CPF Chapter B-3

Section B: Chapter 3 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-03 128
Chapter 3 -
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-03
Includes Big and Little Alamance Creeks
3.1 Water Quality Overview
This subbasin is located in the piedmont and contains few
urban areas except along the I-40/85 corridor between
Burlington and Greensboro. A map of the subbasin,
including water quality sampling locations, is presented in
Figure B-3.
Biological ratings for these sample locations are presented
in Table B-3. 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 primary land use in this subbasin is a mixture of
agriculture and forest. There are no discharges in this
subbasin with a permitted flow greater than 0.05 MGD.
Most water quality problems are associated with nonpoint
sources.
Erosion from agricultural land may cause large sediment
inputs into streams within this subbasin. The worst water
quality in the subbasin was observed in Little Alamance
Creek (Burlington). Urban runoff is the most likely cause
of this low rating.
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].
3.2 Impaired Waters
There were no impaired waters in this subbasin in the 1996 Cape Fear River Basinwide Water
Quality Plan. Little Alamance Creek (Burlington) is currently rated impaired according to recent
DWQ monitoring. Current status and future recommendations for improving water quality in
this stream are discussed below. 303(d) listed waters are summarized in Part 3.3 and waters with
other issues, recommendations or projects are discussed in Part 3.4.
Subbasin 03-06-03 at a Glance
Land and Water Area (sq. mi.)
Total area: 262
Land area: 1
Water area: 263
Population Statistics
1990 Est. Pop.: 66,593 people
Pop. Density: 255 persons/mi
2
Land Cover (%)
Forest/Wetland: 59.4
Surface Water: 0.2
Urban: 5.8
Cultivated Crop: 2.2
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 32.4
Use Support Summary
Freshwater Streams:
Fully Supporting: 176.0 mi.
Partially Supporting: 0.0 mi.
Not Supporting: 12.3 mi.
Not Rated: 5.2 mi.
Lakes:
Lake Mackintosh - Fully Supporting

Section B: Chapter 3 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-03 130
Table B-3 Biological Assessment Sites in Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-03
BENTHOS Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1993 1998
B-3 Big Alamance Creek Alamance NC 49 Good-Fair Good-Fair
B-8 Stinking Quarter Creek Alamance SR 1136 Good-Fair Good
B-9 Little Alamance Creek Alamance SR 2309 Not Sampled Poor
FISH Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1993/1994 1998
F-1 Big Alamance Creek Guilford SR 3088 no sample Good
F-2 Little Alamance Creek Guilford SR 3039 no sample Fair
F-4 Stinking Quarter Creek Alamance SR 1136 Good-Fair Fair
F-7 Little Alamance Creek Alamance SR 2309 Fair Poor
Little Alamance Creek (Burlington) (12.3 miles from source to Big Alamance Creek)
Current Status
Little Alamance Creek (Burlington) (12.3 miles from source to Big Alamance Creek) is currently
not supporting (NS) based on recent DWQ monitoring data because of an impaired biological
community. Streambank erosion associated with stormwater surges from the City of Burlington
and indications of nutrient enrichment from urban nonpoint sources are potential causes of
impairment. This stream is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved).
2000 Recommendations
The City of Burlington 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. It is recommended that the City of Burlington focus stormwater
program activities on Little Alamance Creek. The 303(d) list approach will be to resample for
biological and chemical data to attempt to determine potential problem parameters.
3.3 303(d) Listed Waters
Little Alamance Creek is the only stream (12.3 stream miles) in this subbasin that is impaired
and on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not EPA approved). This stream is discussed above.
For information on 303(d) listing requirements and approaches, refer to Appendix IV.
3.4 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
Section B: Chapter 3 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-03 131
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.
Little Alamance Creek (Guilford County) drains an agricultural area, and Big Alamance Creek
also drains an agricultural area as well as urban areas near Burlington. High levels of fecal
coliform bacteria have been detected in Big Alamance Creek, and both creeks show instream
habitat degradation. Implementation of agricultural BMPs would reduce potential adverse
impacts to these streams.
Lake Mackintosh is a water supply reservoir for the City of Burlington. The lake is also used for
recreational purposes (fishing and boating only). The surrounding land is comprised of pastures
and farmland with a few houses. Blue-green algal blooms were confirmed by samples in January
and May 1994, June and July 1996, and June 1998. These algal blooms have been associated
with continuing taste and odor problems for the City of Burlington.
Approximately 7% of the waters in this subbasin are impaired by nonpoint source pollution
(mostly urban). 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 1996 basinwide plan recommended that the 11 small discharges (0.154 MGD) in this
subbasin should explore and implement alternatives to surface discharge or connect to one of the
regional WWTPs. Many of the discharges were discharging into zero flow streams. There are
currently seven minor discharges in this subbasin. Regionalization of small wastewater
discharges will continue to be encouraged and monitored.
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.