Broad River Basin Summary

Ri v e R Ba s i n De s c R i p t i o n
The Broad River basin encompasses 5,419 square miles within North and South
Carolina. The North Carolina portion covers 1,513 square miles - nearly 28 percent
of the entire watershed. The headwaters and major tributaries in the Broad River
basin begin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. The river
continues to flow south-southeast through the foothills and southern piedmont
into Cherokee County, South Carolina where it eventually joins the Congaree and
Santee Rivers and then the Atlantic Ocean.
The geography of the Broad River basin itself contributes to its ecological
significance. The basin drains a section of the Blue Ridge escarpment, but the area
is primarily within the piedmont. This provides a wide range of habitat types.
The Broad River basin is home to 15 rare aquatic and wetland-dwelling animal
and plant species and includes a considerable portion of the South Mountains – a
biologically rich area that is considered of national importance for its ecological
assemblage. Five Natural Heritage Program (NHP) Priority Areas are found in the
basin: the Rollins/South Mountains Natural Area, Hickory Nut Gorge, the Green
River Gorge, the Pacolet River Gorge, and Pinnacle Mountain. Chimney Rock
State Park and a portion of Crowders Mountain State Park are also located in the
basin.
It also contains 1,508 miles of freshwater streams. The average drainage area is
0.98 square miles per stream mile, but the average is much smaller in the western
portion of the basin where there is mountainous terrain. Areas with high drainage
density (total length of streams divided by total drainage basin) are associated
with high flood peaks, high sediment production, relatively low suitability for
traditional agriculture, and high development costs for the construction of
buildings and the installation of roads and bridges.
Po P u l at i o n & la n d Co v e r da t a
Population distribution and land cover patterns are highly variable in the Broad
River basin. Land use varies from generally undisturbed areas in the headwater
tributaries to relatively urban areas around the Towns of Spindale, Forest City,
Rutherfordton, and the City of Shelby. As seen in this basin, converting land from
an undisturbed forested area to an urban commercial/residential community can
have significant impacts on local waterways.
Ri v e R Ba s i n a t a Gl a n c e
co u n t i e s
Buncombe, Cleveland, Gaston,
Henderson, Lincoln, McDowell, Polk,
Rutherford
Municipalities
Belwood, Boiling Springs, Bostic,
Casar, Cherryville, Chimney Rock
Village, Columbus, Earl, Ellensboro,
Fallston, Forest City, Grover, Kings
Mountain, Kingstown, Lake Lure,
Lattimore, Lawndale, Mooresboro,
Patterson Springs, Polkville, Ruth,
Rutherfordton, Saluda, Shelby,
Spindale, Tryon, Waco
pe R M i t t e D Facilities
NPDES WWTP
Major: ..........................14
Minor: ...........................30
NPDES Nondischarge: ...............7
NPDES Stormwater
General: ........................90
Individual: ..................... 2 Animal Operations: .................20
Mo n i t o R e D st R e a M Mi l e s
(aq u a t i c li F e )
Total Stream Miles ...........1,500 mi
Monitored: ......................570 mi
Total Supporting: ..............463 mi
Total Impaired:...................85 mi
Total Not Rated: .................22 mi
B r o a d ri v e r Ba s i n
s u m m a r y
HUC 03050105
2008
BR
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

2
0
0
8
2
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
¢¡¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
%2
#0
%2
%2
#0
#0
#0
XY
XY XY
#*
XYXY
XY
#*
XYXYXY
XY
XY#*
XY XY
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
BUNCOMBE
MCDOWELL
HENDERSON
RUTHERFORD
POLK
CLEVELAND
BURKE
LINCOLN
GASTON
Saluda
Tryon
Columbus
Lake Lure
Rutherfordton
Spindale
Forest City
Bostic
Ellenboro
Mooresboro
Lattimore
Boiling
Springs
Earl
Shelby
Grover
Kingstown
Polkville
Lawndale
Fallston
Casar
Belwood
Cherryville
Waco
Kings Mountain
Gastonia
03050105110305010509
0305010508
0305010516
0305010507
0305010505
0305010506
03050105040305010501
0305010515
0305010512
0305010503
0305010502
LakeSummit
Lake Adger
Gr e en Riv er
Green
River
Hungry River
N o r t h Pa co l et Riv er
W h ite o ak Creek
W a ln u t Creek
G
r
e
e
n
Rive
r
B
R
O
AD
R
IV
ER
M
o
untain
Creek
Little W hiteoa
k
Cre
ek
ReedypatchCreek
BROAD
RIVE
R
Lake Lure
Cedar C reek
Cove
Creek
S
e
c
o
nd
Bro
a
d
River
Mill
C
r
e
e
kE
a
s
t
B
r
a
n
c
h
M
o
u
ntainCreek
Cane
Creek
Roberso n Creek
Big C a mp Creek
Cleghorn Creek
Cat h e y s Creek
Flo
y
d
s
C
r
eek
BROAD
RIVER
Second
Broad
River
BROAD RIVE R
Sandy
R
u
n
Cre
e
k
B
r
u
s
h
y
C
r
e
e
k
Gro
g
C
r
e
e
k
B
e
a
v
e
rd
a
m
Creek
First
Broad
River
Hickory
Creek
Buffalo
C
r
e
ek
Kings MountainReservoir
B uffalo
Creek
Beas o n Cr e ek
Muddy
Fork
NorthForkFi
r
stBroadRiver
F ri s t Broad
River
Wards
Cree k
Duncans Creek
Hinton C r eek
BrierCreek
Knob
Creek
Kings
Creek
Ruth
0 30,000 60,000 90,000 120,00015,000
Feet ®North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Division of Water Quality,Planning Section,
Basinwide Planning Unit
October 28,2008
BROAD RIVER BASIN
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
¢¡¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
%2
#0
%2
%2
#0
#0
#0
XY
XY XY
#*
XY
XY
XY
#*
XYXYXY
XY
XY
#*
XY
XY
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
BUNCOMBE
MCDOWELL
HENDERSON
RUTHERFORD
POLK
CLEVELAND
BURKE
LINCOLN
GASTON
Saluda
Tryon
Columbus
Lake
Lure
Rutherfordton
Spindale
Forest City
Bostic
Ellenboro
Mooresboro
Lattimore
Boiling Springs
Earl
Shelby
Grover
Kingstown
Polkville
Lawndale
Fallston
Casar
Belwood
Cherryville
Waco
Kings Mountain
Gastonia
03050105110305010509
0305010508
0305010516
0305010507
0305010505
0305010506
0305010504
0305010501
0305010515
0305010512
0305010503
0305010502
Lake Summit
Lake Adger
Green Riv e r
Gre en River
Hungry River
North Pacolet Riv er
W h it e oak Creek
W a ln u t Creek
G
r
e
e
n River
B
R
O
AD
RIVER
M
o
untain C
r
eek
Little W hiteoak Creek
Reedypatch Creek
BROAD RIVE
R
Lake Lure
Cedar Creek
Cove Creek
S
e
c
o
nd Broa
d

Riv
er
Mill Cr
e
e
k
E
.
B
r. M
o
u
nt
ai
n C
r.
Cane Creek
Roberson Creek
Big Camp Creek
Cleghorn Creek
Cath e y s Creek
Flo
y
d
s Cree
k
BROAD RIVER
Second B
road Riv
er
BROAD RIVER
Sandy
R
un
Creek
Bru
s
h
y
C
r
e
e
k
Grog
Cr
e
e
k
B
e
a
v
e
rda
m C
r
eek
First Broad River
Hickory Creek
Buffalo Cr
e
e
k
Kings Mountain Reservoir
B uffalo Creek
Beaso n Cre e k
Muddy Fork
North Fork Firs
t Broad River
F rist Broad River
Wards Creek
Duncans Creek
Hinton Cre e k
Brier Creek
Knob Creek
Kings Creek
ChimneyRock Village
Ruth
0 25,000 50,000 75,000 100,00012,500
Feet ®Division of Water Quality, Planning Section, Basinwide Planning UnitDecember, 2007
Legend
WWTP NPDES
Monitoring Stations
NPDES Non Dischargers
Aquatic Life Ratings
Impaired
NotRated
Supporting
10-Digit HUC Boundary
Municipality
County Boundary
XY Major
#*Minor
%2 Major
#0 Minor
¢¡Ambient Monitoring Station
[¡Fish Monitoring Station
"à)Benthos Monitoring Station
Fi g u r e 1 Br o a d ri v e r Ba s i n ov e r v i e w Ma P
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
¢¡¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
%2
#0
%2
%2
#0
#0
#0
XY
XY XY
#*
XYXY
XY
#*
XYXYXY
XY
XY#*
XY XY
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
BUNCOMBE
MCDOWELL
HENDERSON
RUTHERFORD
POLK
CLEVELAND
BURKE
LINCOLN
GASTON
Saluda
Tryon
Columbus
LakeLure
Rutherfordton
Spindale
Forest City
Bostic
Ellenboro
Mooresboro
Lattimore
BoilingSprings
Earl
Shelby
Grover
Kingstown
Polkville
Lawndale
Fallston
Casar
Belwood
Cherryville
Waco
Kings Mountain
Gastonia
03050105110305010509
0305010508
0305010516
0305010507
0305010505
0305010506
03050105040305010501
0305010515
0305010512
0305010503
0305010502
LakeSummit
LakeAdger
Green Riv er
Green
River
Hungry River
N o rt h Pacolet Riv er
W hiteoak Creek
W aln ut Creek
Gree
n
River
B
R
OAD
R
IV
ER
M
ountain
Creek
Little W hiteoak
Creek
ReedypatchCreek
BROAD
RIVE
R
Lake Lure
Cedar Creek
Cove
Creek
S
e
cond
Bro
ad
River
Mill
C
r
e
ekE
a
st
Bra
n
c
h
M
o
u
ntainCreek
Cane
Creek
Roberson Creek
Big Ca mp Creek
Cleghorn Creek
Cat h e ys Creek
Flo
yd
s
Cr
e
ek
BROAD
RIVER
Second
Broad
River
BROAD RIVER
Sandy
R
un
Cre
e
k
B
ru
sh
y
C
r
e
e
k
Grog
C
r
e
ek
B
e
a
v
erd
a
m
Creek
First
Broad
River Hickory
Creek
Buffalo
C
re
ek
Kings MountainReservoir
B uffalo
Creek
Beas o n Creek
Muddy
Fork
NorthForkFirstBroadRiver
Fr ist Broad
River
Wards
Cree k
Duncans Creek
Hinton C r eek
BrierCreek
Knob
Creek
Kings
Creek
Ruth
0 30,000 60,000 90,000 120,00015,000
Feet ®North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Division of Water Quality,Planning Section,
Basinwide Planning Unit
October 28,2008
3
BR
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

2
0
0
8
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
¢¡¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
%2
#0
%2
%2
#0
#0
#0
XY
XY XY
#*
XYXY
XY
#*
XYXYXY
XY
XY#*
XY XY
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
BUNCOMBE
MCDOWELL
HENDERSON
RUTHERFORD
POLK
CLEVELAND
BURKE
LINCOLN
GASTON
Saluda
Tryon
Columbus
LakeLure
Rutherfordton
Spindale
Forest City
Bostic
Ellenboro
Mooresboro
Lattimore
Boiling
Springs
Earl
Shelby
Grover
Kingstown
Polkville
Lawndale
Fallston
Casar
Belwood
Cherryville
Waco
Kings Mountain
Gastonia
03050105110305010509
0305010508
0305010516
0305010507
0305010505
0305010506
03050105040305010501
0305010515
0305010512
0305010503
0305010502
LakeSummit
LakeAdger
GreenRiver
Green
River
HungryRiver
NorthPacoletRiver
WhiteoakCreek
WalnutCreek
G
r
e
e
n
Rive
r
B
R
O
AD
R
IV
ER
M
o
untain
Creek
LittleWhiteoa
k
Cre
ek
ReedypatchCreek
BROAD
RIVE
R
LakeLure
CedarCreek
Cove
Creek
S
e
c
o
nd
Bro
a
d
River
Mill
C
r
e
e
kE
a
s
t
B
r
a
n
c
h
M
o
u
ntainCreek
Cane
Creek
Roberso n Creek
Big C a mp Creek
CleghornCreek
Cat h e y s Creek
Flo
y
d
s
C
r
eek
BROAD
RIVER
Second
Broad
River
BROAD RIVE R
Sandy
R
u
n
Cre
e
k
B
r
u
s
h
y
C
r
e
e
k
Gro
g
C
r
e
e
k
B
e
a
v
e
rd
a
m
Creek
First
Broad
River
Hickory
Creek
Buffalo
C
r
e
ek
Kings MountainReservoir
B uffalo
Creek
Beas o n Cr e ek
Muddy
Fork
NorthForkFi
r
stBroadRiver
F ri s t Broad
River
Wards
Cree k
Duncans Creek
Hinton C r eek
BrierCreek
Knob
Creek
Kings
Creek
Ruth
0 30,000 60,000 90,000 120,00015,000
Feet ®NorthCarolinaDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources,
DivisionofWaterQuality,PlanningSection,
BasinwidePlanningUnit
October28,2008
Fi g u r e 1 Br o a d ri v e r Ba s i n ov e r v i e w Ma P
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
"à)"à)
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡[¡[¡
[¡
[¡
¢¡¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
¢¡
%2
#0
%2
%2
#0
#0
#0
XY
XY XY
#*
XYXY
XY
#*
XYXYXY
XY
XY#*
XY XY
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
#*
XY
XY
#*
#*
#*#*
#*
#*
#*
BUNCOMBE
MCDOWELL
HENDERSON
RUTHERFORD
POLK
CLEVELAND
BURKE
LINCOLN
GASTON
Saluda
Tryon
Columbus
Lake Lure
Rutherfordton
Spindale
Forest City
Bostic
Ellenboro
Mooresboro
Lattimore
BoilingSprings
Earl
Shelby
Grover
Kingstown
Polkville
Lawndale
Fallston
Casar
Belwood
Cherryville
Waco
Kings Mountain
Gastonia
03050105110305010509
0305010508
0305010516
0305010507
0305010505
0305010506
03050105040305010501
0305010515
0305010512
0305010503
0305010502
LakeSummit
LakeAdger
GreenRiver
Green
River
Hungry River
NorthPacoletRiver
W hiteoak Creek
W aln ut Creek
G
re
e
n
River
B
R
O
AD
R
IV
ER
M
ountain
Creek
Little Whiteoak
Creek
ReedypatchCreek
BROAD
RIVE
R
LakeLure
Cedar Creek
Cove
Creek
S
e
c
ond
Broa
d
River
Mill
Cre
ekE
ast
B
ranchMo
untainCreek
Cane
Creek
Roberson Creek
Big CampCreek
Cleghorn Creek
Cath e y s Creek
Flo
yd
s
Cr
eek
BROAD
RIVER
Second
Broad
River
BROAD RIVER
Sandy
Run
Cree
k
Brush
y
C
reek
Grog
Creek
B
e
averda
m
Creek
First
Broad
River HickoryCreek
Buffalo
C
reek
Kings MountainReservoir
B uffalo
Creek
Beas o n Creek
Muddy
Fork
NorthForkFir
stBroadRiver
Frist Broad
River
Wards
Cree k
Duncans Creek
Hinton C reek
BrierCreek
Knob
Creek
KingsCreek
Ruth
0 30,000 60,000 90,000 120,00015,000
Feet ®NorthCarolinaDepartmentofEnvironment and Natural Resources,
DivisionofWaterQuality,PlanningSection,BasinwidePlanningUnitOctober28,2008
4
BR
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W
According to 2001 NRI Land Cover data, nearly 66 percent of the land in the basin is forested,
and approximately 23 percent is agricultural. Nine percent is developed. All or portions of
eight counties are located in the Broad River basin, and there are 27 municipalities. Much of
the population can be found around the Towns of Spindale, Rutherfordton, Forest City, and
the City of Shelby.
For more information, follow the link to the Population & Land Cover in the Broad River
Basin chapter.
cu R R e n t Wa t e R qu a l i t y st a t u s
Of the 1,508 stream miles in the Broad River Basin, 570 miles were monitored by DWQ. Impaired
stream segments are shown in Figure 1 as red lines. Table 1 provides descriptions of impaired
streams in the basin along with reason for impairment. Twelve stream segments within the
Broad River basin were found to be impaired due to turbidity or biological integrity.
aM B i e n t sa M P l i n g
During this assessment period, chemical and physical measurements were
obtained by DWQ from eight ambient monitoring stations located throughout
the basin. Two basinwide patterns of interest emerged: declining specific
conductance and declining pH. Both of these parameters generally appear
to have an inverse relationship with water flow when compared to flow
data available from two USGS gaging stations. Between August 2003 and
May 2004, however, pH deviated from this pattern and dropped significantly
lower at five of the eight stations. No stressor has been identified to explain
this observation.
Approximately 570 stream miles were assessed for aquatic life (37.8 percent).
The number of impaired stream miles jumped from 4.7 miles in 2002 to 85
miles in 2006 (Figure 2). This increase is attributed to exceedences in water
quality standards mostly due to nonpoint source pollution. Standards were
exceeded for turbidity in several stream segments throughout the basin.
There are nearly 61 stream miles classified for primary recreation (Class B) in
the Broad River basin. No waters are impaired in the recreation use support
category; however, 29.5 miles are Not Rated. Fecal coliform bacteria in
these segments exceeded 400 colonies/100 milliliter (mL) in greater than 20
percent of the samples collected.
There are nearly 480 stream miles currently classified for water supply in
the Broad River basin. No waters are impaired in the water supply use
support category.
No site-specific fish consumption advisories have been issued in the Broad
River basin; however, there is a statewide advisory for several fresh water
fish species. Site-specific and statewide advisories can be found on the NC
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) web site.
Bi o l o g i C a l sa M P l i n g
In the Broad River basin, a total of 80 benthic and fish sites were evaluated during the
assessment period. Sixty of those sites were sampled during the basinwide monitoring cycle,
and 20 additional sites were sampled as part of special studies throughout the entire river
basin. Thirteen sites were sampled for the first time in 2005, thus increasing the sampling
efforts by 25 percent.
Benthos
Thirty-two benthic sites were sampled in the Broad River Basin between January 2002 and
December 2006. An additional 15 sites were sampled as part of a special study. Nine sites
rated Excellent, a significant improvement from the five that were identified as Excellent
Fi g u r e 2
aq u a t i C li F e us e su P P o rt
Ca t e g o r y (Mo n i t o r e d st r e a M s )
1998 2002
Supporting 531.5 463.2Not Rated 10 13.4
Impaired 4.7 93.2
Supporting
97%
Not Rated
2%
Impaired
1%
Not Rated
2%
Impaired
16%
Supporting
82%
1998-2002
1998 2002Supporting 531.5 463.2
Not Rated 10 13.4
Impaired 4.7 93.2
Supporting
97%
Not Rated
2%
Impaired
1%
Not Rated
2%
Impaired
16%
Supporting
82%2002-2006
15%
4%
81%
5
BR
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

2
0
0
8
in 2000. Most of this improvement is represented in Good sites moving to Excellent, but one
site on Hinton Creek improved dramatically from Good-Fair to Excellent. Other benthic sites
remained static.
Fish Community
Twenty-eight fish community basinwide sites were sampled. Thirteen of these sites were
sampled for the first time during this monitoring cycle. An additional five sites were sampled
as part of a special study. Three sites saw an increase in rating (i.e., Good-Fair to Good);
eleven sites did not change; and one site in Sandy Run Creek decreased from Good to Fair.
The dramatic decline may be the result of lingering impacts from drought conditions during
the previous assessment period followed by extremely high flow events in the fall of 2004.
Wa t e R qu a l i t y st R e s s o R s
In most cases, habitat is degraded by the cumulative effect of several stressors acting in
concert. These stressors often originate in the upstream portions of the watershed and
may include runoff from impervious surface, sedimentation, and erosion from construction,
general agricultural practices, or other land disturbing activities. Naturally erodible soils in
the Broad River basin make streams highly vulnerable to these stressors. Habitat degradation
(as indicated by impaired biological integrity and high turbidity) was identified as a stressor for
nearly 270 miles of streams in the Broad River basin. The distribution of turbidity violations
and sample locations make it difficult to isolate a single source of erosion in the Broad River
basin. However, it appears that violations are highest in urban transition and agricultural
areas. Violations are lowest in the upper part of the basin where land use is predominantly
forested. This trend demonstrates the importance of protection and conserving stream
buffers and natural areas.
Fecal coliform bacteria and low pH are also stressors identified in the Broad River basin.
Even though no waters in the basin were Impaired for fecal coliform bacteria, concentrations
were above the 400 colonies/100 milliliter (mL) water quality guideline in more than 20%
of samples at four of the eight ambient monitoring stations. The presence of fecal coliform
bacteria in the aquatic environment indicates that the water has been contaminated from
the fecal material of humans or other warm-blooded animals. Low pH was noted in two
stream segments: First Broad River and Sugar Branch. Normal pH levels for streams in the
Broad River basin should be between 6.5 and 7.2. Values below 6.5 may indicate the effects
of acid rain or other acidic inputs. Values above 7.5 are often indicative of an industrial
discharge.
Re c o M M e n D a t i o n s
More specific recommendations for water quality stressors can be found in the 10-digit HUC
watershed chapters.
wa t e r qu a l i t y st r e s s o r s :
Turbidity: £ (See Statewide Recommendations).
Fecal Coliform Bacteria: £ Fence livestock out of stream corridors. Educate the general
public about properly disposing of pet waste. Provide public pet waste containers in
local parks and along greenways.
Nutrients: £ Educate the general public and farmers on the impacts of over fertilization.
Adopt and implement a stormwater control ordinance to reduce nutrients through
appropriate BMPs.
ad d i t i o n a l st u d i e s a n d /o r Mo n i t o r i n g :
Red tent in the Second Broad River (See £Chapter 3).
Loss of fish communities with multi age groups in Roberson and Brushy Creeks (See £
Chapter 3 & Chapter 5).
Low pH problems in the First Broad River, Beaverdam Creek and Sugar Branch (See £
Chapter 4 & Chapter 5).
Additional monitoring is needed to determine the main source of excess nutrients £
through out the basin.
6
BR
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

2
0
0
8
Watershed Management Plans are needed, where specified within watershed chapters, £
to address basinwide stressors and issues brought on by growth pressures.
Impacts of growth on ORW and HQW designated waters (See £map).
Co o r d i n at e d eF F o rt s :
Support stormwater and sediment and erosion control ordinances where specified £
within the watershed chapters.
Work with the Division of Land Resources and the Division of Soil & Water Conservation £
to improve education and implementation of BMPs and buffer requirements for Trout
Waters (See Trout Waters map).
Continue support of restoration projects on impaired streams £
la k e lu r e da M :
Minimum flow and stage release requirements are needed for the dam at Lake Lure. Extreme
periodic low and high flows are causing biological impairments in a portion of the Broad
River directly below the dam. DWQ will work with the Division of Water Resources and other
agencies to address this situation.
st a t e w i d e re C o M M e n d a t i o n s :
Target turbidity impairments with the implementation of BMPs, support the £
establishment of local Sediment & Erosion Control Programs, and Stormwater Ordinances
and determine what cases may be attributed to natural base sediment loads because of
highly erodable soils vs. human caused erosion.
An increased collaboration between all agencies involved in sediment control, riparian £
buffers and stormwater management programs will be the focus of a statewide effort to
address turbidity concerns throughout the state. This may lead to the determination for
the need of a statewide stormwater program.
lo c a l initiatives
Local initiatives allow local people to make decisions that affect change in the community,
protect natural resources, and combine professional and historical expertise to holistically
understand the challenges and opportunities of tackling watershed protection. By working in
coordination across jurisdictions and agency lines, more funding opportunities are available,
and it is easier to generate necessary matching or leveraging funds. This could potentially
allow local entities to do more work and be involved in more activities because their funding
sources are diversified. The more localized the project, the better the chances for success.
During this assessment period, $29,690,439 were spent by federal, state and local agencies
on restoration and protection of the Broad River basin.
For more information, follow the link to the Local Initiatives in the Broad River Basin
chapter.
Table 1 can be seen on the following page.
BR
O
A
D

R
I
V
E
R

B
A
S
I
N

P
L
A
N

O
V
E
R
V
I
E
W

2
0
0
8
7
ta B l e 1: iM P a i r e d wa t e r s in t h e Br o a d ri v e r Ba s i n
as s e s s Me n t un i t st r e a M na M e Po t e n t i a l st r e s s o r s Po t e n t i a l so u r C e s
9-(22)b Broad River Habitat Degradation Mine Drainage
9-(25.5)b Broad River Turbidity
9-26b Cleghorn Creek Habitat Degradation;
Nutrient Impacts
Stormwater Runoff; WWTP NPDES
9-41-13-(6)b Catheys Creek Habitat Degradation Impervious Surface; Stormwater Runoff
9-41-13-3 Mill Creek Habitat Degradation Impoundment
9-41-13-7-(3)b Hollands Creek Habitat Degradation Stormwater Runoff; Impervious Surface
9-46a Sandy Run
(headwaters)
Habitat Degradation General Agriculture/Pasture
9-50-(1)First Broad River Low pH --
9-50-(28)First Broad River Turbidity --
9-53-(5)Buffalo Creek Turbidity --