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Chapter 16
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-16
Including: Cape Fear River, Harrison Creek, Turnbull Creek, Brown Creek and White Lake
16.1 Subbasin Overview
Subbasin 03-06-16 includes the Cape Fear River and
many streams that drain coastal plain wetlands and bay
lakes. Most of the watershed is forested with some
agriculture present. Development is occurring in the
Cumberland County portion of the subbasin. Population
is expected to grow by 100,000 people in counties with
portions or all of their areas in this subbasin by 2020;
however, most of the growth is expected in portions of the
county outside of this subbasin.
There are seven individual NPDES wastewater discharge
permits in this subbasin with a permitted flow of 13.7
MGD (Figure 19). The largest are Smithfield Tarheel
Plant (3 MGD), Alamac Knits (2.5 MGD) and Dupont (2
MGD). Refer to Appendix VI and Chapter 30 for more
information on NPDES permit holders. There are also 50
registered swine operations in this subbasin.
There were five benthic community samples (Figure 19
and Table 19) collected during this assessment period.
Data were also collected from 21 ambient monitoring
stations including 12 MCFRBA (Appendix V) stations,
three LCFRP (Appendix V) stations, four DWQ ambient
stations and two shared stations. Three reservoirs were
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 03-06-16 at a Glance
Land and Water Area
Total area: 438 mi2
Land area: 430 mi2
Water area: 8 mi2
Population Statistics
2000 Est. Pop.: 37,095 people
Pop. Density: 85 persons/mi2
Land Cover (percent)
Forest/Wetland: 78.7%
Surface Water: 2.5%
Urban: 0.6%
Cultivated Crop: 12.7%
Pasture/Managed
Herbaceous: 5.6%
Counties
Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland
and Pender
Municipalities
Dublin, East Acadia,
Elizabethtown, Tar Heel and White
Lake
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 16 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-16 155
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-16
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 19
Browns Creek (Cross Pond)
18-45
From source to Cape Fear River
10.5 FW MilesC S SBA559 NCE Low pH 12.5
BB155 /2003M
BA559 NCE
CAPE FEAR RIVER
18-(26)d
From Lock and Dam 3 to NC 41
21.3 FW MilesC NR SBA544 NCE Chlor a 57.1
BA545 NCE
BA546 NCE
BA547 NCE Low DO 7.14
BA549 NCE
BA553 NCE
BA556 NCE
BA544 NCE
BA545 NCE
BA546 NCE
BA547 NCE
BA549 NCE
BA553 NCE
BA556 NCE
Chlorophyll a Unknown
18-(26)e
From NC 41 to Browns Creek
1.8 FW MilesC NR SBA557 NCE Chlor a 10
BA558 NCE Chlor a 42.9
BA557 NCE
BA558 NCE
Chlorophyll a Unknown
18-(26)f
From Browns Creek to mouth of Hammond Creek
10.0 FW MilesC S SBA561 NCE BA561 NCE
18-(49)
From mouth of Hammond Creek to mouth of Drunken
Run (near mile 53)
8.1 FW MilesWS-V S SBA564 NCE BA564 NCE
18-(53.5)
From mouth of Drunken Run (near mile 53) to a point 0.6
mile upstream of Lock #1 near Acme
12.0 FW MilesWS-IV S SBA571 NCE BA571 NCE
18-(58.5)
From a point 0.6 mile upstream of Lock #1 near Acme to
Lock #1 (City of Wilmington water supply intake)
0.8 FW MilesWS-IV CA NR SBA572 NCE Low pH 10.6 BA572 NCE Low pH Unknown
18-(59)
From US Corps of Engineers Lock #1 near Acme to a
point 0.5 mile upstream of raw WSI at Fed. Paper Board
Corp. (Riegelwood)
7.7 FW MilesWS-IV Sw S SBA573 NCE
BA575 NCE
BA573 NCE
BA575 NCE
Ellis Creek
18-44
From source to Cape Fear River
11.8 FW MilesC S ND
BB143 /2003GF
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-16
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-16
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 19
Hammond Creek
18-50
From source to Cape Fear River
11.4 FW MilesC NR SBA562 NCE Low DO 8.9
BA562 NCE Low pH 14.3
BA562 NCE Low pH Unknown
Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown
Harrisons Creek (Little Alligator Swamp)
18-42a
From source to 0.3 miles downstream of SR 1318
9.9 FW MilesC S ND
BB271 /2003GF
18-42b
From 0.3 miles downstream of SR 1318 to Cape Fear
River
4.8 FW MilesC NR NR*BA550 NCE Low pH 89.8 BA550 NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown
Low pH Unknown
Jones Lake
18-46-7-1
From source to Lake Drain
214.1 FW AcresB NR NDBL31 NCE Low pH 100 Low pH Unknown
Salters Lake
18-44-4
Entire lake and connecting stream to Ellis Creek
315.4 FW AcresC NR NDBL30 NCE Low pH 100 Low pH Unknown
Turnbull Creek
18-46
From source to Cape Fear River
31.6 FW MilesC S SBA554 NCE Low DO 13.8
BA554 NCE Low pH 100
BA560 NCE Low pH 100
BB120 /1999NR
BB305 /2003GF
BA554 NCE
BA560 NCE
Low pH Unknown
Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown
White Lake
18-46-8-1
From source to Lake Drain
1,063.8 FW AcresB NR NDBL32 NCE Low pH 100 Low pH Unknown
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-16
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-16
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 19
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 101.5 FW Milesm
NR 40.1 FW Milesm
NR 1,593.2 FW Acresm
ND 131.4 FW Miles
ND 917.6 FW Acres
Recreation Rating Summary
115.1 FW MilesSm
4.8 FW MilesNR* m
153.1 FW MilesND
2,510.8 FW AcresND
Fish Consumption Rating Summary
31.8 FW MilesIm
241.2 FW MilesIe
2,510.8 FW AcresIe
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-16
16.2 Use Support Assessment Summary
Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-06-16 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 (82.7 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 141.6 stream miles (51.9 percent) and 1,593.2 freshwater acres (63.5 percent)
monitored during this assessment period in the aquatic life category. There were no stream miles
identified as Impaired in this category.
16.3 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.
16.3.1 Browns Creek [AU#18-45]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basinwide plan recommended that Browns Creek be resampled using the 303(d)
approach and that local initiatives were needed to address water quality.
Current Status
Browns Creek from source to the Cape Fear River (10.5 miles) is Supporting aquatic life because
of a Moderate benthic community rating at site BB155. No intolerant species were found at site
BB155. The low pH (12.5 percent below standard) at site BA559 is likely from natural swamp
drainage. Browns Creek is Impaired on a monitored basis in the fish consumption category.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor the Browns Creek watershed. This creek will be evaluated to
determine if a supplemental Sw classification is warranted. Browns Creek will remain on the
303(d) list because of the fish consumption impairment.
16.4 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
Chapter 16 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-16 160
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.
16.4.1 Cape Fear River [AU#18-(26)d and (58.5)]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
The Cape Fear River [18-(26)d] from Lock and Dam 3 to NC 41 (21.3 miles) is Not Rated for
aquatic life because Alamac Knits (NC0003522) had significant violations of pH permit limits
during the last two years of the assessment period. This facility ceased discharging in 2003.
Dissolved oxygen was also below 4 mg/l in 7 percent of samples at site BA547. The NPDES
compliance process will be used to address the significant permit violations noted above.
Chlorophyll a exceeded the standard in 57 percent of samples collected at BA544; however, not
enough samples were collected to assign a use support rating. This segment is Impaired on a
monitored basis in the fish consumption category and will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired
waters. The segment just upstream of Lock and Dam 3 is Impaired and is discussed in Chapter
15.
The Cape Fear River [18-(58.5)] just above Lock and Dam 1 (0.8 miles) is Not Rated for aquatic
life because pH was below the standard in 11 percent of samples collected at site BA572. The
low pH is likely from swamp streams that drain into the Cape Fear River in this subbasin. DWQ
will determine if a supplemental classification of Sw is warranted for this segment. The Cape
Fear River below Lock and Dam 1 is Class C Sw.
16.4.2 Beaverdam Creek [AU# 18-61-4]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Beaverdam Creek from source to Cape Fear River (6.7 miles) was not assessed during this
assessment period, but is in a watershed that has experienced growth along the NC 87 corridor.
Water Quality Initiatives
In 2003, Sandyfield received a $161,000 CWMTF (Chapter 34) grant to purchase 43 wetland
acres along Beaverdam Creek.
16.4.3 Hammond Creek [AU#18-50]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Hammond Creek from source to the Cape Fear River (11.4 miles) is Not Rated for aquatic life
because pH was below the standard in 14 percent of samples collected at site BA562. The low
pH is likely from swamp stream drainage. DWQ will determine if a supplemental classification
of Sw is warranted for this segment.
16.4.4 Harrisons Creek (Little Alligator Swamp) [AU#18-42b]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Harrisons Creek from downstream of SR 1318 to the Cape Fear River (4.8 miles) is Not Rated
for aquatic life because pH was below the standard in 90 percent of samples collected at site
Chapter 16 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-16 161
BA550. The low pH is likely from swamp stream drainage. DWQ will determine if a
supplemental classification of Sw is warranted for this segment. The upstream segment is
Supporting aquatic life because of a Good-Fair benthic community rating at site BB271.
Intolerant species were found at this site suggesting good water quality in Harrisons Creek.
16.4.5 Jones Lake [AU#18-46-7-1]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Jones Lake (214.1 acres) is Not Rated for aquatic life because pH was below the standard during
summer 2003 lake monitoring. However, not enough samples were collected to assign a use
support rating. The low pH is likely from swamp stream drainage. DWQ will determine if a
supplemental classification of Sw is warranted for this lake. DWQ will also determine if
increased monitoring efforts in this lake are warranted to better assess water quality.
16.4.6 Little Singletary Lake [AU#18-44-2-1]
Current Status and Water Quality Initiatives
Little Singletary Lake (626 acres) was not assessed for use support determination. In 1999, the
NC Wildlife Resources Commission received a $1,810,406 CWMTF (Chapter 34) grant to
acquire 9,740 acres around this lake.
16.4.7 Mulford Creek [AU#18-47]
Current Status and Water Quality Initiatives
Mulford Creek from source to the Cape Fear River (2 miles) was not assessed for use support
determination. In 2001, the NC Division of Forest Resources received a $345,000 CWMTF
(Chapter 34) grant to acquire 273 acres of riparian wetland along Mulford Creek. The overall
project included 777 acres.
16.4.8 Salters Lake [AU#18-44-4]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Salters Lake (315.4 acres) is Not Rated for aquatic life because pH was below the standard
during summer 2003 lake monitoring. However, not enough samples were collected to assign a
use support rating. The low pH is likely from swamp stream drainage. DWQ will determine if a
supplemental classification of Sw is warranted for this lake. DWQ will also determine if
increased monitoring efforts in this lake are warranted to better assess water quality.
16.4.9 Suggs Mill Pond [AU#18-44-1]
Current Status and Water Quality Initiatives
Suggs Mill Pond (200.3 acres) was not assessed for use support determination. In 1997, the NC
Wildlife Resources Commission received a $2,250,500 CWMTF (Chapter 34) grant to acquire
9,740 acres around the Suggs Mill Pond Complex.
Chapter 16 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-16 162
16.4.10 Turnbull Creek [AU#18-46]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Turnbull Creek from source to the Cape Fear River (31.6 miles) is Supporting aquatic life
because of a Good-Fair benthic community rating at site BB305. Intolerant species were found,
suggesting good water quality in Turnbull Creek. Dissolved oxygen exceeded the standard in 14
percent of samples at site BA554, and pH was below the standard in 100 percent of samples
collected at sites BA554 and BA560. The low pH and low dissolved oxygen are likely from
swamp stream drainage. DWQ will determine if a supplemental classification of Sw is
warranted for this segment.
Water Quality Initiatives
In 1999, the Cape Fear RC&D received an $18,550 CWMTF grant to purchase a no-till drill to
make available to farmers in this watershed (Chapter 34).
16.4.11 White Lake [AU#18-46-8-1]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
White Lake (1,063.8 acres) is Not Rated for aquatic life because pH was below the standard
during summer 2003 lake monitoring. However, not enough samples were collected to assign a
use support rating. The low pH is likely from swamp stream drainage. DWQ will determine if a
supplemental classification of Sw is warranted for this lake. DWQ will also determine if
increased monitoring efforts in this lake are warranted to better assess water quality.
Chapter 16 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-16 163