Found only in the headwaters of the Coosa River in Georgia and Tennessee. It occurs in the main channel of the upper reaches of the Conasauga River in Murray and Whitfield counties, Georgia, and Bradley and Polk counties, Tennessee. It is also known from short reaches of three tributaries to the Conasauga River: Holly Creek, Murray County, Georgia; and Ball Play and Minnewauga creeks, Polk County, Tennessee. In the Etowah River it occurs in the main channel in Dawson and Lumpkin counties, Georgia, and in several tributaries: Amicalola, Little Amicalola, Cochran and Shoal creeks, Dawson County, Georgia (Ref. 58738).

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