Restricted to the Duck River system and two minor tributaries of the lower arm of the Tennessee River, in Hardin and Wayne counties,Tennessee. From observed number of individuals being sampled over the past 15 years, species has disappeared from some sites over the past 10-20 years; severe drought in the late 1980s could have contributed to local extirpation. Low flows during the spawning period (with peak probably in June and July) might have disrupted nesting and reduced recruitment, especially in smaller tributaries lacking permanent spring input. Currently, the largest populations are in the Buffalo River subsystem where streams supplied by perennial springs are common. The population in the mainstem Duck River would likely be extirpated by impounded water that would be created by completion of the Columbia Dam project, as has been proposed; while populations in tributaries of the lower Duck River system would not be dramatically affected. Potential threats such as channelization, removal of riparian vegetation, and agricultural runoff, all common occurrences in eastern North American streams, would result in an overall decrease in water quality. These disturbances have the greatest impact on small, high quality streams, which are critical habitat of Noturus fasciatus. Additionally, the wide variety of complex organic chemicals added to the streams may interfere with the highly developed olfactory sense of this species, disrupting behavioral patterns important for its survival. Other anthropogenic factors include bridge construction, which alters stream hydrology, modifies substrates, and contributes to removal of nesting habitat. During recent status surveys, bridge construction was observed at several historical localities in the Buffalo River subsystem; neither suitable habitat for nor specimens of N. fasciatus were recorded at these sites. Although bridge construction impacts a relatively small area, it could contribute to extirpation of small, disjunct populations and further fragmentation of the range of the species (Ref. 56218).

Status of threat: Noturus fasciatus should be included among the rare animals for the State of Tennessee where management should include educating landowners of the importance of maintaining riparian vegetation and controlling erosion and agricultural waste along streams (Ref. 56218).

Status of threat: vulnerable. Criteria: 1,5 (http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/afs/) (Ref. 81264).