BRD 2015 Fish Community Templates

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
�_BEAVERDAM CR
NC 150
AF10
06/01/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.250100
-81.630679
685
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area::(m )
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Outer Piedmont
16.9
1 7
0.3
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
28.5
7.9
no data
61.6
no data
1.9
0.1
0.0
2001
27.7
14.6
3.3
53.6
1.5
1.5
0.1
0.0
2006
27.3
14.7
3.3
52.2
4.3
1.5
0.1
0.0
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
24.0
26.9
21.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
6.8
7.3
8.7
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
66
73
77
pH (s.u.)
6.7
6.0
1 6.3
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
4
Pool Variety (10)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
5
Bank Erosion (7)
3
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
7
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
56
Water Clarity jClear, water easily silted
Site Photograph
Substrate: Sand, gravel
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/01 /15
2015-42
17
48
Good
06/21 /10
2010-52
15
52
Good
06/06/05
2005-60
17
48
Good
05/08/00
2000-20
18
50
Good
06/20/95
95-63
18
148
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains southwestern Cleveland County, including the northeast portion of the Town of Boiling Springs; one NPDES discharger in the watershed
(NC0004685, PPG Industries, stormwater and non -contact cooling water to an unnamed tributary in the creek's headwaters, > 5.5 miles upstream); lowest
percentage of its watershed in cultivation than any other watershed in the basin in 2015; tributary to the First Broad River. Habitat -- low quality instream and
bank habitats; wide, shallow, sandy runs and shallow pools; one riffle complex; gravel bars; eroded banks. Water Quality -- low flow, specific conductance has
ranged from 63 pS/cm to 77 pS/cm during the last four monitoring cycles, was 188 pS/cm in 1995. 2015 -- most fish collected from any site in the basin in 2015
(n = 1,327), most likely due to the low flow conditions which concentrated the fish into a smaller than normal area; the 4-point decline in the NCIBI Score, but
not the NCIBI Rating Class, was due to the altered trophic structure (high percentage of Om nivores+ Herbivores (52%) and a lower than expected percentages
of Insectivores and Piscivores (48% and 0.0%, respectively). 1995-2010 -- a speciose and abundant community with 24 species known from the site, including
12 species of cyprinids, 5 Intolerant Species, 4 species of suckers, and 3 species each of sunfish and darters; dominant species is consistently the Bluehead
Chub; although the biological integrity of the community has consistently rated Good, three intolerant and endemic species have not been collected since 2000
(Santee Chub) or 2005 (Thicklip Chub and Fieryblack Shiner); NCIBI Scores have ranged from 48 to 52 since 1995 with the community consistently rating
Good. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2015 to document suburbanization of the watershed and to determine if recolonization
of the stream by the three intolerant and endemic species occurs.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (680, Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 51 %) Species None Species (8)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
BIG CAMP CR
SR 1504
AF24
06/16/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.466762
-81.905379
885
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (miz)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
12.2
7
0.3
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
97.3
0.0
no data
2.5
no data
0.0
0.1
0.0
2001
77.0
1.6
0.1
5.8
12.2
0.1
0.1
2.3
2006
78.1
1.6
0.1
6.3
12.6
0.1
0.1
1.3
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
16.7
19.5
21.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.2
8.9
8.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
43
46
54
pH (s.u.)
6.5
6.2
6.1
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
14
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
3
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
10
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
55
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: Sand, gravel
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/16/15
2015-57
10
44
Good -Fair
06/11 /10
2010-46
10
42
Good -Fair
06/21/05
2005-74
10
46
Good -Fair
Data
Watershed -- drains rural northern Rutherford County; no NPDES dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; tributary to the Second Broad River; site
straddles the Southern Inner Piedmont and the Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills ecoregions. Habitats -- low quality instream habitats; infrequent stick riffles;
coarse woody debris plunges; shallow pools and sand and gravel runs; side snags; deeply entrenched with severe bank erosion and exacerbated by the very
high flow event in early May 2013. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance typical for a Piedmont stream, has ranged from 43 pS/cm to 54 pS/cm
during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- fewest species collected from any site in the basin in 2015; lower than expected metric scores for Number of
Species, Number of Species of Darters, Suckers, and Sunfish, Bass, and Trout, and Intolerant Species. 2005-2015 -- an abundant and seemingly naturally
depauperate fish community that is biologically intact with only 11 species known from this site, including 6 species of cyprinids, 2 species each of Suckers and
Intolerant Species (Highback Chub and Santee Chub), and 1 species each of sunfish (Redbreast Sunfish) and darter (Carolina Fantail Darter); no piscivores
have ever been collected at this site; dominant species is the Piedmont Shiner; no substantial change in any of the metrics, in the biological integrity of the fish
community, or water quality of this headwater stream during the past three monitoring cycles. Recommendation -- although the watershed is predominantly
forested and rural, the source(s) of the excessive turbidity should be investigated; continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020.
Most Abundant Piedmont Shiner (206, Non -indigenous None; no nonindigenous Imperiled
Species 36%) Species species have ever been Species None
collected at this site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
BRIER CR
SR 1733
AF22
06/15/15
Excellent
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.529444
-81.699444
1030
Yes
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Northern Inner Piedmont
8.9
1 9
1 0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (? 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
100.0
0.0
no data
0.0
no data
0.0
0.0
0.0
2001
94.8
0.5
0.0
2.8
1.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
2006
94.7
0.5
0.0
2.3
2.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
16.8
20.9
23.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
9.3
8.1
8.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
28
30
32
pH (s.u.)
6.1
1 5.7
1 5.6
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
16
Bottom Substrate (15)
12
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
14
Bank Erosion (7)
7
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
7
Left Riparian Score (5)
3
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
83
Water Clarity I Clear, but easily silted
Site Photograph
Substrate: Cobble, boulder, gravel, bedrock veins
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/15/15
2015-54
14
54
Excellent
06/24/10
2010-62
11
54
Excellent
06/20/05
2005-71
14
56
Excellent
09/28/98
98-74
15
56
Excellent
Data Analysis
Watershed --drains northeastern Rutherford and northwestern Cleveland counties; no NPDES dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; greatest
percentage of its watershed in forest, lowest percentage in cultivation, and in imperviousness cover than any other watershed in the basin in 2015; headwaters
are in the South Mountain/Rollins Tract NCWRC gamelands and managed as Wild Trout Waters; tributary to the First Broad River. Habitat -- high quality
instream habitats; no change in habitats since last sampled; cobble, boulder, and bedrock riffles and runs; deep pool at end of the reach; Podostemum in the
riffles and runs; many large Bluehead Chub nests. Water Quality -- low flow; lowest specific conductance of any site in the basin in 2015, indicative of a very
forested watershed, has ranged from 28 µS/cm to 32 pS/cm. 2015 -- species new to the creek included Central Stoneroller, Northern Hog Sucker, and Flat
Bullhead; the only two metrics not scoring a "Y were the Number of Sunfish, Bass, and Trout and Percentage of Species with Multiple Age Classes (64%).
1998-2015 -- a speciose community (for its size stream) with 18 species known from the site including 8 species of cyprinids, 6 Intolerant Species (the most
from any site in the basin, along with North Fork First Broad River and Walnut Creek), 3 species of darters, and two species each of suckers and sunfish;
because of its headwater location, Piedmont Darter and Santee Chub are not known and only 11 Thicklip Chub have ever been collected at this site (and none
since 1998); dominant species are the Piedmont Shiner (1998) and the Bluehead Chub (2005, 2010, and 2015); evidence of a reproducing and naturalized
population of Rainbow Trout has not been documented since 2005; NCIBI Scores have either been 54 or 56 since 1998 with the community consistently rating
Excellent. Recommendation -- continue to monitor this regional reference site in 2020 to insure that the community continues to reflect its high water quality.
Brier Creek should be promptly reclassified to High Quality Waters or Outstanding Resource Waters based upon the consistently Excellent fish community
ratings, the high quality instream and riparian habitats, and because it is a fish community regional reference site.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (90, 33%) Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
and Fieryblack Shiner (80, Smallmouth Bass (8)
Species 29%) Species Species (2)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
BRIGHTS CR
SR 1155
AF31
06/18/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
POLK
03050105
35.328333
-82.255833
960
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
15.9
1 6
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
96.9
0.0
no data
3.1
no data
0.0
0.0
0.0
2001
81.4
2.1
0.1
10.5
3.4
0.0
0.0
0.7
2006
80.4
2.1
0.1
10.4
6.7
0.0
0.0
0.4
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
23.7
18.8
21.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
6.9
9.1
8.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
33
37
45
pH (s.u.)
6.2
6.2
6.1
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
14
Bottom Substrate (15)
8
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
16
Bank Erosion (7)
7
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
10
Left Riparian Score (5)
3
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
82
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: Boulder, cobble, bedrock, silt
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/18/15
2015-62
15
50
Good
06/08/10
2010-33
14
46
Good -Fair
06/23/05
2005-82
15
50
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains northwest Polk County, including the 4,500 acre Brights Creek Golf Club residential development which is permitted to sprays its treated
wastewater effluent on the golf course; borders the Southern Crystalline Mountains & Ridges ecoregion; tributary to the Green River/Lake Adger, site is - 1.3
miles upstream from the creek's confluence with the river/lake. Habitats no change in high quality habitats since last cycle, except for a prevalence of silt -
covered rocks; bedrock pools and chutes; boulder riffles. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance typical for a Mountain stream, has ranged from 33
pS/cm to 45 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 --community continues to show, as it did in 2010, a less balanced trophic structure than in 2005
(58% Omnivores+Herbivores and 41 % Insectivores in 2015), indicative of continued nonpoint nutrient enrichment; slight increase in NCIBI Score and Rating
was due to the reappearance of the intolerant Fieryblack Shiner which was absent in 2010 and a slight increase in the abundance of Largemouth Bass.
2005-2015 --a very speciose community considering stream size with 19 species known from the site, including 9 species of cyprinids, 3 species each of
Intolerant Species and darters and 2 species each of sunfish and suckers; consistently dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; NCIBI Scores have either
been 46 or 50 since 2005 with the community rating a high Good -Fair or low Good. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to
document impacts from sediment runoff as the development is built out and from the land application of the treated effluent. Because a reproducing population
of trout has never been documented in this stream (which is classified as C;Tr), this site should also be reassessed to determine if the Trout waters
supplemental classification is still warranted.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (183, Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 40%) Species None Species (2)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
BRUSHY CR
SR 1342
AF14
06/02/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.327902
-81.593855
755
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Outer Piedmont
20.0
9
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)
NPDES Number
Volume (MGD)
PPG Industries Fiber Glass Products, Inc., Shelby Facility
NC0004685
1.3
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
42.3
3.0
no data
53.4
no data
1.2
0.1
0.0
2001
41.3
6.2
0.9
48.1
2.1
1.1
0.0
0.0
2006
40.1
6.2
0.9
47.5
5.2
1.1
0.0
0.0
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
18.9
24.4
20.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.3
7.5
8.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
76
99
118
pH (s.u.)
6.3
1 5.8
1 6.1
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
4
Bank Erosion (7)
2
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
7
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
53
Site Photograph
Water Clarity Clear, but became extremely muddy (orange turbidity) Substrate: Sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/02/15
2015-44
21
44
Good -Fair
06/22/10
2010-55
20
52
Good
06/07/05
2005-62
18
42
Good -Fair
05/09/00
2000-24
16
46
Good -Fair
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains west -central Cleveland County; no municipalities in the watershed; one NPDES permitted discharger in the watershed located - 2 miles
upstream; tributary to the First Broad River. Habitat -- low quality instream and riparian habitats; some very steep, severely eroded banks, exacerbated by the
very high flow event in late July 2013; shallow sandy pools and runs; infrequent, short, gravel riffle; abundant coarse woody debris snags. Water Quality -- low
flow, second greatest specific conductance of any site in the basin in 2015, indicative of wastewater treatment plant effluent; has ranged from 76 pS/cm to 120
pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles. 2015 -- total species richness has been gradually increasing since 2000; five Intolerant Species present; greatest
percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (63%, primarily Bluehead Chub) than at any other site in 2015, Bluehead Chub, primarily 1 year old fish, increased in
dominance from 32% to 62% between 2010 and 2015; the 8-point decrease in the NCIBI score and one rating class decline was due to the skewed trophic
structure (63% Omnivores+Herbivores, 37% Insectivores, and 0% Piscivores). 2000-2015 -- an abundant and speciose community with 24 species known from
the site, including 11 species of cyprinids, 5 Intolerant Species, 4 species of suckers, and 3 species each of sunfish and darters; dominant species is the
Bluehead Chub; Bluegill and Largemouth Bass are extremely rare at this site with only one specimen of each collected since 2000; except for 2010, the
community has rated Good -Fair with NCIBI scores ranging from 42 to 46. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of the site in 2020 to document
any impacts from the upstream WWTP.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (305, Non -indigenous None; no nonindigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 62%) Species species are known from this Species (10)
site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
CANE CR
SR 1558
AF35
06/16/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.436160
-81.884703
850
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
24.6
1 6
1 0.3
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (? 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
93.1
0.2
no data
6.5
no data
0.0
0.1
0.0
2001
78.5
4.0
0.3
10.2
4.3
0.1
0.2
1.5
2006
75.5
4.0
0.3
10.5
8.9
0.1
0.2
0.7
Water Quality Parameters
2010
2011
2015
Temperature (°C)
21.2
21.5
23.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.0
7.4
7.7
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
62
54
70
pH (s.u.)
6.1
1 5.9
1 6.1
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
11
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
6
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
2
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
4
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
49
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: Sand, gravel
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/16/15
2015-58
13
44
Good -Fair
07/06/11
2011-59
12
44
Good -Fair
06/10/10
2010-43
14
40
Fair
05/10/00
2000-28
13
44
Good -Fair
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains northern Rutherford and southeastern McDowell counties, paralleling and east of the US 64 corridor; no NPDES dischargers or
municipalities in the watershed; tributary to the Second Broad River. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; an abundance of deadfalls and coarse woody
debris across and in the channel; infrequent stick riffles; severe bank erosion, exacerbated by the very high flow event in early May 2013; open canopy in
places due to bank collapse. Water Quality -- typical for a Piedmont stream, specific conductance has ranged from 54 pS/cm to 70 pS/cm during the past four
monitoring cycles. 2015 -- a very abundant community (n=734), almost 3 X more fish collected in 2015 than in 2010, primarily Bluehead Chub and Piedmont
Shiner which constituted more than 80% of all the fish collected, but whose percent dominance has not changed since 2000, abundance of
Omnivores+Herbivores (56%) indicated some nonpoint nutrient enrichment; trophic metrics have not changed since 2010. 2000-2015 -- a biologically intact
community with 6 species known from the site, including 8 species of cyprinids, 3 Intolerant Species, 3 species of sunfish, 2 species of suckers, but just 1
species of darter, other darter species (i.e., Seagreen Darter, Tessellated Darter, and Piedmont Darter) along with the Northern Hog Sucker are not known
from this part of the Second Broad River watershed so the low darter diversity may be natural; consistently dominant species are the Bluehead Chub and
Piedmont Shiner; site was not sampled in 2005 because of excessive turbidity on two occasions; site was re -sampled in 2011 and had recovered from previous
flow -related negative impacts. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of the site in 2020 to document any changes in landuse practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (324, Non -indigenous None; no nonindigenous Imperiled
44%) and Piedmont species have ever been None
Species Shiner (268, 37%) Species collected at this site. Species

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
CATHEYS CR
US 221
AF1
06/16/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.459009
-81.978921
930
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
113.3
1 7
0.3
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
90.1
0.3
no data
8.1
no data
0.0
0.3
1.2
2001
69.9
3.6
0.2
12.0
8.3
0.1
0.8
3.1
2006
67.5
3.6
0.2
13.2
13.3
0.1
0.8
1.4
Water Quality Parameters
2004
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
12.8
22.6
22.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
10.5
7.9
7.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
52
57
63
pH (s.u.)
6.7
6.4
1 6.0
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
6
Riffle Habitat (16)
7
Bank Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
10
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
65
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: Sand, gravel
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/16/15
2015-56
12
46
Good -Fair
06/10/10
2010-42
12
46
Good -Fair
03/23/04
2004-07
13
52
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains northern Rutherford County, west of the US 221 corridor, no NPDES permitted dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; tributary to
the Second Broad River. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; side coarse woody debris snags; infrequent stick and gravel riffles. Water Quality --
low flow; specific conductance typical for a Piedmont stream, has ranged from 52 pS/cm to 63 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- only one
Intolerant Species present (Highback Chub), the intolerant species Fieryblack Shiner and Santee Chub were absent; decrease in the trophic metric scores
(Percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and Percentage of Insectivores) was offset by the increase in sunfish diversity (the addition of Green Sunfish and
Bluegill) resulting in no net change in the NCIBI Score or NCIBI Rating. 2004-2015 -- only 16 species known from the site, including 8 species of cyprinids, 3
Intolerant Species, 3 species of sunfish, 2 species of suckers, but just 1 species of darter; dominant species is the Piedmont Shiner (2004 and 2010) and the
Bluehead Chub (2015) whose dominance increased two -fold since 2010 (from 21 % to 48%); Carolina Fantail Darter is the only species of darter that has been
collected at this site, other darter species (i.e., Seagreen Darter, Tessellated Darter, and Piedmont Darter) along with the Greenfin Shiner and Northern Hog
Sucker are not known or extremely rare from this part of the Second Broad River watershed, so the low darter diversity may be natural; some diversity metrics
were consistently lower than expected compared to a reference site; re -colonization of this stream by species such as Greenfin Shiner, Fieryblack Shiner,
Santee Chub, and Tessellated Darter following droughts may possibly be affected by the effluent from the downstream Town of Spindale's WWTP (Q. = 4.5
MGD). Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to document any change in the landuse.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (176, 48% Non -indigenous () Imperiled
Species Species Green Sunfish 3 Species None

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
CEDAR CR
SR 1371
AF28
06/17/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.486814
-82.110311
1025
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
122.0
1 10
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
99.2
0.0
no data
0.8
no data
0.0
0.0
0.0
2001
91.8
2.0
0.1
3.2
2.0
0.1
0.0
0.3
2006
91.4
2.0
0.1
3.2
3.0
0.1
0.0
0.3
Water Quality Parameters
2000
2005
2015
Temperature (°C)
16.5
16.2
20.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
9.2
8.6
8.6
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
32
33
42
pH (s.u.)
7.7
6.6
1 6.0
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
18
Bottom Substrate (15)
5
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
16
Bank Erosion (7)
7
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
7
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
3
Total Habitat Score (100)
80
Water Clarity Clear
Site Photograph
Substrate: Bedrock shelves, sand, cobble
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/17/15
2015-60
12
48
Good
06/22/05
2005-76
11
48
Good
05/11 /00
2000-30
11
44
Good -Fair
Data
Watershed -- drains the region where Rutherford, Buncombe, and McDowell counties intersect; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers are in the watershed;
headwater tributary to Cove Creek and then to the Broad River. Habitat -- no change in the high quality habitats since last cycle; high gradient riffles and mid -
channel bedrock shelf ledges and plunges; straight channel paralleling the road for the entire reach; Podostemum in the riffles and runs; pools filled -in with
sand; fairly open canopy. Water Quality -- typical for a Mountain stream and indicative of a mostly forested watershed, specific conductance has ranged from
32 pS/cm to 42 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- no change in any of the metric scores or ratings between 2005 and 2015; the intolerant
Fieryblack Shiner increased its dominance from 18% to 42% while the intolerant Seagreen Darter decreased its dominance from 17% to 4%, possibly due to
sand filling some of the interstitial spaces in the riffles and in covering the Podostemum where the darter is typically found. 2000-2015 -- a rather depauperate
community for the size of stream, only 12 species are known from the site, including 5 species of cyprinids, 3 Intolerant Species, 2 species of darters, but just 1
species each of sunfish (Redbreast Sunfish) and sucker (Striped Jumprock); community continues to be abundant, but the number of fish collected (especially
for Piedmont Shiner, Rosyside Dace, Redbreast Sunfish, and Seagreen Darter) has for unknown reasons declined from 878 to 595 to 416 over the past three
monitoring cycles, but the community overall is still abundant; dominant species are Bluehead Chub (2000 and 2005) and Fieryblack Shiner (2015); a
reproducing population of wild, naturalized Rainbow Trout was documented in 2000 and 2005, but not in 2015, the stream is supplementally classified as C;Tr.
Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to document any changes in landuse practices.
Most Abundant Fieryblack Shiner (174, Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 42%) Species Rainbow Trout (2) Species (2)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
�_CLEGHORN CR
SR 1149
AF18
06/04/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.312467
-81.982083
750
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area::(m )
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
13.6
6
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)
NPDES Number
Volume (MGD)
Rutherfordton WWTP
NCO025909
3
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
56.2
29.9
no data
13.6
no data
0.1
0.2
0.0
2001
48.5
31.3
5.5
12.6
4.4
0.1
0.1
0.8
2006
46.4
31.5
5.6
12.6
8.5
0.1
0.1
0.7
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
20.8
20.0
18.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.6
9.2
8.8
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
73
58
92
pH (s.u.)
6.7
6.2
1 6.3
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
11
Bottom Substrate (15)
4
Pool Variety (10)
6
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
4
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
9
Left Riparian Score (5)
2
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
55
Site Photograph
Water Clarity ISlightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: Sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/04/15
2015-50
16
46
Good -Fair
06/09/10
2010-40
19
52
Good
06/08/05
2005-67
15
44
Good -Fair
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains the southwestern portion of the Rutherford County, including the towns of Rutherfordton and Spindale; one NPDES permitted discharger in
the watershed, - 3.5 miles upstream from the site; tributary to the Broad River. Habitat -- an entrenched, narrow stream with shallow, sandy runs; infrequent
stick and gravel riffles; side snags; old dump waste and buried junk and metal in the creek and along the banks. Water Quality -- low flow; specific
conductance typical for a Piedmont stream, ranging from 58 pS/cm to 92 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- most fish ever collected at the site
(n = 314 vs. 173 and 144 in 2005 and 2010, respectively), but the 6-point decline in the NCIBI Score and lowering of the NCIBI Rating by one class was due to
the loss of two species of sunfish (Bluegill and Green Sunfish) and the altered trophic structure (high percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (48%) and a lower
than expected percentages of Insectivores and Piscivores (52% and 0.0%, respectively). 2005-2015 -- a diverse community for its size of stream with 23
species known from the site, including 10 species of cyprinids, 5 species of sunfish, 4 species each of darters and Intolerant Species, and 3 species of sunfish;
consistently dominant species is the Bluehead Chub, NCIBI Ratings have varied from Good -Fair to Good. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring
of this site in 2020 to document any impacts from changing landuse practices and from the upstream WWTP.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (146, Non -indigenous None Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 46%) Species Species (7)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
DUNCANS CR
NC 226
AF16
06/03/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
k__C_LEVELAND
03050105
35.463056
-81.672500
880
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (miz)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Northern Inner Piedmont
19.7
6
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
92.9
0.0
no data
6.6
no data
0.4
0.0
0.0
2001
74.1
4.3
0.4
14.3
5.7
0.4
0.0
0.2
2006
71.7
4.3
0.4
13.7
9.9
0.4
0.0
0.2
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
18.6
20.6
18.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.3
9.1
8.7
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
33
35
37
pH (s.u.)
6.2
5.8
1 5.5
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
7
Bank Erosion (7)
1
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
7
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
59
Site Photograph
Water Clarity IClear, but easily silted Substrate: Sand, gravel, cobble
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/03/15
2015-47
18
52
Good
06/23/10
2010-58
15
50
Good
06/08/05
2005-66
16
48
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains rural northeastern Rutherford and northwestern Cleveland counties; no NPDES permitted dischargers or municipalities in the watershed;
tributary to the First Broad River. Habitat -- severely eroded and steep banks, exacerbated by the very high flow event in late July 2013; side snags and
undercuts; infrequent gravel and cobble riffles; an abundance of large coarse woody debris and deadfalls across and within the channel; hydrologically very
flashy. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance low for a Piedmont stream and indicative of a mostly forested watershed, ranging from 33 pS/cm to 37
pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- most species collected during this cycle than in previous ones, including White Sucker and Bluegill (both
new to the creek); five Intolerant Species present; for unknown reasons the number of fish collected has slightly increased from 150 to 226 to 280 since 2000; a
net 2-point increase in the NCIBI Score was due to the addition of White Sucker (+2) and Bluegill (+2) which was offset by a slight increase in the Percentage
of Omnivores+Herbivores (-2) due to an abundance of Bluehead Chub. 2005-2015 -- a biologically intact community with 18 species known from the site,
including 9 species of cyprinids, 5 Intolerant Species, 3 species of darters, and 2 species each of sunfish and suckers; dominant species consistently is the
Bluehead Chub; no change in the biological integrity of the fish community or water quality of the stream during the past three cycles where the community
consistently rates Good (NCIBI = 48-52). Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to document any impacts from changing
landuse practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (102, Non -indigenous None; no nonindigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 36%) Species species are known from this Species (9)
site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
FLOYDS CR
SR 1116
AF19
06/04/15
Excellent
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.218250
-81.850088
700
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth
Southern Outer Piedmont
27.0
9
0.4 !��d
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
49.2
21.8
no data
27.0
no data
1.4
0.3
0.3
2001
41.1
27.6
6.4
20.8
5.7
1.8
0.3
0.7
2006
39.8
27.8
6.5
20.7
9.0
1.7
0.3
0.7
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
21.6
20.4
18.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.5
7.8
8.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
44
48
48
pH (s.u.)
6.7
6.0
1 5.9
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
4
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
7
Bank Erosion (7)
1
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
58
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Site Photograph
Substrate: Sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/04/15
2015-49
22
56
Excellent
06/10/10
2010-41
17
48
Good
06/08/05
2005-68
20
50
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains southern Rutherford County including the towns of Spindale and Forest City and the US 74 corridor; no NPDES dischargers in the
watershed; tributary to the Broad River, site is - 1.8 miles above the confluence with the river. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; an abundance of coarse
woody debris; undercuts; severely eroded banks with blow-out on the right bank, exacerbated by the very high flow event in late July 2013; shallow sandy runs.
Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance typical for a Piedmont stream, stable, and ranging from 44 pS/cm to 48 pS/cm during past three monitoring
cycles. 2015 -- most species collected during this cycle including Rosyside Dace, Smallmouth Bass, Creek Chub, and Flat Bullhead which were all new to the
creek; the most speciose site in the basin in 2015 (along with Walnut Creek); the 8-point increase in the NCIBI Score and one NCIBI Rating class increase were
due to the return of the Carolina Fantail Darter, no disease or deformities, and a greater percentage of the species represented by multiple age classes than
during 2010; only metric not scoring its maximum was the Percentage of Piscivores (0.25%). 2005-2015 -- a speciose community with 24 species known from
the site, including 10 species of cyprinids, and 4 species each of Intolerant Species, sunfish, suckers, and darters; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub
(2005 and 2015) and the Greenfin Shiner (2010); for unknown reasons an increasingly abundant community (n = 148, 213, 402) during the past three cycles);
trophic metrics very consistent (Percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores = 27-31 % and Percentage of Insectivores = 62-75%). Recommendation -- continue
basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to document any impacts from changing landuse practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (112, Non -indigenous Green Sunfish (35) and Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 28%) Species ISmailmouth Bass (1) Species 1(5)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
HICKORY CR
NC 18
AF11
06/01/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.241329
-81.566115
670
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth
Southern Outer Piedmont
14.6
7
0.3 !�=d
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
25.7
40.1
no data
33.1
no data
0.8
0.2
0.1
2001
24.8
54.2
14.1
17.9
1.6
0.7
0.1
0.0
2006
23.8
55.4
14.4
16.8
3.1
0.7
0.1
0.0
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
20.3
24.3
22.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.9
8.0
7.6
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
50
110
126
pH (s.u.)
6.6
6.5
1 6.6
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
10
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
3
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
4
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
48
Water Clarity Clear, easily silted
Substrate: Sand, gravel, cobble
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/01 /15
2015-41
17
52
Good
06/21 /10
2010-51
17
50
Good
06/06/05
2005-59
18
50
Good
05/08/00
2000-19
18
50
Good
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains the eastern portion of the Town of Shelby in south-central Cleveland County; no NPDES permitted dischargers in the watershed; lowest
percentage of its watershed in forest and greatest percentage developed and in impervious cover than any other watershed in the basin in 2015; tributary to the
First Broad River, site is - 0.8 miles above creek's confluence with the river. Habitat -- low quality instream and riparian habitats; shallow, sandy runs; coarse
woody debris and a few side snags; infrequent gravel riffles; gravel bars; entrenched with eroding banks. Water Quality -- low flow; greatest specific
conductance of any site in the basin in 2015, indicative of nonpoint and impervious surface runoff from its urbanized watershed; during the past two monitoring
cycles measurements have been > 100 pS/cm and have ranged from 50 pS/cm to 126 pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles. 2015 -- only 35% of the
species were represented by Multiple Age Classes which is generally indicative of recent high flow and/or drought affects. 2000-2015 -- a speciose and
abundant community with 25 species known from the site, including 11 species of cyprinids, 6 species of sunfish, 5 Intolerant Species (but Fieryblack Shiner
has not been collected since 2005), and 3 species each of suckers and darters; dominant species is consistently the Bluehead Chub; trophic metrics slowly
decreasing from 48% to 32% for Percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and increasing for Percentage of Insectivores from 52% to 68%; despite the watershed
becoming increasingly urbanized, the biological integrity of the fish community and water quality of the stream have been stable since 2000 with the fish
community consistently being rated Good. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to document long-term changes in the fish
community in an increasingly urbanized watershed.
Most Abundant Greenfin Shiner (184, Non -indigenous Redear Sunfish (1) Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 41%) Species Species (7)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
HINTON CR
NC 226
AF17
06/03/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.436667
-81.652500
860
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (miz)
Stream WidtE(:m:)=
Stream Depth (m)
Northern Inner Piedmont
18.7
8
1 0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
86.3
0.4
no data
12.8
no data
0.5
0.0
0.0
2001
67.0
4.8
0.5
21.1
5.6
0.6
0.0
0.0
2006
67.0
4.8
0.5
19.3
8.3
0.6
0.0
0.0
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
18.4
20.5
18.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.1
8.5
7.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
32
36
37
pH (s.u.)
6.8
5.6
1 5.7
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
14
Bottom Substrate (15)
4
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
7
Bank Erosion (7)
2
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
10
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
66
Water Clarity Clear, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel I Substrate: Sand, gravel, cobble
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/03/15
2015-46
19
52
Good
06/23/10
2010-57
14
52
Good
06/08/05
2005-65
16
52
Good
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains rural northeastern Rutherford and northwestern Cleveland counties; no NPDES permitted dischargers or municipalities in the watershed;
tributary to the First Broad River. Habitat -- moderate quality instream and riparian habitats, but with eroding banks, exacerbated by the very high flow event in
late July 2013; coarse woody debris; side snags and undercut banks; infrequent riffles. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance low for a Piedmont
stream and indicative of a mostly forested watershed, ranging from 32 pS/cm to 37 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- most species collected
during this cycle including Northern Hog Sucker and Bluegill which were new to the creek; for unknown reasons an increasingly abundant community (n = 256,
305, and 579) during the past three cycles); slightly skewed trophic structure with an abundance of Omnivores+Herbivores (Bluehead Chub), slightly lower than
expected Percentage of Insectivores, and an absence of Piscivores. 2005-2015 -- 19 species are known from the site, including 8 species of cyprinids, 4
Intolerant Species, and 3 species each of sunfish, suckers, and darters; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; no change in the biological integrity of the fish
community or water quality of the stream which has consistently rated Good since 2005. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in
2020 to document any changes in landuse practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (255, Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 44%) Species Green Sunfish (3) Species (12)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
HUNGRY R
off SR 1799
AF43
07/09/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
HENDERSON
03050105
35.317159
-82.347929
1815
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area::(m )
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth
Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
17.6
8
0.4 tEd
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
86.9
0.4
no data
12.7
no data
0.0
0.0
0.0
2001
71.6
7.5
0.5
18.4
1.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
2006
71.6
7.5
0.5
18.4
2.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
---
17.9
20.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
---
8.3
8.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
---
47
51
pH (s.u.)
--
6.6
1 7.1
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2014
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
16
Bottom Substrate (15)
8
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
16
Bank Erosion (7)
5
Bank Vegetation (7)
7
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
4
Right Riparian Score (5)
3
Total Habitat Score (100)
80
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: Cobble, boulder, gravel, silts atop the substrate
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
07/09/15
2015-74
11
48
Good
06/07/10
2010-31
12
48
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains southeastern Henderson County; no NPDES dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; stream is impounded towards its mouth by
two dams (-1.7 miles and 2.5 miles below the site), the lower dam was removed in winter 2015; tributary to the Green River. Habitat -- no change in the high
quality instream habitats, except for an abundance of silts atop the rocks; mid -channel pools and side snags; right bank re -vegetating at the end of the reach;
embedded substrate. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance elevated for a Mountain stream with a mostly forested watershed, has been 47 pS/cm
and 51 pS/cm during past two monitoring cycles. 2015 -- 72% of the fish (n = 506) and 36% of the species (n = 4, Mottled Sculpin, Saffron Shiner, Rainbow
Trout, and Green Sunfish) were nonindigenous (in 2010 the values were 41 % and 33%, respectively) which were the greatest of any site in the basin in 2015,
prevalence of nonindigenous species may have originated from natural stream capture from the adjacent French Broad River basin or from bait bucket
introductions; the only site in the basin in 2015 from which no darters were present and one of a few sites were only one Intolerant Species (Rainbow Trout)
was present; the total species diversity, diversity of darters, diversity of intolerant species, and the absence of piscivores was lower than expected compared to
what is observed at regional reference sites; low species diversity is a result of the legacy impacts from the two dams and mining pollution in the 1960s in the
upstream Tumblebug Creek watershed. 2010 & 2015 -- only 13 species are known from the site, including 6 spices of cyprinids, 2 species each of sunfish and
suckers, 1 Intolerant Species, and 0 species of darters; dominant species is the cool-coldwater Mottled Sculpin; stream is managed by the NCW RC as
Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, all but one Rainbow Trout collected were wild, seven stocked Brook Trout were also netted and released; a reproducing
population of wild, naturalized Rainbow Trout was documented in 2010 and 2015, the stream is classified as C;Tr; the community has rated Good in 2010 and
2015. Recommendation -- continue monitoring this site in 2020 to document future landuse changes in the watershed.
Mottled Sculpin (394),
Most Abundant Mottled Sculpin (394, Non -indigenous Saffron Shiner (85), Rainbow Imperiled
SSpecies 56% None
p ) Species Trout (24), and Green Species
Sunfish (1)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
KNOB CR
SR 1641
AF13
06/04/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.448383
-81.569378
825
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Outer Piedmont
33.3
1 10
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
68.9
0.3
no data
30.2
no data
0.5
0.0
0.0
2001
55.0
5.9
0.6
32.0
5.0
0.5
0.0
0.1
2006
54.6
5.9
0.6
31.2
7.6
0.5
0.0
0.1
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
19.0
23.5
19.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.7
8.8
8.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
41
45
46
pH (s.u.)
6.2
6.3
1 6.0
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
11
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
4
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
6
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
56
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, but easily silted
Site Photograph
Substrate: Sand, gravel
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/04/15
2015-51
21
52
Good
06/23/10
2010-60
17
52
Good
06/07/05
2005-63
15
46
Good -Fair
05/09/00
2000-22
13
42
Good -Fair
Data
Watershed -- drains north -central Cleveland County; no NPDES permitted dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; a tributary to the First Broad River.
Habitat -- coarse woody debris; side snags; plunges caused by fallen trees; infrequent stick riffles; debris underneath the bridge at least 25 ft. above the normal
stream flow demonstrating past very high water levels; probably from the late July 2013 high flow event. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance typical
for a Piedmont stream with a high percentage of its land in cultivation, stable, and ranging from 41 pS/cm to 46 pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles. 2015
- most species ever collected during this cycle including Thicklip Chub, Spottail Shiner, Green Sunfish, and Bluegill which were new to the creek; for unknown
reasons an increasingly abundant community (n = 138, 236, 404) during the past three cycles. 2000-2015 -- an increasingly abundant and speciose community
with 21 species known from the site, including 10 species of cyprinids, 5 Intolerant Species, and 3 species each of suckers, sunfish, and darters; dominant
species are the Bluehead Chub (2000, 2005, and 2015) and Piedmont Shiner (2010); total number of species collected has been steadily increasing;
community has rated Good during the past two monitoring cycles suggesting overall improvements in the biological integrity of the fish community and water
quality of the stream and recovery from the 2004 floods. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to document any impacts from
changing landuse practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (148, Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 37%) Species Green Sunfish (1) Species (2)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
MOUNTAIN CR
SR 1178
AF25
06/17/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.362500
-82.016944
775
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (miz)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
128.7
1 7
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
87.3
1.9
no data
10.1
no data
0.0
0.1
0.6
2001
66.5
5.8
0.5
12.2
11.2
0.2
0.2
2.2
2006
62.7
5.8
0.5
12.5
17.3
0.3
0.2
1.3
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
18.2
19.0
20.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.7
10.0
8.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
48
54
60
pH (s.u.)
6.3
6.2
1 6.0
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
11
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
2
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
10
Left Riparian Score (5)
4
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
53
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid, easily became turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: Sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/17/15
2015-59
19
46
Good -Fair
06/09/10
2010-39
19
52
Good
06/21 /05
2005-75
16
44
Good -Fair
Data
Watershed -- drains west -central Rutherford County; no NPDES permitted dischargers or municipalities in the watershed, greatest percentage of its watershed
in grassland than any other watershed in the basin in 2015; tributary to the Broad River. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; entrenched with eroding
banks; rip -rap at the bend at the bank blowout along the right bank, exacerbated by the very high flow event in early May 2013; log and stick riffles; shallow
sandy runs; an absence of coarse woody debris within the channel; dense Oriental Privet growing within the left riparian zone. Water Quality -- low flow;
specific conductance typical for a Piedmont stream that is still predominantly forested, has ranged from 48 pS/cm to 60 pS/cm during past three monitoring
cycles. 2015 -- fewest fish (n = 126) collected from any site in the basin in 2015; the 6-point decline in the NCIBI Score and lowering of the NCIBI Rating by one
class was due primarily to fewer fish being collected, the absence of the intolerant Seagreen Darter, and the low percentage of species with multiple age
classes which is often observed as a result of extremely high or low flow events. 2005-2015 -- a speciose community with 24 species known from the site,
including 10 species of cyprinids, 5 Intolerant Species, and 4 species each of sunfish, suckers, and darters; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub;
community is not very abundant and the number of fish collected has generally been low (n = 98-223) during the past three cycles; elevated Percentage of
Omnivores+Herbivores (39-56%) points to nutrient enrichment from nonpoint source runoff. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in
2020 to determine any changes in landuse practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (49, 39%) Non -indigenous Green Sunfish (1) Imperiled None
Species Species Species

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclass ification
MUDDY FK
SR 1001
AF38
06/02/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.279710
-81.430108
690
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (miJ
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth
Southern Outer Piedmont
31.3
8
0.4 Eli
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
49.5
3.9
no data
45.8
no data
0.6
0.2
0.0
2001
43.4
9.8
1.8
42.0
2.5
0.6
0.1
0.0
2006
44.1
9.8
1.8
39.9
5.4
0.6
0.1
0.1
Water Quality Parameters
2000
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
16.9
21.3
19.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.4
7.5
8.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
60
57
66
pH (s.u.)
6.5
6.3
6.0
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
14
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
3
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
5
Left Riparian Score (5)
2
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
49
Water Clarity I Clear, but easily silted
Site Photograph
Substrate: Sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/02/15
2015-43
19
48
Good
06/22/10
2010-53
15
46
Good -Fair
05/08/00
2000-18
16
48
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains eastern Cleveland and western Gaston counties, including the Town of Cherryville; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributaryto
Buffalo Creek downstream from Kings Mountain Reservoir. Habitat -- low quality instream and riparian habitats; shallow sandy pools and runs; undercut banks
with snags and roots; a single bedrock shelf -type riffle; old sand -dipping operation on the left bank has ceased operation with the bank re -vegetating; moderate
bank erosion. Water Quality -- low flow; typical for a Piedmont stream with a high percentage of its watershed in cultivation, developed, and grassland, specific
conductance has ranged from 57 pS/cm to 66 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- most species ever collected during this cycle including
Central Stoneroller, Redear Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass which were all new to the creek; 2-point increase in the NCIBI Score and raising of the NCIBI Rating
by one class resulted from an increase in total species diversity, the addition of one darter and two sunfish species, unfortunately these were offset by the
dominance of Omnivores+Herbivores (55%, Bluehead Chub, Spottail Shiner, and White Sucker) and a lower than expected abundance of Percentage of
Insectivores (45%). 2000-2015 -- an abundant fish community (n = 785-975) consisting of 20 species, including 9 species of cyprinids, 4 species of sunfish, 3
species of suckers, and 2 species each of darters and Intolerant Species; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; piscivores are extremely rare at this site, of
the 2,571 fish collected since 2000, only one of them has been a Largemouth Bass, perhaps due to the infrequency of deeper pool habitat; also noticeably
absent from this watershed are three Intolerant Species -- Santee Chub, Thicklip Chub, and Fieryblack Shiner, their re -colonization of this stream following
droughts may possibly be affected by the effluent from the downstream Kings Mountain WWTP (Qw = 6 MGD); NCIBI Ratings fluctuate very slightly between a
high Good -Fair and a low Good; the biological integrity ratings of the fish community and water quality of the stream have not changed appreciably since 2000.
Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring at this site in 2020 to document any changes in landuse in practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (402, Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 51 %) Species Redear Sunfish (2) Species (2)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
F_N_FK FIRST BROAD R
SR 1728
AF21
06/15/15
Excellent
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.536327
-81.772016
1130
Yes
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills
12.3
7
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
99.3
0.0
no data
0.6
no data
0.0
0.0
0.0
2001
86.3
0.1
0.0
5.4
5.1
0.0
0.0
2.5
2006
86.4
0.1
0.0
4.9
6.9
0.0
0.0
1.7
Water Quality Parameters
1999
2005
2015
Temperature (°C)
17.7
17.2
20.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
9.1
9.5
8.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
30
28
33
pH (s.u.)
6.6
6.1
5.7
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
18
Bottom Substrate (15)
12
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
16
Bank Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
6
Left Riparian Score (5)
3
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
84
Water Clarity I Clear, but easily silted
Site Photograph
Substrate: Cobble, gravel, boulder, bedrock
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/15/15
2015-53
16
60
Excellent
06/20/05
2005-72
16
58
Excellent
06/07/99
99-40
14
58
Excellent
06/20/95
95-65
12
52
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains northern Rutherford County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in its watershed; lowest percentage of its watershed developed and
in impervious cover than any other watershed in the basin in 2015; headwater tributary to the First Broad River. Habitat -- greatest scoring total habitat of any
sites in the basin in 2015 (along with Second River); no change in habitats since last sampled; riffles and runs; Podostemum in the riffles and runs; straight
channel; old beaverdams at the end of the reach. Water Quality -- low flow; second lowest specific conductance of any site in the basin in 2015, indicative of a
very forested watershed, specific conductance has ranged from 28 pS/cm to 45 pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles and has been less than 35 pS/cm
during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- an abundant community (n=1,035), the second most abundant site in the basin in 2015; five Intolerant Species
present; all 12 metrics scored at maximum Level 5; all trophic metrics stable since 1999 (Percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores = 24-31 %, Percentage of
Insectivores = 68-74%, and Percentage of Piscivores = 0.6-1.4%). 1995-2015 -- an abundant and speciose community (for its size stream) with 18 species
known from the site including 8 species of cyprinids, 6 Intolerant Species (the most from any site in the basin, along with Brier and Walnut creeks), 3 species
each of suckers and darters, and 2 species of sunfish; Piedmont Darter and Santee Chub are not known and only one Thicklip Chub has ever been collected at
this site, generally, these three species are not found in headwater streams; a reproducing, wild and naturalized population of Rainbow Trout has been
consistently documented at this site since 1995; stream is supplementally classified as Tr and has rated Excellent since 1999. Recommendation -- continue to
monitor this site in 2020 to insure that the regional reference site community continues to reflect its water quality classification of C;Tr, ORW.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (310, Non -indigenous Smallmouth Bass (11) and Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 30%) and Fieryblack Species Rainbow Trout (4) Species (28)
Shiner (297, 29 /o)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
N PACOLET R
SR 1501
AF39
06/18/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
POLK
03050105
35.204678
-82.158832
830
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (miz)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
49.3
1 13
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)
NPDES Number
Volume (MGD)
Tryon WWTP
NCO021601
1.5
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
85.6
10.8
no data
3.0
no data
0.0
0.4
0.1
2001
78.1
13.9
1.2
4.4
1.4
0.5
0.5
0.3
2006
78.1
13.9
1.2
4.4
2.4
0.5
0.5
0.3
Water Quality Parameters
2010
2011
2015
Temperature (°C)
21.5
22.7
26.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.9
8.8
8.6
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
55
49
67
pH (s.u.)
6.1
6.3
1 6.5
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
6
Riffle Habitat (16)
0
Bank Erosion (7)
5
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
4
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
47
Water Clarity Clear, but easily silted
Site Photograph
Substrate: Sand, gravel
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/18/15
2015-64
18
52
Good
07/06/11
2011-60
16
52
Good
06/08/10
2010-36
15
38
Fair
06/19/95
95-62
12
48
Good
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains the southwest corner of Polk County, including the Town of Tryon and northern Greenville County, SC; seven NPDES permitted
dischargers in the watershed with a total discharge to the river of 1.874 MGD. Habitat -- lowest scoring total habitat of any sites in the basin in 2015 (along with
Whiteoak Creek); riffles absent, sandy substrate and open canopy; shallow; mid -channel with an absence of coarse woody debris; rip -rap boulders along the
right bank from a completed stream restoration project. Water Quality -- typical for a Piedmont stream that is well -forested, but with some development and
permitted dischargers in its watershed, specific conductance has ranged from 49 pS/cm to 96 pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles. 2015 -- most species
collected at this site with Green Sunfish new to the creek; low diversity of darters; piscivores absent; all other metrics were scored at their maximum value.
1995-2015 -- 20 species are known from the site, including 9 species of cyprinids, 4 species each of Intolerant Species, suckers, and sunfish, but only 1 species
of darter (Seagreen Darter), Tessellated Darter, Carolina Fantail Darter, and Piedmont Darter, along with the Northern Hog Sucker, are unknown form this
portion of the Pacolet River watershed, so the low darter diversity may be natural; dominant species are the Bluehead Chub (1995 and 2015) and Greenfin
Shiner (2010 and 2011); the site was re -sampled in 2011 under flow conditions lower than those experienced in 2010 and was rated Good, Greenfin Shiner
was the dominant species; and the intolerant Seagreen Darter was again present; community has rated Good in 3 of the 4 monitoring cycles since 1995.
Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020 to document any impacts from changing landuse practices and from upstream WWTP
rges.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (76, 26%) Non -indigenous Green Sunfish (1) Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species Species Species (6)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
N PACOLET R
US 176 & SR 1125
AF33
06/18/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
POLK
03050105
35.223333
-82.256111
935
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (m )
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
17.7
1 10
1 0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
91.3
7.2
no data
1.1
no data
0.0
0.4
0.0
2001
85.9
9.0
0.5
3.4
0.7
0.1
0.3
0.1
2006
85.9
9.0
0.5
3.4
1.3
0.1
0.3
0.1
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
17.2
17.7
21.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.5
10.6
9.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
31
39
44
pH (s.u.)
6.3
6.1
6.2
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
16
Bottom Substrate (15)
8
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
14
Bank Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
4
Light Penetration (10)
4
Left Riparian Score (5)
2
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
69
Site Photograph
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, Clear, but became easily silted in the pools Substrate: Sand, gravel, bedrock shelves, boulder, cobble, silt
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/18/15
2015-63
14
46
Good -Fair
06/09/10
2010-37
15
50
Good
06/24/05
2005-83
15
46
Good -Fair
Data
Watershed -- drains the southwest corner of Polk County west of the Town of Tryon, including the Town of Saluda and the extreme southeastern corner of
Henderson County; borders the Southern Crystalline Mountains & Ridges ecoregion; one NPDES permitted discharger in the watershed (Town of Saluda's
WWTP, NC0028975, located - 7.5 miles upstream, Qw = 0.1 MGD to Joel's Creek). Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats with plunges, chutes, and
riffles; mid- and side -channel riffles and snags; narrow riparian zones; sun -lit channel, except at the beginning of the reach. Water Quality -- typical for an
upper Piedmont stream whose watershed is mostly forested, specific conductance has ranged from 31 pS/cm to 44 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles.
2015 -- as in previous cycles, an extremely and overly -productive site for a stream of its size, the 3rd most fish collected of any site ever in the basin (n = 861),
fish were also abundant in 2005 and 2010 ( n= 962 and 1,144, respectively); similar to previous cycles, - 90% of all the fish collected were Bluehead Chub,
Striped Jumprock, Fieryblack Shiner, and Piedmont Shiner; stream is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, but all Rainbow Trout
collected were wild, one stocked Brook Trout and six stocked Brown Trout were netted and released; the 4-point decline in the NCIBI score and the lowering of
the NCIBI Rating from Good to Good -Fair was the result of a slightly lower percentage of species with multiple age classes (57% vs. 67%) and the absence of
Bluegill; excluding Redbreast Sunfish, other sunfish are extremely rare at this site with only two Bluegill collected since 2005. 2005-2015 -- 16 species are
known from the site, including 7 species of cyprinids, 4 Intolerant Species, 2 species each of sunfish and suckers, but only 1 species of darter; Tessellated
Darter, Carolina Fantail Darter, and Piedmont Darter (along with the Northern Hog Sucker and other species of sunfish) are unknown form the headwaters of
the Pacolet River, so the low darter diversity may be natural; consistently dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; consistently low Percentage of Tolerant Fish
(2-6%); a reproducing naturalized and wild population of Rainbow Trout have been documented in this stream since 2005, the stream is supplementally
classified as C;Tr; overall biological integrity of the fish community and water quality of the stream have not substantially changed since 2005.
Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020; riparian buffers and restoration are needed in the watershed along the US 176 corridor
to reduce nutrient inputs and overall productivity of the stream.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (432, Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 50%) Species Rainbow Trout (4) Species (22)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
�_ROBERSON CR
SR 1561
AF20
06/05/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.368603
-81.847495
810
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth
Southern Outer Piedmont
26.0
8
0.4 !�=d
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
76.5
1.0
no data
20.9
no data
0.5
0.1
1.0
2001
57.0
5.3
0.5
25.0
8.8
0.7
0.1
1.2
2006
55.3
5.3
0.5
25.1
12.4
0.7
0.1
1.1
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
19.2
22.1
18.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.3
8.3
8.7
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
42
47
50
pH (s.u.)
6.7
6.1
5.6
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
6
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Bank Erosion (7)
5
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
4
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
57
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel Substrate: sand, gravel
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/05/15
2015-52
13
46
Good -Fair
06/10/10
2010-44
14
42
Good -Fair
06/09/05
2005-69
17
50
Good
05/10/00
2000-26
20
52
Good
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains east central Rutherford County; no NPDES permitted dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; tributary to the Second Broad River.
Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; infrequent shallow, gravel and stick riffles; old sand -dipping operation along the left bank; shallow, sandy runs; side
snags and coarse woody debris snags. Water Quality -- typical for a Piedmont stream with almost 40% of its watershed in cultivation and grassland, specific
conductance stable and has ranged from 42 pS/cm to 50 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2015 -- fewest species ever collected at this site; greatest
Percentage of Tolerant Fish (38%, primarily Green Sunfish (23%) and Eastern Mosquitofish (10%) at any site in the basin in 2015; one of only a few sites where
only one Intolerant Species was present; first time a second species of darter (Tessellated Darter) has ever been collected at this site. 2000-2015 -- 23 species
are known from this locale, including 10 species of cyprinids, 5 species of sunfish, 3 species each of sucker and Intolerant Species, and 2 species of darters;
but the number of species has been gradually decreasing since 2000; dominant species are the Bluehead Chub (2000, 2005, and 2015) and Piedmont Shiner
(2010); number of fish has been steadily increasing during the past three cycles (n = 166, 214, and 384, respectively) and is now approaching the levels
observed in 2000 (n = 440). Recommendation -- because there are no municipalities or dischargers in the watershed, causes for the decline in the biological
integrity of the fish community and water quality of the stream may be from nonpoint source runoff and localized instream habitat modifications; continue
basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (120, Non -indigenous Imperiled
Species 31%) Species Green Sunfish (89) Species None

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
SANDY RUN CR
SR 1332
AF15
06/02/15
Good -Fair
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.336267
-81.699570
805
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area ( )
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth
Southern Outer Piedmont
11.2
6
0.4 !!!��
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
58.8
0.0
no data
40.6
no data
0.6
0.0
0.0
2001
50.3
4.5
0.5
40.1
3.4
0.6
0.1
0.0
2006
50.1
4.5
0.5
39.2
5.5
0.6
0.1
0.1
Water Quality Parameters
2011
2011
2015
Temperature (°C)
21.5
21.5
21.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.1
7.1
8.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
42
42
41
pH (s.u.)
6.0
6.0
5.8
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
5
Bank Erosion (7)
3
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
9
Left Riparian Score (5)
1
Right Riparian Score (5)
1
Total Habitat Score (100)
49
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid -turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the channel I Substrate: Sand, silt
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/02/15
2015-45 (upstream)
13
46
Good -Fair
07/07/11
2011-62 (upstream)
11
52
Good
07/07/11
2011-61 (downstream)
10
52
Good
06/22/10
2010-56 (downstream)
11
48
Good
06/07/05
2005-61 (upstream)
8
38
Fair
05/10/00
2000-25 (upstream)
15
48
Good
Data
Watershed -- drains western Cleveland and eastern Rutherford counties; no NPDES dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; tributary to the Broad
River. Habitat -- low quality instream and riparian habitats; cattle with frequent access to creek creating numerous breaks in the very narrow riparian zones;
snags, bedrock, and undercuts; shallow sandy pools; infrequent, gravel riffles; eroding banks. Water Quality-- low flow; specific conductance low for a
Piedmont stream with a watershed that has - 45% of its land in cultivation and grassland and for a site that has active livestock access to the creek, has ranged
from 36 pS/cm to 42 pS/cm during past five monitoring events. 2015 -- most species and most fish (n=685) ever collected at the site since 2000 (n=722); the
high Percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (Bluehead Chub, 61 %) was indicative of nonpoint source nutrient enrichment; tolerant Eastern Mosquitofish were
collected for the first time (n=6); the 6-point decline in the NCIBI Score and lowering of the NCIBI Rating by one class was due to the loss of a species of sucker
and the altered trophic structure (high percentage of Om nivores+ Herbivores and a lower than expected percentages of Insectivores and Piscivores (39% and
0.2%, respectively). 2000-2015 -- despite the degraded habitats, the fish community was biologically intact with 17 species known from the site, including 7
species of cyprinids and 3 species each of sunfish, suckers, darters and Intolerant Species; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub, of the 2,438 fish collected
over the years at this site, 50% have been Bluehead Chub; the intolerant Fieryblack Shiner has not been collected since 2000. Recommendation -- continue
basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020; efforts to restrict livestock access to the stream should be pursued to avoid further degradation of the stream.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (418, Non -indigenous None; no nonindigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 61 %) Species species are known from this Species (3)
site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
SECOND BROAD R
SR 1500
AF23
06/16/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
RUTHERFORD
03050105
35.517598
-81.972016
965
Yes
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area::(m )
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
20.0
1 10
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
90.8
1.4
no data
6.7
no data
0.5
0.1
0.4
2001
78.1
5.0
0.2
11.8
3.2
0.6
0.1
0.2
2006
74.9
5.0
0.2
12.0
7.3
0.5
0.1
0.1
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
16.5
19.6
20.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.9
8.7
8.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
51
57
64
pH (s.u.)
6.7
6.4
1 6.1
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
16
Bottom Substrate (15)
12
Pool Variety (10)
6
Riffle Habitat (16)
14
Bank Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
10
Left Riparian Score (5)
4
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
84
Water Clarity Clear
Site Photograph
Substrate: Cobble, gravel, boulder, sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/16/15
2015-55
15
52
Good
06/11 /10
2010-45
16
52
Good
06/21 /05
2005-73
18
52
Good
05/11 /00
2000-29
18
54
Excellent
Data
Watershed -- drains southern McDowell County, including the US 221 corridor, and a smaller portion of northern Rutherford County; no NPDES permitted
dischargers or municipalities in the watershed. Habitat -- highest scoring total habitat of any sites in the basin in 2015 (along with North Fork First Broad River);
high quality instream habitats; no change in habitats since last cycle; riffles (shallow and deeper side riffles and chutes); boulder pool at the end of the reach.
Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance typical for a Piedmont stream that is predominantly forested, has ranged from 51 pS/cm to 64 pS/cm during
past four monitoring cycles. 2015 -- the number of fish collected in 2015 (n = 475) rebounded from its 2010 level (n=357) back to its 2005 level (n = 458), but
still less than the 2000 level (n=727); improved trophic metrics (returning to percentages documented in 200 and 2005) were offset by the absence of the
intolerant Smallmouth Bass; Smallmouth Bass, the only piscivore in the stream, are extremely rare and only two of them have been collected since 2000. 2000-
2015 -- 20 species are known from the site including 8 species of cyprinids, 5 species of sunfish, 4 Intolerant Species, 3 species of suckers, and the Carolina
Fantail Darter which is the only species of darter that has ever been collected at this site; other darter species (e.g., Seagreen Darter, Tessellated Darter, and
Piedmont Darter) along with the Northern Hog Sucker and Thicklip Chub are not known from this part of the watershed, so the low darter diversity may be
natural; dominant species are the Bluehead Chub and Carolina Fantail Darter; a regional reference site where there have been no substantial changes in the
NCIBI metrics, water quality, or biological integrity of the fish community since 2005; NCIBI remains a very high Good as it has since 2005 and would have
consistently rated Excellent, except for the naturally low diversity of darters and a general absence of piscivores. Recommendation -- continue basinwide
monitoring of this regional reference site in 2020 to document any changes in landuse practices.
Most Abundant Carolina Fantail Darter Non -indigenous Imperiled
SSpecies 147, 31 % Green Sunfish (1) None
p ( ) Species Species

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
WALNUT CR
SR 1315
AF29
06/17/15
Excellent
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
POLK
03050105
35.353986
-82.103221
790
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
16.9
8
1 0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (z 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
91.2
0.1
no data
7.4
no data
0.0
0.0
1.3
2001
71.9
6.3
0.4
9.9
7.8
0.5
0.2
1.7
2006
67.0
6.3
0.4
11.8
12.8
0.5
0.2
1.5
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
18.2
18.3
22.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.3
10.5
8.8
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
33
35
38
pH (s.u.)
6.4
1 6.0
1 6.4
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
14
Bottom Substrate (15)
5
Pool Variety (10)
6
Riffle Habitat (16)
7
Bank Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
63
Water Clarity Greenish -gray turbidity, but easily silted
Site Photograph
Substrate: Cobble, boulder, sand, silt
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/17/15
2015-61
22
60
Excellent
06/09/10
2010-38
19
50
Good
06/23/05
2005-80
23
56
Excellent
05/12/00
2000-32
22
56
Excellent
Data
Watershed -- drains the extreme northeast corner of Polk County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Green River, site is
- 1 mile above the creek's confluence with the river. Habitat -- no change in habitats since last cycle; except for lower flows; mid -channel snags; infrequent
riffles (only in the lower one-third of the reach); upper reach slow moving with sandy substrate and side snags. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance
low for a Piedmont stream and indicative of a mostly forested watershed, stable, and has ranged from 33 pS/cm to 38 pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles.
2015 -- the most speciose site (along with Floyds Creek) in the basin in 2015, including 4 species of darters and 5 species of suckers; rated Excellent with a
perfect NCIBI Score; the 10-point improvement in the NCIBI Score between 2010 and 2015 was due to the presence of Bluegill and Largemouth Bass and a
lower Percentage of Tolerant Fish (Redbreast Sunfish, Creek Chub, and Flat Bullhead, 15% vs 26%). 2000-2015 -- the most speciose community in the basin
with 26 species known from this locale, including 11 species of cyprinids, 6 Intolerant Species (the most from any site in the basin, along with North Fork First
Broad River and Brier Creek), 5 species of suckers, and 4 species each of sunfish and darters; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; community has rated
Excellent 3 out of 4 times since 2000. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring in 2020; should be considered for reclassification at minimum to
High Quality Waters based upon the Excellent fish community ratings in the 3 of the 4 monitoring cycles since 2000.
Most Abundant Sandbar Shiner (62, 21 %) Non -indigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
and Bluehead Chub (52, None
Species 17%) Species Species (13)

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
WARDS CR
SR 1525
AF12
06/03/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
CLEVELAND
03050105
35.477484
-81.658611
880
Yes
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth
Northern Inner Piedmont
17.5
7
0.4 Ed
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (? 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
83.4
0.3
no data
15.9
no data
0.2
0.0
0.2
2001
68.4
3.7
0.3
19.4
7.1
0.2
0.0
0.1
2006
69.9
3.7
0.3
18.6
7.4
0.2
0.0
0.1
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
19.7
22.6
18.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.7
9.1
9.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
39
44
45
pH (s.u.)
7.2
6.2
5.8
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
16
Bottom Substrate (15)
4
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
10
Bank Erosion (7)
3
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
3
Total Habitat Score (100)
68
Site Photograph
Water Clarity I Clear, but easily silted Substrate: Sand, gravel, cobble, bedrock shelves
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/03/15
2015-48
17
50
Good
06/23/10
2010-59
14
52
Good
06/07/05
2005-64
17
52
Good
05/09/00
2000-23
16
52
Good
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains the rural northwestern corner of Cleveland County; no NPDES permitted dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; tributary to the
First Broad River. Habitat -- no change in moderate quality instream and riparian habitats since last monitoring cycle; bedrock shelves; gravel and cobble
riffles. Water Quality -- low flow; specific conductance low for a Piedmont stream and indicative of a mostly forested watershed, ranging from 24 pS/cm to 45
pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles. 2015 -- one of only a few sites in the basin where five Intolerant Species were collected (Thicklip Chub, Santee
Chub, Fieryblack Shiner, Highback Chub, and Seagreen Darter); slightly skewed trophic structure due to the dominance by Bluehead Chub (%
Omnivores+Herbivores, 38%). 2000-2015 -- a biologically intact community with 19 species known from the site, including 10 species of cyprinids, 5 Intolerant
Species (4 or 5 species collected every time), 3 species each of suckers and darters (3 species always collected), but only 1 species of sunfish (Redbreast
Sunfish); dominant species are Bluehead Chub (2000, 2005, and 2015) and the intolerant Highback Chub (2010); trophic metrics stable (Percentage of
Omnivores+Herbivores = 21-24%, except in 2015 when the percentage = 38%, Percentage of Insectivores = 62-79%, and Percentage of Piscivores = 0%); and
Percentage of Species with Multiple Age Classes stable (71-88%); a regional reference site that has consistently rated Good; it would have consistently rated
Excellent except for the naturally low diversity of Sunfish, Bass, and Trout and an absence of piscivores. Recommendation -- continue basinwide monitoring
of this regional reference site in 2020.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (237, Non -indigenous None; no nonindigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 35%) Species species are known from this Species (4)
site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Station ID
Date
Bioclassification
WHITEOAK CR
SR 1526
AF32
06/19/15
Good
County
8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude
Elevation (ft)
Reference Site
POLK
03050105
35.268880
-82.139362
865
No
Level IV Ecoregion
Drainage Area (mil)
Stream Width (m)
Stream Depth (m)
Southern Inner Piedmont
11.3
7
0.4
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (MGD)
None
Landuse (%)
Forest
Developed
Impervious
Cultivation
Grass/Herb/Shrub
Wetland
Water
Barren
1992
87.6
6.2
no data
6.1
no data
0.0
0.1
0.0
2001
66.5
14.2
1.6
8.1
7.8
0.9
0.2
0.8
2006
65.6
14.2
1.6
8.2
10.0
0.9
0.2
0.7
Water Quality Parameters
2005
2010
2015
Temperature (°C)
18.0
20.5
20.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.9
9.1
8.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
57
57
72
pH (s.u.)
6.4
6.5
Habitat Assessment Scores (max score)
2015
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
11
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Pool Variety (10)
8
Riffle Habitat (16)
5
Bank Erosion (7)
5
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
3
Left Riparian Score (5)
1
Right Riparian Score (5)
1
Total Habitat Score (100)
47
Site Photograph
•. :.
nop
i
i
kA"�0041_�
�w
a
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, but became extremely turbid when walking in the chann Substrate: Sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score
NCIBI Rating
06/19/15
2015-65
16
52
Good
06/08/10
2010-35
17
52
Good
06/23/05
2005-79
14
48
Good
05/12/00
2000-31
13
46
Good -Fair
Data
Watershed -- drains central Polk County, including the Town of Columbus; one NPDES permitted discharger in the watershed (Town of Columbus' WWTP,
NC0021369, Qw = 0.8 MGD, located - 3 miles upstream); tributary to the Green River. Habitat -- lowest scoring total habitat of any sites in the basin in 2015
(along with North Pacolet River at SR 1501); narrow riparian zones with breaks and eroding banks, sandy substrate and open canopy; tires, concrete rip/rap,
cement slabs and bricks in the channel. Water Quality -- typical for a Piedmont stream with a mostly forested watershed, specific conductance has ranged
from 57 pS/cm to 72 pS/cm during past four monitoring cycles. 2015 -- an abundant fish community (most fish ever collected at this site, n = 762), dominated
by the omnivorous Bluehead Chub; in 2015 there was no incidence of diseases observed, conversely, in 2010 disease was documented in Sandbar Shiner and
Highback Chub. 2000-2015 -- a biologically intact community with 17 species known from the site, including 7 species of cyprinids, 3 species each of sunfish
and suckers, and two species each of Intolerant Species and darters; consistently dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; trophic metrics (Percentage of
Omnivores+Herbivores, - 50% and Percentage of Insectivores, - 50%) indicate some moderate levels of nonpoint nutrient inputs; several species found in the
Green River system (e.g., Fieryblack Shiner, Santee Chub, Thicklip Chub, Carolina Fantail Darter, and Piedmont Darter) are absent from this headwater site
and are probably present farther downstream where the creek is bigger; despite the degraded riparian zones, during the past three monitoring cycles the NCIBI
Scores have ranged from 48 to 52 and the community has rated Good. Recommendation -- encourage property owner to restore and re -vegetate riparian
zones to reduce sediment inputs to the stream and for future protection of the stream and its fish community; continue basinwide monitoring of this site in 2020
to document any changes in landuse practices.
Most Abundant Bluehead Chub (376, Non -indigenous None; no nonindigenous Imperiled Significantly Rare - Seagreen Darter
Species 49%) Species species have ever been Species (1)
collected at this site.