I-45_Third Fork Creek Data Summary_FINAL

Third Fork Creek Data Review
Monitoring Conducted by the City of Durham
Monitoring Overview
Third Fork Creek is a watershed located in the southern part of the City of Durham and covers an area of
16.6 square miles. The watershed begins in downtown Durham and flows south to where it converges
with New Hope Creek, which then flows to Jordan Lake. Third Fork Creek has been monitored by the City
of Durham for over 20 years. Surface water quality, sediment quality, biological monitoring, and
hydrology data at sampling sites located in the Third Fork Creek watershed were generally collected by
the City as part of the ambient monitoring program (AMP), and special studies. The City's AMP consists
of water chemistry monitoring collected monthly and biological monitoring collected yearly. Special
studies were generally short term (<1 year) planned studies that provided a variety of environmental
data. Appendix A. Summary Data Table for Data Collected in Third Fork Creek includes a summary table
of all sites and the parameters collected in the Third Fork Creek watershed that have been monitored by
the City since 2002.
City of Durham Projects and Special Study Descriptions
Below is a detailed list of all the programs and special studies conducted by the City of Durham that
generated data collected in the Third Fork Creek watershed.
Ambient Monitoring Program
Monitoring Overview
Third Fork Creek is a watershed located in the southern part of the City of Durham and covers an area of
16.6 square miles. The watershed begins in downtown Durham and flows South to where it converges
with New Hope Creek, which then flows to Jordan Lake. Third Fork Creek has been monitored by the City
of Durham for over 20 years, and is included in multiple water quality management programs conducted
by the City. Surface water quality, sediment quality, biological monitoring, and hydrology data at
sampling sites located in the Third Fork Creek watershed were generally collected by the City from one
of two main programs, the ambient monitoring program (AMP), and special studies. The City's AMP
consists of water chemistry monitoring collected monthly and biological monitoring collected yearly.
Special studies were generally short term (<1 year) strategic studies that provided a variety of
environmental data. Appendix A. Summary Data Table for Data Collected in Third Fork Creek includes a
summary table of all sites and the parameters collected in the Third Fork Creek watershed that have
been monitored by the City since 2002.
Purpose/Objectives
The AMP characterizes watersheds located in the City of Durham through monitoring of water
chemistry, benthic macroinvertebrate community, and stream hydrology of selected streams. Streams
selected for monitoring are fixed locations strategically located inside or just outside the City limits. Sites
are monitored by the City of Durham Water Quality Unit (WQU) staff monthly and are on an even and
odd year sampling rotation for particular watersheds. Therefore, the majority of sites are sampled every
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other year. Data from the AMP can be used to track trends in water quality, identify pollution problem
areas and evaluate water quality impacts of urban stormwater on area streams.
Ambient water chemistry monitoring data included in this report dates back to 2004. Although data
were collected before 2004, inconsistent protocols during that time made comparisons of pre-2004 data
to post-2004 data impractical.
Methodology
Sites that are being actively monitored are typically visited monthly for water quality sampling. Water
chemistry samples are collected and physical parameters are measured following AMP standard
protocols and are normally analyzed at the South Durham Water Reclamation Facility (SDWRF). All
monitoring dates are pre -scheduled to reduce bias in sampling different hydrologic conditions.
There are three different types AMP sampling sites: nutrient loading sites, comprehensive sites, and
fecal only sites. Nutrient loading sites are a core group of AMP sites that are sampled for all
comprehensive parameters every year, and are utilized for the calculation of pollutant loads or the
evaluation of specific pollution sources. Comprehensive sample sites are sites where all of the requested
parameters for the AMP are collected. Fecal only sites are sites where only fecal coliform is collected.
Depending on AMP goals at the time, parameters may have been added or removed from the
comprehensive site parameter list. At the time this report was written, there are no sites being sampled
that are categorized as fecal only sites, only nutrient loading sites and comprehensive sites are currently
being sampled.
In situ water chemistry parameters are collected at all AMP sites and include: water temperature,
conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH. The parameters evaluated at fecal only sites (fecal
coliform and in situ water chemistry parameters) have stayed consistent since 2004. The parameters
evaluated at the comprehensive and nutrient loading sites have varied slightly since 2004. In 2004,
comprehensive water quality monitoring sites were generally evaluated for in situ water chemistry
parameters, nutrients (ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus),
metals (dissolved zinc and total and dissolved copper), total suspended solids (TSS), and biochemical
oxygen demand (BOD). In 2005, calcium and magnesium were added to calculate hardness to evaluate
dissolved metals toxicity according to the EPA's "National Recommended Water Quality Criteria" (EPA,
2005). In 2009, hardness was added to the list of comprehensive site analytes to evaluate whether there
was a need to continue monitoring for calcium and magnesium. Finally, in 2016 total zinc was added to
the list of comprehensive site analytes due to continuous instances of increased zinc levels at a handful
of AMP sites.
Additional site -specific parameters may have been measured or sampled to evaluate other pollutant
indicators. On occasion, a site may have been sampled for ambient water chemistry concurrently with a
special study.
Ambient Monitoring in the Watershed
Since consistent monitoring commenced in 2004, 13 sites in the Third Fork Creek watershed have been
monitored for ambient water quality. Six of the 13 locations were actively monitored at the generation
of this report.
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Ambient Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling and Habitat Assessments
Purpose/Objective
Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and habitat assessments were added as part of the AMP to provide
further information about the impacts of water quality, instream habitat, and hydrology on instream
biological communities. There is great diversity in terms of the number of benthic taxa found in eastern
North American freshwaters, and consequently great diversity in life histories and sensitivities to
pollutants and other stressors. Because of these characteristics, macroinvertebrate communities were
used to provide an assessment of the sum of acute and chronic effects on biological communities from
water quality, hydrology, and habitat conditions within a stream.
The WQU has conducted biological assessments utilizing benthic macroinvertebrates since 1999 at
monitoring sites in the Third Fork Creek watershed. However, it was not until 2003 that the data
collected was reliable enough to be used in reporting. This was mainly due to the early practices of
collection and identification. All data were collected during the summer months, except in 2009 when
sampling strategies were being evaluated and switched to winter/spring sampling.
Brief Methodology
Originally, benthic macroinvertebrate sampling was conducted in-house by WQU staff, however, in
recent years, benthic sampling and data analysis have been conducted by a contractor with the
assistance of WQU staff. All staff and contractors follow the procedures outlined in the Draft Standard
Operating Procedures for Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Monitoring. In general, the procedures
involved in benthic macroinvertebrate sampling include:
• field collection of benthic macroinvertebrate samples;
• completion of instream habitat assessments;
• taxonomic identification of samples; and
• analysis of results.
While the terms and methodologies are largely similar to those used by the North Carolina Department
of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), the WQU has different site criteria for determining the applicability
of methods for certain sampling locations within the Triassic Basins ecoregion.
Benthic Monitoring in the Watershed
Benthic Macroinvertebrate sampling has been conducted at two sampling sites in the Third Fork Creek
watershed, TFO.OTC, and TF1.2TC. TFO.OTC remains a current benthic site where samples are collected
every other year on the even years, while TF1.2TC was dropped in 2012.
Water Quality Investigations
Purpose/Objective
Water Quality Investigations are conducted to follow up on concerns and complaints related to illicit
discharges and connections. Water Quality Investigations are conducted specifically to find and
eliminate discharges of non-stormwater substances to the drainage system and/or surface waters.
Water Quality Investigations are conducted within the City of Durham City limits throughout the year
and are initiated based on reports of possible pollution from a variety of sources.
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Brief Methodology
Investigations are reported to the water quality group through a variety of sources, including
complainants calling the pollution prevention hotline, other city staff members notifying the water
quality group of an issue, or lab results that indicate chemical levels are outside of a normal range.
Water Quality Investigations Conducted in the Watershed
Water quality investigations have been conducted inside the City of Durham City limits since 1993. As
the Third Fork Creek watershed is located in a central part of Durham near downtown, there have been
many investigations conducted in this watershed. Also, this part of the City of Durham has both older
infrastructure and high levels of new and re -development in recent years, causing the number of
investigations to increase in Third Fork Creek. Typical types of investigations conducted in Third Fork
Creek include, but are not limited to, sanitary sewer overflows, construction related discharges
(sediment, concrete, paint, etc.), cooking grease, trash, and yard waste.
Outfall Screening
Purpose/Objective
The City's dry weather outfall screening program is implemented to detect, trace, and eliminate sources
of illicit discharges. The WQU conducts outfall screenings during two sessions each year: 1) during the
fall -winter months (October through March) and 2) during the summer months (July through August).
Formal dry weather outfall screening during the fall -winter months has been conducted each year since
2008. Screening during the summer months began in 2014. Over the past five years, dry weather
screening has been conducted by the City in twelve different watersheds.
The City also conducts a separate, year-round program of dry weather screening of industrial outfalls.
That program targets outfalls associated with industrial facilities. The results of industrial dry weather
outfall screening are reported in the City's NPDES Annual Report.
Brief Methodology
Field staff follow the best practices and procedures for outfall screening and monitoring. When flow is
observed at an outfall, chemical properties are measured using a pH/conductivity pen, YSI ODO meter,
and CHEMetrics kit. If any of the tested parameters are considered to be outside of the normal range,
standard IDDE techniques are followed in an attempt to determine a source of the discharge, and a
Water Quality Investigation is usually initiated.
Outfall Screening in the Watershed
Outfalls located in the Third Fork Creek watershed have been monitored in the 2010 — 2011, 2015 —
2016, 2016 — 2017, 2017 — 2018 outfall screening season, and partially in the 2012 — 2013 season.
Special Studies
Sampling sites in the Third Fork Creek watershed have been utilized for six special studies that have
focused on a wide variety of topics. A brief description of each study is included below.
Ambient Chemistry Split Study
The Ambient Chemistry Split Study is a reoccurring Quality Assurance (QA) study conducted to
determine inter -laboratory variability by reviewing the comparative results on analysis conducted by
multiple laboratories. This study also helps to provide additional QA to Water Quality group data. This
study is conducted by sending identical samples to multiple laboratories to have the same pre -selected
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parameters analyzed. The 2010 and 2017 studies collected samples as a "true split" and the 2008 and
2012 studies collected samples "concurrently". A "true split" sample is done by collecting the total
needed sample volume and pulling aliquots for each laboratory. A sample collected "concurrently" is
done by having two field staff members collect a sample at the surface by direct dip simultaneously. The
sites selected for each of the Split Studies varies depending on which ambient sites are being sampled at
the time and they are chosen to give a range of relative concentration conditions based on data from
previous years. Ambient Chemistry Split Studies samples were collected at six AMP sites within the Third
Fork Creek Watershed, TFO.OTC, TF2.OTCTC, TF3.4TC, TF4.4TC, TF5.1RC, TF6.5RCUT in 2008.
Ambient Sediment Bacteria Study
The Ambient Sediment Bacteria Study was conducted quarterly from July 2009 to April 2010 to quantify
the re -suspension of fecal coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels in stream sediment. Specifically,
this study surveyed bacteria concentrations in stream sediment to determine the extent of bacteria in
benthic sediment, and if benthic sediment might affect bacteria levels found in surface waters. Thirteen
sites were monitored for the study, three of those sites were in the Third Fork Creek Watershed
(TF4.4TC, TF5.1RC, and TF5.6TC). An initial goal of the project was to determine if a relationship existed
between sediment and surface water levels of fecal coliform bacteria. This initial goal was expanded to
include E. coli and Enterococcus spp. to account for potential future changes to the NC Water Quality
Standards for microbiological indicators.
Benthic Split Sampling Study
This study was designed to provide information on the feasibility and accuracy of using the Qualitative
4 (Qual 4) benthic macroinvertebrate sampling methodology for assessing stream health in Triassic
streams rather than the more time -intensive standard qualitative benthic macroinvertebrate sampling
methodology (Full Scale). In this study WQU staff conducted side -by -side split benthic
macroinvertebrate sampling protocols for both the Full Scale and Qual 4 sampling methods and
analyzed the results to see if there was a stream assessment rating difference. The results of this
study supported the recommendation to use the Qual 4 method at all small to medium-sized Triassic
Basin streams (<20 miz drainage area), instead of the Full Scale method. Benthic macroinvertebrate
samples were collected for this study at TF1.2TC and TFI.OTC.
Long Term Stream Flow Study
The Long Term Stream Flow Monitoring has been conducted continuously since 2013 and is currently
still ongoing at the time this report was written. The purpose of this project is to collect streamflow data
that supported the evaluation and validation of hydrologic modeling projects in the sub -watersheds
where the data loggers are deployed. This study provides 15-minute stream stage intervals or water
level and temperature monitoring at multiple sub -watersheds located in the City of Durham. Sampling
sites and data collection procedures for this project have been altered multiple times throughout the
lifespan of the project, however, currently, there are two instream sampling locations and one
atmospheric location associated with the project. During the beginning stages of this project, there were
two sampling sites located in the Third Fork Creek watershed, TF5.6TC and TF6.5RCUT. However, data
were only collected at these two sample sites for a short time (4 — 5 months) and were dropped.
Nutrient Loading Study
The Nutrient Loading study was conducted semi-monthly from January 2010 to May 2011. The
purpose of the Nutrient Loading Study was to generate nutrient data to be used in conjunction with
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nutrient data collected from ambient monitoring and discharge data (calculated from flow monitoring
or applicable USGS gauges). These data were compiled to determine nutrient loads from the
applicable watersheds. Six sites were monitored for this study, with one site (TFO.OTC) in the Third
Fork Creek Watershed.
Rain Catchers Project
The purpose of the Rain Catchers Project was to generate monitoring data to measure and evaluate the
water quality benefits of residential Low -Impact -Development (LID) retrofits (tress, rain barrels, rain
gardens, etc.) in the South Ellerbe Creek watershed in Durham. This was accomplished by monitoring
storm systems, surface water hydrology, and water quality before and after the installation of LID
practices. Therefore, this project was split into two parts. The pre -installation data were collected from
2011— 2013 and the post -installation data were collected from 2016 — 2017. A portion of the Third Fork
Creek watershed was selected as a "control watershed" for this project. Comprehensive, monthly water
quality data and one-time periphyton samples were collected at TF5.6TC, and storm samples and
hydrology data were collected at the one-time special studies site TF - Arenette as well as at TF5.6TC.
Desk Studies Completed by the Water Quality Group
Benthic Functional Feeding Groups
The functional feeding group analysis was primarily an attempt to determine if streams supported their
expected group of organisms; functional feeding groups were based on morpho-behavioral mechanisms
of food acquisition rather than taxonomy and provide links to basic food resource categories, such as
coarse particulate matter, fine particulate matter, periphyton, and prey. Data utilized for this project
includes collections from 2003 to 2009. Data from 2004-2007 were collected during the summer
months. During 2009, some sites were sampled during the summer and some were sampled during the
winter/spring to evaluate seasonal sampling strategies. The functional feeding group analysis used data
generated from macroinvertebrate collections from 20 sampling locations, two of which were located in
the Third Fork Creek Watershed (TFO.OTC and TF1.2TC).
A Habit Type Analysis (HTA) was also conducted on data collected at the Third Fork Creek sampling
locations. The habitat type analysis was performed in March 2010 using ambient benthic monitoring
data from June 2003 to June 2009. The purpose of the HTA is to help elucidate the flow conditions and
types of habit available to aquatic organisms and is based on the method of locomotion that an
organism employs.
Sediment Data Study Report
The sediment data study report was prepared by the WQU to summarize available stream sediment
chemistry data from monitoring locations within Durham County and four surrounding counties
(Chatham, Granville, Orange, and Wake). Streambed sediment samples were collected from 123
monitoring locations by the City of Durham, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the Duke
University Bernhardt Lab. These samples were analyzed for general categories of stream sediment
properties including biological, chemical, and physical parameters. Summary statistics for the different
sediment properties were also provided in this report and include the general categories of bacteria,
metals, nutrients, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides,
other organic compounds, and sediment characteristics, such as density and grain size. Six of the 123
monitoring locations for this project were located in the Third Fork Creek Watershed.
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Water Quality Data Collected by Other City of Durham Units
Watershed Group (Bank Pin Erosion)
The Watershed group worked in conjunction with Kimley Horn and Wildlands Engineering to install and
monitor bank pins at 16 different sites to determine bank erosion rates throughout the City of Durham.
The bank pins were installed in 2014 and during the initial filed visits both near -bank stress (NBS) and
Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) were categorized as low, moderate, high, very high, or extreme to
track the changes. The bank pin sites were located all over the City with two of the sites located on Third
Fork Creek (Weaver St, and Dakota St). Kimley Horn and Wildlands Engineering conducted the fieldwork
from 2014 — 2020, while the WQU conducted the fieldwork in 2019. The Weaver St. site was also the
location for root dendrogeomorphology sample collected in 2019 that was summarized as a part of the
bank pin erosion report.
Site Descriptions
In general, City of Durham sample site names are characterized by an abbreviation that designates the
watershed, general stream mile, and creek name. For example, TF5.1RC is in the Third Fork Creek
watershed, approximately 5.1 stream miles upstream of the confluence with New Hope Creek, and is
located on Rock Creek. The lower the stream mile, the lower the position the site is in the watershed.
A synopsis of each monitoring site is included below.
Sampling Sites
TFO.OTC — Highway 751 is located on the main stem of Third Fork Creek at the crossing of NC Hwy 751.
This location is the closest monitoring site to the confluence of New Hope Creek. This site was a
comprehensive and nutrient loading site that was part of the AMP and sampled every year from 2004 to
2017. In 2018 this site was dropped and was replaced by a new monitoring site (TFI.OTC) to make the
nutrient loading calculations more accurate as the new location is closer to the USGS gage located on
Woodcroft Pkwy. TFO.OTC is an active benthic monitoring site that is sampled on the even years and has
benthic data going back to 2002. Additionally, TFO.OTC was part of the Benthic Split Sampling Study with
benthic and habitat data collected in 2008 and 2010. Finally, TFO.OTC was also a site in the Nutrient
Loading Study where physical and chemical data were collected from 2010 to 2011.
TFO.7TC — NC Highway 55 is located on the main stem of Third Fork Creek at the crossing of NC Highway
55. TFO.7TC was a comprehensive sampling site part of the ambient program for one year in 2009, after
which it was dropped.
TFI.OTC — Woodcroft Parkway is located on the main stem of Third Fork Creek upstream of the crossing
of Woodcroft Parkway. This is an active comprehensive sampling and nutrient loading site where data
have been collected yearly starting in 2018. This nutrient loading site replaced TFO.OTC to be closer to
the USGS stream gage located on the upstream side of Woodcroft Parkway which collects discharge
measurements used to calculate nutrient loading at this location.
TF1.2TC — Roxboro Street is located on the main stem of Third Fork Creek downstream of the crossing of
Roxboro Street. This monitoring location was a 'benthic only' site where benthic macroinvertebrate
collections and habitat assessments were collected from 2003 to 2012. Additionally, this location was
part of the Benthic Split Sampling Study conducted from 2009 — 2010. This site is no longer an active
benthic sampling location.
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TF2.OTCTC — Tributary C at Hope Valley Road and Rugby Road is located near the intersection of Rugby
Road and Hope Valley Road on the upstream side of where Tributary C of Third Fork Creek intersects
Hope Valley Road. TF2.OTCTC was a comprehensive site where samples were collected from 2008 — 2010
and in 2012 and 2014. This site was dropped in 2016 as the location was difficult to access and collect a
representative sample.
TF2.5TCTC — Tributary C at Dover Road and Coventry Road is located on Tributary C of Third Fork Creek
in the Hope Valley Golf Course just upstream of the Dover Road crossing. This site is currently active and
has been an even year comprehensive sampling site since 2016.
TF3.4TC — MLK Jr Parkway at the Public Works Operation Center is located on the main stem of Third
Fork Creek just upstream of the MLK Jr Parkway crossing. This site is an active comprehensive sampling
site sampled on even years since 2008. TF3.4TC was recently designated as a nutrient loading site in
2020 due to the addition of a USGS rain and stage gage that was installed at this location in 2018.
Therefore, starting in 2020 this site will be sampled every year.
TF4.4TC — Weaver Street is located on the main stem of Third Fork Creek approximately 100 feet
upstream of Weaver Street crossing. This an active, comprehensive site that was monitored every year
from 2004 — 2009 and on the even years from 2010 to the present. This site also had physical and
chemical sediment data collected as part of the Ambient Sediment Bacteria Project that was conducted
quarterly from July 2009 to April 2010.
TF5.1RC — Rock Creek at Elmira Avenue is located on the Rock Creek tributary of Third Fork Creek just
upstream of the Elmira Avenue crossing. This site has been a comprehensive site every year from 2004 —
2010 and on the even years from 2016 — present. Additionally, physical and chemical sediment data
were collected at this site quarterly from July 2009 — April 2010 as part of the Ambient Sediment
Bacteria project.
TF5.3 RC — Rock Creek at Corona Street is located on the Rock Creek tributary of Third Fork Creek just
upstream of the pedestrian bridge at the end of Corona Street. This site was a comprehensive sample
site in 2012 and 2014. The site was dropped as access to the creek was difficult due to highly eroded
stream banks. TF5.3RC was also part of the Long Term Stream Flow Study from 2013 -2015 where stage
data were collected by a flow logger. However, the flow logger was removed from this site as it was
constantly displaced and also due to the accessibility issues.
TF5.4TC — Forestwood Drive is located on the main stem of Third Fork Creek across from Forestwood
Drive, approximately 400 feet downstream from the Forest Hills Boulevard crossing. This is a
comprehensive site that was added at the beginning of 2020 to replace the sampling site TF5.6TC.
TF5.6TC — Forest Hills Boulevard is located on an unnamed tributary of Third Fork Creek in the Forest
Hills park approximately 100 feet downstream of the University Drive crossing. This was a
comprehensive site with samples collected every year from 2004 — 2009 and on the even years from
2010 — 2018. This site was dropped in 2020 due to a large tree that fell near the sample location which
altered the stream channel and made the site difficult to safely access. This site was replaced by
TF5.4TC. TF5.6TC was also part of the Ambient Sediment Bacteria Study where chemical and physical
sediment samples were collected monthly from July 2009 to April 2010. Additionally, TF5.6TF was briefly
part of the Long Term Stream Flow study and had stage data collected from a deployed pressure
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transducer from January 2013 — April 2013. Finally, TF5.4TC was also a site sampled for the Rain
Catchers Project that was conducted in 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2017. Data collected for the Rain Catchers
Project consisted of extensive monthly water quality parameters as well as multiple storm sampling
events.
TF6.5RCUT — Unnamed Tributary of Rock Creek at Sima Avenue is located on an unnamed tributary of
Rock Creek just off Sima Avenue inside Burton Park downstream of a pedestrian footbridge. This site is
the furthest up in the Third Fork Creek watershed and is a comprehensive site that has been sampled
every year from 2004 — 2009 and on the even years from 2010 — 2020. TF6.5RCUT was also briefly part
of the Long Term Stream Flow Study where stage data were collected from a deployed pressure
transducer from January 2013 — May 2013.
TF-Arnette — Arnette Avenue is located on an unnamed tributary of Third Fork Creek near the
intersection of Yancey Street and Arnette Avenue. This site was a storm sampling only site that was part
of the Rain Catchers Project where storm samples were collected in 2011, 2013, 2016, ad 2017.
Monitoring Conducted by the North Carolina Department of Water
Resources (NCDWR)
Ambient Monitoring Systems
The Ambient Monitoring Systems (AMS) Program conducted by NCDWR consists of a network of stations
established to provide site -specific, long-term water quality information on significant rivers, streams,
and estuaries throughout the state. Chemical, physical, and bacterial data are collected at each sampling
location. The program has been active for over forty years. Stations are visited at least quarterly for the
collection of a variety of physical, chemical, and bacterial samples and measurements. Currently, there
are 329 active AMS stations, one of which (B3025000) is located in the Third Fork Creek watershed at
the intersection with NC Highway 55. Specific information regarding methodology and QA/QC details
can be found in the Ambient Monitoring Systems (AMS) Program QAPP (NCDWR, 2017). Data from the
AMS project are used to support DWR water quality management programs, identify long-term
temporal patterns, and identify locations where exceedances of State Water Quality Standards have
occurred. These data can be accessed through the National Water Quality Monitoring Council's Water
Quality Portal found at https://www.watergualitvdata.us//.
Monitoring Conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
The USGS conducts streamflow and precipitation monitoring at two sites in the Third Fork Creek
watershed. Streamflow monitoring data are collected at Third Fork Creek at Woodcroft Parkway
(TFI.OTC) and at Third Fork Creek at MLK Parkway (TF3.4TC). Precipitation data are also collected at
Third Fork Creek at MLK Parkway (TF3.4TC). The City of Durham uses streamflow and precipitation data
from these sites for the calculation of pollutant loads and to provide data for model inputs. The City of
Durham funds these gages with a partial match from the USGS.
Streamflow Monitoring
Streamflow monitoring has been conducted at TFI.OTC (USGS 02097280) since August 2008. The
monitoring station is currently active and is located on Third Fork Creek on the upstream side of the
Woodcroft Parkway bridge.
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Streamflow monitoring has been conducted at THATC (USGS 0209725960) since June 2017. The
monitoring station is currently active and located on Third Fork Creek on the upstream side of the MLK
Parkway bridge. Stage height (feet) and discharge (ft3/second) are collected every 15 minutes.
Data for TFLOTC can be accessed at:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/inventory/?site no=02097280&agency cd=USGS
Data for THATC can be accessed at:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/inventory/?site no=0209725960&agency cd=USGS
Precipitation Monitoring
Precipitation monitoring has been conducted at THATC (USGS 0209725960) since June 2017. The
monitoring station is currently active and located on Third Fork Creek on the upstream side of the MLK
Parkway bridge. Precipitation data (inches) is recorded every 15 minutes. Data can be accessed at:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv/?site no=0209725960&PARAmeter cd=00045
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Appendix A. Summary Data Table for Data Collected in Third Fork Creek
Table begins on the following page.
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Status
Project Association(s)
TFO.OTC
INACTIVE
TFO.7TC
INACTIVE
TFI.OTC
ACTIVE
TF1.2TC
INACTIVE
TF2.OTCTC
INACTIVE
AM, AS, BE, NL, FF
AM
AM
BE, FF
AM, AS
AM = Ambient, AS = Ambient Split Study, BE = Benthic, NIL = Nutrient Loading, ASB = Ambient Sediment Bacteria, SF = Long Term Stream Flow, RC =
Rain Catchers, FF = Benthic Functional Feeding
Physical
Conductivity
Flow
Physical Sediment Data
Stage Readings
Total Suspended Solids
Turbidity
Water Temperature
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
Chemical
Alkalinity
Aluminum, Total and Dissolved
Ammonia
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Cadmium, Total
Calcium, Total
Chemical Sediment Data
Chloride
Copper, Total and Dissolved
Dissolved Oxygen
Fluoride
Hardness
Iron, Total and Dissolved
Manganese, Total and Dissolved
Magnesium, Total
Nitrate + Nitrite
Organic Carbon, Total
pH
Phosphorus, Total
Potassium
Sodium
Sulfate
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Zinc, Dissolved
Zinc, Total
2008
-
2008
-
-
-
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2007 - 2011
2009
2008-2010
2007 -2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
-
-
-
-
-
-
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
-
-
-
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
-
-
-
2007 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
-
-
-
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
-
-
-
-
-
-
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
-
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
-
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2016
-
2018 - present
-
-
Biological
E. Coli
Enterococcus spp.
Fecal Coliform
Macroinvertebrates
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2004 - 2017
2009
2018 - present
-
2008 - 2010, 2012, 2014
2002 - present
-
2003 - 2012
-
Page 12 of 14

Status
TF2.5TCTC
ACTIVE
TF3.4TC
ACTIVE
TF4.4TC
ACTIVE
TF5.1RC
INACTIVE
Project Association(s)
AM
AM, AS
AM, AS, ASB
AM, AS, ASB
AM = Ambient, AS = Ambient Split Study, BE = Benthic, NL = Nutrient Loading, ASB = Ambient Sediment Bacteria, SF = Long Term Stream Flow, RC = Rain
Catchers, FF = Benthic Functional Feeding
Physical
Conductivity
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2004 - 2009, 2010 - present (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2016 - present (even years)
Flow
-
-
-
-
Physical Sediment Data
-
2009-2010
2009-2010
Stage Readings
-
-
Total Suspended Solids
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Turbidity
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2004 - 2009, 2010 - present (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2016 - present (even years)
Water Temperature
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2004 - 2009, 2010 - present (even years)
2004 — 2010, 2016 - present (even years)
Chemical
Alkalinity
-
2008
-
2006
Aluminum, Total and Dissolved
-
-
-
-
Ammonia, Total
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Cadmium, Total
-
2008-2010
-
2006
Calcium, Total
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years))
2005 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Chemical Sediment Data
2009-2010
2009-2010
Chloride
-
-
Copper, Total and Dissolved
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Dissolved Oxygen
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2004 - 2009, 2010 - present (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2016 - present (even years)
Fluoride
-
-
-
Hardness
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Iron, Total and Dissolved
Manganese, Total and Dissolved
Magnesium, Total
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2005 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Nitrate/Nitrite
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Organic Carbon, Total
-
-
2009-2010
2009-2010
pH
2O16 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2004 - 2009, 2010 - present (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2016 - present (even years)
Phosphorus, Total
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Potassium
Sodium
-
-
-
Sulfate
-
-
-
-
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Zinc, Dissolved
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2014 - present (even years)
2004 - 2006, 2016 - present (even years)
Zinc, Total
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2016 - present (even years)
2016 - present (even years)
Biological
E. Coli
2009-2010
2009-2010
Enterococcus spp.
-
2009-2010
2009-2010
Fecal Coliform
2016 — present (even years)
2008 - present (even years)
2004 - 2009, 2010 - present (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2016 - present (even years)
Macroinvertebrates
-
-
-
Page 13 of 14

Status
TF5.3RC
INACTIVE
TF5.4TC
ACTIVE
TF5.6TC
INACTIVE
TF5.6RCUT
ACTIVE
TF-Arnette
INACTIVE
Project Association(s)
AM, SF
AM
AM, SF, ASB, RC
AM, AS, SF
RC
AM = Ambient, AS = Ambient Split Study, BE = Benthic, NL = Nutrient Loading, ASB = Ambient Sediment Bacteria, SF = Long Term Stream Flow, RC = Rain
Catchers, FF = Benthic Functional Feeding
Physical
Conductivity
2012, 2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
-
Flow
2013 - 2015
-
2013
Physical Sediment Data
-
2009-2010
-
Stage Readings
2013 - 2015
-
-
2013
Total Suspended Solids
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Turbidity
2012, 2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
-
Water Temperature
2012, 2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
Chemical
Alkalinity
-
2006 - 2008, 2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
2006 -2008
-
Aluminum, Total and Dissolved
-
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
2016
2013, 2016 - 2017
Ammonia, Total
2014
2020 -present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 -present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 - present (even years)
-
Cadmium, Total
-
2006-2010
2006-2010
-
Calcium, Total
2014
2020 - present
2005 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Chemical Sediment Data
-
2009-2010
-
Chloride
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
Copper, Total and Dissolved
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Dissolved Oxygen
2012, 2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
-
Fluoride
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
Hardness
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 - present (even years)
2016-2017
Iron, Total and Dissolved
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
Manganese, Total and Dissolved
-
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
Magnesium, Total
2014
2020 - present
2005 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Nitrate/Nitrite
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Organic Carbon
-
20011 - 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
pH
2012,2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
-
Phosphorus, Total
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Potassium
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
Sodium
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
Sulfate
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2017
-
2013, 2016 - 2017
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Zinc, Dissolved
2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2006 - 2009, 2012 - present (even years)
2013, 2016 - 2017
Zinc, Total
-
2011- 2013, 2016 - 2018
2018-2020
2013, 2016 - 2017
Biological
E. Coli
2009-2010
-
-
Enterococcusspp.
-
2009-2010
-
Fecal Coliform
2012, 2014
2020 - present
2004 - 2009, 2010 - 2018 (even years)
2004 - 2010, 2012 - present (even years)
-
Macroinvertebrates
Page 14 of 14