CPF Chapter B-14

Section B: Chapter 14 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 192
Chapter 14 -
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14
Includes Lower Little River, Nicks Creek and Juniper Creek
14.1 Water Quality Overview
This subbasin is located in the Sand Hills and contains the
Little River watershed and the towns of Southern Pines,
Pinehurst and Aberdeen. A map of the subbasin,
including water quality sampling locations, is presented in
Figure B-14.
Biological ratings for these sample locations are presented
in Table B-14. The current sampling resulted in impaired
ratings for one stream 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 upper portion of this watershed is characterized by
mostly rural areas, though Southern Pines is in the
watershed of Mill Creek. The lower reaches flow through
or near Fort Bragg or the urban areas of Spring Lake and
Fayetteville. The Lower Little River was designated High
Quality Waters (HQW) from its source to Crane Creek,
based on Excellent biological (benthos) data. (Note: This
has always been named the Lower Little River in
biological reports, but the DWQ Schedule of
Classifications refers to it as the (Lower) Little River).
The Lower Little River was sampled for benthos at three
sites. The upper site is in the HQW section of the river
and has rated Excellent, based on benthos data, since first
sampled in 1988. The middle site near Manchester is
below the Fort Bragg WWTP and has improved
dramatically since 1986, when water quality was Fair. The Fort Bragg WWTP completed an
upgrade in 1991, and water quality improved to Good-Fair in 1993 and then to Excellent in 1998.
The most downstream site was rated Excellent in both 1993 and 1998.
Nicks Creek is a headwater tributary that improved from Good in 1993 to Excellent in 1998
based on benthos data. Jumping Run Creek in Cumberland County showed a marked
improvement from a Good-Fair rating in 1993 to Excellent in 1998, based on benthos data. This
Subbasin 03-06-14 at a Glance
Land and Water Area (sq. mi.)
Total area: 484
Land area: 478
Water area: 6
Population Statistics
1990 Est. Pop.: 67,587 people
Pop. Density: 141 persons/mi
2
Land Cover (%)
Forest/Wetland: 78.8
Surface Water: 2.2
Urban: 2.4
Cultivated Crop: 8.2
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 8.4
Use Support Ratings
Freshwater Streams:
Fully Supporting: 274.3 mi.
Partially Supporting: 28.3 mi.
Not Supporting: 0.0 mi.
Not Rated: 100.2 mi.
Lakes:
Old Town Reservoir -
Fully Supporting

Section B: Chapter 14 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 194
Table B-14 Biological Assessment Sites in Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14
BENTHOS Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1993 1998
B-1 Nicks Creek Moore NC 22 Good Excellent
B-2 (Lower) Little River Moore SR 2023 Excellent Excellent
B-14 (Lower) Little River Cumberland NC 87/24 Good-Fair Excellent
B-15 (Lower) Little River Cumberland US 401 Excellent Excellent
B-16 Jumping Run Creek Cumberland NC 210 Good-Fair Excellent
B-17 Anderson Creek Harnett SR 2031 Good-Fair Good-Fair
FISH Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1994 1998
F-3 Crains Creek Moore US 1 no sample Fair
F-5 Buffalo Creek Moore SR 1001 no sample Good-Fair
F-6 Anderson Creek Harnett SR 2031 no sample Fair
was despite poor instream habitat, a very developed nearby watershed, and no apparent changes
in land use since 1993.
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].
14.2 Impaired Waters
Portions of Anderson Creek were identified as impaired in the 1996 Cape Fear River Basinwide
Water Quality Plan. Crane Creek is currently rated as impaired according to recent DWQ
monitoring. Current status of each of these streams 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 14.3 and waters with
other issues, recommendations or projects are discussed in Part 14.4.
Anderson Creek
Current Status
Anderson Creek (5.5 miles from source to Little River) was partially supporting (PS) in the 1996
plan. The biological community was impaired. Recent DWQ monitoring data indicate that
Anderson Creek is currently not impaired. Although Anderson Creek is not impaired, it is
recommended that monitoring be continued to identify potential pollutants.
Section B: Chapter 14 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 195
Crane Creek
Current Status
Crane Creek (28.3 miles from source to Lake Surf) is partially supporting (PS) according to
recent DWQ monitoring because of an impaired biological community. Instream habitat
degradation associated with agricultural nonpoint sources is a possible cause of impairment.
This stream is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved).
2000 Recommendations
Local initiatives are needed to reduce land use impacts on Crane Creek. DWQ encourages
implementation of agricultural best management practices that reduce potential impacts to
surface waters. The 303(d) list approach will be to resample for biological and chemical data to
attempt to determine potential problem parameters.
14.3 303(d) Listed Waters
Crane Creek is the only stream (28.3 stream miles) in the subbasin that is impaired and on the
state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved). Crane Creek is discussed above. For
information on 303(d) listing requirements and approaches, refer to Appendix IV.
14.4 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. Enforcement
of sediment and erosion control laws will help to reduce impacts on these streams and lakes.
DWQ encourages the use of voluntary measures to prevent water quality degradation. Education
on local water quality issues is always a useful tool to prevent water quality problems and to
promote restoration efforts. For information on water quality education programs, workshops
and nonpoint source agency contacts, see Appendix V.
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.
The Middle Cape Fear River Basin Association (MCFRBA)
The Middle Cape Fear River Basin Association (MCFRBA) started sampling at one station in
this subbasin (30 stations total) in July 1998. This data will be used to give a higher resolution
picture of water quality conditions in the Lower Little River. The data will also 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.