Big Canoe Creek Restoration Restores Flow & Reconnects Habitat
Big Canoe Creek at Goodwins Mill in St. Clair County is flowing free once again! Alabama Rivers and Streams Network partners replaced a deteriorating stream
January 21, 2026
With over 133,000 miles of streams and more aquatic species than any other state, Alabama is a land of global importance for water resources and biodiversity. These waterways are home to rare species found nowhere else on earth, but many are in danger.
For nearly 20 years, the Alabama Rivers & Streams Network (ARSN) has brought together aquatic researchers, biologists, and conservationists from across Alabama to tackle this challenge through targeted restoration and recovery efforts.
Our mission is to study, manage, and develop our water resources in a scientific and comprehensive way to minimize their degradation, maximize their availability for all users, and restore and recover aquatic species.
Water researchers from federal and state agencies, utilities, industry, forestry, academia, and nonprofits conduct water quality and habitat assessments to identify:
Explore the SHU Mapper to see where your local waterways fit into Alabama’s conservation priorities.
The ARSN targeted approach through strategic habitat units is making an impact. Working together, ARSN partners have performed more than 1,000 fish surveys, over 5,000 stream crossing assessments (and counting!), 5 large dam removals, many small fish barrier removals and numerous streamside projects that reduce stream sedimentation.
Species of mussels & snails have been
reintroduced in 20 rivers and streams
crayfish species have been precluded from listing under the Endangered Species Act
Snail species has been
downlisted
Big Canoe Creek at Goodwins Mill in St. Clair County is flowing free once again! Alabama Rivers and Streams Network partners replaced a deteriorating stream
