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Home My WebLink AboutTable of ContentsLittle Tennessee River Basinwide Water Quality Plan March 2007 North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Basinwide Planning Unit LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY PLAN March 2007 NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Water Quality Section 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 (919) 733-5083 ext. 577 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 Little Tennessee River basin. This plan is the third five-year update to the Little Tennessee 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 Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-01.................................................................7 1.1 Subbasin Overview.....................................................................................................7 1.2 Use Support Assessment Summary ..........................................................................17 1.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters...............17 1.3.1 Little Tennessee River [AU# 2-(1)a]............................................................17 1.3.2 Upper Cullasaja River Watershed Including Cullasaja River (Ravenel Lake) [AU# 2-21-(0.5)] and Mill Creek [AU# 2-21-3]..........................................18 1.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts.................................22 1.4.1 Burningtown Creek [AU# 2-38]...................................................................22 1.4.2 Cartoogechaye Creek Watershed Including Cartoogechaye Creek [AU# 2- 19-(1) and 2-19-(10.5)], Allison Creek [AU# 2-19-3], Blaine Branch [AU# 2-19-13], Jones Creek [AU# 2-19-2], Mill Creek [AU# 2-19-9], Wayah Creek [AU# 2-19-8-(8)]................................................................................23 1.4.3 Cowee Creek [AU# 2-29].............................................................................24 1.4.4 Iotla Creek [AU# 2-27].................................................................................24 1.4.5 Little Tennessee River and Lake Emory [AU# 2-(1)b and 2-(1)c]...............25 1.4.6 Rabbit Creek [AU# 2-23]..............................................................................26 1.4.7 Walnut Creek [AU# 2-21-17]......................................................................27 1.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 04-04-01 ....................................27 1.5.1 The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee River Corridor Protection Project: Protecting Water Quality Through Land Conservation................................28 1.5.2 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection..................................29 1.5.3 Septic System Concerns................................................................................31 1.5.4 Floodplain Protection....................................................................................32 1.5.5 Special Management Strategies for Threatened and Endangered Species ...32 Chapter 2 Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-02...............................................................35 2.1 Subbasin Overview...................................................................................................35 2.2 Use Support Assessment Summary ..........................................................................45 Table of Contents 2.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters...............45 2.3.1 Beech Flats Prong [AU# 2-79-55-2a]...........................................................45 2.3.2 Savannah Creek [AU# 2-79-36]...................................................................46 2.3.3 Scotts Creek [AU# 2-79-39].........................................................................48 2.3.4 Tuckasegee River [AU# 2-79-(35.5)a, 2-79-(38), and 2-(78)a]...................50 2.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts.................................53 2.4.1 Alarka Creek [AU# 2-69-(2.5)]....................................................................53 2.4.2 Camp Creek [AU# 2-79-49].........................................................................54 2.4.3 Cullowhee Creek [AU# 2-79-31a & b].........................................................54 2.4.4 Panther Creek [AU# 2-115]..........................................................................55 2.4.5 Stecoah Creek [AU# 2-130]..........................................................................55 2.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 04-04-02 ....................................56 2.5.1 Fontana Lake Waste Recovery .....................................................................56 2.5.2 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection..................................57 2.5.3 North Shore Fontana Lake Stream Reclassification.....................................58 2.5.4 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Hydropower Relicensing.............59 2.5.5 Kirkland Creek [AU# 2-79-61-(2)] and Other Tuckasegee River Tributaries59 2.5.6 General Support for Volunteer Watershed Associations ..............................60 2.5.7 Septic System Concerns................................................................................62 2.5.8 Floodplain Protection....................................................................................63 2.5.9 Special Management Strategies for Threatened and Endangered Species ...64 Chapter 3 Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-03...............................................................65 3.1 Subbasin Overview...................................................................................................65 3.2 Use Support Assessment Summary ..........................................................................69 3.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters...............69 3.3.1 White Oak Creek [AU# 2-57-45a]................................................................70 3.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts.................................70 3.4.1 Dicks Creek [AU# 2-57-42]..........................................................................70 3.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 04-04-03 ....................................71 3.5.1 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection..................................71 3.5.2 Septic System Concerns................................................................................73 Chapter 4 Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-04...............................................................75 4.1 Subbasin Overview...................................................................................................75 4.2 Use Support Assessment Summary ..........................................................................79 4.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters...............80 4.3.1 Cheoah River [AU# 2-190-(22)a].................................................................80 4.3.2 West Buffalo Creek Arm of Santeetlah Lake [AU# 2-190-12b]..................81 4.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts.................................82 4.4.1 Sweetwater Creek .........................................................................................82 4.4.2 Tulula Creek [AU# 2-190-2-(0.5)]...............................................................82 4.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 04-04-04 ....................................83 4.5.1 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection..................................83 Table of Contents 4.5.2 Special Management Strategies for Threatened and Endangered Species ...85 4.5.3 Septic System Concerns................................................................................85 Chapter 5 North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards..............................87 5.1 Description of Surface Water Classifications and Standards ...................................87 5.1.1 Statewide Classifications ..............................................................................87 5.1.2 Statewide Water Quality Standards ..............................................................87 5.1.3 Special Management Strategies....................................................................91 5.1.4 Reclassification of Surface Waters...............................................................91 Chapter 6 Water Quality Stressors ............................................................................................93 6.1 Stressor and Source Identification ............................................................................93 6.1.1 Introduction – Stressors ................................................................................93 6.1.2 Overview of Stressors Identified in the Little Tennessee River Basin .........93 6.1.3 Introduction – Sources of Stressors ..............................................................94 6.1.4 Overview of Stressor Sources Identified in the Little Tennessee River Basin95 6.2 Aquatic Life Stressors – Habitat Degradation ..........................................................96 6.2.1 Introduction and Overview ...........................................................................96 6.2.2 Sedimentation ...............................................................................................97 6.2.3 Loss of Riparian Vegetation .........................................................................98 6.2.4 Loss of Instream Organic Microhabitats.......................................................99 6.2.5 Channelization ..............................................................................................99 6.2.6 Recommendations for Reducing Habitat Degradation ...............................100 6.2.7 Small Dams, Impoundments, and Water Features......................................101 6.3 Aquatic Life Stressors – Water Quality Standards .................................................103 6.3.1 Introduction and Overview .........................................................................103 6.3.2 pH................................................................................................................103 6.3.3 Toxic Impacts..............................................................................................103 6.3.4 Fish Consumption Advisories and Advice Related to Mercury .................103 6.4 Recreation Stressor – Fecal Coliform Bacteria.......................................................105 Chapter 7 Population Growth, Land Cover Changes, and Water Quality in Western North Carolina ..........................................................................................................................107 7.1 Impacts of Population Growth and Land Cover Changes ......................................107 7.1.1 Rapid Urbanization.....................................................................................107 7.1.2 Population Growth and Urbanization Impacts on Aquatic Resources........108 7.2 Key Elements of a Comprehensive Watershed Protection Strategy.......................109 7.3 Focus Areas for Managing the Impacts of Population Growth ..............................110 7.3.1 Control Stormwater Runoff and Pollution..................................................110 7.3.2 Protect Headwater Streams .........................................................................112 7.3.3 Reduce Impacts from Steep Slope Disturbance..........................................113 7.3.4 Implement Effective Education Programs..................................................115 7.4 The Role of Local Governments.............................................................................116 7.4.1 Reducing Impacts from Existing Urbanization...........................................116 7.4.2 Reducing Impacts of Future Urbanization..................................................118 Table of Contents 7.5 The Role of Homeowners and Landowners............................................................119 7.5.1 Ten Simple Steps to Reduce Runoff and Pollution from Individual Homes119 Chapter 8 Stormwater and Wastewater Programs................................................................121 8.1 NPDES Wastewater Discharge Permit Summary...................................................121 8.2 DWQ Stormwater Programs ...................................................................................122 8.2.1 NPDES Phase I ...........................................................................................122 8.2.2 NPDES Phase II..........................................................................................123 8.2.3 State Stormwater Program..........................................................................125 8.3 Water Supply Watershed Stormwater Rules...........................................................126 8.3.1 Septic Systems and Straight Piping ............................................................127 Chapter 9 Agriculture and Water Quality..............................................................................129 9.1 Animal Operations..................................................................................................129 9.2 Impacted Streams in Agricultural Areas.................................................................130 9.3 Working Land Conservation Benefits ....................................................................130 9.4 Agricultural Best Management Practices and Funding Opportunities ...................132 9.4.1 USDA – NRCS Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP)....132 9.4.2 USDA - NRCS Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program................................133 9.4.3 NC Agriculture Cost Share Program ..........................................................134 Chapter 10 Forestry in the Little Tennessee River Basin ......................................................137 10.1 Forestland Ownership and Resources.....................................................................137 10.1.1 Forest Management.....................................................................................137 10.1.2 Forest Legacy Program...............................................................................137 10.1.3 Christmas Tree Production .........................................................................137 10.2 Forestry Water Quality Regulations in North Carolina..........................................138 10.2.1 Forest Practice Guidelines (FPG) for Water Quality..................................138 10.2.2 Other Forestry Related Water Quality Regulations ....................................138 10.2.3 Water Quality Foresters..............................................................................138 10.2.4 Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs)............................................138 10.2.5 Watersheds and BMP Research..................................................................139 10.2.6 Bridgemats..................................................................................................139 10.2.7 Forest Products Industry .............................................................................139 10.2.8 Protection from Wildfires ...........................................................................140 10.2.9 Forestry Accomplishments .........................................................................140 Chapter 11 Water Resources....................................................................................................141 11.1 River Basin Hydrologic Units.................................................................................141 11.2 Minimum Streamflow.............................................................................................141 11.3 Interbasin Transfers (IBT)......................................................................................143 11.3.1 Local Water Supply Planning.....................................................................144 11.3.2 Registered Water Withdrawals ...................................................................145 Table of Contents 11.4 Water Quality Issues Related to Drought ...............................................................145 11.5 Source Water Assessment of Public Water Supplies..............................................146 11.5.1 Introduction.................................................................................................146 11.5.2 Delineation of Source Water Assessment Areas ........................................146 11.5.3 Susceptibility Determination – North Carolina’s Overall Approach..........147 11.5.4 Source Water Protection .............................................................................148 11.5.5 Public Water Supply Susceptibility Determinations in the Little Tennessee River Basin..................................................................................................148 Chapter 12 Natural Resources..................................................................................................151 12.1 Ecological Significance of the Little Tennessee Basin...........................................151 12.2 Rare Aquatic and Wetland-Dwelling Animal Species............................................151 12.3 Significant Natural Heritage Areas in the Little Tennessee River Basin................153 12.4 Public Lands............................................................................................................154 Chapter 13 Water Quality Initiatives ......................................................................................157 13.1 The Importance of Local Initiatives........................................................................157 13.2 Federal Initiatives....................................................................................................159 13.2.1 Clean Water Act – Section 319 Program....................................................159 13.3 State Initiatives........................................................................................................160 13.3.1 North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP)....................160 13.3.2 Clean Water Management Trust Fund........................................................161 13.3.3 Clean Water Bonds – NC Rural Center......................................................164 13.3.4 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Private Stewardship Grants Program.....166 References...................................................................................................................................167 Table of Contents APPENDICES I Population and Growth Trends in the Little Tennessee River Basin II Local Governments and Planning Jurisdictions in the Little Tennessee River Basin III Land Cover in the Little Tennessee River Basin IV DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Little Tennessee River Basin V NPDES Discharges and Individual Stormwater Permits VI 303(d) Listing and Reporting Methodology VII Little Tennessee River Basin Nonpoint Source Program Description and Contacts VIII Use Support Methodology and Use Support Ratings IX Glossary of Terms and Acronyms Appendices LIST OF FIGURES Figure i Stressors Identified for Streams in the Little Tennessee River Basin .........................xi Figure ii Sources of Stressors Identified in the Little Tennessee River Basin ..........................xii Figure iii General Map of the Entire Little Tennessee River Basin .........................................xvii Figure iv General Map of the Little Tennessee River Basin in North Carolina......................xviii Figure 1 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2005 to 2009)...............................................................1 Figure 2 Division of Water Quality Regional Offices .................................................................5 Figure 3 Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-01....................................................................8 Figure 4 Upper Cullasaja River Watershed................................................................................19 Figure 5 Little Tennessee Subbasin 04-04-02............................................................................36 Figure 6 Recreation Impairment in the Tuckasegee River-Watershed ......................................50 Figure 7 Monthly Fecal Coliform Concentrations Measured by DWQ at the Tuckasegee River - Bryson City station. The 200 and 400 unit standards appear as straight dashed and dotted lines, respectively..............................................................................................52 Figure 8 Little Tennessee Subbasin 04-04-03............................................................................66 Figure 9 Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-04..................................................................76 Figure 10 ORWs, HWQs and WSWS in the Little Tennessee River Basin ................................89 Figure 11 Stressors Identified for Streams in the Little Tennessee River Basin..........................94 Figure 12 Sources of Stressors Identified in the Little Tennessee River Basin ...........................95 Figure 13 Impervious Cover and Surface Runoff (EPA, 2003).................................................108 Figure 14 Impervious Cover and Stream Degradation...............................................................109 Figure 15 Diagram of Headwater Streams within a Watershed Boundary................................112 Figure 16 Significant Natural Resources in the Little Tennessee River Basin ..........................155 List of Figures LIST OF TABLES Table i Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category and Subbasin in the Little Tennessee River Basin...................................................................................................................vi Table ii Summary of Impaired Waters in the Little Tennessee River Basin...........................vii Table iii Summary of NCACSP projects in the Little Tennessee River Basin ..........................xv 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 04-04-01 .........................................................................................................9 Table 4 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 04-04-01 .......................17 Table 5 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in Subbasin 04-04-02 .......................................................................................................37 Table 6 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 04-04-02 .......................45 Table 7 Summary of turbidity along Greens Creek and in its tributaries collected daily during April 2006 – Source: Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River ......................47 Table 8 Mean TSS Concentrations ..........................................................................................49 Table 9 WATR Monitoring: Bacteria Concentrations in Tuckasegee River Tributaries .........60 Table 10 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in Subbasin 04-04-03 .......................................................................................................67 Table 11 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 04-04-03 .....................69 Table 12 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in Subbasin 04-04-04 .......................................................................................................77 Table 13 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 04-04-04 .......................79 Table 14 Primary and Supplemental Surface Water Classifications ..........................................88 Table 15 Summary of NPDES Dischargers and Permitted Flows for the Little Tennessee River Basin ..........................................................................................................................122 Table 16 Major Post-Construction Stormwater Controls in SL 2006-246 ...............................125 Table 17 Communities in the Little Tennessee River Basin Subject to Stormwater Requirements .............................................................................................................127 Table 18 Summary of NCACSP projects in the Little Tennessee River Basin ........................135 Table 19 Hydrologic Subdivisions in the Little Tennessee River Basin ..................................141 Table 20 Minimum Streamflow Projects in the Little Tennessee Basin...................................143 Table 21 Local Water Supply Planning in the Little Tennessee River Basin...........................144 Table 22 Registered Water Withdraws in the Little Tennessee River Basin............................145 Table 23 SWAP Results for Surface Water Sources in the Little Tennessee River Basin.......149 Table 24 List of Rare Animals Associated with Aquatic and Wetland Habitats in the Little Tennessee River Basin (August 2006).......................................................................152 Table 25 Little Tennessee River Basin Aquatic Significant Natural Heritage Areas ...............153 Table 26 Local Water Quality Initiatives..................................................................................158 Table 27 Projects in the Little Tennessee River Basin Funded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund..................................................................................................................162 Table 28 Clean Water Bonds Awarded in the Little Tennessee River Basin ...........................166 Table of Contents