HomeMy WebLinkAbout1_LTN Summary20
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intRoDuction
This 2012 document is the fourth five-year update of the Little
Tennessee River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. Previous basinwide
plans for the Little Tennessee River Basin were completed in 1997,
2002, and 2007 and are available from the DWQ Basinwide Planning
website. This basin plan was written to provide guidance for watershed
stakeholders, municipal planners, natural resource regulators, and
other environmental professionals with identifying and addressing water
quality stressors, sources, and emerging issues. This document can
be used in conjunction with the Supplemental Guide to Basinwide
Planning which provides general information about water quality issues
and DWQ programs.
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits were
issued in 2012 for a five year period. Basinwide biological and lake
sampling last occurred in the Little Tennessee River Basin in 2009 and
will be conducted again in 2014.
The Little Tennessee River Basin spans over 1,797 square miles and is
divided into three subbasins, Figure 1-1. The Division of Water Quality
grouped these subbasins to conform to the federal system of river
basin management. Previously, DWQ had its own set of subbasins and
numbering system (formerly 040401, 040402, 040403, 040404), but is
now using the federal cataloging unit known as hydrologic unit codes
(HUCs), Figure 1-2. This report is organized by chapters at the 8-digit
hydrologic unit or subbasin level.
The Little Tennessee River is one of three North Carolina river basins
that flow westward into the Tennessee Region and eventually drain into
the Mississippi River, Figure 1-3.
This plan includes three chapters covering water quality information for
each of the subbasins:
£Chapter 1: Upper Little Tennessee River Subbasin HUC 06010202
£Chapter 2: Tuckasegee River Subbasin HUC 06010203
£Chapter 3: Lower Little Tennessee River Subbasin HUC 06010204
LittLe tennessee RiveR
BasinWiDe WateR QuaLity PLan
Highlands
Summary
Basin at a GLance
Land Area square miles....1,797
Stream Miles.....................2,501
Lake/Reservoir acres......14,171
counties:
Cherokee, Clay, Graham,
Jackson, Macon, Swain,
municiPaLities:
Bryson City, Dillsboro, Forest
Hills, Franklin, Highlands,
Robbinsville, Sylva, Santeetlah,
Webster
PoPuLation:
2000................................ 81,917
2010 ................................94,566
2006 LanD coveR:
Developed .........................5%Forested ..........................91%Agriculture .........................4%
ePa LeveL iv ecoReGions:
Broad Basins, High Mtns., Southern
Crystalline Ridges & Mtns., &
Southern Metasedimentary Mtns.
PeRmiteD FaciLities:
NPDES
Wastewater Discharge .........58
Wastewater Nondischarge ...13
Stormwater... ..........................38
Aquaculture Operations ...........4
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Figure 1-1: LittLe tennessee river Basin Map
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oveRvieW
The Little Tennessee River basin is located
within the Blue Ridge Province of the
Appalachian Mountains of western North
Carolina. It encompasses ~1,800 mi2 in
Swain, Macon, Clay, Graham, Cherokee, and
Jackson counties. Much of the land within
the basin is federally owned (49%) and in
the U.S. Forest Service’s Nantahala National
Forest (Joyce Kilmer/Slick Rock Wilderness
Area) or the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park. The basin also includes the
Cherokee Indian Reservation.
The Little Tennessee River is one of three
major tributaries of Fontana Lake. The other
two are the Nantahala River and the
Tuckasegee River. The Cheoah River, the
fourth major tributary of the Little Tennessee
River in North Carolina, has its confluence
with the river below Fontana Lake.
The North Carolina section of the Little Tennessee River is typical of many other mountain rivers. The
gradient is relatively steep in most reaches of the river and the substrate is dominated by riffle habitats.
Most tributaries are high gradient streams capable of supporting trout populations in the upper reaches. The
Basin has one of the most outstanding and diverse aquatic communities within the entire state. It is home to
a variety of rare species, including crayfish, mussels, fish, aquatic insects, and amphibians. The stretch of
Little Tennessee River between Franklin and Fontana Lake (25 miles) has a faunal diversity that rivals any in
the state and perhaps in the nation. Forested land continues to comprise a large majority of this basin, owing
to its relatively pristine condition.
Although habitat fragmentation
due to dam construction has
occurred throughout this system in
North Carolina and Tennessee, it
continues to support an incredibly
rich and diverse ecosystem.
Mountain home development
on steep slopes is an increasing
environmental concern and
the lower reaches of many
tributary catchments are farmed
or developed resulting in the
increased potential for nonpoint
source problems.
Figure 1-2: Old dWQ SubbaSin- HuC SubbaSin COnverSiOn Map
04-04-02
04-05-02 04-04-01
04-04-04
04-05-01
04-04-03
03-13-02
03-13-01
03-13-01
06010202 06010203
06020002
06010204
0306010103060102
03060102
Old Subbasins
06010203 Tuckasegee
Major Waterbody
06010202 Upper LTN
06010204 Lower LTN
Legend
Federal Basin
French Broad-Holston
Upper Tennessee
Middle Tenn.-Hiwassee
Mississippi River & major tributaries
Tennessee River Region
Figure 1-3: TenneSSee river regiOn
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WateR QuaLity summaRy
There are five ambient water quality monitoring stations within the Basin, of which turbidity and low pH are
the only parameters that have had incidences of exceeding surface water standards. Special Studies and
data collected by other groups have documented incidences of high turbidity levels, high nutrient levels
and high fecal coliform bacteria levels. Biological samples were taken at 39 macroinvertebrate and 12 fish
community basinwide sites with an additional 63 macroinvertebrate and 42 fish samples taken because of
special study requests. A majority of the macroinvertebrate sites have Excellent Bioclassification ratings
and most of the fish community sites resulted in a Not Rated status due to absence of criteria for rating high
gradient mountain trout waters.
biOlOgiCal SaMple SiTeS and raTingS beTWeen 2005-2011
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Highlands
Sylva
Franklin
BrysonCity
WebsterRobbinsville
ForestHills
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Cullasaja R
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Little Tennessee River
Little Tennessee R.
Tucka s eg e e River
Savan n ah Cree kTulula Creek
Forney C ree k
Noland Cree k
Cartoo gechaye Cr.
Nantahala River
Little
T
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Soco CreekDee
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Oc o naluftee R.
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Macroinvertebrate
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"à)Good-Fair
"à)Fair
"à)Not Rated
"à)Poor
CHange in benTHiC MaCrOinverTebraTe
SiTe raTingS
11 %
26 %
2 %
63 %
Benthos
Improved
Unchanged
Declined
New Site
CHange in FiSH COMMuniTy SiTe raTingS
5 %5 %
44 %
Fish
Improved
Unchanged
New Site
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Improved Waters
The Cullasaja River (Ravenel Lake) AU# 2-21-(0.5)a is no longer Impaired for biological integrity as the
benthic macroinvertebrate sample resulted in a Good-Fair Bioclassification rating in 2010. This is an
improvement over the Fair rating it received in the previous four samples.
Impaired Waters
Water quality data within a 5- year data sampling period is assessed every two years and reported to EPA
to meet requirements under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act of 1972. Impaired waterbodies exceed
a surface water quality standard for that waterbody’s designated use; these waterbodies are listed on the
303(d) list. The following list in Table 1-1 includes waterbodies in which a parameter exceeded the standard
and enough samples were collected to meet criteria assessment.
taBLe 1-1: iMpaired Waters
WaTerbOdy ClaSSiFiCaTiOn aSSeSSMenT uniT #lengTH paraMeTer iMpaired year
Caler Fork Creek C 2-29-4 4.6 mi.EBIF 2012
Cat Creek C
2-23-4a
2-23-4b
2-23-4b
2.5 mi
0.5 mi.
0.5 mi.
FCB
EBIB
FCB
2012
2010
2012
Cheoah River C;Tr 2-190-(3.5)1.4 mi.Turbidity 2012
Crawford Branch C 2-22 2.7 mi.FCB
EBIB 2012
Cullasaja River (Ravenel Lake)WS-III;Tr 2-21-(0.5)b 0.7 mi.EBIB 1998
Bradley Creek C;Tr 2-33 3.7 mi.FCB 2012
Iotla Branch C 2-27-1 2.4 mi.FCB 2012
Iotla Creek C 2-27 5.5 mi.FCB 2012
Little Tennessee R.C 2-(1)a 2.1 mi.EBIF 2002
Mill Creek WS-III;Tr 2-21-3 1.3 mi.EBIB 1998
Rabbitt Creek C;Tr 2-23b 2.1 mi.EBIB
FCB
2010
2012
Rocky Branch C 2-26 2.3 mi.FCB 2012
Savannah Creek C;Tr 2-79-36 13.4 mi.FCB 2008
Scott Creek C;Tr 2-79-39 15.3 mi. FCB 2008
Sugarloaf Creek C 2-79-39-5-1 1.8 mi.EBIB 2010
Tellico Creek C;Tr 2-40b 1.0 mi.EBIB 2012
Tuckasegee River Arm of Fontana Lake C 2-(78)a 170.6 ac.FCB 2008
Tuckasegee River C 2-79-(38)0.7 mi.FCB 2008
Tuckasegee River C;Tr 2-79-(35.5)a
2-79-(35.5)b
1.4 mi.
0.5 mi.FCB 2008
UT Tuckasegee C 2-79-(24)ut4 1.3 mi.Low pH 2010
Watauga Creek C;Tr 2-24 5.4 mi.FCB 2012
EBIF= Ecological Biological Integrity Fish Community
EBIB= Ecological Biological Integrity Benthos (Macroinvertebrates) Community
FCB= Fecal Coliform Bacteria
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Subbasin Water Quality Summaries
Upper Little Tennessee River Subbasin HUC 06010202
Water quality issues of concern in this subbasin include impacts from developments
on steep slopes, agricultural runoff, trout farm waste, stream bank erosion,
limited riparian buffers, failing culverts and individual onsite wastewater failures.
Waterbodies currently on the 2010 303(d) list of Impaired waters include: a two
mile reach of the Little Tennessee River, Cullasaja River, Mill Creek, Cat Creek,
Rabbit Creek and Iotla Branch. Also a new fish advisory was issued in 2008 for
Lake Fontana due to the potential mercury content in walleye. In 2011, The Little
Tennessee Watershed Association completed their State of the Streams report. This
document is an excellent resource, covering land use changes, natural history, local biomonitoring program
results and restoration initiatives.
Chapter 2: Tuckasegee River Subbasin HUC 06010203
This subbasin contains some of the most pristine high quality waters in the state and
supports numerous trout streams. Water quality issues of concern in this subbasin
include impacts from developments on steep slopes, agricultural runoff, stream
bank erosion, limited riparian buffers and individual onsite wastewater failures.
Waterbodies currently on the 2010 303(d) list of Impaired waters include: a 1.3 mile
unnamed tributary to the Tuckasegee River, Scott Creek, Sugarloaf Creek, Savannah
Creek and 170 acres of the Tuckasegee River Arm of Fontana Lake.
Chapter 3: Lower Little Tennessee River Subbasin HUC 06010204
This subbasin contains high quality waters and supports numerous trout streams.
Water quality issues of concern in this subbasin include agricultural runoff, stream
bank erosion, and individual onsite wastewater failures. There are currently no
waterbodies on the 2010 303(d) list of Impaired waters, however a new fish advisory
was issued in 2008 for Lake Santeetlah due to the potential mercury content in
walleye. Water quality improvements were made in West Buffalo Creek with the
removal of four trout farms that were contributing nutrients to Santeetlah Lake, in the
Cheoah River with the improved management of water releases from Santeetlah Dam to support aquatic
habitat, and in the Tellico River watershed by the restoration of forest and stream conditions impacted from
off-highway vehicle recreation.
LocaL initiatives & neeDs
One of the major assets this basin has to protect and preserve water quality are the local groups that are
actively participating in stream restoration, protection, monitoring, education, research and land acquisition.
Their specific activities are incorporated within the descriptions of water quality issues within the subbasin
chapters of this Basin Plan. DWQ supports and encourages these local groups to continue to identify
problems and solutions and to implement activities to improve and protect water quality.
Sediment Control
In 1995, a group of Little Tennessee River Basin stakeholders, particularly non-profit organizations and
public agencies, was convened as the Little Tennessee Non-Point Source Team (LTNPST) by the NC
Division of Water Quality. The participants in the LTNPST continue to meet on a regular basis to exchange
information and ideas and, at times, pursue collaborative opportunities. Various participants facilitated the
meetings and in 2007, NC Natural Heritage Program assumed a leadership role in convening meetings. In
2008, a Conservation Action Plan for the Upper Little Tennessee River Basin was assembled with assistance
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from World Wildlife Fund, and with direction provided by LTNPST. In 2009, the stakeholders changed the
name of this informal group to “Partners for the Little Tennessee”.
The PLT has identified the need for a system of erosion and sediment control (E&SC) trainings within
the western North Carolina region as a priority, as some counties require contractors to have annual
E&SC training while other counties do not. Research about mountainous terrain E&SC best management
practices specific to western NC has been identified as a need. In November 2009, key PLT participants
(Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River, Little Tennessee
Watershed Association, Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, Southwestern Resource Conservation and
Development Service, NC Natural Heritage Program) invited the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition and
Haywood Waterways Association to a discussion about E&SC training for the seven westernmost counties
[Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Graham, Clay, Cherokee]. This steering committee has been meeting
since that time, working on the Regional Erosion and Sediment Control Initiative for Western North Carolina.
The steering committee continues to pursue grant funding and promote this effort which could have a
significant impact on the sedimentation problem in mountain region stream systems. In addition to the
benefit of reduced sedimentation, the initiative will benefit local economies and small businesses by helping
contractors create and retain jobs.
Franklin to Fontana Local Watershed Plan
Between 2008 and 2011, the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program led a watershed study and
planning effort in the Little Tennessee River watershed between Lake Emory and Lake Fontana. This effort
included an assessment of the health of the Little Tennessee River and its tributaries, identification of the
major stressors that impact stream quality, development of a plan that names specific recommendations to
restore and protect watershed resources, and the production of an atlas of on-the-ground projects that can
provide the greatest benefit to the watershed. The data collected during this assessment greatly enhanced
DWQ’s existing dataset and provides valuable knowledge on site specific restoration needs. Implementation
of identified restoration and protection projects is encouraged.
Impervious Surfaces
Impervious surfaces alter the natural hydrology by preventing infiltration of water into the soil. Impervious
surfaces include roads, rooftops, and parking lots; all are characteristics of conventional growth and
development. As watershed vegetation is replaced with impervious surfaces, the ability of the landscape
to absorb and diffuse the effects of natural rainfall is diminished. Urbanization results in increased surface
runoff and correspondingly earlier and higher peak streamflows after rainfall. Bank scour from these
frequent high flow events tends to enlarge streams and increase suspended sediment. These effects are
compounded when small streams are channelized or piped, and storm sewer systems are installed to
increase transport of stormwater downstream.
Progressive planning is needed to protect our water resources to prevent exceeding a watershed’s
impervious surface threshold. Both counties and the municipal jurisdictions within the basin should
implement the voluntary Universal Stormwater Management Program (USMP) to address stormwater
runoff concerns. Under the USMP, a local government will be able to meet the different post-construction
requirements for many existing stormwater strategies (HQW, Phase 2 NPDES, etc) with just a single set of
requirements.
Trout Farms
Macroinvertebrate and chemical sampling data collected in streams used by and adjacent to trout farms
indicated negative impacts to water quality standards. In an effort to improve and protect water quality,
while supporting the trout farm industry in the region, a collaborative approach has been undertaken which
includes trout farmers, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, NC Cooperative Extension
and DWQ. The outcome of the collaborative work should lead to a better understanding of farm operations,
best management practices (BMPs), water resource/quality protection and regulatory needs for all parties.
The NCG530000 permit is anticipated to be renewed in July 2012. Any necessary permit modifications to
fully protect surface waters used by trout farm operations will be considered and discussed by DWQ and
stakeholders during the renewal period. Possibilities may include individual permits for certain farms, farm-
specific BMP plan requirements and system modifications.
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The economic impact of trout farms in the rural counties within which they are located is considered
important. The past six years have seen a decrease of ten percent of the total number of trout farms in
the state. Various reasons account for the changes, including an aging farmer population, land valuation
increases and, considered most significant, an increase in water temperatures. Options are being
considered to maintain current production levels in light of the water temperature change.
Bacteria
Whether a stream is classified for primary recreation (B) or not,
the nature of mountain streams lead to a heavy recreation use.
High levels of fecal coliform bacteria have been detected in several
streams due to the increase in monitoring during a special study.
The bacteria normally would have gone undetected because DWQ’s
limited monitoring resources primarily focus on Class B waters. The
detected instream high bacteria counts reinforce the need to reduce
non-point source pollution, focus on limiting livestock access to
streams, implement agriculture BMPs, promote domestic pet waste
pick-up, control urban stormwater and repair failing septic systems.
WaDE
The discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage can be extremely harmful to humans and the aquatic
environment. Pollutants from illegally discharged household wastewater contain chemical nutrients, disease
pathogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Special study requests led to an increase in number of
streams sampled for bacteria and have led to several new stream impairments. As of 2012, there are 58
stream miles and 171 lake acres Impaired because of high fecal coliform bacteria levels. The economies of
the counties in this basin are highly dependent upon river recreation, especially for tourists and seasonal
residents. Reducing bacterial contamination is crucial for supporting a tourist economy. In order to protect
human health and maintain water quality, straight pipes must be eliminated and failing septic systems should
be repaired.
Recent budgetary changes caused the dissolution of an important program that provided significant water
quality as well as human health and quality of life benefits. The Wastewater Discharge Elimination (WaDE)
Program formed to identify and correct straight-piped wastewater discharges and failing septic systems,
lost funding for all activities. The work that had been accomplished by the program assisted in the reduction
of fecal coliform levels in several watersheds across the region. The Division of Water Quality in the
Asheville region receives regular phone calls from health department personnel, county personnel and other
agencies seeking assistance to help families in need of septic system repairs. Funds need to be reallocated
to reestablish the WaDE program or allocated to County Health Departments to assist in detecting and
eliminating straight pipes and septic failures.
DWQ Asheville Regional Office Outreach
The Asheville Regional Office (ARO) has recently embarked upon a long-term, outreach initiative designed
to establish partnership and understanding across the wide variety of industries and organizations within its
management area. To accomplish its mission and obtain its goals, the DWQ understands that partnership-
building, continuous education efforts and leveraging of resources are required. In that direction, the ARO
has launched several efforts with more to come:
• Western North Carolina is home to a large set of active environmental organizations (EOs) involved
in numerous initiatives, many involving water quality. Those organizations, located across the nineteen
counties of the Asheville Regional Office, house many resources, including experienced staff, community
members and local knowledge. The DWQ employs experienced staff as well, with regulatory and technical
expertise. Clearly, leveraging the resources of EOs and the DWQ would benefit all parties in the common
mission of protecting water quality. In late 2011, DWQ staff launched an effort in pursuit of such partnering.
EOs from across the western region along with DWQ personnel will convene several summits during 2012
to develop a better understanding of the work being done across the region and how to mutually benefit from
building partnerships.