2001 Roanoke Sec B Chap 6

Section B: Chapter 6 - Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06 123
Chapter 6 -
Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06
Includes a portion of Kerr Reservoir and Nutbush Creek
6.1 Water Quality Overview
John H. Kerr Reservoir (Kerr Lake) straddles the North
Carolina/Virginia state line at the border of Granville and
Vance counties. This subbasin contains many small to
medium-sized tributaries of John H. Kerr Reservoir that
generally flow northward to Virginia. These tributaries
include Aarons Creek, Grassy Creek, Island Creek and
Nutbush Creek. A large portion of Henderson and the
Town of Stovall are the major municipal areas. A map of
this subbasin including water quality sampling locations is
presented in Figure B-6.
Bioclassifications for these sample sites are presented in
Table B-14. Use support ratings for each applicable
category in this subbasin are summarized in Tables B-15
and B-16. Refer to Appendix III for a complete listing of
monitored waters and further information about use
support ratings.
This land is characterized by low rolling hills and low gradient streams. Seventy-five percent of
the land is forested. Row crops and pasture are the most prevalent agricultural land uses (18
percent). Several registered animal operations are also located in this subbasin. Over six percent
of the area is surface water reflecting in part the nearly 21,700 acres of the Nutbush Creek Arm
of Kerr Reservoir. The estimated subbasin population, based on the 1990 census, is 21,604. The
population of Granville County is expected to increase 25 percent and Vance County 11 percent
between 1998 and 2018.
There are only four NPDES permitted dischargers in this subbasin. The Henderson WWTP is
the largest discharge. During dry months, this discharge is more than 97 percent of the total flow
in Nutbush Creek. This facility is required to monitor its effluent’s toxicity. Toxicity problems
with this discharge have been identified and are discussed further in the following sections. The
wastewater discharge in the Gills Creek/Island Creek watershed from a Granville County school
near Stovall exceeded permit limits for ammonia in 1999. However, the school hooked into a
new spray irrigation system in Stovall and the discharge has since been eliminated.
The Nutbush Creek Arm of Kerr Reservoir is monitored by DWQ. This portion of the lake is
currently fully supporting aquatic life/secondary recreation and primary recreation.
Subbasin 03-02-06 at a Glance
Land and Water Area
Total area: 329 mi
2
Land area: 295 mi
2
Water area: 34 mi
2
Population Statistics
1990 Est. Pop.: 21,604 people
Pop. Density: 73 persons/mi
2
Land Cover (%)
Forest/Wetland: 75.0
Surface Water: 6.4
Urban: 1.1
Cultivated Crop: 8.6
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 9.0
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Section B: Chapter 6 - Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06 125
Table B-14 DWQ Monitoring Locations and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Bioclassifications
(1999) for Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06
Site Stream County Location Bioclassification
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
B-5* Nutbush Creek Vance SR 1317 Fair
Fish Community
F-1 Grassy Creek Granville SR 1300 Good
F-2 Island Creek Granville SR 1445 Excellent
Fish Tissue
FT-2 Kerr Reservoir Vance Near NC/VA line N/A
Ambient Monitoring
N5000000 Nutbush Creek Vance SR 1317 N/A
* Historical data are available; refer to Appendix II.
Observations during the very dry summer of 1999 indicated that many streams in this subbasin
stopped flowing during the severe drought conditions. This seasonal intermittent flow may limit
the diversity of fish and macroinvertebrate communities. The only stream sampled in this
subbasin in 1999 for benthic macroinvertebrates was Nutbush Creek. Nutbush Creek improved
over a ten-year period from Poor in 1983 to Fair in 1994, but the biological community again
received a Fair bioclassification based on the most recent DWQ sampling. This stream is
impaired and is discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Grassy and Island Creeks were sampled as potential fish community regional reference sites in
1999. The fish communities of both streams were also sampled in 1994. Grassy Creek
maintained a Good bioclassification and Island Creek improved to Excellent. The fish
community of Island Creek was very diverse; 24 species were observed (DENR-DWQ, April 3,
2001). Refer to Appendix II for fish community data.
Water chemistry samples are collected monthly from Nutbush Creek near Henderson,
downstream of the WWTP. During this monitoring cycle, most conventional water quality
parameters did not show any violations of water quality standards. Long-term monitoring at this
site has shown an increase in dissolved oxygen and declines in fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity,
nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. These positive water quality changes are likely the
result of improvements at the Henderson WWTP that began in 1988.
Thirty-six fish tissue samples were collected from Kerr Reservoir during January and May 1999
and analyzed for PCBs (19 striped bass) and metal contaminants (17 largemouth bass, sunfish
and catfish). The PCB analyses were performed at the request of the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission (WRC). WRC was concerned about PCB concentrations in striped bass
in the North Carolina portion of the reservoir after detectable concentrations were measured in
Section B: Chapter 6 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06 126
the Virginia portion of the reservoir. Only two of nineteen striped bass samples contained PCBs
at concentrations greater than the EPA screening value of 0.01 µg/g (Appendix II).
Only one of seventeen largemouth bass, catfish and sunfish samples had mercury concentrations
exceeding the EPA screening value of 0.6 µg/g. All other metals concentrations were less than
the federal and state screening criteria. DWQ works closely with the NC Department of Health
and Human Services to make citizens aware of any risk to human health from consumption of
fish. Currently, there is no fish consumption advisory specifically for Kerr Reservoir in North
Carolina.
For more detailed information on sampling and assessment of streams in this subbasin, refer to
the Basinwide Assessment Report - Roanoke River Basin (DENR-DWQ, May 2000), available
from DWQ Environmental Sciences Branch at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html or by calling
[phone].
Table B-15 Use Support Ratings Summary (1999) for Monitored Lakes (acres) in Roanoke
River Subbasin 03-02-06
Use Support
Category
FS PS NS Total
1
Aquatic Life/
Secondary Recreation
21,700 0 0 21,700
Fish Consumption3 0 21,700 0 21,700
Primary Recreation 21,700 0 0 21,700
Water Supply 0000
Table B-16 Use Support Ratings Summary (1999) for Monitored and Evaluated
2 Freshwater
Streams (miles) in Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06
Use Support
Category
FS PS NS NR Total
1
Aquatic Life/
Secondary Recreation
127.0 4.6 0 53.0 184.6
Fish Consumption 00000
Primary Recreation 4.1 0 0 28.2 32.3
Water Supply 4.7 0 0 0 4.7
1 Total stream miles/acres assigned to each use support category in this subbasin. Column is not
additive because some stream miles are assigned to more than one category.
2 For the fish consumption use support category, only monitored stream miles are presented.
3 These waters are impaired because of a statewide fish consumption advisory for bowfin. Refer to
Section A, Part 4.8.4 for further information.
Section B: Chapter 6 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06 127
6.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters
This section reviews use support and recommendations detailed in the 1996 basinwide plan,
reports status of progress, gives recommendations for the next five-year cycle, and outlines
current projects aimed at improving water quality for each water. The 1996 Roanoke River basin
plan identified two impaired streams in this subbasin: Nutbush and Anderson Swamp Creeks.
This stream is discussed below.
6.2.1 Nutbush Creek (4.6 miles from source to Crooked Run)
1996 Recommendation(s)
Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled intensively in the Nutbush Creek watershed in 1994
and rated Fair at all locations, including one site above the Henderson WWTP. The Henderson
WWTP had significant problems with toxicity in their discharge, resulting from industries in
Henderson that were sending inadequately pretreated waste to the facility. The recommendations
in the 1996 basin plan were to monitor improvements to Henderson WWTP and investigate
extent of other nonpoint source pollution problems.
Status of Progress
Aquatic life in Nutbush Creek again received a Fair bioclassification in 1999 and is only partially
supporting the aquatic life/secondary recreation use support category. The Henderson WWTP
discharge continues to have toxicity problems, although the town has made substantial progress
in identifying which industries may be the sources of these problems. Some collection system
problems have also been identified, and the town is actively working to correct them.
In addition, the headwaters of Nutbush Creek and several tributaries originate in the Town of
Henderson. Most of the stormwater runoff from this urban area flows into the Nutbush Creek
arm of Kerr Reservoir. There is significant sedimentation over the entire length of the creek,
which likely resulted from streambank erosion, scouring, runoff from urban areas and
construction sites, and agricultural activities (in the lower portion of the watershed).
2001 Recommendation(s)
DWQ will continue to work with the Town of Henderson’s WWTP to correct remaining
problems from their discharge and collection system. However, it is likely that aquatic life will
remain impaired because of habitat degradation in the stream. Urban stormwater issues need to
be addressed by the Town of Henderson. Best management practices to prevent further
degradation by runoff from urban areas and construction sites should be installed. DWQ will
continue to monitor the stream and work with local agencies to restore water quality.
6.2.2 Anderson Swamp Creek (4.0 miles from source to 0.6 miles upstream of SR 1374)
1996 Recommendation(s)
Anderson Swamp Creek was rated as impaired during the last basin cycle by using benthic
macroinvertebrate data that resulted in a Fair bioclassification. An unnamed tributary below the
Vulcan Materials-Greystone Quarry was also rated impaired based on a Poor benthic
Section B: Chapter 6 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06 128
macroinvertebrate bioclassification. The recommendation was to identify and address
sedimentation in the watershed.
Status of Progress
In 1999, DWQ biologists determined that both of these streams are too small to rate using current
benthic macroinvertebrate criteria, and the streams were not resampled during this basinwide
cycle. The benthic macroinvertebrate bioclassification in this particular stream will remain not
rated unless assessment criteria for small streams (<1.0 meter wide) are developed. This stream
is not currently considered impaired. Refer to Section A, Chapter 4 for a more detailed
discussion of habitat degradation.
6.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters
No stream segments were rated as impaired based on recent DWQ monitoring (1995-1999);
however, as mentioned previously, some impacts to water quality were observed. Refer to Part
6.5 of this chapter, as well as Section A, Chapter 4 for further discussion of potential water
quality problems.
6.4 Section 303(d) Listed Waters
Currently in this subbasin, Nutbush Creek is listed on the state’s year 2000 §303(d) list. The
stream is a biologically impaired water, and pollution sources are both point and nonpoint.
Nutbush Creek is discussed in detail above. Refer to Appendix IV for more information on the
state’s §303(d) list and listing requirements.
6.5 Other Issues and Recommendations
The surface waters discussed in this section are fully supporting designated uses (or not rated)
based on recent DWQ monitoring; however, data revealed some impacts to water quality.
Although no action is required for these streams, voluntary implementation of BMPs is
encouraged and continued monitoring is recommended. Additionally, education on local water
quality issues is always a useful tool to prevent water quality problems and to promote
restoration efforts. Nonpoint source program agency contacts are listed in Appendix VI.
6.5.1 Projected Population Growth
The population of Granville County is projected to increase 25 percent and Vance County 11
percent over a twenty-year period (1998-2018). Growth management within the next five years
will be imperative in order to maintain good water quality in this subbasin. Growth management
can be defined as the application of strategies and practices that help achieve sustainable
development in harmony with the conservation of environmental qualities and features of an
area. On a local level, growth management often involves planning and development review
requirements that are designed to maintain or improve water quality. Refer to Section A,
Chapter 4 for more information about minimizing impacts to water quality from development.
Section B: Chapter 6 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06 129
Local Programs
Vance and Granville counties both have planning departments with full-time planning staff.
Vance County, in particular, has taken pro-active steps toward minimizing water quality impacts
during development. Additionally, the City of Henderson adopted a local sediment-erosion
control ordinance in order to minimize water quality impacts from construction activities. These
local governments are commended for their planning initiatives. These programs should be
supported, expanded and improved in the future.
6.5.2 Phase II Stormwater Requirements
Amendments were made to the Clean Water Act in 1990 (Phase I) and most recently in 1999
(Phase II) pertaining to permit requirements for stormwater discharges associated with storm
sewer systems. Part of Phase II requires some municipal storm sewer systems serving
populations under 100,000, which are located in larger urbanized areas and/or that have a high
population density to obtain an NPDES stormwater permit. The municipal permitting
requirements are designed to lead into the formation of comprehensive stormwater management
programs for municipal areas. The Town of Henderson will be considered for inclusion under
the Phase II rules because of a population greater than 10,000 and/or a population density greater
than 1000 persons per square mile. DWQ is currently developing criteria that will be used to
determine whether this and other municipalities will be required to obtain a NPDES permit.
Refer to Section A, Part 2.7.2 for further information.
Section B: Chapter 6 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-06 130