Cumberland River Aquatic Center Is Subject for TWRA’s September Noontime Program

NASHVILLE --- The Cumberland River Aquatic Center will be the subject of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s September Nature @ Noontime program. The program will be held from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6 at TWRA’s Region II Ray Bell Building, located in the Ellington Agricultural Center.

David Sims, TWRA aquatic biologist, will present the program. He and other TWRA personnel revamped an old TVA fish hatchery at the Gallatin Steam Plant and turned it into a unique rare species propagation facility. The work at the facility has allowed the reintroduction of aquatic species into available habitats of the Cumberland River.

There are 11 rare mussel species housed at the facility. Lake sturgeon and alligator gar are endangered fish species at the aquatic Center. Since 2010, 1,840 alligator gar have been released back into the wild. Since 2008, more than 5,900 lake sturgeon have been released.

Hosted by the Information and Education Division, Nature @ Noontime is held the first Thursday of each month. TWRA Nature @ Noontime presentations are about natural resource related topics and last about 30-45 minutes, allowing time for discussion during the allotted lunch hour. Contact Don King (615) 781-6502 or by e-mail: don.king@tn.gov for more information.

---TWRA---