The Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited was awarded $25,000 to repair a fish barrier on Hampton Creek, Tennessee. The Left Prong of Hampton Creek lies within Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area in Carter County, Tennessee. It is designated as an “Exceptional Tennessee Waters/ Outstanding National Resource Waters,” supporting one of the most productive and popular sport fisheries of native brook trout in the Southeast.

Hurricane Helene hit the Southern Appalachians in September 2024 and did considerable damage to a constructed rainbow trout barrier on the Left Prong. The barrier, constructed in 2007, excluded rainbow trout from the upper reaches which contain a sustained population of the southern strain of wild brook trout. It also resulted in the collapse of the stream bank below the barrier, scouring and deepening of the creek ford above the barrier, fencing damages at the barrier location, and scouring/deepening of the pool below the barrier.

Immediate repair of the fish barrier is needed to protect it and its outstanding resources and to preserve all past efforts toward protecting and restoring this stream. Funding is requested to provide materials and heavy equipment to reconstruct the fish barrier and streambanks. Volunteers from Overmountain Chapter of TU will assist the project by providing labor on-site in the clean-up of debris and contribute to project funding.