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Chapter 6
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06
Including: Morgan Creek, Bolin Creek, Booker Creek, Little Creek and University Lake
6.1 Subbasin Overview
Subbasin 03-06-06 is in the Carolina slate belt
characterized by low flowing streams during summer
months. Most of the watershed is forested with urban
areas and development around Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Population is expected to grow by 55,000 people in
counties with portions or all of their areas in this subbasin
by 2020.
There are four individual NPDES wastewater discharge
permits in this subbasin with a permitted flow of 14.8
MGD (Figure 9). The largest is Mason Farm WWTP
(14.5 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 6.3 for Impaired waters and in
Section 6.4 for other waters.
Carrboro and Chapel Hill are required to develop Phase II
stormwater programs (Chapter 31).
There were 11 benthic community samples and four fish
community samples (Figure 9 and Table 9) collected
during this assessment period. Data were also collected
from two ambient monitoring stations including one
UCFRBA (Appendix V) station and one shared ambient station. 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 and Appendix IV for more information on monitoring.
Subbasin 03-06-06 at a Glance
Land and Water Area
Total area: 75 mi2
Land area: 74 mi2
Water area: 1 mi2
Population Statistics
2000 Est. Pop.: 23,470 people
Pop. Density: 315 persons/mi2
Land Cover (percent)
Forest/Wetland: 84%
Surface Water: 1.4%
Urban: 5.3%
Cultivated Crop: 0.6%
Pasture/ Managed
Herbaceous: 8.6%
Counties
Chatham, Durham and Orange
Municipalities
Carrboro and Chapel Hill
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 6 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06 61
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-06
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 9
Bolin Creek
16-41-1-15-1-(4)
From US Hwy 501 Business to Little Creek
0.9 FW MilesWS-IV NS S ND
BF14 /2001GF
Habitat Degradation MS4 NPDES
Bolin Creek (Hogan Lake)
16-41-1-15-1-(0.5)a
From source to Pathway Drive
5.3 FW MilesC NSW S ND
BB330 /2001GF
BB330 /2001NR
BB330 /2000G
BF47 /2001G
16-41-1-15-1-(0.5)b
From Pathway Drive to US Hwy 501 Business
3.1 FW MilesC NSW I ND
BB449 /2002F
BB449 /2001F
BB449 /2001P
BB62 /2002P
BB62 /2001P
BB71 /2001P
BB71 /2001P
BF8 /2001G
Booker Creek
16-41-1-15-2-(4)
From dam at eastwood Lake to US Hwy 15
1.2 FW MilesC NSW NR ND
BB450 /2001NR
BB450 /2001NR
16-41-1-15-2-(5)
From US Hwy 15 to Little Creek
0.9 FW MilesWS-IV NS NR ND
BB450 /2001NR
BB450 /2001NR
Booker Creek (East-wood Lake)
16-41-1-15-2-(1)
From source to dam at Eastwood Lake
3.5 FW MilesB NSW NR ND
BB198 /2001NR
BB198 /2001NR
BB30 /2001NR
BB30 /2001NR
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-06
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-06
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 9
Little Creek
16-41-1-15-(0.5)
From source to a point 0.7 mile downstream of Durham
County SR 1110
4.9 FW MilesWS-IV NS NR ND
BB197 /2001NR
BB197 /2001P
Morgan Creek
16-41-2-(1)
From source to a point 1.4 miles downstream of NC Hwy
54
7.1 FW MilesWs-II HQW S ND
BB146 /2003G
BB146 /2003GF
BB146 /2003GF
BB146 /2003NR
BB146 /2002NR
BB146 /2000E
BB146 /2003NR
Habitat Degradation MS4 NPDES
Habitat Degradation WWTP NPDES
16-41-2-(5.5)a
From Orange County SR 1919 to Meeting of the Waters
4.0 FW MilesWS-IV NS S NR*BA227 NCE BA227 NCE
16-41-2-(5.5)b
From Meeting of the Waters to Chatham County SR 1726
(Durham County SR 1109)
4.1 FW MilesWS-IV NS I ND
BB53 /2003F
BF15 /1999F
Habitat Degradation MS4 NPDES
Morgan Creek (including the Morgan Creek Arm of New Hope River Arm of B. Everett Jordan Lake)
16-41-2-(9.5)
From Chatham County SR 1726 (Durham County SR
836.2 FW AcresWS-IV NS I SBA230 NCE
BL16 CE Chlor a 66.7
BA230 NCE Chlorophyll a MS4 NPDES
Chlorophyll a WWTP NPDES
Morgan Creek (University Lake)
16-41-2-(1.5)
From a point 1.4 miles downstream of NC Hwy 54 to
dam at University Lake
163.2 FW AcresWS-II HQ NR NDBL15 NCE Chlor a 100 Chlorophyll a Agriculture
Tanbark Branch
16-41-1-15-1-3
From source to Bolin Creek
1.2 FW MilesC NSW NR ND
BB416 /2002NR
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-06
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-06
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 9
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 17.4 FW Milesm
NR 11.8 FW Milesm
I 7.2 FW Milesm
NR 163.2 FW Acresm
I836.2FW Acresm
NR 5.0 FW Milese
ND 36.1 FW Miles
Recreation Rating Summary
4.0 FW MilesNR* m
836.2 FW AcresSm
73.4 FW MilesND
163.2 FW AcresND
Fish Consumption Rating Summary
77.4 FW MilesIe
999.4 FW AcresIe
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-06
6.2 Use Support Assessment Summary
Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-06-06 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 (999.4 acres and 57.2 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 36.3 stream miles (46.9 percent) and 999.4 freshwater acres (100 percent) monitored
during this assessment period in the aquatic life category. There were 7.2 miles (9.3 percent) and
836.2 acres (83.7 percent) of Impaired waters in this category.
6.3 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.
6.3.1 Bolin Creek [AU#16-41-1-15-1-(0.5) a and b and 16-41-1-15-1-(4)]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basin plan recommended that DWQ work with Chapel Hill as they develop a
stormwater program to help improve water quality in Bolin Creek.
Current Status
Bolin Creek [16-41-1-15-1-(0.5)a] from source to Pathway Drive (5.3 miles) is Supporting
aquatic life because of a Good-Fair benthic community rating at site BB330 and a Good fish
community rating at site BF47, although intolerant fish species were absent from this site.
Bolin Creek [16-41-1-15-1-(0.5)b] from Pathway Drive to US 501 (3.1 miles) is Impaired for
aquatic life because of a Fair benthic community rating at site BB449 and Poor benthic
community ratings at sites BB71 and BB62. The fish community rating was Good at site BF8,
although intolerant fish species were absent from this site. DWQ regional office staff indicates
that grease clogging has caused sanitary sewer overflows that may have negative impacts on
water quality in this segment.
A WARP study completed in June 2003 identified toxicity, low dissolved oxygen, organic
enrichment, scour and widespread habitat degradation from sedimentation from storm sewers
and runoff from impervious surfaces as stressors to the biological communities of Bolin Creek.
Chapter 6 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06 66
For more information on Bolin Creek, visit the Little Creek Watershed Assessment Report at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/swpu/.
Bolin Creek [16-41-1-15-1-(4)] from US 501 to Little Creek (0.9 mile) is Supporting aquatic life
because of a Good-Fair benthic community rating at site BF14, although intolerant fish species
were absent from this site and a high percentage of fish exhibited disease symptoms.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor Bolin Creek. The WARP project also recommends retrofitting
existing stormwater discharges and preventing increased sedimentation to the watershed during
future development. DWQ will work with the Chapel Hill stormwater program to help identify
stormwater retrofit opportunities. Further recommendations to protect streams in urbanizing
areas and to restore streams in existing urban areas are discussed in Chapter 31.
Segment 16-41-1-15-1-(4) will be removed from the 303(d) list, and segment 16-41-1-15-1-
(0.5)b will be added to the list based on data collected as part of the WARP study. TMDLs
(Chapter 35) will be developed for identified stressors within 8-13 years of listing.
Water Quality Initiatives
In 2002, Carrboro received a $202,000 CWMTF (Chapter 34) grant to help purchase 28 acres
along Bolin Creek. This watershed is also included in the NCEEP Local Watershed Plan for
Morgan and Little Creeks, discussed under Little Creek in this chapter. The Final Local
Watershed Plan for Morgan and Little Creeks, completed in 2004, may be viewed at:
http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/Morgan_Creek/morgan.htm
6.3.2 Booker Creek [AU# 16-41-1-15-2-(1), (4) and (5)]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basin plan recommended that DWQ work with Chapel Hill as they develop a
stormwater program to help improve water quality in Booker Creek.
Current Status
Booker Creek [all segments] from source to Little Creek (5.6 miles) is Not Rated for aquatic life
because benthic community ratings could not be assigned at sites BB198, BB30 and BB450.
A WARP study completed in June 2003 identified toxicity, low dissolved oxygen, organic
enrichment, scour and widespread habitat degradation from sedimentation from storm sewers
and runoff from impervious surfaces as being stressors to the biological communities Booker
Creek. The study also indicates that the impoundments on Booker Creek are also a stressor to
the biological community. For more information on Booker Creek, visit the Little Creek
Watershed Assessment Report at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/swpu/.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor Booker Creek. The WARP project recommends retrofitting
existing stormwater discharges and preventing increased sedimentation to the watershed during
future development. DWQ will work with the Chapel Hill stormwater program to help identify
stormwater retrofit opportunities. Further recommendations to protect streams in urbanizing
areas and to restore streams in existing urban areas are discussed in Chapter 31.
Chapter 6 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06 67
All three segments will remain on 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
This watershed is also included in the NCEEP Local Watershed Plan for Morgan and Little
Creeks, discussed under Little Creek in this chapter. The Final Local Watershed Plan for
Morgan and Little Creeks, completed in 2004, may be viewed at:
http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/Morgan_Creek/morgan.htm
6.3.3 Little Creek [AU#16-41-1-15-(0.5) and (3)]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basin plan recommended that DWQ work with Chapel Hill as they develop a
stormwater program to help improve water quality in Little Creek.
Current Status
Little Creek [16-41-1-15-(0.5)] from source to downstream of SR 1110 (4.9 miles) is Not Rated
for aquatic life because a benthic community rating could not be assigned at site BB197. This
site previously received a Poor benthic community rating. Segment [16-41-1-15-(3)] (0.8 miles)
has never been monitored and is in a swampy area associated with Army Corps of Engineers
flow easements south of NC 54.
A WARP study completed in June 2003 identified toxicity, low dissolved oxygen, organic
enrichment, scour and widespread habitat degradation from sedimentation from storm sewers
and runoff from impervious surfaces as being stressors to the biological communities Little
Creek. For more information, visit the Little Creek Watershed Assessment Report at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/swpu/. These creeks exhibit or are threatened with habitat degradation,
sediment, fecal coliform bacteria, toxicity and low dissolved oxygen. Urban runoff and effluent
from wastewater treatment are possible sources of degradation. In upper Morgan Creek,
agriculture is also a possible source of degradation.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor the Little Creek. The WARP project recommends retrofitting
existing stormwater discharges and preventing increased sedimentation to the watershed during
future development. DWQ will work with the Chapel Hill stormwater program to help identify
stormwater retrofit opportunities. Further recommendations to protect streams in urbanizing
areas and to restore streams in existing urban areas are discussed in Chapter 31.
Both segments will remain on the 303(d) list. TMDLs (Chapter 35) will be developed for
identified stressors within 8-13 years of listing.
Water Quality Initiatives
The focus of the NCEEP local watershed planning activity is on upper Morgan Creek (30 square
miles), lower Morgan Creek (19.9 square miles), and Little Creek (Booker and Bolin Creeks,
with 24.6 square miles). The Local Watershed Plan recommends restoration and preservation
projects through the implementation of:
Chapter 6 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06 68
• 25 Best Management Practices to treat water quality in 600 acres of priority
subwatersheds
• 11 stream restoration projects to gain 28,000 linear feet of restored stream
• 137 priority preservation parcels to protect over 600 acres of priority habitat
In addition, proposed changes to local rules are advocated to support Low Impact Development
and prevent future degradation from occurring in the watershed. The Local Watershed Plan for
Morgan and Little Creeks, completed in 2004, may be viewed at:
http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/Morgan_Creek/morgan.htm
6.3.4 Meeting of the Waters [AU#16-41-2-7]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basin plan recommended that DWQ work with Chapel Hill as they develop a
stormwater program to help improve water quality in Meetings of the Waters.
Current Status
This stream was not resampled during this assessment period, and previous benthic community
ratings have been changed to Not Rated because the stream was too small to assign a rating. The
stream is in a highly urbanized area of Chapel Hill. Meeting of the Waters will remain on the
303(d) list of Impaired waters.
Water Quality Initiatives
This watershed is also included in the NCEEP Local Watershed Plan for Morgan and Little
Creeks, discussed under Little Creek in this chapter. The Final Local Watershed Plan for
Morgan and Little Creeks, completed in 2004, may be viewed at:
http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/Morgan_Creek/morgan.htm
6.3.5 Morgan Creek [AU#16-41-2-(5.5)a and b]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basin plan recommended that DWQ work with Chapel Hill as they develop a
stormwater program to help improve water quality in Morgan Creek.
Current Status
Morgan Creek [16-41-2-(5.5)a] from SR 1919 to SR 1726 at Meeting of the Waters (4 miles) is
Supporting aquatic life because no criteria were exceeded at site BA227. This segment is Not
Rated for recreation because the fecal coliform bacteria screening criteria were exceeded at site
BA227.
Morgan Creek [16-41-2-(5.5)b] from Meeting of the Waters to SR 1109 (4.1 miles) is Impaired
for aquatic life because of Fair benthic and fish community ratings at sites BB53 and BF15. The
water was turbid at the sample site and smelled of sewage. Suitable aquatic habitat was limited
to stream margins and woody debris as the stream bottom was entirely sand. This segment is
Not Rated for recreation because the fecal coliform bacteria screening criteria were exceeded at
site BA227, and because Mason Farm WWTP (NC0025241) and Carolina Meadows WWTP
(NC0056413) had significant violations of fecal coliform bacteria permit limits during the last
Chapter 6 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06 69
two years of the assessment period. The violations at Mason Farm occurred during plant
upgrades and are not ongoing.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor Morgan Creek. The WARP project recommends retrofitting
existing stormwater discharges and preventing increased sedimentation to the watershed during
future development. The NPDES compliance process will be used to address the significant
permit violations noted above. DWQ will determine if intensive sampling is needed to assess the
fecal coliform bacteria standard in this creek (Appendix X). DWQ will work with the Chapel
Hill stormwater program to help identify stormwater retrofit opportunities. Further
recommendations to protect streams in urbanizing areas and to restore streams in existing urban
areas are discussed in Chapter 31.
Segment 16-41-2-(5.5)b will remain on the 303(d)list. TMDLs (Chapter 35) will be developed
for identified stressors within 8-13 years of listing.
Water Quality Initiatives
This watershed is also included in the NCEEP Local Watershed Plan for Morgan and Little
Creeks, discussed under Little Creek in this chapter. The Final Local Watershed Plan for
Morgan and Little Creeks, completed in 2004, may be viewed at:
http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/Morgan_Creek/morgan.htm
The NCEEP has also completed 10 acres of riverine restoration in the Morgan Creek floodplain
(Chapter 34).
6.3.6 Morgan Creek University Lake [AU#16-41-2-(1.5)]
Current Status
University Lake was Fully Supporting in the 2000 basin plan. University Lake (163.2 acres) is
currently Not Rated for aquatic life because 100 percent of the three chlorophyll a samples
exceeded the water quality criterion; however, not enough samples were collected to assign a use
support rating. Nutrient levels in the reservoir were high and the lake has been hypereutrophic as
noted in previous years. Dissolved oxygen saturation was elevated. Mild to severe algal blooms
occurred throughout the summer months of 2003. Some of the blue-green algal blooms can cause
taste and odor problems in treated drinking water.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor University Lake. It is recommended that OWASA continue
efforts to protect the water supply from nutrient loading that causes algal blooms.
Water Quality Initiatives
OWASA has continued to pursue funding to protect this watershed from further increases in
nutrient loading. This watershed is also included in the NCEEP Local Watershed Plan for
Morgan and Little Creeks, discussed under Little Creek in this chapter. The Local Watershed
Plan for Morgan and Little Creeks, completed in 2004, may be viewed at:
http://www.nceep.net/services/lwps/Morgan_Creek/morgan.htm
Chapter 6 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06 70
6.4 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 03-06-06
The following section discusses issues that may threaten water quality in the subbasin that are
not specific to particular streams, lakes or reservoirs. The issues discussed may be related to
waters near certain land use activities or within proximity to different pollution sources.
6.4.1 Jordan Haw River Watershed Nutrient Sensitive Waters Strategy
All land uses and discharges of wastewater and stormwater in subbasin 03-06-06 potentially
contribute nutrients to Jordan Reservoir in subbasins 03-06-04 and 03-06-05. The reservoir is
Impaired for aquatic life because chlorophyll a violated the standard in all segments of the
reservoir. Refer to Chapter 36 for more information on this strategy.
Chapter 6 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-06 71