing on moist

ther than aqu

ron strigosus

ericum punct

probability of

. 

two aquatic p

ct-botanical-s

odlands

 stream banks

gs, wet woods

umus-rich, deci

areas, fens, da

amps, marshes

nd pond banks

tland species

re known or 

y and Woote

um; and wate

riverweed is 

967), wherea

t soils withou

uatic in habit

s), littlehip h

tatum), were

f being foun

plants on the 

society.org/ga

, shores

duous woods

amp woodlands

s, low woods

s

s (NPS 2008

suspected to

en 1981a,b; T

ershield, 

the most hig

as watershiel

ut overlying 

t. Three oth

hawthorn 

e listed by th

nd in wetland

NPS (2008) l

alleries/brasen

s

8). 

o be 

Table 

ghly 

ld 

her 

he 

ds 

list. 

nia 
18 

Table 4. Wetland and aquatic plant flora (basis: Godfrey and Wooten 1981a,b) that are known in the 

park, including indication of exotic or non-native species (e) and weedy species (w) (NPS 2008).

Alder (brook-side alder, hazel alder) (Alnus serrulata) Bullbrier (common catbrier, common greenbrier)

Allegheny (ringen) monkey flower (Mimulus ringens) (Smilax rotundifolia) 

American bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) Bulrush (woolgrass) (Scirpus cyperinus) 

American burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia) Butterweed (Packera glabella) 

American bur-reed (Sparganium americanum) Button eryngo (button snakeroot, Yuccaleaf 

American elder (Sambucus canadensis) eryngo) (Eryngium yuccifolium) 

American elm (Ulmus americana) Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 

American (Canada) germander (wood sage) Cahaba lily (Carolina, shoals, or water spiderlily) 

 (Teucrium canadense) (Hymenocallis carolina) 

American holly (Ilex opaca) Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus) 

American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) Camphor pluchea (camphor weed) (Pluchea

American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) camphorata) 

American pokeweed (common pokeweed, inkberry) Canada lettuce (Canada woodnettle) (Laportea

 (Phytolacca americana) canadensis) 

American snowbell (Styrax americana, Canadian honewort (honewort) (Cryptotaenia 

 or S. americanus) canadensis) 

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) Canadian (early) lousewort (Pedicularis canaden

American (common) water willow (spike justicia) Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) 

 (Justicia americana) Carolina elephantfoot (leafy elephantfoot) 

American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) (Elephantopus carolinianus) 

Angelicatree (devil’s walkingstick) (Aralia spinosa) Carolina jessamine (evening trumpetflower)

Apios americana (groundnut, potatobean) (Apios (Gelsemium sempervirens) 

 americana) Carolina lily (Lilium michauxii) 

Ashleaf maple (box elder) (Acer negundo) Cat greenbrier (Smilax glauca) 

Atamasco lily (Zephyranthes atamasca) Chervil (hairy-fruit chervil) (Chaerophyllum taintur

Azure bluet (Houstonia caerulea) Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) 

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum var. saurae) e

 Chinese (Japanese) honeysuckle (Lonicera japon

Beach false foxglove (Agalinis fasciculata) Chinese (common Chinese) privet (Ligustrum 

Bedstraw (catchweed bedstraw, cleaves, sinense) e,w 

 cleaverwort) (Galium aparine) Climbing hempvine (climbing hempweed) (Mikani

Bigroot morning glory (man-of-the-earth) scandens) 

 (Ipomoea pandurata) Climbing milkweed (honeyvine) (Cynanchum laev

Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) Coastalplain blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium fusca

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) or S. arenicola) 

Black-seed (Rugel’s) plantain (Plantago rugelli) Common (eastern) cottonwood (Populus deltoide

Black willow (Salix nigra) Common (wooly) dutchmanspipe (Aristolochia

Blisterwort (little leaf buttercup) (Ranunculus tomentosa) 

 recurvatus) Common fox sedge (Carex vulpinoidea) 

Blue mistflower (horseweed) (Conoclinium Common goldstar (eastern yellow-star grass) 

 coelestinum, or Eupatorium coelestinum) (Hypoxis hirsuta) 

Blue (mad dog) skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia) Common honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) 

Blueeyed grass (bur-cucumber) (Sicyos angulatus) Common meadowbeauty (handsome Harry) 

Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa) (Rhexia virginica) 

Bog hemp (small-spike false nettle) (Boehmeria Common (eastern) persimmon (Diospyros virginia

 cylindrica) Common (lamp) rush (Juncus effusus) 

Bristlestalked sedge (Carex leptalea) Common sheep (sheep, or red) sorrel (Rumex

Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) acetosella) e

Broadleaf cattail (cattail) (Typha latifolia) Common trumpetcreeper (cow-itch, trumpet cree

Broadleaf uniola (Indian wood-oats) (Campsis radicans) 

 (Chasmanthium latifolium) Compact dodder (Cuscuta compacta)

 w 
19 

Table 4. (Continued). 

Crested yellow orchid (Platanthera cristata, India (Indian) heliotrope (Heliotropium indicum) e

 or Habenaria cristata) Indian cucumber (Medeola virginiana) 

Crimsoneyed (swamp) rosemallow (Hibiscus Indian Jack-in-the-pulpit (Jack-in-the-pulpit)

 moscheutos) (Arisaema triphyllum) 

Cross-vine (trumpet-flower) (Bignonia capreolata, Ironweed (tall or giant ironweed) (Vernonia altissi

 or Anisostichus capreolata, A. crucifera) or V. gigantea) 

Curley dock (curly, narrowleaf, or sour dock) Jewelweed (spotted touch-me-not) (Impatiens

 (Rumex crispus) e capensis) 

Cutleaf (green-head) coneflower (Rudbeckia Joe Pye weed (trumpetweed) (Eupatorium fistulo

 laciniata) Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) e

Dallas (water) grass (Paspalum dilatatum)

 e Jumpseed (Virginia smartweed) (Polygonum 

Desert false indigo (desert indigobush, dullleaf virginianum or Tovara virginiana) 

 indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) Juniper leaf (Polypremum procumbens) 

Devil’s-darning needles (virgin’s bower, Virginia Lanceleaf (small) greenbrier (Smilax smallii) 

 bower (Clematis virginiana) Late eupatorium (lateflowering thoroughwort) 

Ditch stonecrop (Virginia penthorum) (Penthorum (Eupatorium serotinum) 

 sedoides) Laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) 

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) Leathery rush (Juncus coriaceus) 

Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) Limestone meadow sedge (Carex granularis) 

Downy lobelia (Lobelia puberula) Lizard's tail (Saururus cernuus) 

Drooping melonnettle (Guadaloupe cucumber) Longleaf spikegrass (longleaf woodoats) 

 (Melothria pendula) (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum or Uniola sessiliflo

Drummond St. Johnswort (nits and lice) (Hypericum Longroot smartweed (Polygonum coccineum) 

 drummondii) Marsh parsley (Cyclospermum leptophyllum, or 

Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) Apium leptophyllous) 

Dwarf St. Johnswort (Hypericum mutilum) Marsh primrose-willow (marsh seedbox) (Ludwigi

Eastern poison ivy (poison ivy) (Toxicodendron palustris) 

 radicans) Maryland meadowbeauty (Rhexia mariana) 

Eastern smooth beardtongue (Penstemon laevigatus) Mountain (piedmont) azalea (Rhododendron

Elliott’s blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) canescens) 

Entireleaf (ivyleaf) morning glory (Ipomoea Muscadine (muscadine grape) (Vitis rotundifolia)

 hederacea) Needle-tip blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium mucro

Fescue sedge (Carex festucacea) Nodding ladies’-tresses (white nodding ladiesFlypoison (Amianthium muscitoxicum, or tresses) (Spiranthes cernua) 

 A. muscaetoxicum) Obedient-plant (false dragon-head) (DracoFringed loosestrife (fringed yellow-loosestrife) cephalum virginianum, or Physostegia virginian

 (Lysimachia ciliata) Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) 

Fringetree (white fringetree) (Chionanthus virginicus) Oriental ladysthumb (bristled knotweed (Polygon

Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) caespitosum var. longisetum) e

Globe flatsedge (Cyperus globulosis, or C. ovularis) Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) 

Greater bladder sedge (Carex intumescens) Pecan (Carya illinoinensis, or C. illinoiensis) 

Green adder’s-mouth orchid (Malaxis unifolia) Philadelphia daisy (Erigeron philadelphicus) 

Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) 

Green dragon (Arisaema dracontium) Pignut hickory (Carya glabra)

Green woodland orchid (or small green woodland Plume thistle (Carduus spinosissimus, or Cirsium

 orchid) (Platanthera clavellata, or Habenaria horridulum) 

 clavellata) Poor-joe (rough buttonweed) (Diodia teres)

Helmet flower (Scutellaria integrifolia) Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) 

Hornleaf riverweed (threadfoot) (Podostemum Post oak (Quercus stellata)

 ceratophyllum) Potato dwarfdandelion (tuber dandelion) (Krigia

Iceweed (Virginia or white crownbeard) (Verbesina dandelion) 

 virginica) 

 
20 

Table 4. (Continued). 

Pretty verbena (purpletop, or purpletop vervain) Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) 

 (Verbena bonariensis) e

 Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) 

Rattail smutgrass (Sporobolus poiretii or S. indicus) Sweetscented joepyeweed (Eupatorium purpureu

Red maple (Acer rubrum) Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) 

Red mulberry (Morus rubra) Tulip poplar (tuliptree or yellow poplar) 

Reflexed flatsedge (Cyperus refractus) (Liriodendron tulipifera) 

River birch (Betula nigra) Two wing silverbell (Halesia diptera) 

Rosepink (squarestem rosegentian) (Sabatia Virginia bugleweed (Virginia water horehound) 

 angularis) (Lycopus virginicus) 

Roundhead rush (Juncus validus) Virginia buttonweed (Diodia virginiana) 

Sampson’s snakeroot (Psoralea psoralioides) Virginia dayflower (Commelina virginica) 

Saw greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox) Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) 

Scaldweed (Cuscuta gronovii) w

 Virginia wild rye (Elymus virginicus) 

Shallow sedge (Carex lurida) Water oak (Quercus nigra) 

Sharpwing monkey flower (Mimulus alatus) Watershield (Schreber watershield) (Brasenia

Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) schreberi)

Silver maple (Acer saccharinum, A. saccharinum Waxyleaf (meadow-rue) (Thalictrum revolutum 

 var. floridanum) Weakstalk bulrush (Schoenoplectus purshianus)

Smooth white oldfield aster (Symphyotrichum White avens (Geum canadense)

 racemosum, or Aster brachypholis, A. Whiteleaf leather flower (Clematis glaucophylla) 

 racemosus, A. fragilis) Whorled marsh pennywort (Hydrocotyle verticillat

Southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) Willow oak (Quercus phellos) 

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Winged elm (Ulmus alata) 

Southern annual saltmarsh aster Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) 

 (Symphyotrichum divaricatum, or Aster exilis Winter grape (Vitis baileyana) 

Southern rein orchid (Habenaria flava) Woodland bluegrass (Poa sylvestris)

St. Andrew’s cross (Hypericum hypericoides) Woodvamp (Decumaria barbara)

Stiff dogwood (Cornus foemina) Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) 

Strawcolored flatsedge (strawcolor nutgrass) Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria)

 (Cyperus strigosus) Yellow crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis) 

Swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima) 

Swamp sneezeweed (swamp sunflower) 

 (Helianthus angustifolius)

 

Benthic Macroinvertebrates 

Information is lacking on benthic macroinvertebrates within park waters. The invertebrate fauna 

in the section of the middle Tallapoosa River, which includes HOBE NMP, is not well 

characterized (Johnson 1997). Within the larger Mobile River basin, as mentioned, historically 

there was once a rich and diverse benthic macroinvertebrate fauna including various endemic 

species, some of which are now extinct. A decade ago the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1998) 

reported that the basin still contains 33 mussels and 110 aquatic snails as well as numerous 

insects and crustaceans. About 30 mussel species inhabit the Tallapoosa River Basin, but native 

mussels are becoming rare in the middle reach of the Tallapoosa mainstem which includes 

HOBE NMP (ADEM 2005). 

Amphibians and Reptiles 

HOBE NMP is located along the boundary between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain and, as a 

result, resident herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) include species characteristic of both 

physiographic provinces (Tuberville et al. 2005). Tuberville et al. (2005) conducted a two-year 

survey of herpetofauna in national parks of the Southeast for the NPS; subsequently, the NPS 

(2008) developed a more comprehensive list of herpetofauna that are known or suspected to be 
in the par

reptiles a

salamand

species (

had highe

more frag

Figure 10

species, a

the strong

0.001). F

rk (Table 5)

and amphibia

ders) and 33 

Table 5). In

er species ric

gile ecosyste

0. Relationshi

among 16 par

g positive line

From Tubervill

. Based upo

ans, includin

reptiles (9 tu

n a compariso

chness, whic

em (Figure 1

p between la

rks within the 

ar relationshi

le et al. (2005

on NPS (200

ng 30 amphib

urtles, 8 liza

on of 16 par

ch would sug

10). 

nd area (hect

Southeast C

p between (lo

5), with permis

21 

8), HOBE N

bians (19 fro

ards, 17 snak

rks, Tubervil

ggest that be

tares) and spe

oast Network

og-transforme

ssion from So

NMP contain

ogs and toad

kes + 1 varie

lle et al. (200

ecause of its 

ecies richnes

k of the NPS, 

ed) land area 

outheastern N

ns 63 native 

ds, 11 newts 

ety), as well 

05) noted tha

small size, H

ss, excluding e

including HO

and species 

Naturalist. 

species of 

and 

as 2 exotic s

at larger par

HOBE NMP

exotic (introd

OBE NMP, sho

richness (P =

snake 

rks 

P is a 

uced) 

owing 

=
22 

Table 5. Herpetofauna of HOBE NMP, documented from field surveys, museum specimens, literature 

records, and reliable personal communications (NPS 2008). 

AMPHIBIANS 

Frogs and Toads 

American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Green frog (Rana clamitans) 

American toad (Bufo americanus) Green treefrog (Hyla cinerea) 

Barking treefrog (Hyla gratiosa) Mountain chorus frog (Pseudacris brachyphona) 

Bird-voiced treefrog (Hyla avivoca) Pickerel frog (Rana palustris) 

Cope’s gray (tree) frog (Hyla chrysoscelis) Southern cricket frog (Acris gryllus) 

Eastern narrow-mouthed toad Southeastern (upland) chorus frog (Pseudacris 

 (Gastrophyrne carolinensis) feriarum)

Eastern spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii) Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) 

Florida (southern) leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) Wood frog (Rana sylvatica) 

Fowler’s toad (Bufo fowleri) Woodhouse’s toad (Acris crepitans) 

Gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) 

Newts and Salamanders 

Dusky (northern dusky) salamander Northern slimy (slimy) salamander (Plethodon

 (Desmognathus fuscus) glutinosus) 

Eastern mud (mud) salamander (Pseudotriton Red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber) 

 montanus) Southern two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera

Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) 

Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Three-lined salamander (Eurycea guttolineata) 

Mole salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) Three-lined salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyritic

REPTILES 

Lizards 

Broad-headed (broadhead) skink (Eumeces laticeps) Ground (little brown) skink (Scincella lateralis) 

Eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) Mole skink (Eumeces egregius) 

Five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus) Six-lined racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus

Green anole (Anolis carolinensis) Southeastern five-lined skink (Eumeces inexpect

Snakes (** = exotic introduced) 

Brown (DeKay’s, northern brown) snake (Storeria Northern copperhead (Ankistrodon contortrix

 dekayi) mokasen) 

Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) Northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) 

Common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) Plain-bellied watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster)

Common kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) Queen snake (Regina septemvittata)** 

Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) Red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) 

Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) 

Eastern racer (racer) (Coluber constrictor) Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus)** 

Eastern rat (rat, Texas) snake (Elaphe obsoleta) Southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix

Eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus) contortrix) 

Gray rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) 

Midwest worm snake (Carphophis amoenus helenae)

Turtles 

Common (eastern) box turtle (Terrapene carolina) Eastern river (river) cooter (Pseudemys concinna

Common (eastern) mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle (Apalone

Common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) spinifera aspera) 

Common slider (slider) (Trachemys scripta) Loggerhead musk turtle (Sternotherus minor) 

Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) 
23 

Fish 

The middle 50-mile reach of the Tallapoosa River from Harris Dam to the inflow of Lake 

Martin, which includes the section within HOBE NMP, is the only remaining Piedmont largeriver habitat remaining in the state of Alabama. It represents one of the longest and highestquality segments of Piedmont River habitat remaining in the Mobile River drainage (Lydeard 

and Mayden 1995 (Plate 7). Recent information from the NPS (2008) indicates that there are 26 

species of fish in park waters (Table 6). This region of the Tallapoosa River has shown a decline 

in some species such as the speckled chub (Macryhybobsis aestivalis), bullhead minnow 

(Pimephales vigilax), madtom catfish (Noturus spp.), and redhorse suckers (Moxostoma spp.) 

(Freeman et al. 2001), and none of these species are present in the Park (NPS 2008). There has 

been no fisheries management plan for the Park (DeVivo 2004), but the ADCNR conducts 

annual creel surveys at the park boat ramp. 

Table 6. Fish species known to be in the park (NPS 2008; ** = exotic species). 

Alabama shiner (Cyprinella callistia) Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) 

Banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae) Logperch (Percina caprodes) 

Blackspotted topminnow (Fundulus olivaceus) Mosquitofish (western mosquitofish) 

Blacktail redhorse (Moxostoma poecilurum) (Gambusia affinis)** 

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) Pretty shiner (Lythrurus bellus) 

Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Redeye bass (Micropterus coosae) 

Central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) Rough shiner (Notropis baileyi) 

Channel (graceful) catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Southern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon gagei) 

Common carp (or European carp)** Speckled darter (Etheostoma stigmaeum) 

 (Cyprinus carpio) Speckled madtom (Noturus leptacanthus) 

Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) 

Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) Striped shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus)

Golden redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) Warmouth (Chaenobryttus gulosus) 

Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
Plate 7. S

beneficial

Birds 

Recent ch

located w

such as th

ruficapill

known to

Snag along th

aquatic life. P

hecklists of 

within the pa

he spotted sa

la), have bee

o be associat

e Tallapoosa

Photo by M. M

birds found 

ark boundarie

andpiper (Ac

en seen only

ted mainly w

River at HOB

Mallin.

in HOBE N

es (Dusi and

ctitis macula

y rarely (once

with aquatic h

24 

BE NMP. Suc

MP indicate

d Dusi 1997;

aria) and the

e or twice) w

habitats. 

ch structures 

e that there a

; NPS 2008)

e Nashville w

within park b

provide critica

are ~120 spe

 (Table 7). 

warbler (Ver

boundaries. T

al habitat for 

cies of birds

Some specie

rmivora 

Ten species 

s

es, 

are 
25 

Table 7. Bird species that have been observed in the park (past ~decade; Dusi and Dusi 1997, NPS 

2008). 

Species associated with aquatic habitats 

Belted kingfisher (Ceryle akyon) Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea) 

Fish crow (Corvus ossifragus) Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis) 

Great egret (Casmerodius albus) Spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularla) 

Green heron (Butorides striatus) Wood duck (Aix sponsa) 

Other species (** = exotic species; note that the report authors also saw house sparrows in the park) 

Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) Field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca) 

American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) Golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 

American kestrel (Falco sparverius) Gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 

American pipit (Anthus rubescens) Great crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 

American robin (Turdus migratorius) Great horned owl (Bubo virginanus) 

American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) Hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 

Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) Hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) 

Barred owl (Strix varia) Hooded warbler (Wilsonia citrina) 

Black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia) House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 

Blackburnian warbler (Dendroica fusca) House sparrow (Passer domesticus)**

Black-throated green warbler (Dendroica virens) House wren (Troglodytes aedon) 

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus) Indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) 

Blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila carulea) Kentucky warbler (Oporonis formosus) 

Blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila carulea) Least flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 

Blue grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea) Louisiana waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) 

Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Magnolia warbler (Dendroica magnolia)

Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) 

Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) Nashville warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) 

Brown-headed nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) 

Brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 

Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) 

Carolina wren (Thyrothorus ludovicianus) Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) 

Chimney swift (Chastura pelagica) Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 

Chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina) Northern parula (Parula americana) 

Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Northern rough-winged swallow 

Chuck-will’s-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis) (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 

Common grackle (Quiscalus quiscala) Northern waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis) 

Common loon (Gavia immer) Orange-crowned warbler (Vermivora celata) 

Common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) Orchard oriole (Icterus spurius) 

Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) 

Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) Palm warbler (Dendroica palmarum) 

Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 

Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) Pine siskin (Carduelis pinus) 

Eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) Pine warbler (Dendroica pinus) 

Eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) Prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor) 

Eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) Prothonotary warbler (Prothonotaria citrea) 

Eastern (rufous-sided) towhee (Pipilo Purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus) 

 erythrophthalmus) Purple martin (Progne subis) 

Eastern screech owl (Otus asio) Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carofinus) 

Eastern wood-pewee (Contopus virens) Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 

Evening grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) Red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 

European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)** 
26 

Table 7. (Continued). 

Red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes Veery (Catharus fuscescens) 

 erythrocephalus) White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) White-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus) 

Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaidensis) White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 

Rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) Wild turkey (Mealeagris gallopavo) 

Ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula) Winter wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) 

Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Wood thrush (Hyloclichla mustelina) 

Rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) Worm-eating warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) 

Scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea) Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus vatius) 

Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) Yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 

Summer tanager (Piranga rubra) Yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens) 

Swainson’s warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) Yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronota) 

Tufted titmouse (Parus bicolor) Yellow-throated vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 

Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) Yellow-throated warbler (Dendroica dominica) 

Mammals 

A recent list compiled in 2003, together with information from NPS (2008), indicates that 

excluding domestic horses and cattle, there are 38 species that occur or probably occur in the 

park (Table 8). Five species (American beaver, marsh rice rat, muskrat, northern river otter, 

swamp rabbit) make extensive use of aquatic habitats, and mink consume fish as food. Many 

species use swamp forest wetlands as habitat, as well. 

Table 8. Mammals of HOBE NMP (NPS 2008; a ≡ species that make extensive use of aquatic habitats or 

consumes fish as food; b ≡ species that probably occur in the park according to D. Webster’s (UNC 

Wilmington) survey in 2003, but not reported by NPS (2008); c ≡ exotic introduced species that is present 

or suspected to be present in the park. 

American beaver (Castor canadensis) a

 Long-nosed (nine-banded) armadillo 

Bee shrew (least shrew, little short-tailed shrew) (Dasypus novemcinctus) 

 (Cryptotis parva) Long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata)

 b

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

 b Marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) a

Common gray (gray) fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Mink (Mustela vison)

 a,b

Cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus) Mole shrew (northern short-tailed or short-tailed

Coyote (Canis latrans) shrew (Blarina brevicauda) 

Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) Muskrat (muskbeaver) (Ondatra zibethicus)

 a,b 

Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor) 

Eastern gray (gray) squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Northern river (river) otter (Lutra canadensis)

 a

Eastern harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis)

 b Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) b,c 

Eastern mole (topos) (Scalopus aquaticus) Pine (woodland) vole (Microtus pinetorum)

 d

Eastern red (red) bat (Lasiurus borealis) Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) Southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris)

Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) 

Feral dog (Canis familiaris)

 c Swamp rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus) a,b

Feral cat (Felis catus)

 c Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) 

Feral horse (Equus caballus)

 c White-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) 

Golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli) White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) 

Hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) Woodchuck (Marmota monax) 

House mouse (Mus musculus) b,c Woodland vole (Microtus pinetorum) b

The park has no terrestrial mammal species that are considered to be imperiled by the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has 
evaluated

historical

Puma co

local citiz

banded a

(Howell 

Concerns

the river,

illegal po

and beav

Plate 8. A

increasing

(DeVivo 2

Rare and

The large

ecosystem

1998). D

extinction

d one specie

lly were kno

ncolor; red w

zens of mou

armadillo (Pl

1921 vs. Ch

s related to m

, and possibl

oaching and 

ver damage to

A long-nosed 

g populations 

2004). Photo 

d Threatene

er Mobile Ri

m in trouble

uring the pa

ns at a rate n

s, the long-ta

own in the ar

wolf, Canis 

untain lions h

late 8) and th

hoate et al. 19

mammals inc

ly over-hunti

dog hunting

o trees or wa

(nine-banded

may be invas

by M. Mallin.

ed Species 

iver watersh

” with respe

ast two centu

now unparall

ailed weasel

rea (America

rufus) have 

have not bee

he coyote ha

994). 

clude over-p

ing of these 

g (DeVivo 20

ater flow alte

d) armadillo in

sive or natura

 

hed which co

ect to rare an

uries, human 

leled elsewh

27 

l, as rare (S3

an black bea

been extirpa

n substantia

ave emigrate

population of

species on t

004). Feral p

eration has b

n the park. Th

al range exten

ontains HOB

nd threatened

developmen

here in the m

3). Three car

ar, Ursus am

ated from the

ated. In cont

ed into the pa

f deer and tu

the south sid

pigs have no

been minima

he status of th

nsion, and im

BE NMP has 

d species (U.

nt of the wat

mainland U.S

rnivorous spe

ericanus; m

e region; sev

trast, the lon

ark and the s

urkeys on the

de of the rive

ot been repor

al (J. Cahill, 

his species is 

pacts have n

been describ

.S. Fish and 

tershed has l

S.; nearly 50%

ecies that 

mountain lion

veral reports

g-nosed (nin

surrounding 

e north side 

er because of

rted in the p

pers. comm

unknown; 

ot been asse

bed as “an 

Wildlife Ser

led to specie

% of U.S. 

n,

 by 

nearea 

of 

f

ark, 

m.).

ssed 

rvice 

es 
28 

species extinctions in the past 100 years have occurred in the Mobile River basin (U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service 1998). At least 16 endemic mussels and 38 endemic aquatic snails are now 

believed to be extinct, mostly within the past few decades (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). 

The watershed has 32 aquatic/wetland animal and plant species that are protected under the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, including 2 plants, 2 turtles, 10 fish, 17 mussels, and 1 snail. 

At least 62 other species are regarded as imperiled including plants, insects, crustaceans, snails, 

mussels, fishes and turtles. 

Shoals of the Tallapoosa River support populations of the Cahaba lily (Hymenocallis coronaria, 

also called the Carolina spiderlily, the shoals spider-lily, the spider lily, and the water spider lily) 

(Plate 9). This plant is federally listed as a species of concern 

(http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q0ZP), and is found in 

the central portion of the Tallapoosa River of Alabama (including the park), Georgia, and South 

Carolina. It requires swift current to flourish. This wetland plant has been eliminated from 

portions of its native range by impoundments (Irwin and Freeman 2002). 

Although presently not known to be within the park boundaries (NPS 2008), the federally 

threatened terrestrial wildflower species little Amphianthus (Amphianthus pusillus) and the 

federally endangered terrestrial species relict trillium (Trillium reliquum) both occur near the 

park within the central Tallapoosa River basin (ADEM 2005). 

The larger Mobile River basin is reported to contain two protected mussel species, Lampsilis 

atilis (the finelined pocketbook) which is federally listed as threatened) (Plate 10), and the ovate 

clubshell (Pleurobema perovatum) which is federally listed as endangered (Storey et al. 2003). 

These species most commonly are found in small stream riffles withmoderate to high flow 

velocities (Gangloff 2003). 

They are assumed to be rare although present within park boundaries (DeVivo 2004). 

Impoundments along the river are considered to be a major impediment to their ability to recolonize the Tallapoosa, including waters within park boundaries (DeVivo 2004). 

At least four endemic fish species (Etheostoma chuckwachatte, the lipstick darter; Cyprinella 

gibbsi, the Tallapoosa shiner; Etheostoma tallapoosae, the Tallapoosa darter; and Cottus bairdi,

the mottled sculpin; Freeman et al. 1997) are present in the Tallapoosa River basin (e.g. Plate 

11). However, the fish species list from the NPS (2008) for HOBE NMP does not include these 

four species. 
Plate 9. T

Nature Co

freshwate

http://www

Plate 10. 

Photos by

The Cahaba li

onservancy, w

er/work/cahab

w.pbase.com/

The protecte

y M. Gangloff

ly (Carolina s

with permissio

bariver.html. B

/stoneraven/im

d mussel spe

. Reprinted w

spiderlily or sh

on – http://ww

Background p

mage/325067

ecies, Lampsi

with permissio

29 

hoals spider-l

ww.nature.org

photo by Greg

776). 

ilis atilis (finen of the Aubu

ily). Inset ph

g/initiatives/

g Evans, with

-lined pocketb

urn Univ. Aqu

oto by Chris O

h permission –

book), that ma

atic Invertebr

Oberholster, t

–

ay be in the p

rates Collectio

the 

park. 

on.
Plate 11.

includes H

the Geolo

http://www

Invasive

Exotic pl

affected m

species s

(Melia az

sandburs

Some of 

increase 

one of wh

pine beet

southeast

internal p

The exot

potential

species, w

to displac

adaptable

The Tallapoo

HOBE NMP, b

ogical Survey 

w.outdoor ala

e Species 

lant and anim

many areas w

uch as tree o

zedarach), J

 (Cenchrus l

these invasi

fire danger (

hich (Chines

tle, Dentroct

tern U.S. (C

pine stands, 

ic invasive A

ly competing

with high gr

ce native biv

e to polluted

osa shiner, 1 o

but not report

of Alabama –

bama.com/fis

mal species, 

within HOB

of heaven (A

apanese hon

longispinas)

ve plants, su

(DeVivo 200

se privet) is 

tonus frontal

larke 1995).

as well as th

Asiatic clam

g with native

owth and rep

valve mollus

d environmen

of 4 fish spec

ted in the par

– copyrighted

shing/freshwa

both terrestr

BE NMP. Ter

Ailanthus alti

neysuckle (L

) that continu

uch as honey

04). Eleven e

also conside

lis, is consid

 This specie

hose on neigh

m, Corbicula f

e mussels (D

production r

sc species (S

nts than man

30 

cies endemic 

k by NPS (20

from “Fishes

ater/fish/other

rial and aqua

rrestrial exot

issima), mim

onicera japo

ue to expand

ysuckle and k

exotic wetla

ered a weedy

dered the mo

es occurs wi

hboring land

fluminea, is 

DeVivo 2004

rates, has the

tites et al. 19

ny native biv

to the Tallapo

008). Photo b

s of Alabama 

r/minnow/ shin

atic, are a ma

tic plant spe

mosa (Albizia

onica), kudz

d and invade

kudzu, can s

and plant spe

y nuisance p

ost destructiv

ithin the park

ds (Clarke 19

 assumed to 

4, NPS 2008

e capacity to

995). It also 

valves (Jenki

oosa River in 

by Patrick E. O

and the Mobi

ner/tallapoosa

ajor concern

ecies include

a julibrissin)

zu (Pueraria

e new areas (

serve as ladd

ecies also occ

lant (Table 4

ve forest inse

k and is a po

993). 

be present i

8; Table 5, P

o alter aquati

appears to b

inson 1979).

the reach tha

O’Neill, courte

ile Basin”. Se

a). 

n and have 

e terrestrial 

), chinaberry

a montana), a

(DeVivo 200

der fuels and

cur in the pa

4). The south

ect pest in th

otential threa

in the system

Plate 12). Th

c food webs

be more 

.

at 

esy of 

ee 

y

and 

04). 

d

ark, 

hern 

he 

at to 

m and 

is 

s and 
Plate 12. The exotic invasive species Corbicula f

31 

luminea (photo: Noel Burkhead, with permission). 

33 

Assessment of Park Water Resources 

Water Quality Standards 

The park segment of the Tallapoosa River is classified by the ADEM for designated use for Fish 

and Wildlife (ADEM 2004; 

http://www.adem.state.al.us/waterdivision/WQuality/WQUseClass.htm, 

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/wqslibrary/al/al_4_wqs-archive.pdf). The 

description for the Fish and Wildlife use classification states that the “best usage of waters [is 

for] fishing, propagation of fish, [other] aquatic life, and wildlife, and any other usage except for 

swimming and water-contact sports or as a source of water supply for drinking or foodprocessing purposes” (ADEM 2004). For this designated use, the state has ambient water quality 

standards for common water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, turbidity, 

fecal bacteria, and enterococci bacteria (Table 9). 

Table 9. In-stream water quality standards for non-coastal surface waters with designated use as Fish 

and Wildlife (ADEM 2004). 

Parameter Acceptable Conditions 

Temperature Maximum shall not exceed 90oF [32oC]; maximum in-stream temperature rise 

above ambient due to the addition of artificial heat by a discharger shall not 

exceed 5oF 

DO For a diversified warmwater biota, including game fish, daily concentrations For 

a diversified warmwater biota, including game fish, daily concentrations shall 

not be less than 5 mg/L at all times, except that under extreme conditions due to 

natural causes, it may range between 5 mg/L and 4 mg/L, provided that water 

quality is favorable in all other parameters. 

pH Sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes shall not cause the pH to deviate 

more than 1 unit from the normal or natural pH. The pH should be greater than 

6.0 and less than 8.5. 

Turbidity There shall be no turbidity of other than natural origin that causes substantial 

visible contrast with the natural appearance of waters or interfere with any 

beneficial uses. In no case shall turbidity exceed 50 Nephelometric units [NTU] 

above background. Background is interpreted as the natural condition of the 

receiving waters, without influence of human or human-induced causes. 

Shall not exceed a geometric mean (g.m.) of 1,000 colonies [cfu] per 100 mL, 

nor exceed a maximum of 2,000 colonies per 100 mL in any sample. The 

geometric mean shall be calculated from no less than five samples collected 

over a 30-day period at intervals not less than 24 hours. For incidental water 

contact during June through September, water quality is acceptable when a 

survey by controlling health authorities reveals no source of dangerous pollution 

and when the geometric mean fecal coliform densities do not exceed 200 

colonies per 100 mL. 

Toxic, color-producing, odorproducing, and other deleterious 

substances from wastes 

Only such amounts, whether alone or in combination with other substances or 

wastes, as will not cause acute or chronic toxicity to fish, wildlife, and [other] 

aquatic life, as demonstrated by effluent toxicity testing or by application of 

numeric criteria given in Rule 335-6-10-.07, or adversely affect the aesthetic 

value of the water. 

Other recommended guidelines for acceptable water quality have been published by the U.S. 

EPA (2000, 2002), Mallin (2000), and Mallin et al. (2006) (Table 10). The Clean Water Act 

requires the U.S. EPA to develop criteria (i.e. recommendations) for water, designed to protect 

aquatic life. The criteria are supposed to reflect accurately the up-to-date scientific knowledge. 
34 

Whereas the State of Alabama has imposed regulations, a U.S. EPA water quality criterion is not 

a regulation; it does not impose legally binding requirements on the U.S. EPA or the states. 

States have discretion to adopt approaches that differ from the U.S. EPA water quality criteria, 

but these criteria are meant to provide useful guidance. 

Table 10. Summary of Alabama state standards for acceptable water quality in waters classified as Fish 

and Wildlife designated use (ADEM), and of conditions for acceptable water quality recommended by 

other sources. See Table 12 and text description for more information on available data. 

Parameter ADEM Other Recommendation(s) HOBE NMP 

 or Guideline(s) 

General Water Quality Parameters 

DO > 5 mg/L; or > 4 mg/L (U.S. EPA 2000) Limited data - some 

 > 4 mg/L in violations (down to 

 extreme 3.4 mg/L) 

 conditions 

pH > 6.0, < 8.5 > 6.5, < 9.0 (U.S. EPA 2000) From limited data, 

 pH as low as 6.0 

 

Turbidity < 50 NTU ---- (also see total suspended solids) Data not available 

 above 

 background 

Fecal Coliforms < 1,000 cfu/ 400 for data collected with insufficient Data not available 

 100 mL (g.m.); frequency to calculate g.m.s by the 

 < 2,000 cfu/ State’s criteria (general recreational use - 

 100 mL in any U.S. EPA 2003) 

 sample 

Nutrients ---- < 100 μg/L for total phosphorus and for Data not available 

 inorganic nitrogen nitrate+nitrite, and/or except for total N 

 ammonium) to discourage noxious algal (suggest excessive 

 blooms (Mallin 2000) conditions) 

Biochemical ---- Less than 3.0 mg/L as the 5-day Data not available 

oxygen demand biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) 

 (Mallin et al. 2006) 

Total suspended ---- < 25 mg/L, and < 10 mg/L increase from a Limited data - 

solids (TSS) sudden spike (U.S. EPA 2000) TSS < 25 mg/L 

Toxic metals (μg/L) 

Aluminum Equations* CMC 750, CCC 87 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002** Data not available 

Cadmium " CMC 2, CCC 0.25 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

Chromium III " CMC 570, CCC 74 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

Chromium IV " CMC 16, CCC 11 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

Copper " CMC 13, CCC 9 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

Lead " CMC 65, CCC 2.5 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

Mercury " CMC 1.4, CCC 0.77 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

Nickel " CMC 470, CCC 52 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

Zinc " CMC 120, CCC 87 (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002)** " 

* Dissolved concentrations; equations have been developed that express the total recoverable concentration 

 depending upon the water hardness or pH. 

** Water quality guidelines (reference condition, 25th percentile – also see Byrne 2004). CMC ≡ the criterion 

 maximum concentration; CCC ≡ the criterion continuous concentration, within a pH range of 6.5-9. 
35 

Surface Water Quality 

The park’s sewage is treated on-site with septic tanks. Park sewer lines for septic tanks, which 

previously caused problems from leakage, recently were replaced and aboveground storage tanks 

were replaced with double-wall containers. 

The Tallapoosa River Basin Management Plan (ADEM 2005) described water quality and 

general habitat concerns identified by stakeholders for various segments of the Tallapoosa River 

and certain tributaries within the Middle Tallapoosa watershed, including microbial pathogen 

contamination, erosion and siltation, clay turbidity, nutrient over-enrichment, excessive 

phytoplankton biomass (as chlorophyll a) in impoundments. Water quality and habitat integrity 

measures within the middle Tallapoosa sub-basin were evaluated as generally achieving use 

classification standards (ADEM 2005), likely reflecting the fact that land use is mostly forested. 

However, supporting data for this evaluation are, and were, extremely sparse. The results from a 

Tallapoosa River basin surface water quality assessment (ADEM 2000), now dated by nearly a 

decade, rated the overall potential for nonpoint pollution source impairment as low, based on 

estimates of sedimentation rates, animal unit densities, and pastureland. One smaller watershed 

within the middle Tallapoosa sub-basin (03150109040, located above HOBE NMP) was listed as 

a priority NPS-watershed because of a “fair” assess-ment rating caused by erosion and 

sedimentation from silvacultural practices (ADEM 2005). 

The USGS collected data in the Tallapoosa River in the park for water temperature and 

conductivity on 18 dates and 16 dates, respectively, from 1986 to1996 (station 02414715; Tables 

11 and 12, Figure 11). Also a little more than a decade ago, the NPS (1997) inventoried the data 

available on surface water resources and water quality near and within HOBE NMP to provide a 

base for comparison with subsequent conditions. The effort included examination of the 

STORET water quality database, River Reach File (RF3), Industrial Facilities Discharge (IFD), 

Drinking Water Supplies (DRINKS), water gages (GAGES), and water impoundments (DAMS). 

The analysis located no industrial/ municipal dischargers upstream from the park, no 

drinkingwater intakes, one water gage (USGS), and no water impoundments. In addition, the 

NPS sampled nine stations in the park for several water quality parameters during the mid-1990s 

as a one-date sampling effort (Tables 11-13, Figure 11). One station within the park boundary 

(boat ramp on the Tallapoosa River at State Route 49) was sampled during the mid-1990s with a 

longer record, from Jan 1994 through Apr 1997. At that station on two dates, the DO 

concentration was at or below the 4 mg/L U.S. EPA criterion for protection of freshwater life 

(U.S. EPA 2000). Also at that station, on 24 dates during 1966-1997 the pH was at or below the 

U.S. EPA (2000) criterion for protection of freshwater life (< 6.5). 
Figure 11

1997 (NP

(Tallapoos

Table 11.

from 1993

1. Water quali

S), 1993 - pre

sa Watershed

 Locations of

3-present). 

ity sites in the

esent (Boat R

d Program, TW

f water quality

Site 

USGS 2414

Boat Ramp:

AWW 

NPS JJ1 

NPS JJ2 

NPS JJ3 

NPS JJ4 

NPS JJ5 

NPS JJ6 

NPS JJ7 

NPS JJ8 

e park with da

Ramp station -

WP). Map mo

y sampling sit

4715 

: NPS, TWP 

36 

ata collected b

- Alabama W

odified from E

es at HOBE (

Latitude 

32.9772 

32.9761 

32.975 

32.9766 

32.9813 

32.9819 

32.9882 

32.9615 

32.9741 

32.9716 

32.9769 

between 1986

Water Watch, A

ERMF (2007).

(1986-1996, e

Longitu

-85.739

-85.741

-85.740

-85.737

-85.731

-85.727

-85.719

-85.743

-85.737

-85.727

-85.721

6 and 1996 (U

AWW), and 20

.

except Boat R

ude 

97 

1 

03 

76 

6 

71 

97 

38 

71 

72 

8 

USGS), 1994 

004-2006 

Ramp site sam

- 

pled 
37 

 
38 

Table 12. Dates of water quality sampling, and parameters sampled in surface waters of the park. 

Station Duration n Parameters 

USGS #02414715 1986 - 1996 16-18 Water temperature, conductivity 

Alabama Water Watch Jun 93 - present 127 Water temperature, salinity, 

(AWW) (data available alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, pH, DO 

Boat Ramp, site #07001001 through Feb 07) 

NPS (Boat Ramp - Jan 94 - Apr 97 37-38 Air temperature, water temperature, 

HOBE NMP 0011) total alkalinity, hardness (Ca+Mg), 

 turbidity, pH, DO 

NPS JJ1 - JJ6 16 Aug 96 1 Water temperature, specific 

 conductance, alkalinity (CaCO3), 

 hardness (carbonate; Ca+Mg), pH 

NPS JJ7 - JJ8 16 Aug 96 1 Alkalinity (CaCO3), hardness 

 (carbonate; Ca+Mg), pH 

Tallapoosa Watershed Feb 04 - Dec 05 29 Total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive 

Project (TWP) reactive phosphate (SRP) total nitrogen

Just downstream from (TN), TSS 

Boat Ramp station - 

Auburn Univ. R-3 Tallapoosa R., Horseshoe Bend 

Table 13. Previous water quality conditions in the Tallapoosa River at HOBE NMP, sampled by the NPS 

(NPS 1997; includes 12 sampling dates in 1994, 10 in 1995, 10 in 1996, and 4 in 1997). Note that the 

numbers underlined in bold indicate violations of the state water quality standard. 

Parameter Date n Mean (range) Medi

HOBE NMP 0011 (Tallapoosa River at the Boat Ramp station in HOBE NMP) 

Temperature (o

C) Jan 94 - Apr 97 38 18.3 (4.0 - 30.0) 18.0 

DO (mg/L) Jan 94 - Apr 97 37 8.43 (3.40 - 11.00) 9.00 

pH Jan 94 - Apr 97 38 6.75 (6.00 - 7.10) 7.00 

Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3) Jan 94 - Apr 97 38 17.24 (10.00 - 25.00) 17.50 

Total hardness (mg/L as CaCO3) Jan 94 - Apr 97 38 17.1 (10.0 - 40.0) 20.0 

More recent water quality data characterizing aquatic resources in HOBE NMP are almost 

completely lacking, even for the Tallapoosa River, except for the Boat Ramp site. Volunteers 

associated with Auburn University’s Alabama Water Watch (AWW; https://aww.auburn.edu/) 

have collected water quality data near the Boat Ramp station in HOBE, but on the edge of the 

island in the middle of the river downstream from the boat ramp. Parameters measured include 

water temperature, pH, DO, alkalinity, hardness, salinity, and turbidity, at coordinates N32.975 

and W85.74028 (site # 07001001) within HOBE NMP since June 1993 (data available through 

January 2006; Figures 12-14). Based on monthly averages, pH and DO concentrations were 

below the 6.5 pH minimum and the 5 mg DO/L minimum for acceptable habitat (Fish and 

Wildlife classification) in 36% and 5%, respectively, of the total samples. Turbidity was well 

below the state standard of 50 NTU throughout the sampling period. Data are lacking for fecal 
39 

coliform bacteria, nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll a as an indicator of algal biomass, or toxic 

substances. Byrne (2004) reported an overall “potential red flag” for the Tallapoosa River 

segment in the park considering pH and total and fecal coliforms. 

The Tallapoosa Watershed Project (TWP) at Auburn University obtained monthly nutrient data 

(total phosphorus [TP], soluble reactive phosphorus [SRP], total nitrogen [TN], and total 

suspended solids [TSS]) for a two-year period (January 2004 - January 2006) at the Boat Ramp 

station (Table 14). The data for TP indicate mesotrophic (moderately productive) conditions 

(Wetzel 2001; ~20-80 μg/L), whereas TN concentrations throughout 2005 - winter 2006 are very 

high (eutrophic to hypereutrophic range; Wetzel 2001), suggestive of problems with N overenrichment. TSS data depict moderately turbid conditions (U.S. EPA 2000, 2002) throughout 

the sampling period. 

Groundwater Quality 

Data are lacking for groundwater quality in HOBE NMP. The park has a well house by the 

maintenance yard, and a well that is no longer in use (welded shut; J. Cahill, pers. comm.). 

Potential Sources of Pollutants 

The middle Tallapoosa River sub-basin includes a total of 84 NPDES dischargers (66 industrial, 

18 municipal; ADEM 2006). The five major NPDES dischargers in the sub-basin 03150109 have 

a combined permitted flow of 13.8 mgd (ADEM 2006). Data are not available as to whether 

these point sources have affected HOBE NMP, but sewage spills, for example, have affected 

tributaries close by in the sub-basin (e.g. Plate 13). 

Nonpoint source pollution from airsheds and land occurs from human activities such as urban 

development, agriculture, silvaculture, various other industries, and other land use practices. It is 

the major source of pollution in many U.S. watersheds, and can carry toxic substances, 

suspended sediments, excessive nutrients, and microbial pathogens into receiving waters (e.g. 

U.S. EPA 2001, Burkholder et al. 2006). Local nonpoint pollution sources in the watershed 

include suburban/urban runoff and air pollution from the small population centers and 

agricultural and silvacultural operations upstream from the park. The upper watershed has been 

used for agriculture, gold mining and, more recently, for timber production and harvest. Concern 

has been raised that water quality in the middle Tallapoosa sub-basin may be adversely affected 

by agricultural runoff from upstream livestock and chicken production (DeVivo 2004, ADEM 

2005). In addition to non-point water and air pollution from local sources, toxic contaminants, 

dust/particulates, and other pollutants may be carried into the park area and upstream Tallapoosa 

waters from larger cities in the state, and from Atlanta, GA, by prevailing winds. Moreover, the 

risk of foliar ozone injury to plants at HOBE NMP has been evaluated as high (DeVivo 2004), 

and is considered to affect both wetland and terrestrial species. 

The overall potential for nonpoint source impairment in the middle Tallapoosa River sub-basin 

has been evaluated as low, based upon estimates of sedimentation rates, animal unit densities, 

and pasture land (ADEM 2000). However, more than half of the 22 sub-watersheds in the middle 

basin were estimated to have moderate potential of NPS impairment because of runoff from 

forestry practices, clearcutting, and sedimentation. Accordingly, pollution from increased 

industrial development of the Tallapoosa watershed is a park concern, as is clearcutting for 

timber and for development (Plate 14). 
Figure 12

at HOBE 

citizens in

. Water temp

NMP (Boat R

n the Alabama

perature and t

Ramp station, 

a Water Watc

turbidity (uppe

Jul 1993 - Fe

ch. 

40 

er and lower 

eb 2007) from

panels, respe

 a monthly sa

ctively) in the

mpling prog

 Tallapoosa 

ram by volun

River 

teer 
Figure 13

Tallapoos

volunteer 

. Water pH, a

sa River at HO

citizens in the

alkalinity, and

OBE NMP (Bo

e Alabama W

d hardness (u

oat Ramp sta

Water Watch.

41 

pper, middle,

tion, Jul 1993

, and lower pa

 - Feb 2007)

nels, respec

 from a samp

ctively) for the

pling program by 
Figure 14

respective

sampling 

. Dissolved o

ely) for the Ta

program by v

oxygen as con

allapoosa Rive

volunteer citiz

ncentration an

er at HOBE N

zens in the Ala

42 

nd percent sa

NMP (Boat Ra

abama Water

aturation (upp

amp station, J

r Watch.

per and lower 

Jul 1993 - Fe

panels, 

b 2007) from a 
Table 14.

the Boat R

Project at 

Plate 13. 

Tallapoos

Randolph

 Seasonal me

Ramp station 

Auburn Univ

Seaso

Winter

Spring

Summ

Fall 20

Winter

Spring

Summ

Fall 20

Winter

Dead fish, pa

sa River in the

h Leader New

ean nutrient c

within the pa

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on/Year T

r 2004 

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concentration

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P (μg/L) SRP

21 

25 

19 

22 

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ll from a raw s

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43 

s, based upo

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P (μg/L) 

2 

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sewage spill a

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n monthly da

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 3,890 

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at Wadley, AL

reprinted with

ata (1993 - 20

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44 

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45 

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46 

Park Land and Water Use Issues 

Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces can lead to increased pollutant loadings to the 

Tallapoosa River, the small perennial tributary stream, and the intermittent streams in the park. 

The parking lot in the visitors’ area drains into the Tallapoosa River, so that during high-use 

periods, precipitation events would be expected to add pollutants to the river. Even so, the 

relatively small impervious surface area likely is not a problem to the river in terms of pollutant 

runoff. 

Both surface water and groundwater are plentiful in the park region, and present as well as 

anticipated use of water at the Park and in the surrounding area should not cause problems for 

water resources. 

Physical changes to the landscape are affecting water quality in the Tallapoosa watershed 

(ADEM 2002, 2005), but physical alterations from active construction and other land disturbance 

is not occurring in the park. The various trails that are used by visitors may be worn over time 

and should be surveyed periodically to check for overuse and deterioration. 

48 

Synopsis of Stressors to Aquatic Resources at HOBE NMP 

Tallapoosa River and Wetlands 

The present and potential stressors that are affecting or may affect KEMO NBP are summarized 

in Table15. A highly artificial flow regime has been imposed in the middle Tallapoosa River by 

hydroelectric operations, which periodically would be expected to cause sudden, extreme stress 

and elimination of aquatic life. The dams also have fragmented the river habitat for natural 

migration and breeding patterns of fish and mussels. A rich wetland flora is present in the park. 

Data on the Park flora and fauna consist mostly of lists of species that are known or suspected to 

be present. Among the latter species is the exotic invasive Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), 

which may have displaced native bivalve molluscs. 

Table 15. Current and potential stressors that are affecting or may affect HOBE NMP (ND ≡ no data to 

make judgment; --- ≡ not applicable; EP ≡ existing problem; PP ≡ potential or pending problem). 

Stressor Surface 

Waters Groundwater Airshed Forest Human Health

Acidification EP ND PP PP PP 

Algal blooms PP --- --- --- NP 

Toxic algae ND --- --- --- NP 

Encroaching development 

(clearcutting, etc.) 

ND (PP) ND (PP) ND (PP) ND (PP) NP 

Erosion (including dust) ND (PP) ND --- ND (PP) --- 

Excessive nutrients EP ND PP --- NP 

Exotic invasive species* EP --- --- EP ND (PP)** 

Fecal bacteria, other microbial 

pathogens 

ND (PP) ND ND ND PP 

Habitat disruption EP ND --- EP --- 

Hypoxia EP --- --- --- --- 

Metals contamination ND (PP) ND (PP) ND (PP) --- ND (PP) 

Other toxic substances ND (PP) ND (PP) PP ND (PP) PP 

Ozone pollution ND --- PP PP PP 

Particulate matter pollution ND (PP) ND PP --- PP 

Sedimentation ND (PP) --- --- --- PP 

Trash/refuse pollution PP --- --- PP --- 

Water demand PP PP --- --- PP 

* Suspected for aquatic resources; known for terrestrial resources. 

 ** Includes consideration of West Nile virus, carried by mosquitoes and known to be in the area.

Based on very limited data, the river in the park area is moderately nutrient-enriched and may be 

sustaining noxious algal blooms. Sub-optimal pH and DO concentrations have been documented 

and likely stress beneficial aquatic life. The park’s aquatic resources may also be affected by 

water quality degradation related to airshed pollution (ozone, other pollutants), agriculture, and 

land clearing. For example, agricultural impacts may have resulted in local extirpations of 

herpetofauna (Tuberville et al. 2005). The park’s sewage is treated in on-site septic systems and 
49 

is not assessed as a threat to surface-or groundwater quality. Data are not available for microalgal 

abundance/composition, fecal bacteria densities, or toxic substances. 

Drinking Water 

Drinking water for the park is supplied by the town of New Site. The water is chlorinated and, 

thus, not a risk from fecal bacteria. 

Groundwater 

Groundwater resources in the park appear to be plentiful, but data are not available to assess 

groundwater quantity or quality. 
50 

Recommendations for Addressing Impairments, Potential 

Impacts, and Water Bodies 

General Comments 

Government-managed lands comprise 29% of the U.S. land area (Gibbons et al. 1997), including 

more than 32 million hectares set aside within the National Park System (Stohlgren et al. 1995). 

Thus, the National Park System is a major factor in the potential for this nation to protect natural 

lands and biodiversity. The parks and their natural resources are supposed to be “protected 

lands” for present and future generations of U.S. citizens, but external encroaching stressors from 

watershed development and habitat fragmentation are seriously threatening these critically 

important refuge areas, including HOBE NMP. Another major threat is the lack of fundamental 

data to evaluate present status. Such data are needed to guide improved management strategies to 

protect these important national resources. 

Water – namely, the Tallapoosa River – is the most prominent natural feature of HOBE NMP, 

yet its status is very poorly known. Although the park is still within a relatively undisturbed, 

forested sub-basin of the watershed, the NPS is ill-equipped to protect its vitally important water 

resources from airshed and watershed pollution and other stressors because the stressors, for the 

most part, are outside of NPS control. In addition, there is a near-total lack of fundamental 

information on water quality conditions or aquatic community health. More fundamentally, very 

few data are available on aquatic resources, mostly limited to surveys of known or suspected 

species occurrence. The following recommendations were developed considering these points. 

Specific Recommendations 

Water Quality 

 A two-year water quality monitoring program should be established for at least two 

stations in the Tallapoosa River within the park. This program should be put in place on a 

biweekly (preferably, to capture effects of pollution from storm events) or monthly basis 

to track water quality conditions in the Tallapoosa River within the park. Parameters 

measured should include, at a minimum, water temperature, pH, DO, suspended solids, 

turbidity, nutrients (TN, TP, nitrate, ammonium, biochemical oxygen demand as 

BOD5), fecal coliform densities, and chlorophyll a concentrations. This effort should be 

repeated every five years. Bench- marks for acceptable water quality should consider the 

information contained in Table 11. 

 Data should be collected at least annually on toxic substance concentrations (PCBs, 

heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals) in sediments and fish or benthic faunal tissues. 

 The park should inventory changes in land use/land cover in the middle Tallapoosa basin, 

especially within ten miles of the park, including traditional categories but also septic 

tanks in new subdivisions, new highway projects, new shopping centers, and other 

potential sources of water pollution. The data should be used to create GIS maps of these 

sources, which can be upgraded over time to help the NPS track pollution and its impacts 

in park waters. 
51 

 The smaller streams in the park should be assessed during high-precipitation periods to 

assess whether any of them are a source of suspended sediments and other pollution to 

the Tallapoosa River in the park area. 

Ecosystem and Community Health 

 At least once per year during an appropriate seasonal timeframe, the macroinvertebrate 

communities in the park segment of the Tallapoosa River should be assessed in at least 

two stations, following the protocol in Barbour et al. (1999). Benchmarks should 

consider published descriptions of healthy macro- invertebrate communities in 

warmwater streams (e.g. Barbour et al. 1999, GA 2007). The data should be used to track 

stream ecological condition (rated from Excellent to Poor) over time. 

 At least once per year during an appropriate seasonal timeframe, the fish community in 

the park segment of the Tallapoosa River should be assessed, following the protocol 

outlined in Barbour et al. (1999). The fish data should be used to develop an Index of 

Biotic Integrity and an Index of Well-Being for fish population health over time (Barbour 

et al. 1999). 

 A sampling program should be developed to establish present conditions and track exotic 

invasive species affecting terrestrial as well as aquatic/wetland sources in the park. 

Assessment of exotic invasive species should be repeated at least at three-year intervals 

to enable detection of species that may rapidly invade. 

 The park’s wetland ecosystems should be assessed at five-year intervals for indices of 

diversity, function, and overall health. 

 An updated biological inventory should be completed for herpetofauna, following the 

protocol outlined in Tuberville et al. (2005). 

 A baseline biological inventory is needed for the composition and abundance of 

microalgal assemblages. In at least two stations, triplicate samples should be collected 

monthly for suspended microalgae, and at least five samples should be collected 

bimonthly for benthic microalgae following protocols in Wetzel and Likens (2001). 

Chlorophyll concentrations should also be assessed for suspended microalgae (protocol in 

Wetzel and Likens 2001). The data on suspended microalgae should be assessed over 

time to discern relationships with environmental conditions such as nutrient 

concentrations and turbidity. The benthic microalgal (periphyton) data should be used to 

develop an index of biotic integrity (e.g. following Hill et al. 2000) for the Tallapoosa 

River in the park area. 

Groundwater and Air Quality 

 Groundwater resources of the park should be assessed through partnership with the 

USGS, including recharge/discharge areas, movement, and chemical quality. 

 Data are needed to assess the extent to which air pollution is affecting the park, and to 

forecast how increasing air pollution from major population centers will affect its waters 

and other natural resources. The park should install sampling devices to establish present 
52 

air quality conditions and track air pollutants such as ammonium, particulates, and toxic 

substances (for example, mercury). 

Education Outreach 

 HOBE NMP serves as an important greenspace. The park should strengthen its 

environmental education program to teach visitors about the importance of greenspaces 

in ecosystem sustainability. 
53 
54 

Literature Cited 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). 2000. Intensive water quality 

survey of Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Alabama River reservoirs. ADEM, Montgomery, AL. 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). 2002. Final TMDL development 

for Tallapoosa River, AL/Tallapoosa R_1: low dissolved oxygen/organic loading. Water 

Quality Branch, Water Division, ADEM, Montgomery, AL. 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). 2004. Water quality regulations. 

Available at: http://www.adem.state.al.us/Regulations/Div6a/Div6a.htm. 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). 2005. Tallapoosa River basin 

management plan. ADEM, Montgomery, AL. 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). 2006. Tallapoosa River basin 

management plan, Appendix H. ADEM, Montgomery, AL. 

American Rivers. 2003. America’s most endangered rivers of 2003. Available at: 

http://www.americanrivers.org/site/DocServer/mostendangeredrivers2003.pdf?docID=702. 

Barbour, M. T., K. J. Gerrisen, B. D. Snyder, and J. B. Stribling. 1999. Rapid bioassessment 

protocols for use in streams and wadeable Rivers: Benthic macroinvertebrates and fish, 

second edition. Report EPA 841-B-99-002. Office of Water, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC. 

Bouma, K. 2008. Lung Association rates Birmingham, AL air pollution in nation’s 5 worst. The 

Birmingham News (May 01). 

Burkholder, J. M., D. A. Dickey, C. Kinder, R. E. Reed, M. A. Mallin, G. Melia, M. R. McIver, 

L. B. Cahoon, C. Brownie, N. Deamer, J. Springer, H. Glasgow, D. Toms, and J. Smith. 

2006. Comprehensive trend analysis of nutrients and related variables in a large eutrophic 

estuary: A decadal study of anthropogenic and climatic influences. Limnology and 

Oceanography 51: 463-487. 

Byrne, M. W. 2004. Appendix 8 – Water resources in the Southeast Coast Network. In: Vital 

signs monitoring in the Southeast Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network - phase III (draft) 

report. National Park Service, Southeast Coast Network, Atlanta, GA. 

Choate, J. R. 1994. Handbook of mammals of the south-central states. Baton Rouge, LA. 

CH2MHill. 2004. Tallapoosa River basin management plan. Prepared for the Alabama Clean 

Water Partnership, in partnership with the East Alabama Regional Planning and 

Development Commission and Environmental Insight, Inc. CH2MHill, Montgomery, AL. 

Clarke, S. R. 1995. Impacts of southern pine beetles in special management areas, pp. 93-98. In 

L.G. Eskew (ed.) Forest health through silvaculture - proceedings of the 1995 National 

Silvicultural Workshop, 8–11 May, Mescalero, New Mexico. General Technical Report RM-
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GTR-267, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and 

Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 

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deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Office of Biological Services, U.S. Department 

of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. 

Cummings, M. E. and C. Gebhard. 1996. Treaties and memorials: interpreting Horseshoe Bend 

National Military Park. The Public Historian 18: 19-36. 

DeVivo, J. C. 2004. Appendix 5 – Summary of Natural Resource Issues at Southeast Coast 

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network - phase III (draft) report. National Park Service, Southeast Coast Network, Atlanta, 

GA.

Dusi, J. L. and R. D. Dusi. 1997. Birds of Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, Daviston, 

Alabama. National Park Service, Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 

Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.govhorse.htm (Version 02DEC99). 

Environmental Research and Mapping Facility (ERMF). 2007. Geographic Information Systems 

(GIS) basemap maintenance and development project final report to the Horseshoe Bend 

National Military Park, Daviston, AL (report + compact discs). ERMF, University of 

Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN. 

Freeman, M. C., J. M. Nestler, and P. N. Johnson. 1997. Riverine resources: water needs and 

environmental effects analyses in the Alabama - Coosa - Tallapoosa and Apalachicola -

Chattahoochee - Flint River Basins. USGS - Biological Resources Division, Patuxent 

Wildlife Research Center, Athens, GA.

Freeman, M. C., Z. H. Bowen, K. D. Bovee, and E. R. Irwin. 2001. Flow and habitat effects on 

juvenile fish abundance in natural and altered flow regimes. Ecological Applications 11: 179-

190. 

Gangloff, M. M. 2003. The status, physical habitat associations, and parasites of freshwater 

mussels in the upper Alabama River drainage, Alabama. Ph.D. Dissertation, Auburn 

University, Auburn, AL. 

Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR). 2007. Macroinvertebrate biological 

assessment of wadeable streams in Georgia – standard operating procedures. GA DNR – 

EPD, Atlanta, GA. 

Gibbons, J. W., V. J. Burke, J. E. Lovich, R. D. Semlitsch, T. D. Tuberville, J. R. Bodie, J. L. 

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