CPF Chapter B-8

Section B: Chapter 8 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-08 157
Chapter 8 -
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-08
East and West Forks of the Deep River and Richland Creek
8.1 Water Quality Overview
This subbasin is located in the piedmont and contains the
City of High Point and portions of Greensboro and
Randleman. A map of the subbasin, including water quality
sampling locations, is presented in Figure B-8.
Biological ratings for these sample locations are presented in
Table B-8. The current sampling resulted in impaired
ratings for three 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.
Land use in the subbasin is a mixture of urban, residential
and agriculture land use. Urban residential land use is
increasing due to growth in both High Point (Richland Creek
and Muddy Creek watersheds) and Greensboro (West Fork
Deep River and Hickory Creek watersheds).
There are 21 small dischargers in this subbasin, but only two
facilities with permitted flows greater than 1 MGD. High
Point Eastside WWTP is permitted to discharge 16 MGD to
Richland Creek, and the Randleman WWTP is permitted to
discharge 1.7 MGD to the Deep River.
The High Point WWTP affects water quality in both
Richland Creek and portions of the Deep River. Both of
these streams, however, are also affected by urban runoff.
Increased development in both High Point and Greensboro
can be expected to have negative effects on the water quality
of small streams in this subbasin.
Benthic macroinvertebrate data indicated stable water quality at most sites in the subbasin since
1993, although Richland Creek declined from Fair in 1993 to Poor in 1998. Low flow in
Hickory Creek and Muddy Creek prevented any assessment of water quality changes at these
sites during 1998. Long-term analysis of data has shown improvements at 3 sites on the Deep
River associated with upgrades of wastewater treatment plants. The most substantial change
occurred for the Deep River at Randleman: Poor in 1985, Fair in 1986 and 1987, Good-Fair in
1993 and 1998.
Subbasin 03-06-08 at a Glance
Land and Water Area (sq. mi.)
Total area: 179
Land area: 177
Water area: 2
Population Statistics
1990 Est. Pop.: 101,430 people
Pop. Density: 573 persons/mi
2
Land Cover (%)
Forest/Wetland: 58.4
Surface Water: 1.7
Urban: 13.0
Cultivated Crop: 1.5
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 25.4
Use Support Ratings
Freshwater Streams:
Fully Supporting: 28.3 mi.
Partially Supporting: 22.6 mi.
Not Supporting: 9.0 mi.
Not Rated: 41.4 mi.
Lakes:
High Point Lake -
Fully Supporting
Oak Hollow Lake -
Fully Supporting

Section B: Chapter 8 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-08 159
Table B-8 Biological Assessment Sites in Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-08
BENTHOS Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1993 1998
B-1 East Fork Deep River Guilford SR 1541 Fair Fair
B-3 West Fork Deep River Guilford SR 1850 Good-Fair Good-Fair
B-9 Deep River Randolph US 220 Bus Good-Fair Good-Fair
B-11 Richland Creek Guilford SR 1145 Fair Poor
B-12 Hickory Creek Guilford SR 1131 Fair Not Rated
B-13 Muddy Creek Randolph SR 1929 Good-Fair Not Rated
FISH Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1994 1998
F-1 Richland Creek Guilford SR 1154 no sample Poor
F-2 Muddy Creek Randolph SR 1929 Fair Poor
FISH TISSUE
No. Samples
Exceeding Criteria
Station Description Year
Sampled
Total
Samples
Metals Organics Comments
FT-1 Muddy Creek nr
Glenola
1994 4 0 0 No samples exceeded
criteria
FT-2 Oak Hollow Lake 1998 18 2 0 EPA mercury limit
exceeded in 2 bass samples
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].
8.2 Impaired Waters
Portions of Richland Creek, Deep River and Hickory Creek were identified as impaired in the
1996 Cape Fear River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. Portions of Richland Creek, Deep River
and East Fork Deep River are 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 8.3 and waters with
other issues, recommendations or projects are discussed in Part 8.4.
Richland Creek
1996 Recommendations
Richland Creek (9.1 miles at SR 1145 near High Point) was partially supporting (PS) in the 1996
plan. The stream receives a discharge from the High Point Eastside WWTP (16 MGD) which
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has reported occurrences of dissolved oxygen (DO) below the daily average standard of 5.0 mg/l.
This discharge has also been associated with water quality problems in downstream
impoundments on the Deep River. It was recommended that High Point Eastside WWTP be
issued limits of BOD5 = 5 mg/l and NH3-N = 2 mg/l.
Current Status
High Point Eastside WWTP has passed recent toxicity tests, and DO levels below the standard
have not been detected at the ambient station below the facility. Richland Creek (9.0 miles from
source to Deep River) is currently not supporting (NS) according to recent DWQ monitoring
because of an impaired biological community. Instream habitat degradation associated with
High Point urban nonpoint sources and High Point Eastside WWTP is a possible source of
impairment. Richland Creek is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved).
2000 Recommendations
High Point Eastside WWTP is undergoing an upgrade. High Point will be required to develop
ordinances or modify existing water supply ordinances to protect riparian areas and implement
stormwater management plans. The upgrades to the WWTP should reduce the potential for algal
blooms that have been observed in downstream impoundments on the Deep River. See Section
A, Chapter 4, Part 4.5 for more details regarding Randleman Reservoir. Local efforts to identify
and eliminate the effects of nonpoint source pollution and stormwater surges in this watershed
would help to reduce the potential for impairment to the biological community. The 303(d) list
approach for Richland Creek will be to resample for biological and chemical data to attempt to
determine potential problem parameters. A TMDL will be developed to address high levels of
fecal coliform bacteria.
The Piedmont Triad Water Authority has secured CWMTF grant money to protect 100 acres of
riparian buffers along Richland and Muddy Creeks for the protection of water quality in the
proposed Randleman Reservoir. For more information on this project, refer to Section C,
Chapter 1, Part 1.5.2.
Deep River
1996 Recommendations
The Deep River (15.8 miles downstream of Richland Creek) was partially supporting (PS) in the
1996 plan. Because of water quality problems downstream of High Point in the Deep River, it
was recommended that advanced tertiary limits be issued to new and expanding major
discharges. For smaller (<1 MGD) new and expanding discharges, regionalization of wastewater
treatment was encouraged. If connection to a regional WWTP was not possible, an alternatives
analysis was to be completed to determine if alternatives other than surface discharge were
feasible. If surface discharge was the most feasible option, then permit limits no less stringent
than BOD5 = 15 mg/l and NH3-N = 4 mg/l were to be applied.
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Current Status
No new or expanding discharges have been permitted in this segment of the Deep River. (Refer
to discussion on the Randleman Reservoir in Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.5.) The lower 2.3
miles of the Deep River in this subbasin are no longer impaired according to recent DWQ
monitoring. Portions of the Deep River (11 miles from High Point dam to SR 1921 in Randolph
County) are currently partially supporting (PS) according to recent DWQ monitoring because of
an impaired biological community. Pollution associated with urban nonpoint sources in
Greensboro and High Point are possible causes of impairment. Fecal coliform bacteria are a
noted problem parameter for 6.8 miles of the Deep River from SR 1113 to SR 1921. The Deep
River is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved).
2000 Recommendations
The City of Greensboro has a stormwater program as part of Phase I of the NPDES stormwater
program. The Deep River is downstream of developed areas in Greensboro and should benefit
from the city stormwater program (see Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.7.1). DWQ will work with
the stormwater program, where possible, to improve water quality in these creeks. Refer to
Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.5 for information on ordinances related to stormwater and the
proposed Randleman Reservoir.
The 303(d) list approach for the upper portions of the Deep River will be to resample for
biological and chemical data to attempt to determine potential problem parameters. A TMDL
will be developed to address high levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the Deep River from SR
1113 to SR 1921.
Hickory Creek
Current Status
Hickory Creek (4.5 miles from source to Deep River) was partially supporting (PS) according to
DWQ monitoring data from 1993 because of an impaired biological community. Instream
habitat degradation associated with agricultural nonpoint sources is a possible cause of
impairment. Hickory Creek is currently not rated (NR) according to recent DWQ monitoring
because of low flow conditions. The lower portion of Hickory Creek will be inundated by the
Randleman dam project (See Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.5 for more details regarding
Randleman Reservoir). Hickory Creek is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA
approved).
2000 Recommendations
The 303(d) list approach will be to resample for biological and chemical data to attempt to
determine potential problem parameters.
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East Fork Deep River
Current Status
The East Fork Deep River (7.1 miles from source to High Point Lake) is currently partially
supporting (PS) according to recent DWQ monitoring because of an impaired biological
community and violations of the state turbidity standard. Instream habitat degradation associated
with urban nonpoint sources is a possible cause of biological impairment. Fecal coliform
bacteria are also noted as a problem parameter. High turbidity may be from road construction
activities in the watershed. The East Fork Deep River is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not
yet EPA approved).
2000 Recommendations
The City of Greensboro has a stormwater program as part of Phase I of the NPDES stormwater
program. East Fork Deep River is downstream of developed areas in Greensboro and should
benefit from the city stormwater program (see Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.7.1). DWQ will work
with the stormwater program, where possible, to improve water quality in these creeks. Refer to
Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.5 for information on ordinances related to stormwater and the
proposed Randleman Reservoir.
The 303(d) list approach for the upper portions of the East Fork Deep River will be to resample
for biological and chemical data to attempt to determine potential problem parameters. A
management strategy will be developed to address high turbidity in East Fork Deep River. A
TMDL will be developed to address high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.
8.3 303(d) Listed Waters
There are 4 stream segments (31.6 stream miles) in the subbasin that are impaired and on the
state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved). Segments of Richland Creek, Deep River,
Hickory Creek and East Fork Deep River are discussed above. For information on 303(d) listing
requirements and approaches, refer to Appendix IV.
8.4 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.
Approximately 50% 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
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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.
Segments of the Deep River and its headwater tributaries, downstream of impaired segments,
may be affected by urban runoff that has the potential to degrade water quality and instream
habitat. These waters receive runoff from the cities of High Point and Greensboro. Water
quality in the Deep River could be improved by reducing urban runoff.
High Point Lake (also known as City Lake) is used for a water supply and recreation.
Urban/residential areas and pasture/row crop farms dominate the watershed. The two arms of the
lake are fed by the East Fork Deep River and the West Fork Deep River. There have been
frequent public complaints of taste and odor problems from processed drinking water taken from
this lake related to algal blooms. To reduce this problem, the water treatment plant currently
treats the raw water to reduce algae-related taste and odor problems. Typical diurnal effects
(dissolved oxygen and pH) related to algal activity are observed in High Point Lake and a winter
bloom was observed. This winter bloom was investigated and was believed to have been caused
by the use of fertilizer in the watershed as a deicer during a winter ice storm. Water clarity has
decreased since 1984 and is associated with two current highway construction activities (one for
I-40 and the other the Hwy 73/74 Bypass) and algal blooms. There have been no reports of
stressed or dead fish in the lake and no problems with nuisance levels of aquatic macrophytes.
Oak Hollow Lake (also known as High Point Reservoir) is used for boating, fishing and
swimming. The watershed is characterized by urban, residential and some agricultural land uses.
Two 18-hole golf courses adjoin the lake. Conditions in Oak Hollow Lake are similar to those in
High Point Lake. There have been frequent public complaints of taste and odor problems from
processed drinking water taken from this lake related to algal blooms. To reduce this problem,
the water treatment plant currently treats the raw water to reduce algae-related taste and odor
problems, and a destratification system (forced air) is in place in the mainstem of the lake to help
improve the dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. Water clarity has decreased since 1984 and is
associated with increasing urban development and highway construction (the Hwy 73/74 Bypass
under construction will cross over Oak Hollow Lake) and algal blooms.
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 8 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-08 164
Muddy Creek
The lower portion of Muddy Creek will be inundated by the Randleman Reservoir. Refer to
Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.5 for information on ordinances related to stormwater and the
proposed Randleman Reservoir.
Although Muddy Creek was not rated (NR) during recent sampling, there have been indications
of high fecal coliform bacteria and some noted problems with aquatic habitats.