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Chapter 9
Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09
Including: Hasketts Creek, Deep River, Polecat Creek and Sandy Creek
9.1 Subbasin Overview
Subbasin 03-06-09 is mostly in the Carolina slate belt
with a small portion in the piedmont. Most of the
watershed is forest and pasture land. Development is
occurring around Asheboro. Population is expected to
grow by 220,000 people in counties with portions or all of
their areas in this subbasin by 2020.
There are 13 individual NPDES wastewater discharge
permits in this subbasin with a permitted flow of 9.8
MGD (Figure 12). The largest is Asheboro WWTP (9
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 9.3 for Impaired waters and in Section
9.4 for other waters.
There are six registered dairy operations, one registered
cattle operation, one registered poultry operation and
seven swine operations in this subbasin.
There were 11 benthic community samples and three fish
community samples (Figure 12 and Table 12) collected
during this assessment period. Data were also collected
from seven ambient monitoring stations including three
UCFRBA (Appendix V) stations, two DWQ stations and
two shared ambient 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 and Appendix IV for more information on monitoring.
Subbasin 03-06-09 at a Glance
Land and Water Area
Total area: 446 mi2
Land area: 445 mi2
Water area: 1 mi2
Population Statistics
2000 Est. Pop.: 80,068 people
Pop. Density: 180 persons/mi2
Land Cover (percent)
Forest/Wetland: 68.7%
Surface Water: 0.6%
Urban: 1.1%
Cultivated Crop: 2.8%
Pasture/ Managed
Herbaceous: 26.9%
Counties
Chatham, Guilford, Moore and
Randolph
Municipalities
Asheboro, Franklinville, Liberty,
Ramseur and Seagrove
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 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 98
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-09
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 12
Brush Creek
17-23a
From source to Little Brush Creek
19.0 FW MilesC S ND
BF24 /2003G
17-23b
From Little Brush Creek to Deep River
5.0 FW MilesC S ND
BB113 /2003GF
DEEP RIVER
17-(10.5)d
From Haskett Creek to Brush Creek
20.9 FW MilesC S NR*BA309 NCE Chlor a 7.4
BA317 NCE Turbidity 8.4
BA318 NCE Turbidity 9.8
BA320 NCE
BB452 /2003G
BA309 NCE
BA318 NCE
Chlorophyll a Unknown
Turbidity Unknown
Habitat Degradation Unknown
Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown
17-(10.5)e1
From Brush Creek to Subbasin 03-06-09 and 03-06-10
boundary
6.7 FW MilesC I SBA322 CE Turbidity 10.9 BA322 NCE Turbidity Unknown
Fork Creek
17-25
From source to Deep River
15.1 FW MilesC S ND
BF23 /2003G
Haskett Creek
17-12a
From source to SR 2149
6.3 FW MilesC I NR*BA304 NCE Turbidity 7.5
BB302 /2003P
BB370 /1998P
BB370 /2003F
BB426 /2003P
BB428 /2003P
BA304 NCE Habitat Degradation MS4 NPDES
17-12b
From SR 2149 to Deep River
1.3 FW MilesC I NR*BA307 NCE
BB363 /2003P
BB363 /1998P
BA307 NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria MS4 NPDES
Habitat Degradation WWTP NPDES
Habitat Degradation MS4 NPDES
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-09
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-09
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 12
Penwood Branch
17-12-1
From source to Haskett Creek
6.1 FW MilesC I ND
BB378 /2003F
BB382 /2003F
Polecat Creek
17-11-(1)b
From Ut at Cone Mills Club to a point 0.4 mile
downstream of Randolph County SR 2116
16.4 FW MilesWS-III S ND
BF53 /2003G
Richland Creek
17-22
From source to Deep River
14.6 FW MilesC S ND
BB409 /2003G
Sandy Creek
17-16-(1)a
From source to SR 2495
16.1 FW MilesWS-III S ND
BB398 /2003G
BB398 /2002G
BB398 /2001E
BB398 /2003G
BF62 /1999E
BF62 /2003G
17-16-(1)b
From SR 2495 to a point 0.6 mile upstream of NC Hwy
22
19.3 FW AcresWS-III NR NDBL20 NCE Chlor a 66 Chlorophyll a Agriculture
Chlorophyll a Impervious Surface
17-16-(3.5)
From a point 0.6 mile upstream of NC Hwy 22 to
Ramseur water supply
4.6 FW AcresWS-III CA NR NDBL21 NCE Chlor a 66 Chlorophyll a Agriculture
Chlorophyll a Impervious Surface
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-09
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
CAPE FEAR 03-06-09
AL Rating REC RatingStationYear/ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
SubbasinTable 12
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 107.1 FW Milesm
I 20.4 FW Milesm
NR 23.9 FW Acresm
NR 4.2 FW Milese
ND 182.4 FW Miles
Recreation Rating Summary
6.7 FW MilesSm
28.5 FW MilesNR* m
279.0 FW MilesND
23.9 FW AcresND
Fish Consumption Rating Summary
314.2 FW MilesIe
23.9 FW AcresIe
CAPE FEAR Subbasin 03-06-09
9.2 Use Support Assessment Summary
Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-06-09 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 (23.9 acres and 68.9 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 127.5 stream miles (40.6 percent) and 23.9 freshwater acres (100 percent) monitored
during this assessment period in the aquatic life category. There are 20.4 stream miles (6.5
percent) identified as Impaired in this same category.
9.3 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.
9.3.1 Deep River [AU# 17-(10.5)d and e1]
Current Status
The Deep River [17-(10.5)d] from Haskett Creek to Brush Creek (20.9 miles) is Supporting
aquatic life because of a Good benthic community rating at site BB452. There was a lack of
pool and riffles, but streambank and riparian areas were intact. Turbidity was above the water
quality standard in 9.8 of samples collected at site BA318. Chlorophyll a was above the standard
in 7.4 percent of samples at site BA309, which is in a backwater of a dam just downstream of
Hasketts Creek. The Ramseur WWTP (NC0026565) had significant violations of biological
oxygen demand permit limits that could have negatively impacted aquatic life. The WWTP has
had no violations since 2003. This segment is Not Rated for recreation because the fecal
coliform bacteria screening criteria were exceeded at sites BA309 and BA318.
The Deep River [17-(10.5)e1] from Brush Creek to the subbasin boundary (6.7 miles) is
Impaired for aquatic life because the turbidity standard was violated at site BA322 in 11 percent
of samples collected during the assessment period. Site BA322 is subbasin 03-06-10.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ and the UCFRBA will continue to monitor these segments of the Deep River. The
NPDES compliance process will be used to address the significant permit violations noted above.
Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 103
Segment 17-(10.5e1) 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, Ramseur received a $344,000 CWMTF (Chapter 34) grant to rehabilitate 7,500 linear
feet of the wastewater collection system in order to reduce inflow and infiltration that was
causing operational problems at the plant. In 1999, Franklinville received a $1,052,000 CWMTF
grant to replace the WWTP and install UV disinfection and backup emergency power. In 2003,
Ramseur received a $278,000 CWMTF grant to rehabilitate another 3,000 linear feet of the
wastewater collection system and to purchase a backup generator.
9.3.2 Haskett Creek [AU#17-12a and b]
2000 Recommendations
The 2000 basin plan recommended that these segments of Hasketts Creek be resampled using the
303(d) approach to determine problem parameters.
Current Status
Haskett Creek [17-12a] from source to SR 2149 (6.3 miles) is Impaired for aquatic life because
of Poor and Fair benthic community ratings at sites BB426, BB428, BB302 and BB370.
Turbidity was also above the water quality standard in 7.5 percent of samples collected at site
BA304. This segment is Not Rated for recreation because the fecal coliform bacteria screening
criteria were exceeded at site BA304.
Haskett Creek [17-12b] from SR 2149 to the Deep River (1.3 miles) is Impaired for aquatic life
because of a Poor benthic community rating at site BB363. The Asheboro WWTP (NC0026123)
had significant violations of chlorine permit limits in the last two years of the assessment period.
Instream toxicity testing downstream of the WWTP in August 2003 indicated no toxicity, and
the facility has had only one violation since 2003.
A stressor study completed in the Hasketts Creek watershed indicated that habitat degradation
from urban runoff were stressors to the benthic community. Streambank erosion, inadequate
riparian areas and channelization were also noted stressors. Hasketts Creek is subjected to rapid
increases in flow after rainfall events due to urban runoff.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor the Hasketts Creek watershed. The NPDES compliance process
will be used to address the significant permit violations noted above. Refer to Chapter 31 for
more information and recommendations for urban streams. Both segments will remain on the
303(d) list of Impaired waters.
9.3.3 Penwood Branch [AU#17-12-1]
Current Status
Penwood Branch was Not Rated in the 2000 plan; however, Penwood Branch [17-12-1] from
source to Hasketts Creek (6.1 miles) is Impaired for aquatic life because of Poor benthic
community ratings at sites BB378 and BB382. A stressor study completed in the Hasketts Creek
watershed (including Penwood Branch) indicated that habitat degradation from urban runoff
Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 104
were stressors to the benthic community. Streambank erosion, inadequate riparian areas and
channelization were also noted stressors. Hasketts Creek is subjected to rapid increases in flow
after rainfall events due to urban runoff.
2005 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor the Penwood Branch watershed. Refer to Chapter 31 for more
information and recommendations for urban streams.
Penwood Branch 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.
9.4 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.
9.4.1 Polecat Creek [AU#17-11-1a]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Polecat Creek from source to UT at Cone Mills Club (2.8 miles) is Not Rated on an evaluated
basis for aquatic life because Monroe Mobile Home Park (NC0055913) had significant
violations of biological oxygen demand permit limits in the last two years of the assessment
period that could have negatively impacted aquatic life. The facility continued to have
occasional violations of BOD in 2004. The lower 16.4 miles are Supporting aquatic life because
of a Good fish community rating at site BF53. DWQ will continue to monitor the Polecat Creek.
The NPDES compliance process will be used to address the significant permit violations noted
above.
9.4.2 Sandy Creek (Sandy Creek Reservior) [AU# 17-19-(1)b and (3.5)]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
Sandy Creek Reservoir (23.9 acres) is Not Rated for aquatic life because 33 percent of
chlorophyll a samples exceeded the water quality standard. However, not enough samples were
collected to assign a use support rating. Nutrient levels in the reservoir were higher than in
previous years and blue-green algal blooms occurred throughout the summer months. These
blooms can cause taste and odor problems in treated drinking water. DWQ will determine if
increased monitoring efforts in this lake are warranted to better assess water quality.
Water Quality Initiatives
In 1997, the Piedmont Land Conservancy received a $134,000 CWMTF grant to acquire 144
acres of permanent easements in this watershed (Chapter 34).
Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 105
9.4.3 UT at Cone Mills Club [AU#17-11-2-(2)]
Current Status and 2005 Recommendations
UT at Cone Mills Club from Cone Mills Lake Club Dam to Polecat Creek (1.4 miles) is Not
Rated on an evaluated basis because the Woodlake Mobile Home Park (NC0023299) had
significant violations of biological oxygen demand permit limits in the last two years of the
assessment period that could have negatively impacted aquatic life. The facility has new owners
that hired a new operator and plan to upgrade the facility. The NPDES compliance process will
be used to address the permit violations.
Chapter 9 – Cape Fear River Subbasin 03-06-09 106