CPF Chapter B-9

Section B: Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 165
Chapter 9 -
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09
Includes the Deep River, Polecat Creek and Sandy Creek
9.1 Water Quality Overview
This subbasin contains approximately 25 miles of the
Deep River from Randleman to the Randolph/Moore
County line. A map of the subbasin, including water
quality sampling locations, is presented in Figure B-9.
Biological ratings for these sample locations are presented
in Table B-9. 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.
Much of the land use within this subbasin is forest,
although pasture, cultivated crops, and urban and built-up
land uses also account for significant portions of the
subbasin. Randolph County has large numbers of
registered livestock and animal operations, particularly
cattle and poultry operations.
There are 14 permitted discharge facilities in the subbasin.
Asheboro WWTP is the largest; the remaining discharges
have permitted flows less than 1 MGD.
Water quality data from the Deep River ambient
monitoring stations generally suggest water quality
problems. For example, median conductivity
concentrations are in excess of 200 µmhos/cm at each
location in this subbasin. Higher median nutrient
concentrations and fecal coliform levels are typically
found at the Worthville location. These values decline progressively downstream, suggesting
recovery at downstream locations.
Benthic macroinvertebrate data from the Deep River near Ramseur show long-term
improvements in water quality (since 1985 and 1986 surveys), although no 5-year change in
bioclassification was seen during basinwide surveys between 1993 and 1998. Four other Deep
River locations were sampled in this subbasin as part of intensive investigations of this river.
The results of these investigations have generally indicated long-term improvements in water
quality. Benthic macroinvertebrate data from the most downstream location in Moore County
Subbasin 03-06-09 at a Glance
Land and Water Area (sq. mi.)
Total area: 446
Land area: 445
Water area: 1
Population Statistics
1990 Est. Pop.: 55,755 people
Pop. Density: 125 persons/mi
2
Land Cover (%)
Forest/Wetland: 68.7
Surface Water: 0.6
Urban: 1.1
Cultivated Crop: 2.8
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 26.9
Use Support Ratings
Freshwater Streams:
Fully Supporting: 266.2 mi.
Partially Supporting: 0.0 mi.
Not Supporting: 7.2 mi.
Not Rated: 37.1 mi.
Lakes:
Sandy Creek Reservoir -
Fully Supporting

Section B: Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 167
Table B-9 Biological Assessment Sites in Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09
BENTHOS Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1993 1998
B-3 Deep River Randolph SR 2615 Good-Fair (s) Good-Fair (s)
B-5 Deep River Moore SR 1461 Excellent (s) Excellent (s)
B-7 Polecat Creek Randolph SR 2113 Good (w) Good (w)
B-10 L. Polecat Creek Randolph SR 2108 Not Rated Not Rated
B-16 Sandy Creek Randolph SR 2481 Good (w & s) Excellent (s)
B-19 Richland Creek Randolph SR 2873 Good (s) Excellent (s)
B-21 Brush Creek Randolph NC 22 Good (w) Good (s)
B-24 Flat Creek Randolph SR 2886 Fair (w) Good-Fair (w)
B-25 Fork Creek Randolph SR 2873 Good (w) Good (w)
FISH Bioclassification
Site # Stream County Location 1994 1998
F-1 Sandy Creek Randolph SR 2481 Good-Fair Good-Fair
FISH TISSUE No. Samples Exceeding
Criteria
Station Description Year
Sampled
Total
Samples
Metals Organics Comments
FT-1 Deep River at
Franklinville
1998 15 0 0 EPA mercury limit
exceeded in 1 bass sample
have consistently indicated an Excellent bioclassification, suggesting that the Deep River at this
point has recovered from upstream impacts.
Benthic macroinvertebrate data from tributary streams in this subbasin found improvements at 3
of the 6 sites sampled during 1998. Two of these locations improved from Good to Excellent
(Sandy and Richland Creeks).
Fish tissue samples were collected from the Deep River at Franklinville in 1998 above the
WWTP. Franklinville is located above the Ramseur ambient monitoring location. Fifteen
specimens were analyzed for metal contamination and, in addition, two largemouth bass were
analyzed for chlorinated pesticides and PCBs. These data found that no FDA or EPA criteria
were exceeded.
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].
Section B: Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 168
9.2 Impaired Waters
Portions of Flat Creek, Hasketts Creek and an unnamed tributary to Polecat Creek were
identified as impaired in the 1996 Cape Fear River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. Portions of
Hasketts Creek 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 9.3 and waters with
other issues, recommendations or projects are discussed in Part 9.4.
Flat Creek
Current Status
Flat Creek (9.5 miles) was partially supporting (PS) in the 1996 plan. Flat Creek (9.5 miles) is
currently fully supporting (FS) according to recent DWQ monitoring. However, this stream is in
a watershed with primarily agricultural land uses and may be subject to further degradation. The
land in this watershed is subject to erosion that can cause instream habitat degradation.
Implementation of agricultural BMPs is encouraged to reduce potential impacts. This stream is
no longer on the 303(d) list.
Hasketts Creek
Current Status
Hasketts Creek (7.2 miles source to Deep River) was partially supporting (PS) in the 1996 plan.
This stream is currently not supporting (NS) according to recent DWQ monitoring because of an
impaired biological community. Runoff associated with the Town of Asheboro is a possible
cause of impairment. Hasketts Creek is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA
approved).
2000 Recommendations
The Town of Asheboro 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 (see Section A, Chapter 4, Part 4.7.1). The 303(d) list approach will be
to resample for biological and chemical data to attempt to determine potential problem
parameters.
UT to Polecat Creek (Unnamed tributary at Cone Mills Club)
UT to Polecat Creek (1.4 miles) was not supporting (NS) in the 1996 plan. The stream had very
low flow during recent monitoring and could not be sampled. New biological information has
determined that the previous rating was inappropriate because of the small size of the stream.
This stream is no longer on the 303(d) list.
Section B: Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 169
9.3 303(d) listed Waters
Hasketts Creek (7.2 stream miles) is on the state’s year 2000 303(d) list (not yet EPA approved)
and is discussed above. For information on 303(d) listing requirements and approaches, refer to
Appendix IV.
9.4 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 3% 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 Deep River in this subbasin is downstream of impaired segments and may be affected by
urban runoff that has the potential to degrade water quality and instream habitat. Fecal coliform
bacteria, turbidity and nutrients are also noted as potential problem parameters. Addressing
problems upstream would benefit water quality in this segment of the Deep River.
Sandy Creek Reservoir is the water supply for the Town of Ramseur. The watershed is
moderately developed, and land use is mostly characterized by forested and agricultural areas as
well as urban development. There is frequently a problem with taste and odor associated with
water drawn from Sandy Creek Reservoir. Algae and manganese are believed to be the source of
these problems.
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 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 170
General Recommendations for the Deep River Point Source Discharges
1996 Recommendations
This segment of the Deep River was not identified as impaired in the 1996 plan. Because of low
dissolved oxygen (DO) behind dams downstream of High Point in the Deep River, the following
limits were recommended for facilities between High Point Lake and the Carbonton dam:
New and expanding discharges 1 MGD: BOD5 = 5 mg/l, NH3-N = 2mg/l, TP = 1mg/l
New and expanding discharges <1 MGD: BOD5 = 15 mg/l, NH3-N = 4 mg/l
New and expanding discharges <1 MGD and 0.5 MGD: TP = 2mg/l
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.
Current Status
The Asheboro WWTP has expanded capacity (6 MGD to 9 MGD) and is currently in
compliance. There are ongoing efforts to regionalize wastewater treatment in this subbasin.
There are four small dams on the Deep River in this subbasin. The dams slow flow in the river
and increase the potential for algal blooms to occur.
2000 Recommendations
Efforts to regionalize wastewater treatment in this subbasin should continue. Water quality
behind the dams will continue to be monitored to assess impacts from upstream point and
nonpoint sources. Increases in discharges of nutrients from point sources and increases in
nutrients associated with development and agriculture should be carefully considered in light of
past algal blooms in impoundments on the Deep River. Limits from the 1996 plan will continue
to be recommended with the exception that new and expanding discharges 1 MGD will be
given limits of BOD5 = 5 mg/l and NH3-N = 1mg/l. This is now considered BAT in North
Carolina for this discharge category. Recommended limits for other facilities are as follows:
New and expanding discharges 1 MGD: BOD5 = 5 mg/l, NH3-N = 1mg/l, TP =1mg/l
New and expanding discharges <1 MGD: BOD5 = 15 mg/l, NH3-N = 4 mg/l
New and expanding discharges <1 MGD and 0.5 MGD: TP = 2mg/l
Sandy Creek
Ramseur is purchasing conservation easements on riparian corridors of Sandy Creek Reservoir to
protect water quality. The town also received grant money to rehabilitate an existing sewer line.
Refer to Section C, Chapter 1, Part 1.5.2 for more information on these projects.