A stream with that level would be very hard on trout. But Moore pointed out that trout sometimes go into the upper tributaries to spawn, and come back to the main stem of the river for feeding and habitat purposes, depending heavily on the main stem. It was done at the hottest part of the year, and during drought conditions. U.S. Geological Survey measurements show that when the firm conducted temperature readings, the river was flowing at only 20 percent of its historic average flow. Historically, the Upper Blackwater has had problems with dissolved oxygen levels being low.
Many factors can cause temperature increases.
For example, the Upper Blackwater is improperly shaded because riparian areas have been disturbed by construction of a golf course and other impacts to the riparian area. Also, beaver ponds slow the flow of the river, increasing its temperature. Effluent from sewage dischargers would greatly compound the problem, since dissolved oxygen would be consumed to break down this additional runoff. Of course, trout populations then would be especially hard-hit. There is currently no centralized sewage treatment plant for the area.