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Chapter 10
Cape Fear River River Subbasin 03-06-10
Including: Deep River, McLendons Creek, Bear Creek, Cabin Creek and Mill Creek
10.1 Subbasin Overview
Subbasin 03-06-10 is primarily in the Carolina slate belt,
with some streams draining Triassic basin soils and the
Sandhills. Almost the entire watershed is forested with
very few urban areas. Population is expected to grow by
105,000 people in counties with portions or all of their
areas in this subbasin by 2020; however, most of the
growth will be in portions of the counties outside of this
subbasin.
There are three individual NPDES wastewater discharge
permits in this subbasin with a permitted flow of 1.9
MGD (Figure 13). The largest is Robbins WWTP (1.3
MGD). Refer to Appendix VI and Chapter 30 for more
information on NPDES permit holders. Issues related to
compliance with NPDES permit conditions are discussed
below in Section 10.3 for Impaired waters.
There is one registered dairy, one registered cattle
operation and three registered swine operations in this
subbasin.
There were 10 benthic community samples and six fish
community samples (Figure 13 and Table 13) collected
during this assessment period. Data were also collected
from five ambient monitoring stations including one
UCFRBA (Appendix V) station, two DWQ stations and two shared ambient station. One
reservoir was also monitored. Refer to the 2003 Cape Fear River Basinwide Assessment Report
at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html and Appendix IV for more information on monitoring.
Subbasin 03-06-10 at a Glance
Land and Water Area
Total area: 448 mi2
Land area: 446 mi2
Water area: 2 mi2
Population Statistics
2000 Est. Pop.: 45,209 people
Pop. Density: 101 persons/mi2
Land Cover (percent)
Forest/Wetland: 80.0%
Surface Water: 0.9%
Urban: 0.4%
Cultivated Crop: 0.9%
Pasture/ Managed
Herbaceous: 17.9%
Counties
Chatham, Montgomery, Moore and
Randolph
Municipalities
Biscoe, Carthage, Robbins and Star
Waters in the following sections are identified by assessment unit number (AU#). This number
is used to track defined segments in the water quality assessment database, 303(d) Impaired
waters list and the various tables in this basin plan. The assessment unit number is a subset of
the DWQ index number (classification identification number). A letter attached to the end of the
AU# indicates that the assessment is smaller than the DWQ index segment. No letter indicates
that the assessment unit and the DWQ index segment are the same.
Chapter 10 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-10 107
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-10
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 13
Bear Creek
17-26-(1)
From a source to a point 0.5 mile upstream of Cabin
Creek
14.9 FW MilesWS-III S ND
BF38 /2003G
17-26-(4.5)
From a point 0.5 mile upstream of Cabin Creek to
Robbins water supply intake
0.2 FW MilesWS-III CA S SBA344 NCE
BB152 /2003G
BA344 NCE
17-26-(6)
From Robbins water supply intake to Deep River
6.3 FW MilesC S SBA344 NCE
BB152 /2003G
BA344 NCE Habitat Degradation Unknown
Buffalo Creek
17-28
From source to Deep River
16.5 FW MilesC S ND
BB112 /2003GF
BF5 /2003G
Cabin Creek
17-26-5-(1)a
From source to Cotton Creek
8.7 FW MilesWS-III S ND
BB279 /2003G
BB279 /2002NR
BB279 /2003GF
17-26-5-(1)c
From SR 1281 to Moore County SR 1434
10.5 FW MilesWS-III S ND
BF32 /1999E
BF32 /1999E
BF32 /1999G
BF32 /2003GF
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-10
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-10
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 13
Cotton Creek
17-26-5-3a
From source to Center Street
0.3 FW MilesWS-III I NR*BA339 NCE
BB276 /2001P
BA339 NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown
Toxic Impacts WWTP NPDES
17-26-5-3b
From Center Street to SR 1371
2.5 FW MilesWS-III I NR*BA339 NCE
BB276 /2001P
BB277 /1998P
BA339 NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown
Toxic Impacts WWTP NPDES
17-26-5-3c
From SR 1371 to Cabin Creek
3.7 FW MilesWS-III I ND
BB274 /2001F
BB275 /1998F
Toxic Impacts WWTP NPDES
DEEP RIVER
17-(10.5)e2
From Subbasin 03-06-09 and 03-06-10 boundary to
Grassy Creek
2.8 FW MilesC I SBA322 CE Turbidity 10.9
BB298 /2002G
BB298 /2003E
BA322 NCE Turbidity Unknown
17-(25.7)
From Grassy Creek to a point 1.0 mile upstream of
Tysons Creek
12.4 FW MilesC HQW S SBA347 NCE Turbidity 7.94 BA347 NCE Turbidity Unknown
17-(32.5)a
From mouth of Big Governors Creek to Carbonton Dam
4.0 FW MilesWS-IV I NDBA355 NCE Low DO 6.8
BA355 CE Chlor a 13.2
BA355 NCE Chlorophyll a Unknown
Indian Creek
17-35
From source to Deep River
7.4 FW MilesWS-IV I ND
BF59 /2003F
Habitat Degradation Land Clearing
Killets Creek
17-30-3-(1)
From source to dam at Carthages water supply reservoir
8.0 FW AcresWS-III CA NR NDBL23 NCE Low pH 100 Low pH
Mill Creek
17-26-5-4
From source to Cabin Creek
11.7 FW MilesWS-III S ND
BB167 /2003G
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-10
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-10
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 13
Wet Creek
17-26-5-5
From source to Cabin Creek
10.6 FW MilesWS-III S ND
BB119 /2003G
BF6 /2003NR
AL - Aquatic Life BF - Fish Community Survey E - Excellent S - Supporting, I - Impaired
REC - Recreation BB - Benthic Community Survey G - Good NR - Not Rated
BA - Ambient Monitoring Site GF - Good-Fair NR*- Not Rated for Recreation (screening criteria exceeded)
BL- Lake Monitoring F - Fair ND-No Data Collected to make assessment
S- DEH RECMON P - Poor
NI - Not Impaired CE-Criteria Exceeded > 10% and more than 10 samples
Miles/Acres S- Severe Stress NCE-No Criteria Exceeded
FW- Fresh Water M-Moderate Stress
S- Salt Water N- Natural
Results
Aquatic Life Rating Summary
S 91.9 FW Milesm
I 20.7 FW Milesm
NR 8.0 FW Acresm
NR 1.2 FW Milese
ND 283.3 FW Miles
Recreation Rating Summary
21.7 FW MilesSm
2.8 FW MilesNR* m
372.5 FW MilesND
8.0 FW AcresND
Fish Consumption Rating Summary
397.1 FW MilesIe
8.0 FW AcresIe
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-10
10.2 Use Support Assessment Summary
Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-06-10 in the aquatic life, recreation,
fish consumption and water supply categories. All waters are Impaired on an evaluated basis in
the fish consumption category because of fish consumption advice that applies to the entire
basin. In the water supply category, all WS classified waters (8 acres and 165.4 miles) are
Supporting on an evaluated basis based on reports from DEH regional water treatment plant
consultants. Refer to Appendix X for a complete list of monitored waters and more information
on Supporting monitored waters.
There were 112.6 stream miles (28.4 percent) and 8 freshwater acres (100 percent) monitored
during this assessment period in the aquatic life category. There are 20.7 stream miles (5.2
percent) identified as Impaired in this same category.
10.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired
Waters
The following waters were either identified as Impaired in the previous basin plan (2000) or are
newly Impaired based on recent data. If previously identified as Impaired, the water will either
remain on the state’s 303(d) list or will be delisted based on recent data showing water quality
improvements. If the water is newly Impaired, it will likely be placed on the 2006 303(d) list.
The current status and recommendations for addressing these waters are presented below, and
each is identified by an assessment unit number (AU#). Refer to the overview for more
information on AUs. Information regarding 303(d) listing and reporting methodology is
presented in Appendix VII.
10.3.1 Cabin Creek [AU#17-26-5-(1)b and c]
Current Status
Cabin Creek [17-26-5-(1)b] from Cotton Creek to SR 1281 (1.2 miles) is Not Rated on an
evaluated basis for aquatic life because it is impacted by the Star WWTP discharging to Cotton
Creek (see below). The conductivity has been up to ten times higher than in nearby streams.
Cabin Creek [17-26-5-(1)c] from SR 1281 to SR 1434 (10.5 miles) is Supporting aquatic life
because of Good-Fair fish community rating at site BF32. The fish community has been rated
Excellent in the past and is expected to recover after the drought and high flows in 2003.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor Cabin Creek to evaluate recovery of the fish community and the
reduced impacts of the Star WWTP. Segment 17-26-5-(1)b will remain on the 303(d) list.
10.3.2 Cotton Creek [AU#17-26-5-3a,b and c]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basinwide plan recommended that Star WWTP maintain the highest quality effluent
possible to protect aquatic life in Cotton Creek, and a 303(d) sampling approach would be
conducted by DWQ.
Chapter 10 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-10 112
Current Status
Cotton Creek from source to Cabin Creek (6.5 miles) is Impaired for aquatic life because of Poor
and Fair benthic community ratings at sites BB276 and BB274. The Star WWTP (NC0058548)
had significant violations of cyanide permit limits and many whole effluent toxicity test failures
during the last two years of the assessment period. The Star WWTP has decreased flow and
improved effluent quality after a significant industrial user ceased discharging to the plant in
2003. Due to changes in the influent to the Star WWTP, the facility was in compliance in 2004.
The downstream benthic community site was severely stressed by the WWTP toxicity. Segment
[17-26-5-3b] is Not Rated for recreation because the fecal coliform bacteria screening criteria
were exceeded at site BA339.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor Cotton Creek. Fayetteville Regional Office staff will continue to
monitor improvements at the Town of Star WWTP. DWQ recommends that Star pursue other
wastewater disposal options to Cotton Creek. Cotton Creek will remain on the 303(d) list and
closely evaluated during the next assessment period.
10.3.3 Deep River [AU#17-(10.5)e2, (25.7) and (32.5)a]
Current Status
These segments of the Deep River were Fully Supporting in the 2000 basin; however, NPDES
permit limits were recommended in this segment (Chapter 30). The Deep River [17-(10.5)e2]
from the subbasin boundary to Grassy Creek (2.8 miles) is Impaired for aquatic life because the
turbidity standard was violated in 10.9 percent samples at site BA322. The benthic community
was rated Excellent at site BB298.
The Deep River [17-(25.7)] from Grassy Creek to upstream of Tysons Creek (12.4 miles) is
Supporting aquatic life because no criteria were exceeded at site BA347; however, turbidity was
above the standard in 7.9 percent samples at site BA347. The Robbins WWTP (NC0062855)
also had significant violations of mercury permit limits during the last two years of the
assessment period. Robbins conducted mercury investigations during 2002 and isolated several
sources. A review of data for 2003 and 2004 indicated no violations of mercury permit limits.
The Deep River [17-(32.5)a] from Big Governors Creek to Carbonton Dam (4 miles) is Impaired
for aquatic life because the chlorophyll a standard was violated in 13 percent of samples at site
BA355. Site BA355 is in the backwaters of Carbonton Dam. Nutrient loading from upstream
land uses has caused increased algal growth behind other dams in the Deep River as well.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ and UCFRBA (Appendix V) will continue to monitor the Deep River.
Segments 17-(10.5)e2 and 17-(32.5)a will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters.
TMDLs (Chapter 35) will be developed for identified stressors within 8-13 years of listing.
Water Quality Initiatives
In 1998, Triangle Land Conservancy received a $1,189,000 CWMTF grant to acquire 563 acres
along the Deep River (Chapter 34).
Chapter 10 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-10 113
10.3.4 Indian Creek [AU#17-35]
Current Status
Indian Creek was Not Rated in the 2000 basin plan; however, Indian Creek from source to Deep
River (7.4 miles) is currently Impaired for aquatic life because of a Fair fish community rating at
site BF59. Indian Creek was a regional reference site because of habitat characteristics and was
rated Excellent in 1998. The habitat has been extremely degraded since 1998 due to extensive
land clearing in the immediate watershed that has left only a narrow buffer of mature trees. High
flows and drought conditions during the assessment period have also impacted the fish
community in Indian Creek. The land clearing was to establish pastureland and was not related
to forest harvesting.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor Indian Creek and work with DSWC staff to identify BMPs to
minimize further degradation to the creek. Land clearing activities should use forestry BMPs
(Chapter 29) to minimize impacts to local streams. Adequate buffers should be maintained for
all land clearing activities.
10.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts
The surface waters discussed in this section are not Impaired. However, notable water quality
problems and concerns have been documented for some waters based on this assessment. While
these waters are not Impaired, attention and resources should be focused on these waters to
prevent additional degradation or facilitate water quality improvement. Waters in the following
section are identified by assessment unit number (AU#). See overview for more information on
AU#s.
10.4.1 Killets Creek (Carthage City Lake)[AU#17-30-3-(1)]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Carthage City Lake (8 acres) is Not Rated for aquatic life because 100 percent of pH samples
were below the water quality standard. However, not enough samples were collected to assign a
use support rating. Increased nutrient and turbidity levels were noted in the lake compared to
previous monitoring. DWQ will determine if increased monitoring efforts in this lake are
warranted to better assess water quality.
10.4.2 McLendons Creek [AU#17-30]
Current Status and Water Quality Initiatives
McLendons Creek (28 acres) from source to the Deep River was not assessed during this
assessment period. Previous biological assessments indicated that the low summer flow of this
Triassic basin stream did not meet criteria to assign use support ratings. McLendons Creek has
been impacted by nutrients and sediment from agriculture land uses. In 1996, NCSU received a
$198,000 Section 319 grant (Chapter 34) to implement BMPs on dry litter poultry farms, exclude
cattle from streambanks, and to start a volunteer monitoring program.
Chapter 10 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-10 114