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Home My WebLink Aboutchapter 14 subbasin -14 Chapter 14 Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 Including: Lower Little River, Nicks Creek, Juniper Creek, Anderson Creek and Crane Creek 14.1 Subbasin Overview Subbasin 03-06-14 drains the Sandhills region. Most of the watershed is forested. Development is occurring in the western portion of the subbasin. Population is expected to grow by 150,000 people in counties with portions or all of their areas in this subbasin by 2020. Subbasin 03-06-14 at a Glance Land and Water Area Total area: 484 mi2 Land area: 478 mi2 Water area: 6 mi2 Population Statistics 2000 Est. Pop.: 80,611people Pop. Density: 166 persons/mi2 Land Cover (percent) Forest/Wetland: 78.8% Surface Water: 2.2% Urban: 2.4% Cultivated Crop: 8.2% Pasture/ Managed Herbaceous: 8.4% Counties Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee and Moore Municipalities Carthage, Linden, Pinhurst, Spring Lake, Southern Pines and Taylortown There are nine individual NPDES wastewater discharge permits in this subbasin with a permitted flow of 10.5 MGD (Figure 17). The largest are Fort Bragg WWTP and WTP (8 MGD) and Spring Lake WWTP (1.5 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 14.3 for Impaired waters. There is one registered dairy and five registered swine operations in this subbasin. There were 13 benthic community samples and 14 fish community samples (Figure 17 and Table 17) collected during this assessment period. Data were also collected from three ambient monitoring stations including one MCFRBA (Appendix V) station, one DWQ ambient station and one shared 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. 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 14 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 135 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-14 AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources SubbasinTable 17 Anderson Creek 18-23-32 From source to Little River 5.4 FW MilesC S ND BB353 /2000G BB353 /2003G BF52 /2003NR Habitat Degradation Impervious Surface Beaver Creek 18-23-16-8 From source to Cane Creek 7.2 FW MilesWS-III S ND BB332 /2002GF BF49 /2002NR Buffalo Creek 18-23-18 From source to Little River 7.6 FW MilesWS-III NR ND BF21 /2003NR Crane Creek (Craine Creek) 18-23-16a From source to Lake Surf 16.3 FW MilesWS-III S ND BB331 /2003GF BB331 /2002G BB349 /2002GF BB418 /2002G BF48 /2002NR BF51 /2002NR BF70 /2002NR 18-23-16b2 From Lake Surf to Little River 6.3 FW MilesWS-III S ND BB350 /2002G Cypress Creek 18-23-16-10 From source to Lake Surf, Cane Creek 5.4 FW MilesWS-III S ND BB236 /2002NI BF25 /2002NR Flat Creek 18-23-15 From source to Little River 6.2 FW MilesWS-III NR ND BF1 /2003NR CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-14 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-14 AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources SubbasinTable 17 Herds Creek 18-23-16-3 From source to Cane Creek 8.1 FW MilesWS-III S ND BB117 /2002NI BF7 /2002NR James Creek 18-23-13 From source to Little River 14.4 FW MilesWS-III NR ND BF17 /2003NR Jumping Run Creek 18-23-29 From source to Little River 10.0 FW MilesC NR ND BF2 /2003NR Little Cane Creek (White Oak Creek) 18-23-16-4a From source to SR 24 and 27 5.0 FW MilesWS-III NR ND BB118 /2003NR 18-23-16-4b From SR 24 and 27 to Cane Creek 4.4 FW MilesWS-III S ND BB191 /2003GF Little River (Lower Little River) 18-23-(1) From source to backwaters of Thagards Lake 14.9 FW MilesWS-III HQ NR ND BF4 /2003NR 18-23-(10.7) From Vass water supply intake to Crane Creek 12.6 FW MilesWS-III HQ I SBA456 CE Low pH 67.9 BB352 /2002GF BB352 /2003GF BA456 NCE Low pH Unknown 18-23-(24) From Fort Bragg lower water supply intake to Cape Fear River 25.6 FW MilesC I SBA459 CE Low pH 31.6 BA461 CE Low pH 26.6 BA459 NCE BA461 NCE Low pH Unknown Mill Creek 18-23-11-(1) From source to dam at old Southern Pines Water Supply 58.1 FW AcresWS-III HQ NR NDBL25 NCE Low pH 66 Low pH Unknown Mill Creek (Warrior Lake, Crystal Lake) 18-23-11-(2) From dam at old Southern Pines water supply to dam at Crystal Lake 8.6 FW MilesWS-III&B S ND BB335 /2000E CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-14 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-14 AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources SubbasinTable 17 Muddy Creek (Overhills Lake) 18-23-26 From source to Little River 9.4 FW MilesC NR ND BF22 /2003NR Nicks Creek 18-23-3-(3) From Carthage water supply intake to Little River 2.0 FW MilesWS-III S ND BB111 /2003GF BF3 /2003NR Habitat Degradation Impoundment 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 63.6 FW Milesm NR 67.5 FW Milesm I 38.2 FW Milesm NR 58.1 FW Acresm ND 256.1 FW Miles ND 1,274.3 FW Acres Recreation Rating Summary 38.2 FW MilesSm 387.2 FW MilesND 1,332.4 FW AcresND Fish Consumption Rating Summary 425.4 FW MilesIe 1,332.4 FW AcresIe CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-14 14.2 Use Support Assessment Summary Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-06-14 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 (1,332.4 acres and 279.3 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 169.3 stream miles (39.7 percent) and 58.1 freshwater acres (4.4 percent) monitored during this assessment period in the aquatic life category. There are 38.2 stream miles (9 percent) identified as Impaired in this same category. 14.3 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. 14.3.1 Crane Creek [AU#18-23-16a and 16b2] 2000 Recommendations The 2000 basinwide plan recommended that Crane Creek be resampled using the 303(d) approach, and that local initiatives were needed to address agricultural impacts. Current Status Crane Creek [18-23-16a] from source to Lake Surf (16.3 miles) is Supporting aquatic life because of Good-Fair benthic community ratings at sites BB331 and BB349 and Good at site BB418. Crane Creek was intensively studied in 2002 at the request of NCEEP (Chapter 34) to support development of a Local Watershed Plan. No Impaired drainages were identified during the study. The Plan identified 28 stream restoration sites representing 27,000 linear feet of stream and 111 acres of wetland sites. See the website for more information . http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/Cranes_Creek/cranes_creek_lwp.pdf Crane Creek [18-23-16b2] from Lake Surf to the Lower Little River (6.3 miles) is Supporting aquatic life because of a Good benthic community rating at site BB350. Chapter 14 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 140 2005 Recommendations DWQ will continue to monitor the Crane Creek watershed. DWQ will also work with NCEEP and other agencies to implement projects identified in the Local Watershed Plan. Crane Creek will be recommended for removal from the 303(d) list. 14.3.2 Lower Little River [AU#18-23-(10.7) and (24)] Current Status Lower Little River was Fully Supporting in the 2000 plan; however, Lower Little River [18-23- (10.7)] from Vass water supply intake to Crane Creek (12.6 miles) is currently Impaired for aquatic life because pH was below standard in 68 percent of samples collected at site BA456. The low pH levels may be from natural sources. The benthic community at site BB352 was Good-Fair. Riparian areas were intact and streambanks and instream habitat were stable and plentiful. This site has been rated Excellent in past sampling and the lower rating is likely related to drought impacts. Lower Little River [18-23-(24)] from Fort Bragg water supply to the Cape Fear River (25.6 miles) is Impaired for aquatic life because pH was below the standard in 32 and 27 percent of samples collected at sites BA459 and BA461. The low pH levels may be from natural sources. Fort Bragg WTP and WWTP (NC0003964) had significant violations of ammonia permit limits during the last two years of the assessment period that may have negatively impacted aquatic life. Fort Bragg has made repairs and modifications to the WWTP to address this issue. Spring Lake WWTP (NC0030970) also had significant violations of total suspended solids permit limits and is under a special order of consent (SOC# S03006) that expires in December 2005. The SOC includes requirements to submit plans for collection system repairs. Spring Lake is actively constructing additional treatment units to address noncompliance. The town is also addressing infiltration and inflow problems that will help NPDES compliance. 2005 Recommendations DWQ will continue to monitor the Lower Little River watershed to determine if low pH levels are natural or related to drought conditions. Both segments 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 The NCEEP completed 1,100 linear feet of stream restoration in this watershed (Chapter 34). 14.4 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. Chapter 14 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 141 14.4.1 Buffalo Creek [18-23-18] Current Status and 2005 Recommendations Buffalo Creek from source to the Little River (7.6 miles) is Not Rated for aquatic life because a fish community rating could not be assigned at site BF21. The site had the lowest diversity of any sand hills site, and only 14 fish were collected in 2003, compared to 28 in 1998. DWQ will continue to monitor Buffalo Creek and work to develop fish community criteria for sand hills streams so that community ratings can be assigned and use support determinations can be made. 14.4.2 Mill Creek [18-23-18] Current Status and 2005 Recommendations Old Town Reservoir (58.1-acre impoundment of Mill Creek) is Not Rated for aquatic life because pH was below the water quality standards in 66 percent of samples collected during lake monitoring in 2003. However, not enough samples were collected to assign a use support rating. Water quality is considered good in the reservoir and the low pH may be related to natural conditions. Activities on adjacent lands should use BMPs during land-disturbing activities in order to maintain good water quality in Old Town Reservoir. DWQ will determine if increased monitoring efforts in this lake are warranted to better assess water quality. 14.4.3 Nicks Creek [18-23-3-(3)] Current Status and 2005 Recommendations Nicks Creek from Carthage water supply intake to the Little River (2 miles) is Supporting aquatic life because of a Good-Fair benthic community rating at site BB111. Above site BB111, there is a newly constructed dam and rip-rap channel. It appears that the benthic and fish community sites may have been negatively impacted by construction and maintenance of the dam. The stream appears to be channelized around the dam structure. Site BB111 has been rated Good in the past. Refer to Chapter 32 for more information on dam operation. Chapter 14 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-14 142