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Home My WebLink Aboutchapter 17 subbasin -17 Chapter 17 Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 Including: Cape Fear River, Cape Fear River Estuary, Livingston Creek and Town Creek 17.1 Subbasin Overview Subbasin 03-06-17 is in the coastal plain with slow- moving tannin stained tributary streams and the large Cape Fear River estuary and tidal creeks. Most of the watershed is forested with urban areas growing on the west side of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County. Population is expected to grow by 140,000 people in counties with portions or all of their areas in this subbasin by 2020. There are 41 individual NPDES wastewater discharge permits in this subbasin with a permitted flow of 99.9 MGD (Figure 20). The largest are International Paper (50 MGD), Progress Energy (3.5 MGD), New Hanover County WWTP (4 MGD), Northside WWTP (16 MGD) and Southside WWTP (12 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 17.3 for Impaired waters and in Section 17.4 for other waters. There are seven registered swine operations in this subbasin. There were eight benthic community samples (Figure 20 and Table 20) collected during this assessment period. Data were also collected from 17 ambient monitoring stations including nine LCFRP (Appendix V) stations, two DWQ ambient stations and four shared stations. Two reservoirs were also monitored. Refer to the 2003 Cape Fear River Basinwide Assessment Report at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html. Subbasin 03-06-17 at a Glance Land and Water Area Total area: 547 mi2 Land area: 498 mi2 Water area: 49 mi2 Population Statistics 2000 Est. Pop.: 78,348 people Pop. Density: 143 persons/mi2 Land Cover (percent) Forest/Wetland: 74.7% Surface Water: 9.3% Urban: 4.1% Cultivated Crop: 7.6% Pasture/Managed Herbaceous: 4.3% Counties Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender Municipalities Bellville, Boiling Springs, Bolton, Carolina Beach, Caswell Beach, Kure Beach, Leland, Long Beach, Navassa, Northwest, Wilmington and Yaupon Beach 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 17 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 164 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 Allen Creek (Boil 18-85-1-(1) From source to Boiling Springs Lake Dam 331.6 FW AcresB Sw NR NDBL37 NCE Low pH 100 Atlantic Ocean 99-(2) The waters of the Atlantic Ocean contiguous with that portion of the Cape Fear River Basin that extends from the eastern edge of the Lumber River Basin to the eastern end of Bald Head Island 5.6 Coast MilesSB ND NR*S-14 NCE S-15 NCE Enterrococcus Stormwater Outfall 99-(3)b The waters of the Atlantic Ocean contiguous to that portion of the Cape Fear River Basin from S. Fort Fisher Blvd. Along Kure Beach to the subbasin 17/24 boundary. 4.7 Coast MilesSB ND I S-18 NCE S-19 NCE S-19a NCE S-19b CE S-20 NCE Enterrococcus Stormwater Outfall Bald Head Creek 18-88-8-4 From source to Cape Fear River 79.9 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Barnards Creek 18-80 From source to Cape Fear River 3.9 FW MilesC Sw S ND BB438 /2003M Bay Creek 18-88-8-3-1 From source to Cape Creek 80.6 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 Beaverdam Cree 18-88-9-1-(0.5) From source to mouth of Polly Gully Creek 1.0 S acresSC Sw HQ NR ND BB17 /1999NR BB204 /1999NR BB39 /1999NR 18-88-9-1-(1.5) From mouth of Polly Gully Creek to Intracoastal Waterway 11.3 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Bowensville Cree 18-88-6 From Muddy Slough to Cape Fear River 5.2 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Brunswick River 18-77 From source to Cape Fear River 743.7 S acresSC I SBA707 CE Low DO 14.3 BA707 CE Low pH 19.6 BA707 NCE Low pH Unknown Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown Burris Creek 18-88-8-2-3 From Muddy Slough to Buzzard Bay 12.7 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Buzzard Bay 18-88-8-2 Entire Basin 578.1 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Cape Creek 18-88-8-3 From source to Cape Fear River 198.4 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 CAPE FEAR RI 18-(63)a From raw water supply intake at Federal Paper Board corporation (Riegelwood) to Bryant Mill Creek 3.8 FW MilesC Sw NR SBA585 NCE BA587 NCE Chlor a 33.3 BA585 NCE BA587 NCE Chlorophyll a Unknown 18-(63)b From Bryant Mill Creek to upstream mouth of Toomers Creek 18.5 FW MilesC Sw NR SBA589 NCE Low DO 8.8 BA639 NCE Low DO 13.8 BA640 NCE Low DO 11 BA589 NCE BA639 NCE BA640 NCE Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown 18-(71)a From upstream mouth of Toomers Cr. to a line across the river Between Lilliput Creek and Snows Cut 5,616.7 S acresSC I SBA642 CE Low DO 42.9 BA642 CE Low pH 38.5 BA642 NCE Turbidity 8.8 BA644 CE Low DO 37.1 BA644 CE Low pH 37.1 BA708 CE Low DO 16.4 BA708 CE Low pH 10.4 BA709 CE Low DO 29.5 BA709 CE Low pH 20.5 BA713 CE Low DO 23.2 BA713 CE Low pH 19.6 BA716 CE Low DO 10.4 BA642 NCE BA644 NCE BA708 NCE BA709 NCE BA713 NCE BA716 NCE Turbidity Unknown Low pH Unknown Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown 18-(71)b From a line across the river between Lilliput Creek and Snows Cut to a line across the river from Snows Point to Federal Marsh 7,856.7 S acresSC S SBA722 NCE BA722 NCE S-44 NCE CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 18-(87.5)a Prohibited area north of Southport Restricted Area and west of ICWW in Cape Fear River 769.2 S acresSA HQW S S IPROBA734 NCE S-43 NCE BA734 NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown 18-(87.5)b Approved area east of ICWW in Cape Fear River 4,784.2 S acresSA HQW S S SAPPBA734 NCE BA734 NCE 18-(87.5)c Prohibited area south of Southport Restricted Area 322.6 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown 18-(87.5)d Prohibited area east of ICWW in Cape Fear River 17.7 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Impervious Surface Cedar Creek 18-88-8-2-4 From Cape Fear River to Buzzard Bay 105.1 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Coward Creek 18-88-9-2-5-1 From source to Molasses Creek 5.9 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Deep Creek 18-88-8-3-1-1 From source to Bay Creek 31.0 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Denis Creek 18-88-9-2-3 From source to Intracoastal Waterway 34.2 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 Dutchman Creek 18-88-9-3-(2.5) From CP&L Discharge Canal to Intracoastal Waterway 75.8 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Dutchman Creek 18-88-9-3-3 From Intracoastal waterway to Dutchman Creek 78.3 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Dutchman Creek 18-88-9-3-(4) That section of Dutchman Creek within a line beginning at a point of marsh at the junction of Dutchman Creek and Elizabeth River and running due north to a point of marsh 37.9 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Elizabeth River 18-88-9-2-(1) That section of Elizabeth River exclusive of the Elizabeth River Shellfishing Area 83.5 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Elizabeth River S 18-88-9-2-(2) That section of Elizabeth River within a line beginning at the mouth of Molasses Creek and running northeast to a point of marsh at the junction of Elizabeth River and Du 205.6 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Fishing Creek 18-88-8-4-1 From source to Bald Head Creek 7.9 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 Greenfield Lake 18-76-1 Entire Lake 75.3 FW AcresC Sw NR NDBL36 NCE Chlorophyll a MS4 NPDES Fecal Coliform Bacteria MS4 NPDES Hood Creek 18-66 From source to Cape Fear River 13.8 FW MilesC Sw S ND BB447 /2003M BB447 /1999GF BB447 /1998GF Intracoastal Wat 18-88-9a From Channel Marker F1, R. "22" to Dutchmans Creek outlet channel 222.6 S acresSA HQW ND S IPROS-41 NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown 18-88-9b From Dutchmans Creek outlet channel to mouth of Cottage Creek 96.6 S acresSA HQW I I IPROBA740 CE Low DO 11.1 S-42 CE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Enterrococcus Unknown Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown Jump and Run C 18-88-9-3-2 From source to Dutchman Creek 1.0 S acresSC Sw NR ND BB182 /1999NR Lewis Branch 18-81-2-2 From source to Lewis Swamp 3.8 FW MilesC Sw S ND BB288 /2003N CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 Livingston Creek 18-64 From source to Cape Fear River 21.8 FW MilesC Sw S SBA584 NCE Low DO BB446 /2003GF BA584 NCE Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown Middle Creek 18-88-5 From Muddy Slough to Cape Fear River 10.8 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Molasses Creek 18-88-9-2-5 From source to Elizabeth River 1.0 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Muddy Slough 18-88-7 Entire Slough 1.0 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Piney point Cree 18-88-9-2-4 From source to Denis Creek 11.5 S acresSA HQW ND ND IPROFecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown Shellbed Creek 18-88-4 From Muddy Slough to Cape Fear River 1.0 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP Southport Restri 18-88-3.5 Beginning at a point on the west bank of the Cape Fear River 1000 yards upstream of Price Creek, thence in an easterly direction to the eastern border of the Lower Cape F 715.3 S acresSC S SBA736 NCE BA736 NCE CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 Still Creek 18-88-8-2-2 From Muddy Slough to Buzzard Bay 32.5 S acresSA HQW ND ND SAPP The Basin 18-88-8-1 Entire Basin 384.0 S acresSA HQW ND S SAPPS-18a NCE Town Creek (Rat 18-81 From source to Cape Fear River 32.1 FW MilesC Sw S ND BB13 /1999NR BB13 /1999N BB13 /1998NR CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification CAPE FEAR 03-06-17 AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Subbasin SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Status Table 20 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 GA Status- DEH SS Growing Area Status Results Aquatic Life Rating Summary S 14,125.4 S acresm NR 2.0 S acresm I 6,457.0 S acresm S 75.4 FW Milesm NR 22.3 FW Milesm NR 406.9 FW Acresm ND 2,859.2 S acres ND 215.4 FW Miles ND 844.5 FW Acres ND 22.8 Coast Mile Recreation Rating Summary 21,092.3 S acresSm 96.6 S acresIm 44.1 FW MilesSm 5.6 Coast MileNR* m 4.7 Coast MileIm 2,254.6 S acresND 269.1 FW MilesND 1,251.5 FW AcresND 12.5 Coast MileND Fish Consumption Rating Summary 35.9 FW MilesIm 23,443.5 S acresIe 277.3 FW MilesIe 1,251.5 FW AcresIe 22.8 Coast MileIe CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-17 17.2 Use Support Assessment Summary Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-06-17 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 (1.6 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. In the aquatic life category, 97.8 stream miles (31.2 percent), 407 freshwater acres (32.5 percent), and 20,592 estuarine acres (87.8 percent) were monitored during this assessment period. There were 6,457 estuarine acres (27.5 percent) identified as Impaired in this category. In the recreation category, 21,188.9 estuarine acres (90.4 percent), 44.1 freshwater miles (14.1 percent), and 10.3 coastline miles (45.2 percent) were monitored during the assessment period. There were 96.6 estuarine acres (<1 percent) and 4.7 coastline miles (20.6 percent) identified as Impaired in this category. In the shellfish harvesting category, 8,286.1 estuarine acres (100 percent) were monitored during the assessment period. There were 2,061.6 estuarine acres (24.8 percent) identified as Impaired in this category. 17.3 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. For Impaired Class SA waters presented below, refer to Chapter 27 for more information and recommendations on shellfish harvesting use support. All waters identified as Impaired in the shellfish harvesting category 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. 17.3.1 Atlantic Ocean [99-(2) and (3)b] Current Status These segments of the Atlantic Ocean were not individually identified in the 2000 basin plan, and no specific recommendations were made in the 2000 basin plan. Chapter 17 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 175 The Atlantic Ocean [99-(3)b] from the subbasin boundary to South Fort Fisher Boulevard (4.7 coastline miles) is Impaired for recreation because of permanent postings of swimming advisories and the 18 known storm drains that periodically discharge onto the beach in this segment. Segment 99-(2) is Not Rated for recreation because of the presence of storm drains that periodically discharge into these waters, although no criteria were exceeded at sites S-14 and S-15. 17.3.2 Bald Head Creek [AU# 18-88-8-4] Current Status Bald Head Creek from source to the Cape Fear River (79.9 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting because this segment is classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-2. Bald Head Creek will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 17.3.3 Beaverdam Creek [AU# 18-88-9-1-(0.5) and (1.5)] Current Status Beaverdam Creek [18-88-9-1-(0.5)] from source to Polly Gully Creek (1 mile) is Not Rated for aquatic life because benthic community ratings could not be assigned at sites BB17, BB39 and BB204 in 1999. The watershed was studied in 1999 to evaluate the effects of ditching associated with the St. James Plantation development. Large amounts of silt in the creek promoted a shift toward silt tolerant species. The Brunswick WTP discharge provided permanent flow and increased the pH of the stream above what would be natural for streams in this area. A surprisingly pollution intolerant benthic community was present in some areas of the watershed. Beaverdam Creek [18-88-9-1-(1.5)] from Polly Gully Creek to ICWW (11.3 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting because this segment is classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1. 2005 Recommendations DWQ will continue to monitor Beaverdam Creek. It is recommended that further development in this area avoid ditching and use BMPs to prevent further siltiation of streams in this watershed. Segment 18-88-9-1-(1.5) will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 17.3.4 Cape Fear River Estuary Brunswick River [AU#18-77] Cape Fear River [AU#18-(63)a and b, (71)a and (71)b] Cape Fear River [AU#18-(87.5)a, c and d] 2000 Recommendations The 2000 basinwide plan recommended that a TMDL be developed for dissolved oxygen and that the TMDL be used to guide wasteload allocations for new and expanding discharges. Refer to Chapter 30 for information on NPDES permitting. Current Status The Brunswick River [18-77] from source to the Cape Fear River (743.7 acres) is Impaired for aquatic life because the dissolved oxygen standard was violated in 14.3 percent of samples at site BA707. The dissolved oxygen standard for SC classified waters is 5 mg/l. The pH standard was Chapter 17 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 176 also below the standard in 19.6 percent of samples. The low pH may be associated with swamp drainage from the Black and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers. Clairmont Shopping Center (NC0058599) had significant violations of ammonia permit limits during the last two years of the assessment period as well. The Cape Fear River [18-(63)a] from International Paper intake to Bryant Mill Creek (3.8 miles) is Impaired on a monitored basis in the fish consumption category. The Cape Fear River [18-(63)b] from Bryant Mill Creek to Toomers Creek (18.5 miles) is Not Rated because dissolved oxygen was below 4 mg/l in 11 and 13.8 of samples collect at sites BA640 and BA639. This segment is classified as C Sw, which acknowledges natural characteristics of swamps such as low pH. Also, BASF (NC0059234) had significant violations of biological oxygen demand permit limits, and Leland Industrial Park WWTP (NC0065676) had significant violations of total suspended solids permit limits during the last two years of the assessment period. BASF is under a special order of consent (SOC# S0314) that expires in August 2005. The Cape Fear River [18-(71)a] from Toomers Creek to Snows Cut (5,616.7 acres) is Impaired for aquatic life because the dissolved oxygen standard was violated in 42.9, 37.1, 16.4, 29.5, 23.2 and 10.4 percent of samples collected at sites BA642, BA644, BA708, BA709, BA713 and BA716. The dissolved oxygen standard for SC waters is 5 mg/l. The pH standard was also below the standard in 38.5, 37.1, 10.4, 20.5 and 19.6 percent of samples at the same sites. The low pH may be associated with swamp drainage from the Black and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers. The segment of the Cape Fear River upstream of this area has a supplemental classification of Sw that acknowledges that swamp streams may have lower dissolved oxygen and pH. The Cape Fear River [18-(71)b] from Snows Cut to Federal Marsh (7,856.7 acres) is Supporting aquatic life because no criteria were exceeded at site BA722, although Kure Beach WWTP (NC0025763) had significant violations of total suspended solids permit limits during the last two years of the assessment period. The Cape Fear River [18-(87.5)a, c and d] from Polly Gully Creek to ICWW (11.3 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting because these segments are classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing areas B-1 and B-4. Segment 18-(87.5)a is Supporting aquatic life and recreation because no criteria were exceeded at sites BA722 and S-43. Segment 18-(87.5)b is Supporting shellfish harvesting and aquatic life because this area is approved and no criteria were exceeded at site BA734. 2005 Recommendations DWQ is developing a TMDL to address the low dissolved oxygen in these segments. TMDL targets and allocations will be addressed as part of the process. Modeling efforts will include a watershed model of the Northeast Cape Fear River and hydrodynamic and water quality modeling of the estuary. The TMDL is scheduled to be submitted to EPA in late 2005. Until the TMDL is approved by EPA, new and expanding discharges will be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis. The NPDES compliance process will be used to address the significant permit violations noted above. Refer to Chapter 30 for information on NPDES permitting and Chapter 37 for information on the modeling and monitoring efforts. Chapter 17 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 177 Segments 18-(71)a and 18-77 will remain on the 303(d) list of Impaired waters replacing the Cape Fear (DEH Area) B10 listing. Segments 18-(63)a and 18-(87.5)a, c and d will be added to the list. Water Quality Initiatives In 2005, a NOAA grant was used to implement BMPs at the Carolina Beach State Park Marina. The BMPs included two rain gardens to treat runoff from parking lots and two inlet slip filters to filter sediment, oils and grease from runoff. 17.3.5 Coward Creek [AU# 18-88-9-2-5-1] Current Status Coward Creek from source to the Cape Fear River (5.9 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting because this segment is classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1. Coward Creek will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 17.3.6 Dennis Creek [AU# 18-88-9-2-3] and Piney Point Creek [AU# 18-88-9-2-4] Current Status Dennis Creek and Piney Point Creek south of the ICWW (45.7 acres) are Impaired for shellfish harvesting because these segments are classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1. These creeks will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 17.3.7 Dutchman Creek [AU# 18-88-9-3-(2.5)], Dutchman Creek Outlet Channel [AU# 18-88-9-3-3], and Dutchman Creek Shellfish Area [AU# 18-88-9-3-(4)] Current Status Dutchman Creek, the Outlet Channel and Shellfish Area north of the ICWW (192 acres) are Impaired for shellfish harvesting because these segments are classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1. These creeks will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 17.3.8 Elizabeth River [AU# 18-88-9-2-(1)], Elizabeth River Shellfishing Area [AU# 18- 88-9-2-(2)] and Molasses Creek Shellfish Area [AU# 18-88-9-2-5] Current Status Elizabeth River, Shellfish Area and Molasses Creek south of the ICWW (290.1 acres) are Impaired for shellfish harvesting because these segments are classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1. These creeks will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 17.3.9 Fishing Creek [AU# 18-88-8-4-1] Current Status Fishing Creek from source to Bald Head Creek (7.9 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting because this segment is classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1. Fishing Creek will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Chapter 17 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 178 17.3.10 Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) [AU#18-88-9a and b] 2000 Recommendations This segment of the ICWW was not individually identified in the 2000 basin plan, but was considered Not Supporting because it was closed to shellfish harvesting. No specific recommendations were made in the 2000 basin plan. Current Status The Intracoastal Waterway [18-88-9a] from channel marker F1 to Dutchmans Creek Outlet Channel (226.6 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting because this segment is classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1. This segment is Supporting recreation because no criteria were exceeded at site S-41. The Intracoastal Waterway [18-88-9b] from Dutchmans Creek Outlet Channel to Cottage Creek (96.6 acres) is Impaired for aquatic life because the dissolved oxygen standard was violated in 11 percent of samples at site BA740. The dissolved oxygen standard for SC classified waters is 5 mg/l. This segment is also Impaired for shellfish harvesting and recreation because this segment is classified by DEH SS (Chapter 27) as prohibited in growing area B-1 and because of permanent swimming advisories at site S-42. 2005 Recommendations DWQ and DEH will continue to monitor the ICWW and work with local governments to identify sources of bacteria and oxygen-consuming materials. This segment of the ICWW 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. 17.3.11 Town Creek [AU# 18-81] Current Status and 2005 Recommendations Town Creek from source to the Cape Fear River (32.1 miles) is Supporting aquatic life because of a natural benthic community rating at site BB13. A sample in November 1999, after three hurricanes, indicated the benthic community was not severely impacted by the storms. Town Creek is Impaired on a monitored basis in the fish consumption category and will be added to the 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Water Quality Initiatives In 2000, the NC Coastal Land Trust received a $305,000 CWMTF grant to acquire 260 acres conservation easements along Town Creek, with an additional 320 acres of donated conservation easements included in the project. In 2001, the NC Coastal Land Trust received a $277,000 CWMTF grant to acquire 115 acres conservation easements along Town and Russell Creeks, with an additional 135 acres of donated conservation easements included in the project. In 2002, the NC Coastal Land Trust received a $2,095,000 CWMTF grant to acquire 638 acres along Town Creek (See Chapter 34 for more information on all projects). Chapter 17 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 179 17.4 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. 17.4.1 Greenfield Lake [AU# 18-76-1] Current Status and 2005 Recommendations Greenfield Lake (75.3 acres) is Not Rated for aquatic life because data from UNCW indicates elevated fecal coliform bacteria levels and chlorophyll a levels. There are also indications that dissolved oxygen levels are below the water quality standard and the lake has problems with aquatic weeds. In 2003, almost 75 percent of the surface was covered with aquatic weeds, though no water quality standards were violated during DWQ lake monitoring. 17.4.2 Southport Restricted Area [AU# 18-88-3.5] Current Status and 2005 Recommendations The Southport Restricted Area, on the west bank of the Cape Fear River from Price Creek to Southport (715.3 acres), is Not Rated for aquatic life on an evaluated basis because the ADM Southport Plant (NC0027065) had significant violations of total settable solids permit limits during the last two years of the assessment period that could have negatively impacted aquatic life. The NPDES compliance process will be used to address the significant permit violations noted above. Chapter 17 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-17 180