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DOG RIVER RAR

Resources at Risk for Dog River, Mobile, Alabama.

I.	Spill Source Information
This report was prepared at 10:45 am EDT on September 14, 2005.
Information in the report is a general overview of the resources in the
area.

II.	Geographic Region Covered
The area covered by this report is Dog River.  This area does not
necessarily correspond to actual or potential spill locations.  Consult
other Hotline reports for location information.

III.	Expected Behavior of the Spilled Material
This report is not based on any particular product but a general
overview of the resources in the area.

IV.	Shoreline Resources at Risk
The shoreline of Dog River is mostly sheltered solid man-made
structures.  The tributaries into the river as well as some short
sections of the shoreline of Dog River are characterized by salt and
brackish water marshes.

V.	Biological Resources at Risk
Included are general statements about the effects of oil on the various
biological resources.  The effects may vary based on the type of
contaminant, since the behavior, toxicity, and availability of the
material can vary from product to product.
	Fish - Numerous species of fish are present at this time of year
including, but not limited to, Atlantic croaker (spawning), bay anchovy,
crevalle jack (spawning), catfish, gray snapper, gulf flounder,
largemouth bass silversides (spawning), red drum (spawning), silver
perch (spawning), southern kingfish, spot, sand seatrout (spawning),
spotted seatrout (spawning), stripped mullet, southern flounder
(spawning), and threadfin shad.  In general juvenile and larval fish are
most sensitive to spilled oil.  Fish in shallow water areas are more
likely to be impacted, since it is more likely that there is a higher
concentration of oil in the water column.  Surface slicks usually do not
have much of an impact on fish.
	Shellfish - Shellfish in the area include blue crab (spawning),
Brown shrimp, pink shrimp (spawning), and white shrimp (spawning).
Juvenile and larval life stages of all of these shellfish are also
present in the area.  Shellfish in shallow water areas are more likely
to be impacted, since  it is more likely that there is a higher
concentration of oil in the water column.  Surface slicks usually do not
have much of an impact on crabs and shrimp.  Crabs may be contaminated
by a heavy sinking oil.
	Birds - Present in the area are numerous species of shorebirds,
wading birds, osprey, mottled duck, white pelican, brown pelican, terns,
double-crested cormorant, common loon, and gulls.  October is the
beginning of the migratory and overwintering season for waterfowl.
Large numbers of waterfowl may be in the area starting in October.
Diving birds (pelicans, cormorants) and waterfowl are usually at
greatest risk during oil spills, because they spend nearly all their
time on the water surface.  Waterfowl and wading birds may be directly
oiled, and can become oiled on the upper body and feathers by coming in
contact with oiled vegetation or wrack.  Shorebirds usually avoid oil,
but may be impacted by loss of feeding areas or intertidal prey,
particularly during migration periods.  Gulls and terns may be at risk
because they are often attracted to and will prey on sick or injured
prey.  This behavior may result in oiling of feathers and the ingestion
of oil.
Oiling of birds reduces the buoyancy, water repellency, and insulation
provided by feathers, and may result in death by drowning or
hypothermia.  Preening of oiled feathers may also result in ingestion of
oil which may lead to irritation, sickness, or death.  Bird oiling,
particularly for waterfowl and wading birds, may continue even after the
floating oil slicks have been removed, depending on the extent of oiled
vegetation. 
	Habitats - On the north side of the mouth of Dog River is the
federally endangered plant American chaffseed.

VI.	Human-Use Resources at Risk
There are numerous boat ramps and marinas near the mouth of Dog River.
There are also several archaeological and historical sites along the
shorelines of the lower Dog River.