252 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
LOWER GREEN RIVER. 
Green River is one of the largest streams in the State and it is very deep through- ' 
out most of its course. It rises in the foothills of the mountains near the central part 
of the State and flows in a general westerly and northwesterly direction until it joins 
the Ohio River in Henderson County, 15 miles above Evansville, Indiana. At Rock- 
port, Kentucky, some 50 or 60 miles from its mouth, it has a depth, at low water, of 
20 to 25 feet. Its entire length is about 250 miles and the average width 200 to 210 
yards. There is no perceptible current, a very slight breeze being sufficient to float 
driftwood up stream. Considering its sluggish current the water is very clear, which, 
together with its great depth and the abundance of small fishes, such as minnows and 
darters, makes it an excellent stream for food-fishes. 
The banksof the stream are low and very steep, and fringed with willows, sycamores 
(Platanus occidentals ), elms, and birches ( Betula nigra). At a distance back from the 
river of a quarter to a half-mile is a low line of hills with outcrops of a light sand- 
stone. Several specimens of the young of Necturm maculatus were taken, and also 
several turtles ( Aspidonectes spinifer and Aromochelys odoratus). On account of the 
depth of the water and the entire absence of sandbars no fishes were collected from 
the river proper at this place. Tin temperature of the water was 70° F. 
1. Pond Greek, 2 miles from Rockport, July 25: The collecting station was one- 
half mile from the mouth of the creek ; temperature of the water, 68° F. Pond Creek 
is a small southern tributary of Green River, probably about 25 miles in length, but 
very narrow, deep, and sluggish. The bottom is composed of fine mud, several feet 
deep, and the water is very impure and muddy. There is but little vegetation in the 
stream and but few varieties of fishes. Several specimens of the young of Necturm 
maculatus were taken, and also a few turtles, Aspidonectes spinifer (Le Sueur) and 
Aromoclielys odoratus (Latreille). 
2. Bough Greek , at Hartford, July 25: Collections were made below the mill, 
where the water temperature was 74° F. Rough Creek is one of the largest northern 
tributaries of Green River, rising in Hardin County and flowing in a southwesterly 
direction about 75 or 80 miles, where it joins the main river. Hartford, the county 
seat of Ohio County, is about 20 miles from its mouth. Here the channel is from 40 
to 45 yards wide. At low water the stream is broken up into ponds by numerous 
ripples, the water being from 3 to 5 feet deep in the former and only a few inches on 
the latter. The ripples flow over beds of coarse gravel, while between them the bottom 
consists of stone with more or less mud, there being also large stones in the more 
quiet places, which furnish excellent hiding-places for fishes. The stream is well 
stocked with fish, several species of minnows and darters being especially abundant. 
It also furnishes a variety of good food species, such as suckers, black bass, and white 
perch ( Aplodinotus grunniens). The bottom lauds are low and are overflowed during 
high water. They are covered with gum, ash, swamp ash, black and red oak, water 
birch, elm, and cherry. The bed of the stream is almost devoid of vegetation. 
Species marked “ P,” in the following list, are from Pond Creek; those marked 
“ R ” are from Rough Creek. 
