HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTN Appendix IV
Appendix IV
DWQ Water Quality
Monitoring Programs
in the
Little Tennessee River Basin
Appendices
A-IV-1
DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Little Tennessee River
Basin
Staff in the Environmental Sciences Section (ESS) and
Regional Offices of DWQ collect a variety of
biological, chemical and physical data. The following
discussion contains a brief introduction to each
program, followed by a summary of water quality data
in Little Tennessee River basin for that program. For
more detailed information on sampling and assessment
of streams in this basin, refer to the Basinwide
Assessment Report for the Little Tennessee River basin,
available from the Environmental Sciences Branch
website at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html or by calling (919) 733-9960.
DWQ monitoring programs for the
Little Tennessee River Basin include:
• Benthic Macroinvertebrates
• Fish Assessments
• Aquatic Toxicity Monitoring
• Lake Assessment
• Ambient Monitoring System
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
Benthic macroinvertebrates, or benthos, are organisms that live in and on the bottom substrates
of rivers and streams. These organisms are primarily aquatic insect larvae. The use of benthos
data has proven to be a reliable monitoring tool, as benthic macroinvertebrates are sensitive to
subtle changes in water quality. Since macroinvertebrates have life cycles of six months to over
one year, the effects of short-term pollution (such as a spill) will generally not be overcome until
the following generation appears. The benthic community also integrates the effects of a wide
array of potential pollutant mixtures.
Criteria have been developed to assign a bioclassification to each benthic sample based on the
number of different species present in the pollution intolerant groups of Ephemeroptera
(Mayflies), Plecoptera (Stoneflies) and Trichoptera (Caddisflies), commonly referred to as EPTs.
A Biotic Index (BI) value gives an indication of overall community pollution tolerance. Different
benthic macroinvertebrate criteria have been developed for different ecoregions (mountains,
piedmont, coastal plain and swamp) within North Carolina and bioclassifications fall into five
categories: Excellent, Good, Good-Fair, Fair and Poor.
Overview of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Data
Based on benthic macroinvertebrate data, water quality in the Little Tennessee River basin is
Excellent to Good. Since 1999, 80 benthic macroinvertebrate basinwide samples have been
collected with 48 (60%) receiving Excellent bioclassifications, 24 (30%) resulting in Good
bioclassifications, five (6%) receiving Good-Fair bioclassifications, and three (4%) receiving
Fair bioclassifications. Comparisons of benthos data from 1999 to 2004 between repeat sites
show that three sites (Cowee Creek, Whiteoak Creek, and the Tuckasegee River) improved from
Good to Excellent, one site (Little Tennessee River off SR 1629) improved from Fair to Good-
Fair, one site improved from Good-Fair to Good (Little Tennessee River at SR 1651), and
Middle Creek improved from Good-Fair to Excellent. However, nine sites (Cullasaja River at
US64/SR 1688 and at SR 1678, Cartoogechaye Creek, Conley Creek, Noland Creek, Panther
Creek, Stecoah Creek, Tulula Creek, and Cheoah Creek) declined from Excellent to Good.
Overall water quality in the Little Tennessee River is generally unchanged since 1999.
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Several rare invertebrate taxa were collected in the Little Tennessee River basin in 2004
including the mayflies Serratella spiculosa (Turtle Pond Creek), Rhithrogena fuscifrons (Turtle
Pond Creek, Bradley Fork, Hazel Creek), Rhithrogena exilis (Cullowhee Creek, Nantahala River,
Whiteoak Creek, Deep Creek) Nixie, (Bradley Fork), the caddisflies Molanna tryphena,
Agarodes (Iotla Creek), Mayatrichia ayama, Oecetis avara (Snowbird Creek), Rhyacophila
amicis, Neotrichia (Hazel Creek), Micrasema rickeri (Cheoah River), and the stoneflies Agnetina
flavescens (Oconaluftee River, Forney Creek, Hazel Creek, Deep Creek), and Beloneuria
(Whiteoak Creek). Of particular interest, Caney Fork at SR 1740 set the second highest EPT
diversity (54) and total species diversity (107) ever recorded in the Little Tennessee River basin.
For detailed information regarding the samples collected during this assessment period, refer to
the tables at the end of this appendix.
Assessing Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Small Streams
The benthic macroinvertebrate community of small streams is naturally less diverse than the
streams used to develop the current criteria for flowing freshwater streams. The benthic
macroinvertebrate database is being evaluated and a study to systematically look at small
reference streams in different ecoregions is being developed with the goal of finding a way to
evaluate water quality conditions in such small streams.
Presently, a designation of Not Impaired may be used for flowing waters that are too small to be
assigned a bioclassification (less than 4 meters in width) but meet the criteria for a Good-Fair or
higher bioclassification using the standard qualitative and EPT criteria. This designation will
translate into a use support rating of Supporting. However, DWQ will use the monitoring
information from small streams to identify potential impacts to small streams even in cases when
a use support rating cannot be assigned.
DWQ will use this monitoring information to identify potential impacts to these waters even
though a use support rating is not assigned. DWQ will continue to develop criteria to assess
water quality in small streams.
Fish Assessments
Twenty two sites were sampled from mid-May to early June 2004; 19 of the sites had not been
previously sampled. Fish communities in the basin were last sampled in 1995. The most
commonly collected species in 2004 was the mottled sculpin (collected at all sites); the central
stoneroller and the northern hog sucker were collected at 21 of the 22 sites. The mottled sculpin
was also the most abundant species, representing about one-third of all the fish collected.
Seventeen of the 22 streams were evaluated using the North Carolina Index of Biotic Integrity
(NCIBI). NCIBI ratings ranged from Fair to Excellent with the scores ranging from 38 to 58.
The streams rated Fair and Excellent were the Little Tennessee River and Burningtown Creek,
respectively. The remaining five streams were not evaluated using the NCIBI, were considered
trout streams, and were not assigned a rating. However, Stecoah Creek did show signs of being
degraded.
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For detailed information regarding the samples collected during this assessment period, refer to
the tables at the end of this Appendix.
Aquatic Toxicity Monitoring
Acute and/or chronic toxicity tests are used to determine toxicity of discharges to sensitive
aquatic species (usually fathead minnows or the water flea, Ceriodaphnia dubia). Results of
these tests have been shown by several researchers to be predictive of discharge effects on
receiving stream populations. Many facilities are required to monitor whole effluent toxicity
(WET) by their NPDES permit or by administrative letter. Other facilities may also be tested by
DWQ’s Aquatic Toxicology Unit (ATU). Per Section 106 of the Clean Water Act, the ATU is
required to test at least 10 percent of the major discharging facilities over the course of the
federal fiscal year (FFY). However, it is ATU’s target to test 20 percent of the major dischargers
in the FFY. This means that each major facility would get evaluated over the course of their
five-year permit. There are no requirements or targets for minor dischargers.
The ATU maintains a compliance summary for all facilities required to perform tests and
provides monthly updates of this information to regional offices and DWQ administration.
Ambient toxicity tests can be used to evaluate stream water quality relative to other stream sites
and/or a point source discharge.
Three facility permits in the Little Tennessee River basin currently require whole effluent
toxicity (WET) monitoring. All three facility permits have a WET limit.
Across the state, the number of facilities required to perform WET has increased steadily since
1987, the first year that WET limits were written into permits in North Carolina. Consequently,
compliance rates have also risen. Since 1996, the compliance rate has stabilized at
approximately 90 percent. The following graph summaries WET monitoring compliance in the
Little Tennessee River basin from 1987 to 2002. Facilities with toxicity problems during the
most recent two-year review period are discussed in subbasin chapters.
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Lakes Assessment Program
Ten lakes were sampled in the Little Tennessee River Basin by DWQ in 2004. All of these lakes
were sampled three times during the summer (June, July and August). Lake Sequoyah and Wolf
Creek Reservoir were also sampled in September as part of an extended sampling period special
study. Data collected during this sampling effort determined sedimentation concerns related to
construction are a factor at several of the lakes. Local efforts need to be directed towards
preventing sedimentation into the tributaries of these lakes. Lakes with noted water quality
impacts are discussed in the appropriate subbasin chapter.
Ambient Monitoring System
The Ambient Monitoring System (AMS) is a network of stream, lake and estuarine stations
strategically located for the collections of physical and chemical water quality data. North
Carolina has more than 378 water chemistry monitoring stations statewide, including 7 stations
in the Little Tennessee River basin, although 2 of those stations were discontinued in 2000.
Between 23 and 32 parameters are collected monthly at each station. The locations of these
stations are listed in the following table and shown on individual subbasin maps. Notable
ambient water quality parameters are discussed in the subbasin chapters. Refer to 2005 Little
Tennessee Basinwide Assessment Report at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html for more detailed
analysis of ambient water quality monitoring data.
A-IV-5
Locations of Ambient Monitoring Stations in the Roanoke River Basin by Subbasin
Subbasin/
Station ID Location Class
Lat.
Long. County
Map
ID
01 Little Tennessee River, Cullasaja River, and Cartoogechaye Creek
G0035000 Little Tennessee River at SR 1651 near Prentiss C 35.1221 -83.3743 Macon A1
G01300001 Cartoogechaye Creek at SR 1152 near Franklin B Tr 35.1580 -83.3920 Macon A2
G2000000 Little Tennessee River at NC 28 at Iotla B 35.2349 -83.3958 Macon A3
02 Oconaluftee River, Tuckasegee River, Hazel Creek, and Deep Creek
G85500002 Oconaluftee River at SR 1359 at Birdtown C Tr 35.4610 -83.3540 Jackson A4
G8600000 Tuckasegee River at SR 1364 at Bryson City B 35.4284 -83.4460 Swain A5
03 Nantahala River
G3500000 Nantahala River at US 64 near Rainbow Springs B Tr ORW 35.0942 -83.5599 Macon A6
04 Cheoah River
G9550000 Cheoah River at SR 1138 at Robbinsville C Tr 35.3291 -83.8098 Graham A7 1Station G0130000 ceased sample collection on 5/25/2000. 2Station G8550000 ceased sample collection on 5/23/2000.
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Data Collected in the Little Tennessee River Basin, 1999 – 2004
(Current basinwide sampling sites are in bold print.)
Sub/Waterbody Location County Index No. Date ST EPT BI EPTBI BioClass
040401
L Tennessee R SR 1629 Macon 2-(1) 7/21/2004 70 22 5.59 3.81 Good-Fair
9/11/2000 67 15 6.29 3.99 Fair
8/12/1999 60 14 6.23 4.75 Fair
L Tennessee R SR 1651 Macon 2-(1) 7/22/2004 93 37 5.46 3.95 Good
10/20/1999 62 29 4.42 3.49 Good-Fair
L Tennessee R NC 28 Macon 2-(1) 7/22/2004 70 32 5.3 4.28 Good-Fair
8/24/1999 86 32 5.3 3.75 Good-Fair
Middle Cr SR 1635 Macon 2-(8) 7/22/2004 --- 43 --- 2.93 Excellent
8/24/1999 --- 25 --- 4.15 Good-Fair
Tessentee Cr SR 1684 Macon 2- 9 7/22/2004 --- 47 --- 3.02 Excellent
Coweeta Cr SR 1114 Macon 2-10 7/22/2004 --- 45 --- 2.62 Excellent
8/21/1999 --- 39 --- 3.01 Excellent
Cartoogechaye Cr SR 1146 Macon 2-19-(1) 7/21/2004 --- 31 --- 3.70 Good
8/24/1999 --- 41 --- 3.05 Excellent
Jones Cr SR 1303 Macon 2-19-2 7/21/2004 --- 38 --- 3.07 Excellent
Cullasaja R US 64 Macon 2-21-(0.5) 7/21/2004 58 14 5.74 4.67 Fair
7/25/2001 41 10 6.55 5.93 Fair
8/28/2000 65 18 6.34 5.13 Fair
6/23/1999 47 14 5.70 4.97 Fair
Cullasaja River River Court Macon 2-21 (0.5) 7/26/2001 56 16 5.77 4.64 Not Rated
5/16/2000 61 25 4.85 3.71 Not Impaired
Cullasaja River US 64, ab Dry Falls Macon 2-21 (0.5) 8/11/2000 20 20 4.17 4.17 Good-Fair
UT Cullasaja River US 64 Macon 7/25/2001 46 23 3.32 2.39 Not Impaired
Salt Rock Branch Highlands Falls Macon 2- 21 1 7/26/2001 43 5 6.54 5.52 Not Rated
Ammons Branch Spruce Lane Macon 2-21 2 7/25/2001 47 20 2.94 1.15 Not Impaired
Mill Creek 5th Street Macon 2-21 3 8/29/2000 41 11 6.14 5.36 Not Rated
5/17/2000 37 13 5.54 4.51 Not Rated
Mill Creek Brookside Lane Macon 2-21 3 8/28/2000 47 17 5.48 4.51 Not Rated
Big Creek SR1538 Macon 2-21 5 1 (0.5) 7/25/2001 49 29 2.86 2.22 Good
8/29/2000 103 41 3.52 2.44 Excellent
Big Creek SR 1548, Ab WTP Macon 2-21 5 1(0.5) 9/11/2000 30 30 2.92 2.92 Good
Houston Branch Simon Speed Rd Macon 2-21 5 1 3 (2) 8/29/2000 47 25 2.65 1.95 Not Impaired
Cullasaja R Off US 64, Jackson H Macon 2-21 (5.5) 8/5/2004 77 36 4.21 3.44 Good
6/22/1999 49 2.70 2.86 Excellent
Cullasaja R US 64/SR 1668 Macon 2-21 (5.5) 8/5/2004 86 42 4.68 3.84 Good
8/10/1999 99 51 3.94 3.32 Excellent
N Skitty Creek N Cliffside Rec Area Macon 2-21 6 1 8/29/2000 45 28 2.35 1.62 Not Impaired
Turtle Pond Cr SR 1620 Macon 2-21 8 7/23/2004 --- 49 --- 2.10 Excellent
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6/22/1999 --- 42 --- 1.90 Excellent
Walnut Cr SR 1533 Macon 2-21 17 8/6/2004 68 38 2.94 2.16 Excellent
6/21/1999 34 34 2.04 2.04 Good
Iotla Cr SR 1372 Macon 2-27 7/22/2004 73 32 4.8 3.94 Good
8/10/1999 --- 35 --- 3.84 Good
Iotla Cr SR 1485 Macon 2-27 7/22/2004 48 35 3.9 3.53 Good
Cowee Cr NC 28 Macon 2-29 7/22/2004 --- 38 --- 3.24 Excellent
8/10/1999 --- 35 --- 3.06 Good
Burningtown Cr SR 1371 Macon 2-38 8/3/2004 --- 43 --- 3.12 Excellent
8/10/1999 --- 39 --- 3.20 Excellent
Burningtown Cr SR 1392 Macon 2 38 8/3/2004 68 34 3.18 2.51 Good
Tellico Cr SR 1367 Macon 2 40 8/3/2004 93 44 3.62 2.68 Excellent
8/9/1999 108 54 3.57 2.62 Excellent
040402
L Tennessee R off SR 1113 Swain 2-(1) 8/5/2004 95 42 4.33 3.35 Good
8/9/1999 75 31 4.74 3.67 Good
Alarka Cr SR 1185 Swain 2-69-(2.5) 8/2/2004 101 46 3.80 2.67 Excellent
8/9/1999 86 51 3.66 3.11 Excellent
Tuckasegee R SR 1140 Jackson 2-79-(0.5) 8/2/2004 36 36 1.83 1.83 Excellent
7/19/1999 46 46 1.96 1.96 Excellent
Sub/Waterbody Location County Index No. Date ST EPT BI EPTBI BioClass
Caney Fk SR 1740 Jackson 2-79-28-(2.5) 8/2/2004 107 54 3.63 2.68 Excellent
7/20/1999 97 53 3.68 3.03 Excellent
Moses Cr SR 1739 Jackson 2-79-28-8 8/2/2004 46 46 1.71 1.71 Excellent
7/20/1999 37 37 1.91 1.91 Excellent
Cullowhee Cr SR 1001 Jackson 2-79-31 8/4/2004 --- 47 --- 2.61 Excellent
7/20/1999 43 43 2.96 2.96 Excellent
Savannah Cr SR 1367 Jackson 2-79-36 8/4/2004 91 40 4.15 3.11 Good
7/21/1999 53 32 3.80 3.48 Good
Tuckasegee R off SR 1378 Jackson 2-79-(38) 8/4/2004 84 44 4.27 3.44 Excellent
7/21/1999 75 40 4.39 3.82 Good
Scott Cr SR 1556 Jackson 2-79-39 8/4/2004 74 35 4.07 3.23 Good
7/21/1999 70 36 4.14 3.22 Good
Conley Cr off SR 1177 Swain 2-79-39 8/3/2004 34 34 2.82 2.82 Good
7/21/1999 --- 44 --- 3.17 Excellent
Bradley Fk off US 441 Swain 2-79-55-12-(11) 8/3/2004 79 47 2.59 2.02 Excellent
7/22/1999 67 39 2.67 1.87 Excellent
Oconaluftee R SR 1359 Swain 2-79-55-(16.5) 8/5/2004 106 51 3.96 2.97 Excellent
7/22/1999 104 53 3.93 3.20 Excellent
Deep Cr AB Campground Swain 2-79-63-(16) 8/2/2004 --- 43 --- 2.13 Excellent
8/9/1999 --- 47 --- 2.67 Excellent
Deep Cr SR 1340 Swain 2-79-63-(21) 8/2/2004 --- 38 --- 2.18 Excellent
8/9/1999 --- 45 --- 2.95 Excellent
Noland Cr near mouth Swain 2 90 8/3/2004 --- 35 --- 1.92 Good
8/11/1999 --- 40 --- 1.98 Excellent
Forney Cr near mouth Swain 2 97 8/3/2004 78 44 2.58 1.80 Excellent
8/11/1999 81 46 2.66 1.68 Excellent
Panther Cr SR 1233 Graham 2 115 8/4/2004 --- 35 --- 2.07 Good
8/10/1999 --- 39 --- 2.24 Excellent
Stecoah Cr SR 1237 Graham 2 130 8/4/2004 --- 30 --- 2.94 Good
8/11/1999 --- 39 --- 3.02 Excellent
Hazel Cr near mouth Swain 2-146-(19) 8/3/2004 96 46 3.26 2.17 Excellent
8/11/1999 106 56 2.95 1.97 Excellent
Twenty Mile Cr NC 28 Swain 2-178-(4) 8/4/2004 --- 29 --- 2.15 Good
040403
Nantahala R FSR 437 Macon 2-57-(0.5) 7/21/2004 92 49 3.2 1.93 Excellent
8/24/1999 100 49 3.4 2.45 Excellent
Nantahala R US 19/74 Swain 2-57-(22.5) 7/20/2004 83 35 4.2 2.26 Good
8/23/1999 --- 35 --- 2.29 Good
Dicks Cr off SR 1401 Macon 2-57-42 7/21/2004 --- 27 --- 1.59 Good-Fair
8/13/1999 --- 34 --- 1.93 Good
Whiteoak Cr SR 1397 Macon 2-57-45 7/21/2004 63 26 4.3 2.33 Good-Fair
Whiteoak Cr off SR 1310 Macon 7/20/2004 78 34 3.5 1.68 Excellent
8/13/1999 --- 31 --- 2.14 Good
040404
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Tulula Cr SR 1275 Graham 2-190-2-(0.5) 7/19/2004 61 31 4.0 3.24 Good
Cheoah R off SR 1138 Graham 2-190-(3.5) 7/19/2004 84 38 4.0 3.14 Good
8/12/1999 89 48 3.5 2.84 Excellent
Snowbird Cr SR 1120 Graham 2-190-9-(15.5) 7/20/2004 --- 48 --- 2.06 Excellent
8/12/1999 --- 52 --- 2.56 Excellent
L Santeetlah Cr Ab Footbridge Graham 2-190-19-7 7/20/2004 59 32 2.9 1.65 Good
Cheoah R SR 1147 Graham 2-190-(22) 7/4/2005 54 19 5.7 3.92 Fair
Cheoah R At gauge Graham 2-190-(22) 08/04/2004 --- 42 --- 3.00 Excellent
Fish Community Structure Data Collected in the Little Tennessee Basin, 1993 – 2003
(Current basinwide sampling sites are in bold print.)
Subbasin/Waterbody Location County Index No. Date NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
040401
Little Tennessee R off SR 1683 Macon 2-(1) 05/17/04 38 Fair
Middle Cr SR 1635 - 2nd bridge Macon 2-8 05/17/04 56 Good
Middle Cr SR 1635 - 1st bridge Macon 2-8 05/03/95 46 Good-Fair
Tessentee Cr SR 1636 Macon 2-9 05/18/04 52 Good
05/03/95 56 Good
Coweeta Cr SR 1119 Macon 2-10 05/20/04 56 Good
Coweeta Cr US 23/441 Macon 2-10 05/01/95 44 Good-Fair
Cartoogechaye Cr SR 1146 Macon 2-19-(1) 05/18/04 56 Good
Cartoogechaye Cr SR 1168 Macon 2-19-(10.5) 05/02/95 56 Good
Cullasaja R SR 1677 Macon 2-21-(5.5) 10/19/99 50 Good
10/15/96 52 Good
Cullasaja R SR 1653 Macon 2-21-(5.5) 10/20/99 46 Good-Fair
10/16/96 34 Fair
Walnut Cr SR 1533 Macon 2-21-17 05/18/04 --- Not Rated
Ellijay Cr SR 1524 Macon 2-21-23 05/20/04 56 Good
Rabbit Cr SR 1504 Macon 2-23 05/20/04 44 Good-Fair
Iotla Cr SR 1372 Macon 2-27 05/03/95 22 Poor
Iotla Cr off SR 1378 Macon 2-27 05/19/04 44 Good-Fair
Cowee Cr SR 1340 Macon 2-29 05/19/04 56 Good
Burningtown Cr SR 1364 Macon 2-38 05/21/04 58 Excellent
Tellico Cr SR 1367 Macon 2-40 05/21/04 50 Good
040402
Brush Cr off SR 1129 Swain 2-46 05/19/04 50 Good
Alarka Cr SR 1185 Swain 2-69-(2.5) 06/03/04 46 Good-Fair
Caney Fk SR 1738 Jackson 2-79-28-(2.5) 06/01/04 56 Good
Cullowhee Cr SR 1545 Jackson 2-79-31 06/02/04 46 Good-Fair
Savannah Cr NC 116 Jackson 2-79-36 06/02/04 50 Good
Scott Cr SR 1527 Jackson 2-79-39 06/01/04 --- Not Rated
Conley Cr SR 1183 Swain 2-79-52 06/02/04 --- Not Rated
Panther Cr SR 1233 Graham 2-115 06/03/04 --- Not Rated
Stecoah Cr SR 1237 Graham 2-130 06/03/04 --- Not Rated
040403
Nantahala R SR 1401 Macon 2-57-(22.5) 11/15/93 --- Not Rated
Whiteoak Cr SR 1310/1404 Macon 2-57-45 11/15/93 --- Not Rated
Silvermine Cr SR 1103 Swain 2-57-55 11/16/93 --- Not Rated
040404
Tulula Cr SR 1260 Graham 2-190-2-(0.5) 06/04/04 46 Good-Fair
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