Appalachian Streams
Mountain streams from Alabama to Canada; gravel and stone substrates, dense forest shade, and flowing-water plants.
Natural Habitat & Origin
Carving through the ancient, forested ridges of the Appalachian range, these mountain streams are a realm of crystal-clear water and cool, shaded energy. Flowing from the "Blue Ridge" down to the "Great Smokies," the water moves over a bed of ancient, tumbled granite and smooth limestone cobbles, creating a sequence of rushing riffles and deep, quiet pools. It is a landscape defined by the deep shadow of the forest canopy, where the air is cool and the water is perpetually fresh.
Beneath the sun-dappled surface, the Appalachian biotope is a world of incredible clarity. In the faster reaches, hardy mosses and the delicate fronds of Elodea cling to the stones, flourishing in the oxygen-rich flow. The substrate is a clean mixture of coarse gravel and larger river stones, punctuated by gnarled oak roots and weathered wood. This is a biome of dramatic seasonal change, from the icy run-off of early spring to the quiet, leaf-covered stillness of autumn, reflecting the rugged and timeless character of the oldest mountains on Earth.
Plants
Thriving in the cool, oxygen-rich currents of the high country, these species are masters of life in the shaded, flowing waters of the Appalachian range.
Hardscape
Ancient granite cobbles, coarse mountain gravel, and weathered oak roots perfectly capture the rugged, cool-water energy of Appalachian streambeds.
Fish & Invertebrates
The brilliant Darters and energetic Shiners of the Appalachians are jewels of the mountains, glowing against the clear, sun-dappled stones.