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Home My WebLink AboutTOC_Broad_03BROAD RIVER BASINWIDE WATER QUALITY PLAN March 2003 Prepared by: NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Water Quality Section Planning Branch 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 (919) 733-5083 ext. 354 This document was approved and endorsed by the NC Environmental Management Commission on February 13, 2003 to be used as a guide by the NC Division of Water Quality in carrying out its Water Quality Program duties and responsibilities in the Broad River basin. This plan is the first five-year update to the Broad River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan approved by the NC Environmental Management Commission in July 1998. Table of Contents i TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................xi Section A - General Basinwide Information...................................................................................1 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning.....................................................2 1.1 What is Basinwide Water Quality Planning?.............................................................. 2 1.2 Goals of Basinwide Water Quality Planning............................................................... 2 1.3 Major Components of the Basinwide Plan.................................................................. 4 1.4 Benefits of Basinwide Water Quality Planning........................................................... 4 1.5 How to Get Involved.................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Other References.......................................................................................................... 5 1.7 Division of Water Quality Functions and Locations................................................... 6 Chapter 2 - Broad River Basin Overview.......................................................................................8 2.1 General Overview........................................................................................................ 8 2.2 Local Governments and Planning Jurisdictions in the Basin.................................... 10 2.3 Surface Water Hydrology.......................................................................................... 10 2.4 Land Cover................................................................................................................. 12 2.5 Population and Growth Trends.................................................................................. 15 2.6 Natural Resources...................................................................................................... 19 2.6.1 Public Lands in the Broad River Basin......................................................... 19 2.6.2 Ecological Significance of the Broad River Basin....................................... 20 2.6.3 Rare Aquatic and Wetland-Dwelling Animal Species................................. 21 2.6.4 Significant Natural Heritage Areas in the Broad River Basin...................... 22 2.7 Permitted Wastewater and Stormwater Discharge Facilities .................................... 24 2.7.1 Wastewater Discharges in the Broad River Basin........................................ 24 2.7.2 Stormwater Discharges in the Broad River Basin........................................ 26 2.8 Animal Operations..................................................................................................... 27 2.9 Water Quantity Issues................................................................................................ 28 2.9.1 Local Water Supply Planning....................................................................... 28 2.9.2 Water Withdrawals....................................................................................... 29 2.9.3 Interbasin Transfers...................................................................................... 30 2.9.4 Minimum Streamflow................................................................................... 31 2.10 Physical Impacts to Wetlands and Streams............................................................... 32 Chapter 3 - Summary of Water Quality Information for the Broad River Basin .........................34 Table of Contents ii 3.1 General Sources of Pollution..................................................................................... 34 3.2 Description of Surface Water Classifications and Standards.................................... 35 3.3 DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Broad River Basin...................... 39 3.3.1 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring........................................................ 39 3.3.2 Fish Assessments.......................................................................................... 41 3.3.3 Aquatic Toxicity Monitoring........................................................................ 42 3.3.4 Lakes Assessment Program.......................................................................... 43 3.3.5 Ambient Monitoring System........................................................................ 44 3.4 Other Water Quality Research................................................................................... 45 3.5 Use Support Summary............................................................................................... 47 3.5.1 Introduction to Use Support.......................................................................... 47 3.5.2 Comparison of Use Support Ratings to Streams on the Section 303(d) List................................................................................................................ 48 3.5.3 Use Support Ratings for the Broad River Basin........................................... 49 Chapter 4 - Water Quality Issues Related to Multiple Watersheds in the Broad River Basin .....54 4.1 Overview....................................................................................................................54 4.2 Habitat Degradation................................................................................................... 54 4.2.1 Sedimentation............................................................................................... 54 4.2.2 Streambank Erosion and Loss of Riparian Vegetation................................. 57 4.2.3 Unpaved Rural Roads and Eroding Road Grades......................................... 58 4.2.4 Channelization.............................................................................................. 58 4.2.5 Recommendations for Reducing Habitat Degradation................................. 59 4.3 Fecal Coliform........................................................................................................... 60 4.4 Urban Runoff............................................................................................................. 61 4.4.1 Rural Development....................................................................................... 62 4.4.2 Urbanization.................................................................................................. 62 4.4.3 Stormwater Regulations................................................................................ 63 4.4.4 Recommendations......................................................................................... 63 4.5 Golf Courses.............................................................................................................. 64 4.6 Protecting Headwaters............................................................................................... 65 4.7 Instream Mining Operations...................................................................................... 66 4.8 Color Reduction Strategy........................................................................................... 67 4.9 Cleveland County Schools’ NPDES Permits............................................................. 69 4.10 On-Site Wastewater Treatment.................................................................................. 69 4.10.1 Reasons for Septic System Failure............................................................... 70 4.10.2 Straight Piping.............................................................................................. 71 4.10.3 On-Site System Inspections and Permitting in the Broad River Basin........ 71 4.10.4 Recommendations......................................................................................... 72 4.11 Water Quality Impacts from Dams............................................................................ 73 4.12 Priority Issues for the Next Five Years...................................................................... 74 4.12.1 Strategies for Restoring and Protecting Impaired Waters............................ 74 4.12.2 Addressing Waters on the State’s Section 303(d) List................................. 75 Table of Contents iii ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section B - Water Quality Data and Information by Subbasin.....................................................76 Chapter 1 - Upper Broad River Subbasin 03-08-01 Includes Lake Lure and Cove Creek..........................................................................77 1.1 Water Quality Overview............................................................................................ 77 1.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters................................ 80 1.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters....................................... 80 1.4 Section 303(d) Listed Waters .................................................................................... 80 1.5 Other Water Quality Concerns and Recommendations............................................. 81 1.5.1 Broad River................................................................................................... 81 1.5.2 Cedar Creek .................................................................................................. 81 1.6 Additional Issues within this Subbasin...................................................................... 82 1.6.1 Streams Where Volunteer Monitoring Results Indicate Water Quality Impacts.......................................................................................................... 82 1.6.2 Projected Population Growth........................................................................ 82 1.6.3 Phase II Stormwater Requirements .............................................................. 83 Chapter 2 - Broad River Subbasin 03-08-02 Includes middle portion of Broad River, Walnut Creek, Mountain Creek, lower Green River and Second Broad River........................................................................84 2.1 Water Quality Overview............................................................................................ 84 2.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters................................ 88 2.2.1 Walnut Creek................................................................................................ 88 2.2.2 Catheys Creek Hollands Creek ............................................................................................. 89 2.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters....................................... 90 2.4 Section 303(d) Listed Waters .................................................................................... 90 2.5 Other Water Quality Concerns and Recommendations............................................. 90 2.5.1 Broad River................................................................................................... 90 2.5.2 Mountain Creek............................................................................................ 91 2.5.3 Cleghorn Creek............................................................................................. 92 2.5.4 Green River................................................................................................... 92 2.5.5 White Oak Creek .......................................................................................... 93 2.5.6 Second Broad River Cane Creek Roberson Creek............................................................................................. 93 2.6 Additional Issues within this Subbasin...................................................................... 94 2.6.1 Rutherford County Source Water Protection Plan ....................................... 94 2.6.2 Projected Population Growth........................................................................ 95 2.6.3 NPDES Discharges....................................................................................... 95 Table of Contents iv Chapter 3 - Broad River Subbasin 03-08-03 Includes Green River drainage above Lake Adger....................................................96 3.1 Water Quality Overview............................................................................................ 96 3.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters................................ 99 3.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters....................................... 99 3.4 Section 303(d) Listed Waters .................................................................................... 99 3.5 Other Water Quality Concerns and Recommendations............................................. 99 3.5.1 Green River................................................................................................. 100 3.6 Additional Issues within this Subbasin.................................................................... 100 3.6.1 Streams Where Volunteer Monitoring Results Indicate Water Quality Impacts........................................................................................................ 100 3.6.2 Projected Population Growth...................................................................... 100 3.6.3 Phase II Stormwater Requirements ............................................................ 101 Chapter 4 - Broad River Subbasin 03-08-04 Includes First Broad River and lower portion of Broad River in NC......................102 4.1 Water Quality Overview.......................................................................................... 102 4.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters.............................. 106 4.2.1 Hickory Creek............................................................................................. 106 4.2.2 Brushy Creek .............................................................................................. 107 4.2.3 Beaverdam Creek........................................................................................ 107 4.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters..................................... 108 4.4 Section 303(d) Listed Waters .................................................................................. 108 4.5 Other Water Quality Concerns and Recommendations........................................... 108 4.5.1 Hinton Creek............................................................................................... 109 4.5.2 Knob Creek................................................................................................. 109 4.6 Additional Issues within this Subbasin.................................................................... 109 4.6.1 NPDES Dischargers.................................................................................... 109 4.6.2 Projected Population Growth...................................................................... 110 4.6.3 High Fecal Coliform Bacteria Concentrations ........................................... 110 Chapter 5 - Broad River Subbasin 03-08-05 Includes Buffalo Creek and tributaries....................................................................111 5.1 Water Quality Overview.......................................................................................... 111 5.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters.............................. 114 5.2.1 Buffalo Creek.............................................................................................. 115 5.2.2 Lick Branch................................................................................................. 115 5.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters..................................... 116 5.4 Section 303(d) Listed Waters .................................................................................. 116 5.5 Other Water Quality Concerns and Recommendations........................................... 116 5.5.1 Beason Creek.............................................................................................. 116 Table of Contents v 5.6 Additional Issues within this Subbasin.................................................................... 117 5.6.1 NPDES Dischargers.................................................................................... 117 5.6.2 Projected Population Growth...................................................................... 117 Chapter 6 - Broad River Subbasin 03-08-06 Includes North Carolina portion of North Pacolet River.........................................119 6.1 Water Quality Overview.......................................................................................... 119 6.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters.............................. 121 6.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters..................................... 122 6.4 Section 303(d) Listed Waters .................................................................................. 122 6.5 Other Water Quality Concerns and Recommendations........................................... 122 6.5.1 North Pacelot River .................................................................................... 122 6.6 Additional Issues within this Subbasin.................................................................... 123 6.6.1 Population Growth...................................................................................... 123 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section C - Current and Future Water Quality Initiatives..........................................................124 Chapter 1 - Current Water Quality Initiatives ............................................................................125 1.1 Workshop Summaries.............................................................................................. 125 1.2 Federal Initiatives .................................................................................................... 126 1.2.1 Clean Water Act – Section 319 Program.................................................... 126 1.2.2 USDA – NRCS Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP)... 126 1.2.3 US Army Corps of Engineers..................................................................... 127 1.3 State Initiatives ........................................................................................................ 128 1.3.1 Clean Water Management Trust Fund........................................................ 128 1.3.2 NC Wetlands Restoration Program ............................................................ 128 1.3.3 NC Agriculture Cost Share Program.......................................................... 132 1.3.4 Wildlife Resources Commission Fisheries Management Direction........... 133 1.3.5 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control ........... 133 1.4 Regional Initiatives.................................................................................................. 134 1.4.1 Mountain Valleys RC&D........................................................................... 134 1.4.2 Conservation Trust for North Carolina....................................................... 134 1.4.3 Pacolet Area Conservancy.......................................................................... 135 1.4.4 Carolina Land Conservancy........................................................................ 136 1.4.5 Foothills Conservancy................................................................................ 137 1.4.6 Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN)........................................ 137 1.4.7 The Nature Conservancy ............................................................................ 138 1.5 Local Initiatives....................................................................................................... 138 1.5.1 Upper Broad River Protection Program ..................................................... 138 1.5.2 Rutherford County Source Water Protection Plan ..................................... 139 1.5.3 Town of Lake Lure..................................................................................... 140 1.5.4 Town of Tryon............................................................................................ 141 Table of Contents vi 1.5.5 Broad River Greenway ............................................................................... 142 1.5.6 Concerned Citizens of Rutherford County................................................. 143 Chapter 2 - Future Water Quality Initiatives..............................................................................145 2.1 Overall DWQ Goals for the Future.......................................................................... 145 2.2 DWQ Compliance and Enforcement Policy Revisions........................................... 148 Appendices vii APPENDICES I NPDES Discharges and Individual Stormwater Permits in the Broad River Basin II Water Quality Data Collected by DWQ • Benthic Macroinvertebrate Collections • Fish Community Collections III Use Support Methodology and Use Support Ratings IV 303(d) Listing and Reporting Methodology V Broad River Basin Summary of Public Comment VI Broad River Basin Nonpoint Source Program Description and Contacts VII Glossary of Terms and Acronyms List of Figures viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure A-1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2002 to 2007)........................................................2 Figure A-2 Water Quality Section Organization Structure........................................................6 Figure A-3 Division of Water Quality Regional Offices...........................................................7 Figure A-4 General Map of the Broad River Basin in North Carolina......................................9 Figure A-5 Land Cover Changes from 1982 to 1997 for the Broad River Basin....................13 Figure A-6 Percentages within Major CGIA Land Cover Categories in the Broad River Basin......................................................................................................................15 Figure A-7 Projected Population Growth (2000-2020) by County for the Broad River Basin in North Carolina.........................................................................................17 Figure A-8 Public Lands and Significant Natural Heritage Areas of the Broad River Basin..19 Figure A-9 Estimated Self-Supplied Water Use in the Broad River Basin.............................29 Figure A-10 Water Supply Watersheds, High Quality Waters and Outstanding Resource Waters in the Broad River Basin...........................................................................38 Figure A-11 Bioclassifications for 35 Broad River Basin Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sites Sampled by DWQ in 2000....................................................................................41 Figure A-12 NCIBI bioclassifications for 15 Broad River Basin Fish Community Survey Sites Sampled by DWQ in 2000 ...........................................................................42 Figure A-13 Summary of Compliance with Aquatic Toxicity Tests in the Broad River Basin......................................................................................................................43 Figure B-1 Broad River Subbasin 03-08-01............................................................................78 Figure B-2 Broad River Subbasin 03-08-02............................................................................85 Figure B-3 Broad River Subbasin 03-08-03............................................................................97 Figure B-4 Broad River Subbasin 03-08-04..........................................................................103 Figure B-5 Broad River Subbasin 03-08-05..........................................................................112 Figure B-6 Broad River Subbasin 03-08-06..........................................................................120 Figure C-1 Percent of Total Attendance by Various Interests at DWQ Water Quality Workshops in the Broad River Basin (2000)......................................................125 Figure C-2 Agricultural Cost Share Program Dollars Expended (1996-2000) in Counties in the Broad River Basin.....................................................................................132 List of Tables ix LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Aquatic Life/Secondary Recreation Use Support Summary Information for Waters in the Broad River Basin (2000)..............................................................xiii Table 2 Primary Recreation Use Support Summary Information for Waters in the Broad River Basin (2000) ....................................................................................xiv Table 3 Monitored Impaired Waters within the Broad River Basin (as of 2000).............xiv Table A-1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2000 to 2007)........................................................3 Table A-2 Five-Year Process for Development of an Individual Basinwide Plan...................3 Table A-3 Local Governments and Planning Units within the Broad River Basin................10 Table A-4 Hydrologic Subdivisions in the Broad River Basin..............................................11 Table A-5 Statistics for Major Lakes in the Broad River Basin.............................................12 Table A-6 Land Cover in the Broad River Basin by Major Watersheds - 1982 vs. 1997......13 Table A-7 Description of Land Cover Types.........................................................................14 Table A-8 Description of Major CGIA Land Cover Categories ............................................15 Table A-9 Broad River Subbasin Population, Densities (1970, 1980 and 1990) and Land Area Summaries....................................................................................................16 Table A-10 Population (1980, 1990, 2000) and Population Change for Municipalities Greater Than 2,000 Located Wholly or Partly in the Broad River Basin.............18 Table A-11 Past and Projected Population (1990, 2000, 2020) and Population Change by County...................................................................................................................18 Table A-12 Rare and Threatened Aquatic Species in the Broad River Basin (as of July 2001)......................................................................................................................21 Table A-13 Summary of NPDES Dischargers and Permitted Flows.......................................25 Table A-14 Registered Animal Operations in the Broad River Basin (as of December 5, 2001)......................................................................................................................27 Table A-15 Estimated Populations of Swine, Dairy and Poultry in the Broad River Basin (1998 and 1994) ....................................................................................................28 Table A-16 Registered Water Withdrawals in the Broad River Basin (August 2000).............30 Table A-17 Interbasin Transfers in the Broad River Basin (1997) ..........................................31 Table A-18 Hydropower Dams and Dams with a Minimum Streamflow Requirement in the Broad River Basin...........................................................................................32 Table A-19 Primary and Supplemental Surface Water Classifications....................................35 Table A-20 Summary of Bioclassifications for All Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sites (using the most recent rating for each site) in the Broad River Basin..........40 Table A-21 Summary of NCIBI Categories for All Freshwater Fish Community Sites (using the most recent rating for each site) in the Broad River Basin...................42 Table A-22 Ambient Monitoring System Stations within the Broad River Basin...................44 Table A-23 Ambient Monitoring Stations with Fecal Coliform Geometric Means Greater than 200 Colonies/100ml or with 20 Percent of Samples Greater than 400 Colonies/100ml in the Broad River Basin ............................................................45 Table A-24 Location of VWIN Monitoring Sites in the Broad River Basin............................47 Table A-25 Aquatic Life/Secondary Recreation Use Support Ratings for Monitored and Evaluated Waters Listed by Subbasin (1995-2000)..............................................49 List of Tables x Table A-26 Aquatic Life/Secondary Recreation Use Support Summary Information for Waters in the Broad River Basin (2000)...............................................................50 Table A-27 Primary Recreation Use Support Ratings for Monitored and Evaluated Waters Listed by Subbasin (1995-2000)...........................................................................51 Table A-28 Primary Recreation Use Support Summary for Waters in the Broad River Basin (2000)..........................................................................................................51 Table A-29 Water Supply Use Support Ratings for All Waters Listed by Subbasin...............52 Table A-30 Monitored Impaired Waters within the Broad River Basin (as of 2000)..............53 Table A-31 County Monthly On-Site Activity Reports to the NCDENR, Division of Environmental Health in 2001 for Three Counties in the Broad River Basin ......72 Table B-1 DWQ Monitoring Locations, Bioclassifications and Notable Chemical Parameters (2000) for Broad River Subbasin 03-08-01........................................79 Table B-2 Use Support Ratings Summary (2000) for Monitored and Evaluated Freshwater Streams (miles) and Lakes (acres) in Broad River Subbasin 03-08-01 ................80 Table B-3 DWQ Monitoring Locations, Bioclassifications and Notable Chemical Parameters (2000) for Broad River Subbasin 03-08-02........................................86 Table B-4 Use Support Ratings Summary (2000) for Monitored and Evaluated Freshwater Streams (miles) and Lakes (acres) in Broad River Subbasin 03-08-02 ................88 Table B-5 DWQ Monitoring Locations and Bioclassifications (2000) for Broad River Subbasin 03-08-03.................................................................................................98 Table B-6 Use Support Ratings Summary (2000) for Monitored and Evaluated Freshwater Streams (miles) and Lakes (acres) in Broad River Subbasin 03-08-03 ................99 Table B-7 DWQ Monitoring Locations, Bioclassifications and Notable Chemical Parameters (2000) for Broad River Subbasin 03-08-04......................................104 Table B-8 Use Support Ratings Summary (2000) for Monitored and Evaluated Freshwater Streams (miles) and Lakes (acres) in Broad River Subbasin 03-08-04 ..............106 Table B-9 DWQ Monitoring Locations, Bioclassifications and Notable Chemical Parameters (2000) for Broad River Subbasin 03-08-05......................................113 Table B-10 Use Support Ratings Summary (2000) for Monitored and Evaluated Freshwater Streams (miles) and Lakes (acres) in Broad River Subbasin 03-08-05 ..............114 Table B-11 DWQ Monitoring Locations and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Bioclassifications (2000) for Broad River Subbasin 03-08-06.........................................................121 Table B-12 Use Support Ratings Summary (2000) for Monitored and Evaluated Freshwater Streams (miles) and Lakes (acres) in Broad River Subbasin 03-08-06 ..............121 Table C-1 Projects in the Broad River Basin Funded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (1997-2001)......................................................................................128 Table C-2 NCWRP Targeted Local Watersheds in the Broad River Basin.........................130