Table of Contents

Hiwassee River Basinwide Water Quality Plan March 2007
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Basinwide Planning Unit

HIWASSEE RIVER BASIN
WATER QUALITY PLAN

March 2007

Prepared by:
Dave Toms
[e-mail]
[phone] ext. 577

NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Water Quality Section
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617

This document was approved and endorsed by the NC Environmental Management
Commission on March 8, 2007 to be used as a guide by the NC Division of Water Quality in
carrying out its Water Quality Program duties and responsibilities in the Hiwassee River
basin. This plan is the third five-year update to the Hiwassee River Basinwide Water Quality
Plan approved by the NC Environmental Management Commission in May 1997.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................i
Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
What is Basinwide Water Quality Planning?.......................................................................1
Goals of Basinwide Water Quality Planning.......................................................................1
Benefits of Basinwide Water Quality Planning...................................................................2
How You Can Get Involved ................................................................................................2
Division of Water Quality Functions and Locations ...........................................................2
Some Other Reference Materials.........................................................................................4
How to Read the Basinwide Plan.........................................................................................4
Chapter 1 Hiwassee River Subbasin 04-05-01.............................................................................7
Including: Lake Chatuge, Shooting Creek, and Brasstown Creek Watersheds.............................7
1.1 Subbasin Overview.....................................................................................................7
1.2 Use Support Assessment Summary ..........................................................................11
1.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters...............12
1.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts.................................12
1.4.1 Brasstown and Little Brasstown Creeks Including Crawford Creek [AU# 1-
42, 1-42-11, and 1-42-1]...............................................................................12
1.4.2 Lake Chatuge [AU#1-(1)] and Hiwassee River Below Chatuge Dam [AU#
1-16.5a].........................................................................................................15
1.4.3 Shooting Creek [AU#1-5].............................................................................20
1.4.4 Tusquitee Creek [AU#1-21-(16.5)]..............................................................21
1.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 04-05-01 ....................................23
1.5.1 Fires Creek Development .............................................................................23
1.5.2 Hiwassee River Tributaries Between Chatuge and Mission Dams ..............24
1.5.2.1 Hyatt Mill Creek [AU# 1-16] and Blair Creek [AU# 1-17].........24
1.5.2.2 Town Creek [AU#1-19]................................................................24
1.5.2.3 Sweetwater Creek [AU# 1-32]......................................................24
1.5.3 Septic System Concerns................................................................................25
1.5.4 Sediment, Erosion, and Stormwater Concerns .............................................26
1.5.5 Floodplain Protection....................................................................................26
1.5.6 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection..................................27
Chapter 2 Hiwassee River Subbasin 04-05-02...........................................................................29
Including: Hiwassee Lake, Apalachia Lake, and Valley River ...................................................29
2.1 Subbasin Overview...................................................................................................29
2.2 Use Support Assessment Summary ..........................................................................37
Table of Contents
2.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters...............38
2.3.1 Martins Creek [AU# 1-49]............................................................................38
2.3.2 Persimmon Creek [AU# 1-63]......................................................................40
2.3.3 Valley River [AU# 1-52c]............................................................................41
2.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts.................................44
2.4.1 Beaver Creek [AU# 1-52-30-(3)]..................................................................44
2.4.2 Britton Creek [AU# 1-52-29-(2)]..................................................................44
2.4.3 Camp Creek [AU# 1-82]...............................................................................45
2.4.4 Colvard Creek [AU# 1-52-58]......................................................................45
2.4.5 Hanging Dog Creek [AU# 1-57]...................................................................45
2.4.6 Hyatt Creek [AU# 1-52-43]..........................................................................46
2.4.7 Junaluska Creek [AU# 1-52-25a].................................................................46
2.4.8 Marble Creek [AU# 1-52-66-(3)].................................................................47
2.4.9 Morris Creek [AU# 1-52-36]........................................................................47
2.4.10 Nottely River [AU# 1-58].............................................................................47
2.4.11 Peachtree Creek [AU# 1-44b].......................................................................47
2.4.12 Tatham Creek [AU# 1-52-28].......................................................................48
2.4.13 Taylor Creek [AU# 1-52-39]........................................................................48
2.4.14 Vengeance Creek [AU# 1-52-45].................................................................49
2.4.15 Webb Creek [AU# 1-52-32].........................................................................49
2.4.16 Welch Mill Creek [AU# 1-52-40].................................................................49
2.4.17 Worm Creek [AU# 1-52-24].........................................................................50
2.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 05-07-02 ....................................50
2.5.1 Sediment, Erosion, and Stormwater Concerns .............................................50
2.5.2 Septic System Concerns................................................................................51
2.5.3 Floodplain Protection....................................................................................52
2.5.4 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection..................................53
Chapter 3 North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards..............................55
3.1 Description of Surface Water Classifications and Standards ...................................55
3.1.1 Statewide Classifications ..............................................................................55
3.1.2 Statewide Water Quality Standards ..............................................................56
3.1.3 Reclassification of Surface Waters...............................................................59
Chapter 4 Water Quality Stressors ............................................................................................61
4.1 Stressor and Source Identification ............................................................................61
4.1.1 Introduction – Stressors ................................................................................61
4.1.2 Overview of Stressors Identified in the Hiwassee River Basin....................61
4.1.3 Introduction – Sources of Stressors ..............................................................62
4.1.4 Overview of Stressor Sources Identified in the Hiwassee River Basin........62
4.2 Aquatic Life Stressors – Habitat Degradation ..........................................................63
4.2.1 Introduction and Overview ...........................................................................63
4.2.2 Sedimentation ...............................................................................................64
4.2.3 Loss of Riparian Vegetation .........................................................................65
4.2.4 Loss of Instream Organic Microhabitats.......................................................66
4.2.5 Channelization ..............................................................................................66
4.2.6 Small Dams, Impoundments, and Water Features........................................67
Table of Contents

4.2.7 Recommendations for Reducing Habitat Degradation .................................69
4.3 Aquatic Life Stressors – Water Quality Standards ...................................................70
4.3.1 Introduction and Overview ...........................................................................70
4.3.2 pH..................................................................................................................70
4.3.3 Toxic Impacts................................................................................................70
4.3.4 Fish Consumption Advisories and Advice Related to Mercury ...................70
4.4 Recreation Stressor – Fecal Coliform Bacteria.........................................................72
Chapter 5 Population Growth, Land Cover Changes, and Water Quality in Western North
Carolina ...................................................................................................................75
5.1 Impacts of Population Growth and Land Cover Changes ........................................75
5.1.1 Rapid Urbanization.......................................................................................75
5.1.2 Population Growth and Urbanization Impacts on Aquatic Resources..........76
5.2 Key Elements of a Comprehensive Watershed Protection Strategy.........................77
5.3 Focus Areas for Managing the Impacts of Population Growth ................................78
5.3.1 Control Stormwater Runoff and Pollution....................................................78
5.3.2 Protect Headwater Streams ...........................................................................80
5.3.3 Reduce Impacts from Steep Slope Disturbance............................................81
5.3.4 Implement Effective Education Programs....................................................83
5.4 The Role of Local Governments...............................................................................84
5.4.1 Reduce Impacts from Existing Urbanization................................................84
5.4.2 Reduce Impacts of Future Urbanization .......................................................86
5.5 The Role of Homeowners and Landowners..............................................................87
5.5.1 Ten Simple Steps to Reduce Runoff and Pollution from Individual Homes 87
Chapter 6 Stormwater and Wastewater Programs..................................................................89
6.1 Federal and State Stormwater Programs...................................................................89
6.1.1 NPDES Phase I .............................................................................................89
6.1.2 NPDES Phase II............................................................................................89
6.1.3 State Stormwater Programs – Sensitive Waters............................................92
6.1.4 Water Supply Watershed Stormwater Rules.................................................93
6.2 Federal and State Wastewater Programs...................................................................93
6.2.1 NPDES Wastewater Discharge Permit Summary.........................................93
6.2.2 Septic Systems and Straight Piping ..............................................................95
Chapter 7 Agriculture and Water Quality................................................................................97
7.1 Animal Operations....................................................................................................97
7.2 Impacted Streams in Agricultural Areas...................................................................98
7.3 Working Land Conservation Benefits ......................................................................98
7.4 Agricultural Best Management Practices and Funding Opportunities ...................100
7.4.1 USDA – NRCS Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP)....100
7.4.2 NC Agriculture Cost Share Program ..........................................................101
Table of Content
Chapter 8 Forestry in the Hiwassee River Basin....................................................................105
8.1 Forestland Ownership and Resources.....................................................................105
8.1.1 Forest Management.....................................................................................105
8.2 Forestry Water Quality Regulations in North Carolina..........................................105
8.2.1 Forest Practice Guidelines (FPG) for Water Quality..................................105
8.2.2 Other Forestry Related Water Quality Regulations ....................................105
8.2.3 Water Quality Foresters..............................................................................106
8.2.4 Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs)............................................106
8.2.5 Bridgemats..................................................................................................106
8.2.6 Protection from Wildfires ...........................................................................106
8.2.7 Forestry Accomplishments .........................................................................107
Chapter 9 Water Resources......................................................................................................109
9.1 River Basin Hydrologic Units.................................................................................109
9.2 Minimum Streamflow.............................................................................................109
9.3 Interbasin Transfers ................................................................................................110
9.4 Water Quality Issues Related to Drought ...............................................................111
9.5 Local Water Supply Planning.................................................................................111
9.5.1 Registered Water Withdrawals ...................................................................112
9.6 Source Water Assessment of Public Water Supplies..............................................112
9.6.1 Introduction.................................................................................................112
9.6.2 Delineation of Source Water Assessment Areas ........................................113
9.6.3 Susceptibility Determination – North Carolina’s Overall Approach..........113
9.6.4 Source Water Protection .............................................................................114
9.6.5 Public Water Supply Susceptibility Determinations in the Hiwassee River
Basin ...........................................................................................................114
Chapter 10 Natural Resources..................................................................................................117
10.1 Ecological Significance of the Hiwassee River Basin............................................117
10.2 Rare Aquatic and Wetland-Dwelling Animal Species............................................117
10.3 Significant Natural Heritage Areas in the Hiwassee River Basin...........................117
10.4 Public Lands............................................................................................................119
Chapter 11 Water Quality Initiatives ......................................................................................121
11.1 The Importance of Local Initiatives........................................................................121
11.2 Federal Initiatives....................................................................................................123
11.2.1 Clean Water Act – Section 319 Program....................................................123
11.3 State Initiatives........................................................................................................123
11.3.1 North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP)....................123
11.3.2 Clean Water Management Trust Fund........................................................125
References .................................................................................................................................127
Table of Contents

APPENDICES

I Population and Growth Trends in the Hiwassee River Basin

II Local Governments and Planning Jurisdictions in the Hiwassee River Basin

III Land Cover in the Hiwassee River Basin

IV DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Hiwassee River Basin

V NPDES Discharges and Individual Stormwater Permits

VI 303(d) Listing and Reporting Methodology

VII Hiwassee River Basin Nonpoint Source Program Description and Contacts

VIII Use Support Methodology and Use Support Ratings

IX Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Table of Content

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure i Stressors Identified for Streams in the Hiwassee River Basin...................................viii
Figure ii Sources of Stressors Identified in the Hiwassee River Basin ......................................ix
Figure iii General Map of the Entire Hiwassee Basin ................................................................xii
Figure iv General Map of the Hiwassee Basin in North Carolina.............................................xiii
Figure 1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2005to 2009)................................................................1
Figure 2 Division of Water Quality Regional Offices .................................................................5
Figure 3 Hiwassee River Subbasin 04-05-01...............................................................................8
Figure 4 HRWC Restoration Projects in Brasstown Creek Watershed......................................14
Figure 5 TVA Ecological Health Ratings for Lake Chatuge .....................................................15
Figure 6 Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations Upstream and Downstream of Clay County
WWTP .........................................................................................................................18
Figure 7 Phosphorus Loads to Chatuge Lake.............................................................................19
Figure 8 The Tusquitee-Peachtree-Martins Creek Watershed Study Area ................................22
Figure 9 Hiwassee River Subbasin 04-05-02.............................................................................30
Figure 10 Flow and Seasonally Adjusted Temperature Trend in the Valley River .....................42
Figure 11 Participant Contribution to Valley River Restoration Project .....................................43
Figure 12 ORWs, HQWs and Water supply Watersheds in the Hiwassee River Basin ..............57
Figure 13 Stressors Identified for Streams with Noted Impacts in the Hiwassee River Basin....62
Figure 14 Sources of Stressors Identified in the Hiwassee River Basin ......................................63
Figure 15 Impervious Cover and Surface Runoff (EPA, 2003)...................................................76
Figure 16 Impervious Cover and Stream Degradation.................................................................77
Figure 17 Diagram of Headwater Streams within a Watershed Boundary..................................80
Figure 18 Significant Natural Resources in the Hiwassee River Basin .....................................120

List of Figures

LIST OF TABLES

Table i Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category and Subbasin in the Hiwassee
River Basin...................................................................................................................iv
Table ii Summary of Impaired Waters in the Hiwassee River Basin........................................iv
Table iii NCACSP Summary for Hiwassee River Basin .............................................................x
Table 1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2004 to 2011)...............................................................3
Table 2 Five-Year Planning Process for Development of an Individual Basinwide Plan..........3
Table 3 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in
Subbasin 04-05-01 .........................................................................................................9
Table 4 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 04-05-01 .......................11
Table 5 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in
Subbasin 04-05-02 .......................................................................................................31
Table 6 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 04-05-02 .......................38
Table 7 Primary and Supplemental Surface Water Classifications ..........................................55
Table 8 Major Post-Construction Stormwater Controls in SL 2006-246 .................................91
Table 9 Communities in the Hiwassee River Subject to Stormwater and/or Water Supply
Watershed Stormwater Requirements..........................................................................93
Table 10 Summary of NPDES Dischargers and Permitted Flows for the Hiwassee River
Basin ............................................................................................................................94
Table 11 Registered Animal Operations in the Hiwassee River Basin (March 2006)...............98
Table 12 Summary of NCACSP projects in the Hiwassee River Basin (1998 to 2003)..........103
Table 13 Hydrologic Subdivisions in the Hiwassee River Basin .............................................109
Table 14 Minimum Streamflow Projects in the Hiwassee River Basin....................................110
Table 15 SWAP Results for Surface Water Sources in the Hiwassee River Basin..................115
Table 16 List of Rare Animals Associated with Aquatic and Wetland Habitats in the
Hiwassee River Basin (May 2006)............................................................................118
Table 17 Local Water Quality Initiatives..................................................................................122
Table 18 Projects in the Hiwassee River Basin Funded by the Clean Water Management
Trust Fund..................................................................................................................125

List of Tables
List of Tables