Campus onlookers brave weather, find something fishy at Mossy Creek

Those who frequent historic Mossy Creek on Carson-Newman’s campus are commonly treated to glimpses of active wildlife along the creek’s grassy banks and cool, winding waters. Herons, otters, beavers, frogs and crawfish are often sighted by onlookers and showcased on Facebook pages and Instagram Reels.

On Friday, Nov. 21, Mossy Creek became home to more wildlife as a hover of 300 Rainbow Trout was sent into the campus waters. Members of the Carson-Newman and greater Jefferson City community weathered a rainy morning to gather and take part in the event. The effort was overseen by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) as part of its winter trout stocking program. Not since the 1980s has TWRA stocked Rainbow Trout into Mossy Creek, a Cherokee River tributary. According to TWRA the trout was raised at Buffalo Springs Hatchery located in nearby Rutledge, Tennessee. The agency plans to release an additional 600 trout in Mossy Creek through January.

The stocking is a welcomed event for the University’s Biology Department. “The Carson-Newman Wildlife Biology program is excited about the efforts to stock Rainbow Trout into Mossy Creek,” said Dr. Jessica Evans, C-N assistant professor of biology. “This initiative provides a wonderful on-campus opportunity for our students to observe and engage in conservation practices firsthand. Efforts like these play a vital role in preparing our students for future careers in wildlife biology by deepening their understanding of real-world conservation work.”

The project is a culmination of efforts involving TWRA, Carson-Newman University, The Jefferson County Tourism Department, Mossy Creek Outdoor Collective, and the City of Jefferson City.

For Carson-Newman, Mossy Creek offers as a direct tie to its historic past. The land around the creek served as the location of the original campus of the institution, which was founded in 1851. The area was later the site of The Battle of Mossy Creek during the American Civil War. With the creek serving as a catalyst of many stories, folklore and anecdotes, the fall arrival of 300 Rainbow Trout only adds to the tales and events that have made Mossy Creek a special place for both campus and community.