CPF Chapter B-1

Section B: Chapter 1 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01 109
Chapter 1 -
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01
Includes the Haw River, Little Troublesome and Troublesome
Creeks
1.1 Water Quality Overview
This subbasin is located in the piedmont and is the
headwaters of the Haw River, including Troublesome and
Little Troublesome Creeks. The City of Reidsville is the
only large municipality in the subbasin. The
characteristics of streams in this subbasin are strongly
affected by geology and soil type. Streams in the northern
and western portion (upper Haw River, upper
Troublesome Creek and Little Troublesome Creek) are
within the Milton Belt and tend to be very sandy. The
upper reaches of the Haw River and Little Troublesome
Creek are generally slow flowing and swampy with little
assimilative capacity for oxygen-consuming waste. A
map of the subbasin, including water quality sampling
locations, is presented in Figure B-1.
Biological ratings for these sample locations are presented
in Table B-1. The current sampling resulted in impaired
ratings for four streams in this subbasin. Refer to
Appendix III for a complete listing of monitored waters
and use support ratings. See Section A, Chapter 3, Table
A-31 for a summary of lakes and reservoirs use support
data.
The subbasin is primarily agricultural. There are 12
permitted discharges within the subbasin, mostly near
Reidsville. Discharges from Reidsville WWTP and Glen
Raven Mills are the largest.
Little Troublesome Creek, downstream of the Reidsville
WWTP, rated Poor for both fish and macroinvertebrate data in 1998. Special studies of this
discharge (1992 and 1994) demonstrated a reduction in organic loading in 1992; however, data
indicated toxic conditions in Little Troublesome Creek during 1998. Urban nonpoint sources
may also contribute to this problem, as a Fair benthos rating was assigned in 1992 and 1994 for
Little Troublesome Creek above the discharge.
Subbasin 03-06-01 at a Glance
Land and Water Area (sq. mi.)
Total area: 189
Land Area: 187
Water Area: 2
Population Statistics
1990 Est. Pop.: 25,897 people
Pop. Density: 138 persons/mi
2
Land Cover (%)
Forest/Wetland: 58.6
Water: 2.0
Urban: 1.7
Cultivated Crop: 7.1
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 30.6
Use Support Summary
Freshwater Streams:
Fully Supporting: 49.1 mi.
Partially Supporting: 46.7 mi.
Not Supporting: 5.0 mi.
Not Rated: 5.0 mi.
Lakes:
Hunt - Fully Supporting
Reidsville - Fully Supporting

Section B: Chapter 1 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01 111
Table B-1 Biological Assessment Sites in Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01
BENTHOS Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1993 1998
B-1 Haw River Guilford SR 2109 Fair Fair
B-2 Haw River Rockingham US 29 Bus Good-Fair Good-Fair
B-3 Haw River Rockingham NC 150 no sample Good-Fair
B-4 Haw River Alamance NC 87 Good-Fair Fair
B-7 Troublesome Creek Rockingham SR 2422 Good-Fair Good-Fair
B-11 Little Troublesome Creek Guilford SR 2600 Poor Poor
FISH Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1993 1998
F-1 Haw River Guilford SR 2109 no sample Poor
F-2 Haw River Rockingham SR 2426 no sample Poor/Fair
F-3 Troublesome Creek Rockingham SR 1001 Poor Poor
F-4 Little Troublesome Creek Rockingham SR 2600 no sample Poor
The Haw River at NC 87 has fluctuated between a Good-Fair benthos bioclassification (1985,
1987, 1993) and Fair (1990, 1998). While the drop from Good-Fair in 1993 to Fair in 1998
indicates a decline in water quality, part of this change may be due to the lower flow in 1998.
The Haw River Assembly has sampling sites on Little Troublesome Creek, Troublesome Creek
and the Haw River (see Section C, Chapter 1, Part 1.4.6 for a description of this organization).
For more detailed information on water quality in this subbasin, refer to Basinwide Assessment
Report – Cape Fear River Basin – June 1999, available from DWQ Environmental Sciences
Branch at [phone].
1.2 Impaired Waters
Portions of the Haw River, Candy Creek, Troublesome Creek and Little Troublesome Creek
were identified as impaired in the 1996 Cape Fear River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. Portions
of the Haw River, Troublesome Creek and Little Troublesome Creek are currently rated impaired
according to recent DWQ monitoring. Current status of each stream is discussed below. Prior
recommendations, future recommendations and projects aimed at improving water quality for
these waters are also discussed when applicable. 303(d) listed waters are summarized in Part 1.3
and waters with other issues, recommendations or projects are discussed in Part 1.4.
Section B: Chapter 1 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01 112
Haw River
1996 Recommendations
The 1996 Cape Fear River Basinwide Plan identified the Haw River (7.2 miles from source to
SR 2109) as partially supporting (PS). This segment of the Haw River was listed as impaired
from nonpoint and point sources of pollution. The 1996 plan recommended that any new or
expanding discharges to this portion of the Haw River meet limits at least as stringent as 15 mg/l
BOD5 and 4 mg/l NH3-N.
Current Status
No new or expanding discharges have been permitted in this section of the Haw River. The Haw
River (27.8 miles from source to SR 2426) is partially supporting (PS) based on recent DWQ
monitoring because of an impaired biological community. This stream is on the state’s year
2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved). Instream habitat degradation associated with
agricultural nonpoint sources may be the cause of impairment. These two stream segments are
very low flowing and biological ratings may reflect the low flow condition.
2000 Recommendations
No new or expanding discharges should be permitted in this portion of the Haw River (because
of the low flows in this stream). Continued monitoring is recommended to determine the extent
of impacts from agricultural sources. The 303(d) list approach will be to resample for biological
and chemical data to attempt to determine potential problem parameters.
The Haw River Assembly is establishing a management trust on 3.7 acres around the source
spring of the Haw River. For more information on this project, refer to Section C, Chapter 1,
Part 1.5.1.
Candy Creek
Current Status
Candy Creek (3.6 miles for source to Haw River) was partially supporting (PS) in the 1996 plan.
Candy Creek is currently not rated (NR). Using new biological information, DWQ has
determined that the previous rating was inappropriate because of the small size of this stream.
Troublesome Creek
Current Status
Troublesome Creek was rated partially supporting (PS) in the 1996 plan. Currently 15.6 miles of
Troublesome Creek (from source to SR 2423) are partially supporting (PS) based on recent
DWQ monitoring because of an impaired biological community. Instream habitat degradation
associated with agricultural nonpoint sources may be the cause of impairment. This stream is on
Section B: Chapter 1 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01 113
the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved). This portion of Troublesome Creek is
very low flowing and biological ratings may reflect the low flow condition.
2000 Recommendations
No new or expanding discharges should be permitted in this stream (because of the low flows in
these streams). Continued monitoring is recommended to determine the extent of impacts from
agricultural sources. The 303(d) list approach will be to resample for biological and chemical
data to attempt to determine potential problem parameters.
Little Troublesome Creek
Current Status
Little Troublesome Creek was identified as impaired in the 1996 plan. The 3.3-mile segment
upstream of the Reidsville WWTP was partially supporting (PS) due to urban and agricultural
nonpoint source pollution. The 5.0-mile stream segment upstream from the Haw River was not
supporting (NS) because of point source pollution from the Reidsville WWTP.
The Reidsville WWTP outfall was relocated to the Haw River at NC 150 in November 1998,
although during power outages the Little Troublesome Creek outfall is still used. Little
Troublesome Creek (8.3 miles from source to the Haw River) is currently partially supporting
(PS) above the Reidsville WWTP and not supporting (NS) below the WWTP because of an
impaired biological community. Instream habitat degradation associated with urban nonpoint
sources may be the cause of impairment. There are also indications of nutrient enrichment
associated with runoff from the City of Reidsville. Fecal coliform bacteria are a noted problem
parameter as well. This stream is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved).
There is currently a 100% moratorium on this facility, preventing new connections to the
collection system (see Part 1.4 below).
2000 Recommendations
Continued monitoring is recommended to assess water quality in Little Troublesome Creek
downstream of the previous discharge location. The 303(d) list approach in the lower section
will be to develop a TMDL to address fecal coliform bacteria. Flow data are being collected in
the lower segment as part of the TMDL development process.
Reidsville will be required to address stormwater issues as part of Phase II of the NPDES
stormwater program. NPDES stormwater permit applications must be received by DWQ by
March 1, 2003. The 303(d) list approach in the upper section will be to resample for biological
and chemical data to attempt to determine potential problem parameters.
DWQ, with CWMTF (see Section C, Chapter 1, Part 1.3.2), will start working on a detailed
study of the Little Troublesome Creek watershed to identify the sources and extent of nonpoint
source impacts to this stream.
Section B: Chapter 1 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01 114
1.3 303(d) Listed Waters
There are three streams (64.0 stream miles) in the subbasin that are impaired and on the state’s
year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved). The Haw River, Troublesome Creek and Little
Troublesome Creek are discussed above. For information on 303(d) listing requirements and
approaches, refer to Appendix IV.
1.4 Other Issues, Recommendations and Projects
The following surface water segments are rated as fully supporting using recent DWQ
monitoring data. However, these data revealed some impacts to water quality. Although no
action is required for these surface waters, continued monitoring is recommended.
Reidsville Lake, a water supply reservoir located on Troublesome Creek, is owned by the City of
Reidsville. The topography of the watershed is characterized by rolling hills, and land use is
mainly agricultural (row crop and pastures) along with light residential and commercial
development. A public park with boat launch area is located off of SR 2435 and is operated by
the City of Reidsville Department of Parks and Recreation. In Reidsville Lake, one largemouth
bass sample (of 15 fish tissue samples collected) contained mercury exceeding the EPA
screening value of 0.6 ppm.
Portions of the Haw River and Troublesome Creek are downstream of partially supporting
stream segments affected by agricultural nonpoint sources. DWQ encourages implementation of
agricultural best management practices that reduce potential impacts to these surface waters. For
information on water quality education programs, workshops and nonpoint source agency
contacts, see Appendix V. Enforcement of sediment and erosion control laws will help to reduce
impacts on these streams. DWQ encourages the use of voluntary measures to prevent water
quality degradation.
Approximately 50% of the waters in this subbasin are impaired by nonpoint source pollution.
All the waters of the subbasin are affected by nonpoint sources. DENR, other state agencies and
environmental groups have programs and initiatives underway to address water quality problems
associated with nonpoint sources. DWQ will notify local agencies of water quality concerns in
this subbasin and work with these various agencies to conduct further monitoring, as well as
assist agency personnel with locating sources of funding for water quality protection.
Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association
The Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association (UCFRBA) is starting to sample 45 sites in the
upper Deep and Haw River watersheds. The data will be analyzed to support various studies and
will be used with DWQ data to develop use support ratings for waters in the Cape Fear River
basin during the upcoming basinwide cycle.
Section B: Chapter 1 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-01 115
Haw River at WWTP Discharge
Current Status
This segment of the Haw River is currently fully supporting (FS), but is downstream of impacted
waters, and may also be adversely affected by the Reidsville WWTP outfall to the Haw River at
NC 150. Toxicity violations have been a continuing problem for the Reidsville WWTP. The
facility has been out of compliance and on a special order of consent (SOC) for several years.
The facility has been upgraded, and the discharge moved from Little Troublesome Creek to the
current location. The SOC expired in 1999, and the WWTP was fined and continued to have
toxicity violations. DWQ did not reissue the SOC. The facility was placed on a 100%
moratorium, preventing new connections to the collection system, in August 1999. The facility
has not had toxicity violations for nine months and has been from the moratorium.
2000 Recommendations
It is recommended that this segment of the Haw River be monitored to determine if the new
discharge is degrading water quality in the Haw River. The Reidsville WWTP discharge will
continue to be monitored to assure that toxicity problems do reoccur.