20080868 Ver 2_Section I A Background 2020 PCS Creeks Report_20210701

I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background
In November 2000, PCS Phosphate Company, Inc. (PCS) applied for authorization to
continue its phosphate mining operations on the Hickory Point peninsula (NCPC Tract) adjacent
to the Pamlico River and South Creek once phosphate reserves were depleted under the 1997
permitted area for Alt E. In 2001, the environmental impact statement (EIS) process was begun
for mine continuation. The Corps established that it would be appropriate to consider holistic
mine plans that included more than one tract; PCS then proposed alternatives in two additional
tracts (Bonnerton and South of Route 33 [S33]). In January 2009, the NC Division of Water
Quality (now Division of Water Resources-NCDWR) issued PCS a 401 Water Quality
Certification (#2008-0868 version 2.0; Certification No. 3771) and in June of 2009, the Corps
issued PCS a 404 permit (Action ID 200110096) for activities associated with Modified
Alternative L (Mod Alt L) which would occur over 35 years in the three tracts (Figure I-A1).
As the Mod Alt L mine advance continues temporary drainage basin reductions for
several small estuarine tributaries of South Creek and the Pamlico River, the 2009 USACE
permit and the North Carolina Division of Water Quality Certification contained conditions that
required the continuation of creeks monitoring required under the previous 1997 permit. To
detect any deleterious effects on these tributaries from the Mod Alt L advance, development of a
new creeks plan of study, expanded to include more creeks (from three to 13) and more
parameters, and formation of an advisory Science Panel were also required. The new creeks
plan of study was first approved in February 2011. After the first science panel meeting (2012)
and discussion of the first annual report produced under the new plan of study (2011 year),
additional revisions and clarifications were incorporated into the creeks plan of study which was
finalized in September 2012. Table I -Al shows the monitoring by parameter for each creek and
Table I-A2 shows the monitoring parameters, equipment type or field methods, and monitoring
frequency.
In April of 2012, the Corps approved a request made by PCS for a one-time modification
to Special Condition V of the 2009 permit/ROD to change the due date of the annual report from
1 May to 1 June 2012. In March of 2013, the Corps approved a request made by PCS to modify
Special Conditions V and W of the 2009 permit/ROD: Special Condition V was modified to allow
the annual creeks monitoring reports to be completed by 1 July (instead of 1 May) of the
following year and Special Condition W was modified to allow the Science Panel to meet no
later than 30 August of the following year (instead of 30 July). Recipients of the PCS Creeks
Monitoring Plan of Study were provided addendum pages to document these modifications.
In 2013, pre -Mod Alt L monitoring began in DCUT11 and its control creek, DCUT19,
both of which are tributaries to Durham Creek. A new salinity monitor was also added near the
downstream end of Durham Creek. With the Durham Creek watershed monitoring sites
included, all equipment is now in place to monitor the entire suite of locations and parameters
north of NC33 in the vicinity of the NCPC and Bonnerton tracts as specified in the final creeks
monitoring plan of study (16 monitoring locations, of which 13 are creeks monitored for multiple
parameters (six control creeks and seven impact creeks), and three locations serve as
additional control locations for water depth and salinity only).
Over the years of the PCS creeks study, rules for state -certified laboratories, laboratory
method and/or laboratory equipment, or field equipment has changed. Occasionally, laboratory
and/or field methods or equipment calibrations are refined, or changed to reflect either better
practices, or new equipment, or both. For this report, Appendix F and Appendix G of the 2011
final plan (CZR 2011; revised September 2012) were updated to reflect current office, field, and
I-A-1

laboratory methods, practices, and equipment. Both are included in Supplement 1 of this year's
report.
The plan to address Water Quality Certification Condition 13 and 404 Permit Condition S
requires monitoring of one of the South Creek tributary creeks in the South of Hwy 33 (S33)
mining tract. Efforts began to select the appropriate S33 impact creek to monitor, prepare a
monitoring plan, and submit a CAMA permit for new monitoring pier construction. Broomfield
Swamp Creek was selected as the monitored impact creek and a nearby unnamed tributary to
South Creek (SCUT1) as control. Mine progress into the Broomfield Swamp Creek drainage
area was projected to occur in the 2022-2023 timeframe. To confidently acquire at least five
years of pre -data, 2018 was the target year to begin; however, timing of final plan approval and
completion of the monitoring pier construction did not allow all data to be collected for the entire
year for each parameter. Supplement 2 of the 2018 report contained the final monitoring plan
for Broomfield Swamp Creek and raw data collected in 2018 (wetland hydrology, fish and
benthos, YSI hand-held water quality measurements taken during fish/benthos collections, and
ECU water quality samples from the most downstream proposed pier location in Broomfield
Swamp Creek and in SCUT1). Since not all parameters were collected for the entire year, no
analysis on the 2018 raw data was done; however, ECU laboratory results for the samples that
were collected were also included. The first pre -Mod Alt L year with complete data and
comparative or statistical analyses was 2019.
1.0 Drainage Basin Acreage Adjustments
Progress of the mine across a watershed is determined on an annual acreage
basis. As evident in Table I-A1, some monitoring parameters are collected once a year only
and others are collected throughout the year. Data collection for a parameter in a specific
watershed may occur prior to the mine progress through that watershed for that year or, in the
case of parameters collected throughout the year, mine progress through the watershed may
have affected only the data collected in the last portion of the calendar year. The NCDWQ (now
NCDWR) agreed during the previous PCS creeks study that "significant measurable results"
were not likely to be determined "until 10 percent or more of the basin was impacted." The 10
percent threshold was developed specifically for Alt E impacts in Tooley Creek yet remains an
important factor in the determination of the first post -Mod Alt L year in a given creek.
To determine the percentage of basin impact and to increase accuracy of
analysis, drainage basin quantification is recalculated annually at the end of each mine advance
year. Over the course of the creeks study, basin acreage calculations have been refined as
past basin alteration activities were uncovered and digital tools improved (e.g., LiDAR); the
2013 data analysis was no exception. In calculation of the percent impacts to assign 2013 as
pre- or post -Mod Alt L for a given creek (10 percent reduction threshold on current basin), it was
discovered that the drainage basins of the NCPC creeks had actually been reduced prior to Alt
E by the construction of a canal inside the Alt E boundary dug in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
This canal cut off the NCPC creeks from portions of their historic drainage basin and resulted in
several corrections. It reduced the historic basin acreage, the Alt E baseline acreage, and the
basin remaining after Alt E for each NCPC creek shown in previous annual reports. These
reductions affected the pre -Alt E and pre -Mod Alt L basins and subsequent percent reductions
shown for some creeks in previous annual reports.
This correction prompted PCS and CZR to re -consult the ROD and Science
Panel meeting notes for additional guidance on what is most appropriate to use as the "current"
basin for calculation of Mod Alt L percent reduction. For the new creeks added under the
expanded creeks plan of study, the "current" basin represents conditions prior to Mod Alt L and
after Alt E impacts; thus some years for creeks with longer data sets (Jacks Creek, Tooley
I-A-2

Creek, Muddy Creek, and Huddles Cut) were not included in the 2013 report evaluation of Mod
Alt L. Previously, construction of the perimeter canal has always been used as the first "impact"
to a creek. However, at the 2013 Science Panel meeting (2012 report), it was recognized that
in some creeks, prior to construction of the perimeter canal, there may be other mine
development activities in a basin which interrupt the surface flow of storm water downstream.
These other activities may include construction of perimeter berms or roads or an internal storm
water ditch. It was also agreed that there would be no effort to identify these activities
retroactively; such activities would be identified and used to determine first onset of impacts only
from 2013 forward.
2.0 Pre- and Post -Mod Alt L Year Data Set Revisions
As indicated above, some mine -related impacts may have occurred in previous
years, but basin reductions must exceed 10 percent of a creek basin before a year is included in
the post -impact data set for all parameters. However, in 2011, the Science Panel recognized
that of all the parameters, vegetation is the most likely to have a delayed response to mine
impacts and that vegetation would not be surveyed as the mine moved through a basin
(transition year[s]) nor the first year after the mine had progressed beyond the basin (post -
transition year). Therefore, the years of post -Mod Alt L vegetation in a creek do not always
match the post -Mod Alt L years for other parameters in the same creek.
At the August 2014 Science Panel meeting (2013 report), there was discussion
about the pre- and post -Mod Alt L arrangement of years used for 2013 report analysis (post- Alt
E years were considered baseline or "current condition" or pre -Mod Alt L, i.e., a creek was
presumed stabilized post -Alt E and pre -Alt E data were excluded). It was decided that the
Corps, NCDWR, PCS and CZR should meet to determine the most sensible arrangement of
data within the regulatory framework of the Section 404 permit/ROD and the NCDWR water
quality certification (monitor effects from mine continuation under the permitted Mod Alt L
boundary) and the scientific framework (more data is considered better even if not perfect).
This meeting occurred 15 January 2015 at the Corps' Washington NC regional office and also
included Dr. Dave Kimmel from East Carolina University.
The natural variability within and between these tributaries, acknowledgment of
transition years in response to impacts, the difficulty of interpretation of data in dynamic
systems, and the imperfection of the data (virtually no creek has been unaffected by prior mine
or other human activities), were important factors considered during the January 2015 meeting.
Since inclusion of all data increases the statistical power and is likely beneficial to the overall
question about stability of creek functions, despite data imperfections, it was determined at the
January 2015 meeting that all data years for each creek would be included in all future analysis
and data collected prior to Mod Alt L impacts will be considered pre -Mod Alt L. For some
creeks, this combines data from the years before impacts from Alt E, the years during impacts
of Alt E, and the years post -Alt E (potential years of "stabilization" to a reduced basin condition)
as pre -Mod Alt L data. In Huddles Cut, pre -Mod Alt L years include pre -Alt E years and during -
Alt E years but would lack any post -Alt E years because Alt E impacts stopped and Mod Alt L
impacts began in the same year (2010).
The final creeks study plan (CZR 2011; revised September 2012) indicated
vegetation data did not need to be collected every year and agencies had already agreed that
vegetation did not need to be sampled during the year(s) of impact to the drainage basin or the
first transition year post -impact (CZR 2014). At the August 2017 Science Panel meeting (2016
data report review) further clarifications were discussed about the interval between post -Mod Alt
L vegetation surveys. It was agreed that as originally planned, five years of pre -Mod Alt L
vegetation data would be collected when possible, that four years of post -Mod Alt L data would
I-A-3

be collected after the transition year(s), and that after four years of post -Mod Alt L vegetation
data collection the fifth year would be skipped. In a certified letter sent to USACE and NCDWR
on 12 September 2017, PCS made further clarifications on the frequency and proposed that
after the fifth year post -Mod Alt L (the first skipped year), that vegetation be surveyed every
other year until such time that the agencies or Science Panel members deem otherwise. At the
2018 Science Panel meeting (2017 data report review), the agencies agreed to the interval
described in the PCS September 2017 letter. A copy of the August 2018 USACE letter of
approval for the clarified vegetation monitoring interval was included in Supplement 1 of the
2018 report (CZR 2019).
At the August 2020 Science Panel meeting, to discuss the 2019 data collection
report, a need to change the equipment at two Huddles Cut data collection locations was
presented; it was proposed to replace the Aqua TROLLs at HS1 and HS2 in Huddles Cut with
Level TROLLs for depth (measurements every 1.5 hour) and handheld YSI meters for twice a
month salinity measurement at the HS1 and HS2 locations. The members of the Science Panel
endorsed the proposition and agency representatives requested a formal request be made for
this equipment change; PCS sent a formal request to agencies in a letter dated 12 November
2020. Approval was received from the USACE in January 2021 for adjustment of the sampling
methodology. From 2021 forward, water level data from the Level TROLLS at HS1 and HS2 will
be downloaded twice per month and salinity measured by handheld YSI meter. Salinity and
depth at HS3 will continue to be monitored by an Aqua TROLL as before.
As a result of the January 2015 decision, the 10 percent impact threshold, the
transition years for vegetation, the August 2017 discussion, and the September 2018
clarification, the summary data comparisons and analysis in this year's report are based on the
following:
• Broomfield Swamp Creek: pre -Mod Alt L years = 2019-2020 for
salinity, water quality, hydrology, fish, benthos, metals, and
vegetation.
• Jacks Creek: pre -Mod Alt L years = 1998-2005 and 2011-2014; post -
Mod Alt L years = 2015-2020. Only vegetation, metals, and benthos
data were available for evaluation from 1998. Incomplete data exist
for 1999 (flow, salinity, hydrology, metals, and water quality) and 2011
(flow, salinity, metals, and water quality). No vegetation data were
collected in 2015 or 2016 (transition years) and post -Mod Alt L
vegetation data were collected in 2017-2020.
• Jacobs Creek: pre -Mod Alt L years = 2011-2013; post Mod -Alt L years
= 2014-2020. Incomplete data exist for salinity and water quality in
2011, as the new monitoring plan was incrementally implemented.
Transition years for vegetation were 2014-2016 and post -Mod Alt L
vegetation data were collected in 2017-2020.
• Drinkwater Creek: pre -Mod Alt L years = 2011-2012; post Mod -Alt L
years = 2013-2020. Incomplete data exist for salinity and water
quality in 2011, as the new monitoring plan was incrementally
implemented, and no vegetation data were collected from 2012 (it was
anticipated to be an impact year, but by end of the year, less than 10
percent of the basin had been reduced). Transition years for
vegetation were 2013-2015 and post -Mod Alt L vegetation data were
I-A-4

collected in 2016-2019; per the 2018 clarification, 2020 was the first
skip year.
• Tooley Creek: pre -Mod Alt L years = 1998-2002, 2010 and 2011; post
Mod -Alt L years = 2012-2020. Only vegetation, metals, and benthos
data were available for evaluation from 1998. Only flow data and
portions of salinity, hydrology, and water quality data were available
from 2002. Incomplete data exist for 1999 (flow, salinity, hydrology,
metals, and water quality) and 2011 (vegetation; only eastern
drainage monitored due to hurricane debris). Post -Mod Alt L
vegetation data were collected in 2015-2018 and 2020; per the 2018
clarification, 2019 was the first skip year for vegetation.
• Huddles Cut: pre -Mod Alt L years = 1998-2002 and 2007-2009; post
Mod -Alt L years = 2010-2020. Only vegetation and metals data were
available for evaluation from 1998. Incomplete data exist for 1999
(flow, salinity, hydrology, metals, and water quality). Only flow data
and portions of salinity, hydrology, and water quality data were
available from 2002. Transition years for vegetation were 2010-2012.
Post -Mod Alt L vegetation data were collected (2013, 2014, and 2016-
2019); per the 2018 clarification, 2020 was the first skip year.
• Porter Creek: pre -Mod Alt L years = 2011-2015; post -Mod Alt L years
= 2016-2020. Transition years for vegetation included 2016-2018 and
the first post -Mod Alt L vegetation data were collected in 2019-2020.
• DCUT11: pre -Mod Alt L years = 2013-2017. This is the last NCPC or
Bonnerton tract creek permitted to be impacted by Mod Alt L.
Transition years for vegetation data were 2018 and 2019; 2020 was
the first post -Mod Alt L year those data were collected.

BONNE
F GF ND
CREEK
en1H CHEEK
9
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ccvmO_ CREEKS
INPAS:I CALKS
A
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1
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6ROOMFIELD BOW CREEK
7.000 F..l
9LI,uyoR? co" lr
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a5a1/C REEK s[L`2020
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Figure I -Al. Vicinity map of monitored creeks in the PCS creeks study.
I-A-6

Table I -Al . Pre- and post -Mod Alt L impact data collection by parameter and by creek per the 2011 plan of study. The year 2009 marked the end of Alt E activities and the beginning of Mod Alt L activities. Metals were
sampled in the water column and the sediment beginning in 2011; in earlier years only sediment was sampled.
Site/Parameter
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
J FMAMJJ A SONDJ
FMAMJJ A SONDJ
FMAMJ J A SONDJ
FMAMJ J A SONDJ
FMAMJ J A SONDJ
FMAMJ J A SONDJ
FMAMJ J A SONDJ
FMAMJ J A SOND
JFMAMJJ ASONDJFMAMJJ
ASONDJFMAMJJ
ASONDJFMAMJJ
ASONDJFMAMJJ
ASONDJFMAMJJ
ASOND
Broomfield Swamp Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
SCUT1 (control?
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
Jacks Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
V
f///////////////////////////�////�//�////�//�////�//�/�
I incomplete
////////%///////%///////%//////////%///////%///////%/////4/////%///////%///////%///////%f//////%///////%///////%//////%/
//%//////%///////%///////%//%//L//////%//////%//////%///U/A
r///%%////%//%////%//%////%///////�
/%//%////%//%////%//%////%//%////%///////%//////////////////////%/////////////////%/////////////////////////////////�/��//�/�///�/�///�/�///�//7
V.,
V/////A
VVA
t'/////4
rzzzC 1
r///A
❑
❑
V/////❑
❑
r///A
South Creek (control
cc
Water depth
Salinity
c l
O
Little Creek (control?
NO MONITOR!!
Salinity
Water quality
Fish
Benthos
Metals
�� y —1
P
I
II
Jacobs Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
Vj✓//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////.7
✓///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////�////////////////////////
V ////,ji
r/�/////.1
y�
l'////A
PA2 (control
Salinity
Water quality
Fish
Benthos
Metals
1
I
MI
A
Drinkwater Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
✓////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////// ///4
/�%//7
V //7
e A
Ino data
[®
r..i...❑
0
pre -Mod Alt L
• post -Mod Alt L
el control creek
I -A-7

Table I -Al (continued).
Site/Parameter
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Broomfield Swamp Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Meals
/////////////////////////////////////////////A
///////A7///////////////////////////////A7/////////////
7/////// ///////////////////////////////
////////////7
7/////////V////////////////V///////////V//////////�
M
V,❑
SCUT 1 (control)
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
•
IIIIIIIIII,
III
II■
ill
IIIIIIIIII 1
III
1.1
Jacks Creek
%////////////////////V7////////////////////V7//////////
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
MV ///�//
%/.//.'I//�/./
X%//%%%f
/%//
❑
❑
❑
MI
III
I transition I
I transition I
.
Y////A
r////4
I
I
r 1
1 1
rm[A
❑
III
❑
❑
South Creek (ccntrd)
Water depth
Salinity
Little Creek (control)
`
Salinity
Water quality
Fish
Benthos
Metals
III
❑
III
4
III
4
III
I♦
I
III
MI
❑
III
■
MI
❑
I■
Jacobs Creek
Flow A///////////////////�
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
4
(//,/////////////////////�
//%/////////////////////
I■
❑
WI
I
LI
❑
MI
LI
I■
MI
I transition I
I transition I
I transition I
-
.
MI
I
ey❑
❑
❑
MI
li
PA2 (control)
Salinity
Water quality
Fish
Benthos
Metals
•
MI
1=I
•
I♦
I=
•
MI
I=1
III
MI
1
III
MI
I
I
O1=I
D
0
D
❑
NI
■
Drinkwater Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
i
M
.
MI
I,
Ul
MI
.
IIII.
U
MI
III
U
MI
II
•
Ul
MI
II
III
I transition I
I transition I
I transition I
=I
III
I■
=I
III
I■
U
VA
pre -Mod Alt L ■ post -Mod Alt L
1.1 control creek
I-A-8

Table I -Al (continued).
Site/Parameter
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004 2005
71NG OCCURRED IN 2006
T
M
.I m N
> O
III
O
Z
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
J FMAMJJASONDJ
F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J FMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJ
A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Long Creek (control)
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
111
1
Tooley Creek
pTT/y
❑
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water lelel
Water quality
Vegetation""'
Fish
Benthos
Metals
i//////////////////////lli�////////////////////lli,%//////////////////////////lli�///////////////////////////lli�//////////////////////////lli�//////////////////////////lli�///////////////////lli�//////////////////.�
i/������������������////L/ /
// /L /..:'//
/L A
I incomplete
7/ .4/
incomplete
� !,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
;,,,,
,,, ,,,,, ;,,,, J
/////////////////////l///&7./
//lG%
////////////////////lG%//7//////////////i
V/ /i%/
/ /i%�����
����������������/i%/ A
UM
UZI
I transition I
❑
❑
❑
❑
•
■
Muddy Creekcontroq
❑
❑
•
•
MI
•
1.1
MI
•
III
M
•
•
MI
•
III
MI
•
•
•
•
•
•
I
•
1
I
•
❑
•
•
Fish
Benthos
Metals
I no data I
III
Pam ico River (control)
Water depth
Salinity
O� _
z
,W
O
Huddles Cut
z
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
rr///////////////////.
//lGr////////////////////lGr////////////////////////////lGr//%/////////////////////////lGr///////////////////////////lGr///////.
///////////////////lGr////////%/////////..&-r////////////////,1
l/ ///
//
/
I
I
.d
r////////////////////
////%/////////////////////%/////////////////////////////�%//
/Ai
incomplete
i ,
incomplete
....�
p7TT/
pT�TA ■
r GJ
'�.000a
I transition I
I transition I
I transition
P7T7TI77h
PTT�77h
erj
•
In
❑
❑
•
1.1
Porter Creek
//////li'e//////////li'e///
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
Fr
///////////////////i%//////////////////////i%/////
V//
/////////////////ZW/ /
Ul
59,
PA
VA
pre -Mod Alt L
1■ post -Mod Alt L 1■ control creek
I-A-9

Table I -Al (continued).
Site/Parameter
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
J F MA MJ J ASONDJ
FMAMJJ ASONDJ
FMAMJJ ASONDJ
FMAMJ J ASONDJ
FMAMJ J ASONDJ
FMAMJJ ASONDJ
FMAMJJ ASONDJ
FMAMJ J ASOND
Long Creek (control)
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
1
P
P
P
P
•
1W
MI
P
P
P
I
•
❑
•
•
❑
_
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
Tooley Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
I I
I
I
I I I
AL
❑
❑
I transition I
I transition I
I skip I
I skip
I
•
L
•
1.1
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
III❑
❑
Muddy Creek (control)
•
❑
❑
❑
•
III
•
el
❑
Fish
Benthos
Metals
�
�M
II
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
Pamlico River (control)
damaged
pier- no data Oct
2018-Dec 2019
Water depth
Salinity
IIIHurricane
111
Huddles Cut
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
I
1
I I
i
I=
411
•
•
I skip I
I1
I1
Il
•
.
•
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
Porter Creek
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water level
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
iliiliiiliiiliiiliiiliiiliiiliiiiiliiiliiiliiiliiiliiiliiiliiilA
F �t ����������������������������i%/r������������������������������A
27 ff��ff��ff��ff��ff��ff��ff/f��/�fffA
(Mt/ A
I transition I
I transition I
I transition I
li
WI
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
pre -Mod Alt L
. post -Mod Alt L . control creek
I-A-10

Table I -Al (concluded).
Site/Parameter
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
J FMAMJJASONDJ
FMAMJ JASONDJ
FMAMJ J ASONDJ
FMAMJ JASONDJ
FMAMJ JASONDJ
FMAMJ JASONDJ
FMAMJ JASONDJ
FMAMJ J ASONDJ
FMAMJ JASONDJ
FMAMJ J ASOND
Durham Creek (control)
Water depth
Salinity
'
MI
MI
DCUT11
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water law!
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
/
/// /
/ /
///
r
A
V A
r A
transition
transition
11
I�
ir
DCUT19 (control)
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water lewl
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
I
NO
11
ID
no data
no data
11
i
Duck Creek (control)
Flow
Salinity
Wetland water lewl
Water quality
Vegetation
Fish
Benthos
Metals
III
11
111
111
11
111
11
no data
11
111
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
Pr A
pre -Mod Alt L
Ulpost -Mod Alt L control creek
I-A-11

Table I-A2. Monitored parameters, equipment, and frequency of data collection. Water quality samples
are collected and Aqua TROLLs are downloaded every two weeks. Rain gauges and Level TROLLs are
downloaded once a month.
Parameter
Methods/Equipment
Frequency
Hydrology - shallow groundwater/surface water
Wetland hydrology - alluvial bottomland
Estuarine/creek water levels
Flow events
LeveITROLLs
AquaTROLLs
Observation
Every 1.5 hours/monthly field check
Every 1.5 hours/2 week field check
Monthly field check
Water Quality
Salinity/conductivity/temperature
Total dissolved phosphorus
Dissolved orthosphosphate
Ammonium nitrogen
Nitrate nitrogen
Dissolved Kjeldahl nitrogen
Particulate nitrogen
Particulate phosphorus
Chlorophyll a
Total organic carbon (TOC)
Particulate organic carbon (POC)
Total dissolved nitrogen (TDN)
Metals in water
(Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo Se, Zn)
Metals in sediment
(Al, Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Se, Zn)
AquaTROLLs
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Field to lab
Every 1.5 hours/2 week field check
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
Every 2 weeks
August
August
Rainfall by major basin
Texas Electronic TR-525USW
Continuous; every 0.1 inch
Benthos - estuarine
Ponar and sweep
May
Fish - estuarine
Otter trawl/fyke net
Weekly - April thru June
Vegetation - alluvial bottomland
Transects w/herb and shrub plots
Late growing season - Aug/Sept2
In -situ water quality parameters
Monitored in conjunction with
fish/benthos sampling, and/or
water quality sample collections
- water temperature
- dissolved oxygen
- conductivity
- specific conductivity
- salinity
- pH
- turbidity w/WQ
- secchi depth w/fish/benthos
- water depth w/fish/benthos
- percent SAV visible w/fish/benthos
YSI handheld
YSI handheld
YSI handheld
YSI handheld
YSI handheld
YSI handheld
Turbidimeter
Secchi disc
Tape measure
Visual
Weekly with fish collections
Spring with benthos collections
Every two weeks w/WQ collections
1Low flow gauges removed from Porter Creek
2Not all creeks are monitored every year.
and Duck Creek; production of additional units unlikely
I-A-12