Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Basinwide water quality planning is a watershed-based approach to restoring and protecting the
quality of North Carolina’s surface waters. Basinwide water quality plans are prepared by the
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) for each of the 17 major river basins in the
state. Each basinwide plan is revised at five-year intervals. While these plans are prepared by
DWQ, their implementation and the protection of water quality entail the coordinated efforts of
many agencies, local governments and stakeholders throughout the state.

The goals of basinwide planning are to:

ƒ Identify water quality problems and restore full use to Impaired waters.
ƒ Identify and protect high value resource waters.
ƒ Protect unimpaired waters while allowing for reasonable economic growth.

DWQ accomplishes these goals through the following objectives:

ƒ Collaborate with regional and local agencies to develop appropriate management
strategies. This includes providing agencies information related to financial and funding
opportunities.
ƒ Assure equitable distribution of waste assimilative capacity.
ƒ Evaluate cumulative effects of pollution.
ƒ Improve public awareness and involvement.
ƒ Regulate point and nonpoint sources of pollution where other approaches are not
successful.

This document is the third five-year update of the New River Basinwide Water Quality Plan.
The first basinwide plan for the New River basin was completed in 1995 and the second in 2000.
The format of this plan was revised in response to comments received during the first and second
planning cycles. DWQ replaced much of the general information in the first two plans with
more detailed information specific to the New River basin. For this plan, a greater emphasis was
placed on identifying water quality concerns on the watershed level in order to facilitate
protection and restoration efforts.

DWQ considered comments from one public workshop held in the basin and subsequent
discussions with local resource agency staff and citizens during draft plan development. This
input will help guide continuing water quality management activities throughout the river basin
over the next five years.

Basin Overview

Despite its name, the New River is part of the oldest river system in North America and flows
through rugged terrain containing metamorphic rocks that are 1.1 billion years old.
The New River originates at the confluence of the North Fork and the South Fork New Rivers in
Ashe County, North Carolina. It flows north-northeast into Virginia and West Virginia where it
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joins with the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River. Eventually, waters flow to the Gulf of
Mexico via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers (Figure 1).

The North Carolina portion of the New River is located in the Blue Ridge Province of the
Appalachian Mountains. Within North Carolina, the North Fork New River, South Fork New
River and Little River all drain to the New River, and three counties (Alleghany, Ashe and
Watauga) are entirely or partially contained within the basin. DWQ subdivides all river basins
into subbasins. In the New River basin, there are three subbasins (Figure 2).

Information presented in this basinwide water quality plan is based on data collected from
September 1998 to August 2003. Maps of each subbasin are included in each of the subbasin
chapters. Each subbasin has its own characteristics and water quality concerns. These are
discussed in Chapters 1 through 3.

DWQ identifies the stressors of water quality impact as specifically as possible depending on the
amount of information available in a watershed. Most often, the source of the stressor is based
on the predominant land use in a watershed. In the New River basin, new
development/construction activities, land clearing, agriculture and one point source were all
identified as possible stressors. Water quality decline can often be attributed to a combination of
many stressors that lead to habitat and water quality degradation. In some way, every person,
industry, landowner and municipality in the basin impacts water quality. Therefore, every
resident of the basin should play a role in management strategies designed to protect and restore
the streams, lakes and rivers of the basin.

Water Quality Standards and Classifications
Throughout the New River basin, water quality is generally good and excellent in most of the
monitored stream segments. Chapter 4 discusses water quality standards and classifications and
includes maps showing the designated Water Supply (WS) watersheds, High Quality Waters
(HQW) and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW).

In the New River basin, several municipalities and smaller outlying communities are being
pressured to expand. This often involves construction and/or development in areas of pristine
waters along several tributaries of the North Fork New River, South Fork New River and the
New River. HQW and ORW are supplemental classifications to the primary freshwater
classification placed on a waterbody. Special management strategies are often associated with
the supplemental HQW and ORW classification and are intended to prevent degradation of water
quality below present levels from point and nonpoint sources of pollution. A brief summary of
these strategies and the administrative code under which the strategies are found are included in
Chapter 1.

Water Quality Stressors
Water quality stressors are identified when impacts have been noted to biological (fish and
benthic) communities or water quality standards have been violated. Whenever possible, water
quality stressors are identified for Impaired waters as well as waters with notable impacts.

One of the most noted water quality stressors is instream habitat degradation. Instream habitat
degradation is identified where there is a notable reduction in habitat diversity or a negative
change in habitat. Sedimentation, streambank erosion, channelization, lack of riparian
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vegetation, loss of pools or riffles, loss of woody habitat, and streambed scour are all associated
with habitat degradation. These stressors are typically a result of increased flow of stormwater
runoff due to land use changes or to sediment runoff from land-disturbing activities. Streams
with noted habitat degradation are discussed in the subbasin chapters (Chapters 1-3).

Other chemical and biological factors can also impact water quality. These include excess algal
growth, low dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus levels, pH, and fecal coliform bacteria.
Chapter 5 provides definitions and recommendations for reducing impacts associated with
physical, chemical and biological factors.

Population Growth and Changes in Land Use
The New River basin encompasses all or portions of three counties and six municipalities. In
2000, the overall population in the basin (based on the percent of the county land area in the
basin) was 49,653. The most populated areas are located in and around the towns of Boone,
Blowing Rock, Jefferson and Sparta.
New River Basin Statistics
(North Carolina Portion)

Total Area: 752 sq. miles
Freshwater Stream Miles: 918.1 mi
No. of Counties: 3
No. of Municipalities: 6
No. of Subbasins: 3
Population (2000): 49,653*
Pop. Density (2000): 66 persons/sq. mile*

Water Quality Statistics

Aquatic Life
Percent Monitored Streams: 39.7%
Percent Supporting: 95.0%
Percent Impaired: 3.0%
Percent Not Rated: 2.0%

Recreation
Percent Monitored Streams: 11.8%
Percent Supporting: 75.6%
Percent Not Rated: 24.4%

Identified Water Quality Stressors
Habitat Degradation: 142.2 miles
Fecal Coliform Bacteria: 21.4 miles
Toxic Impacts and/or Low pH: 13.4 miles

* Estimated based on % of county land area
that is partially or entirely within the basin,
not the entire county population.

Between 1990 and 2000, county populations
increased by nearly 10,000 people. The fastest
growing county was Watauga (17.2 percent
increase), followed by Alleghany (12.1 percent
increase). County populations are expected to grow
by another 14,000 people (14.6 percent) by 2020.
This would result in a total population of over
91,000 people in the three counties partially or
entirely contained within the New River basin.
Population growth trends and the accompanying
impacts to water quality are discussed in Chapters 5
and 6.

Expanding populations are typically characterized
by a loss of natural areas and an increase in
impervious surface. Based on the current land
cover information provided by the National
Resources Inventory (USDA-NRCS, 2001), there
was a 58.9 percent decrease (8,600 acres) in
cultivated cropland in the New River basin from
1982 to 1997. Uncultivated cropland and
pastureland also decreased by nearly 18,500 acres
(58.5 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively). Urban
and built-up areas increased by nearly 9,800 acres
(46 percent). Much of this land cover change is
accounted for in the areas around Blowing Rock
and Jefferson, where population increased by 12.3
percent and 9.4 percent, respectively, from 1990 to
2000. Land use cover tables and statistics are
included in Appendix III.

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Growing populations not only require more water, but they also lead to the discharge and runoff
of greater quantities of waste and pollutants into the state’s streams and groundwater. The
impacts on rivers, lakes and streams can be significant and permanent if stormwater runoff is not
controlled. Just as demand and use increases, some of the potential water supply is also lost (Orr
and Stuart, 2000).

Impacts from Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff is rainfall or snowmelt that runs off the ground or impervious surface (i.e.,
buildings, roads, parking lots, etc.) instead of absorbing into the soil. In some cases, stormwater
runoff drains directly into streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. In other cases, particularly
urbanized areas, stormwater drains into streets and manmade drainage systems consisting of
inlets and underground pipes, commonly referred to as a storm sewer system. Stormwater runoff
is a primary carrier of nonpoint source pollution in both urbanized and rural areas. The impact of
stormwater runoff is particularly severe in developing areas where recently graded lands are
highly susceptible to erosion. Water quality impacts are also evident in urbanized areas where
stormwater runoff is increased by impervious surfaces and is rapidly channeled through ditches
or curb and gutter systems into nearby streams. For more information on stormwater as it relates
to growth and development, refer to Chapter 6.

There are several different stormwater programs administered by DWQ. One or more of these
programs may affect communities in the New River basin. The goal of DWQ stormwater
discharge permitting regulations and programs is to prevent pollution from entering the waters of
the state via stormwater runoff. These programs accomplish this goal by controlling the
source(s) of pollution. Chapter 7 includes more information on the statewide stormwater
programs.

Septic Systems and Straight Pipes
In the New River basin, wastewater from many households is not treated at a wastewater
treatment plant (WWTP). Instead, it is treated on-site through the use of permitted septic
systems. However, wastewater from some homes illegally discharges directly into streams
through what is known as a “straight pipe”. In some cases, wastewater can also enter streams
through failing septic systems. In highly susceptible areas, wastewater from failing septic
systems or straight pipes can contaminate a drinking water supply or recreational waters with
nutrients, disease pathogens and endocrine disturbing chemicals.

From 2000 to 2003, the Appalachian District Health Department took the lead in a straight pipe
elimination project in Ashe and Alleghany counties. The DENR Wastewater Discharge
Elimination (WaDE) Program provided technical assistance. Funds totaling $1.2 million was
provided by the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the North
Carolina Department of Commerce – Division of Community Assistance, and the Appalachian
Regional Commission. Nearly 2,800 homes were inspected. Out of these, 625 homes had either
a failing septic system or a straight pipe. To date, over 45 percent of the homes (323 homes)
have been corrected. More information on DWQ wastewater programs can be found in Chapter
7.

Agriculture and Water Quality
Excess nutrient loading, pesticide and/or herbicide contamination, bacterial contamination and
sedimentation are often associated with agricultural activities, and all can impact water quality.
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Chapter 8 provides information related to agricultural activities in the New River basin and also
identifies funding opportunities for best management practices (BMP). During this assessment
period, the North Carolina Agricultural Cost Share Program (NCACSP) funded BMPs totaling
more than $900,000. BMPs include planned systems for reducing soil erosion and nutrient
runoff, planned systems for protecting streams and streambanks, and the installation of planned
systems to manage liquid and solid waste to prevent or minimize degradation of soil and water
resources.

In several streams throughout the basin, DWQ noted evidence and observed several areas where
livestock had direct, easy access to the streams. Fencing, or livestock exclusion, prevents
livestock from entering a stream and provides an area of vegetative cover, which can secure
streambanks, lower stream velocities, trap suspended sediments, and decrease downgradient
erosion. Livestock exclusion is also effective in reducing nutrient, bacteria and sediment loads in
a stream (Line and Jennings, 2002). Of the $910,336 of NCACSP funds spent on BMPs in the
New River basin, over 9.5 percent ($86,437) was spent on 71,430 feet of fence for livestock
exclusion. An additional 18,000 feet of fence was installed using funds provided through the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Environmental Improvement Program (EQIP). For more information on either of these
agricultural funding opportunities, see Chapter 8.

Besides pasturelands and row crops, Christmas tree production also has a significant presence in
the New River basin. Most of the tree plantations in western North Carolina are above 3,000 feet
in elevation and are often located on steep, highly erodible slopes (NCSU Cooperative Extension
Service, April 2005). From 1999 to 2003, 76 acres of Christmas Tree Conservation Cover were
installed in the New River basin. NCACSP funding totaled $7,320 with landowners and/or
Christmas tree plantation operators contributing an additional $2,440. Chapter 1 contains more
information related to Christmas tree production in the New River basin.

Forestry and Water Quality
Based on land cover information provided by the North Carolina Corporate Geographic Database
(CGIA) and the USDA-NRCS, 75 percent (267,700 acres) of land in the New River basin
consists of forestland. No streams were identified as Impaired or impacted by stressors
associated with land clearing or forestry activities. Where forest harvesting is identified as a
potential source of water quality impact, DWQ will notify the Division of Forest Resources
(DFR) to investigate potential violations and the enforcement of management strategies.
Chapter 9 presents more information related to the impacts of forestry on water quality.

Water Resources
Chapter 10 presents information related to minimum streamflow requirements, interbasin
transfers, water quality during drought conditions, and source water protection. The chapter also
includes the federal cataloging units (commonly referred to as hydrologic units) as they relate to
the state subbasin boundaries.

Natural Resources
Not only is the New River basin renowned for the oldest existing rivers in North America, but it
is also noted for the number of rare and endemic aquatic species that it supports. Many of these
species, and ecological communities in which they exist, are found nowhere else in the State.
Chapter 11 presents information related to the ecological significance of the basin and identifies
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endangered and threatened species, significant natural areas and aquatic habitats and public lands
that are locally significant.

Local Involvement
Local organizations and agencies are able to combine professional expertise and local knowledge
not present at the state and federal level. This allows groups to holistically understand the
challenges and opportunities of local water quality concerns. Involving a wide array of people in
water quality projects also brings together a wide range of knowledge and interests and
encourages others to become involved and invested in these projects. Working in cooperation
across jurisdictional boundaries and agency lines opens the door to additional funding
opportunities and eases the difficulty of generating matching or leveraged funds. This could
potentially allow local entities to do more work and be involved in more activities because
funding sources are diversified. The most important aspect of these local endeavors is that the
more localized the project, the better the chances for success.

The collaboration of local efforts is key to water quality improvements, and DWQ applauds the
foresight and proactive response by locally based organizations and agencies to protect water
quality. There are many excellent examples of local agencies and groups using these cooperative
strategies throughout the state. Several local watershed projects are highlighted throughout the
subbasin chapters (Chapters 1-3). Chapter 12 also examines the local and federal initiatives
underway in the New River basin.

Use Support Summary

Use support assessments based on surface water classifications form the foundation of this
basinwide plan. Surface waters are classified according to their best-intended use. Determining
how well a waterbody supports its use (use support rating) is an important method of interpreting
water quality data and assessing water quality.

Biological, chemical and physical monitoring data collected between September 1998 and
August 2003 were used to assign use support ratings in the New River basin. Based on
monitored data, a total of 10.9 stream miles (3.0 percent) are Impaired in the New River basin.
The impairments are associated with habitat degradation from nonpoint source runoff, acid mine
drainage and one point source. Table 1 presents a summary of the Impaired waters and the
associated stressors. Current status and recommendations for restoration of water quality for each
Impaired water are discussed in the subbasin chapters (Chapters 1-3). Maps showing the current
use support rating are also presented in each subbasin chapter.

Use support methodology has changed significantly since the 2000 revision of the New River
Basinwide Water Quality Plan. In the previous plan, surface waters were rated fully supporting
(FS), partially supporting (PS), not supporting (NS) and not rated (NR). FS was used to identify
waters that were meeting their designated use. Impaired waters were rated PS and NS,
depending on the degree of degradation. NR was used to identify waters with no data or those
that had inconclusive data.

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Table 1 Summary of Impaired Waters in the New River Basin

Stream/
River Name*
Assessment Unit
Number (AU#) Subbasin Class Miles Category Water Quality
Stressor/Source
Little Peak Creek 10-1-35-4 05-07-01 B Tr + 2.8 Aquatic Life
Habitat degradation and
toxic impacts associated
with acid mine drainage
Ore Knob Branch 10-1-35-3 05-07-01 B Tr + 0.9 Aquatic Life
Habitat degradation and
toxic impacts associated
with acid mine drainage
Peak Creek 10-1-35-(2)b 05-07-01 B Tr + 2.9 Aquatic Life
Habitat degradation and
toxic impacts associated
with acid mine drainage
Little Buffalo Creek 10-2-20-1 05-07-02 C Tr + 4.4 Aquatic Life
Habitat degradation
associated with nonpoint
runoff, impervious surface
and one minor discharge

Use Support Category Units Total Impaired
Length/Acres
Percent of Impaired
Monitored Waters
Aquatic Life Freshwater miles 10.9 mi 3.0
Recreation Freshwater miles 0.0 0.0
Fish Consumption Freshwater miles 0.0 0.0
Water Supply Freshwater miles 0.0 0.0

The 2002 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report Guidance issued by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests that states no longer subdivide the
Impaired category. In agreement with this guidance, North Carolina no longer subdivides the
Impaired category and rates waters as Supporting (S), Impaired (I), Not Rated (NR) or No Data
(ND). These ratings refer to whether the classified uses of the water (i.e., water supply, aquatic
life, primary/secondary recreation) are being met. Detailed information on use support
methodology is provided in Appendix IX.

Use support methods were developed to assess ecosystem health and human health risk through
the development of use support ratings for five categories: aquatic life; fish consumption;
recreation; shellfish harvesting; and water supply. These categories are tied to the uses
associated with the primary classifications applied to North Carolina rivers, streams and lakes. A
full description of the classifications is available in the DWQ document titled Classifications and
Water Quality Standards Applicable to Surface Waters and Wetlands of North Carolina. This
document is available on-line at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/csu/.

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Recommended Management Strategies for Restoring Impaired Waters

The Impaired streams in the New River basin are impacted by a combination of nonpoint and
point source runoff. Three of the Impaired streams (Peak Creek, Little Peak Creek and Ore
Knob Branch) receive runoff from an abandoned copper and lead mining facility. Precipitates,
pH and dissolved copper, iron, and zinc all affect the aquatic community. Remediation has
shown little in the way of long-term water quality improvements. Two distinct problem areas
were identified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and include the former
processing area and the tailings (waste) area. The USACE published the Ore Knob Aquatic
Restoration Project: Draft Detailed Project Report and Environmental Assessment in March
2003. The report identified the best option for restoration activities and expects to restore 6.9
miles of stream and 14.3 acres of aquatic and terrestrial habitat once funding is available. DWQ
will continue to work with the USACE and interact with a multiagency partnership to pursue
additional restoration options in the Ore Knob area.

The fourth Impaired stream (Little Buffalo Creek) is impacted by runoff from impervious surface
and one minor municipal discharger. Using funds provide by several state agencies,
improvements have been made to the permitted discharge facility. DWQ will work with the
local watershed groups, county and town officials to raise community awareness of the
importance of riparian zones and the impacts associated with stormwater runoff.

The task of quantifying nonpoint source runoff and developing management strategies for these
Impaired waters is very resource intense. This task is overwhelming, given the current limited
resources of DWQ, other agencies (i.e., Division of Land Resources, Division of Soil and Water
Conservation, NC Cooperative Extension Service, etc.) and local governments. DWQ will
collaborate with other agencies and watershed groups that deal with nonpoint source pollution
issues to develop management strategies for the Impaired and notable waters for the next New
River Basinwide Water Quality Plan scheduled for 2010.

Waters on the North Carolina 303(d) List

For the next several years, addressing water quality impairment in waters that are on the state’s
303(d) list will be a DWQ priority. Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act requires states
to develop a list of waters not meeting water quality standards or which have Impaired uses. The
waters in the New River basin that are on this list are discussed in the individual subbasin
chapters (Chapters 1-3). States are also required to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDLs) or management strategies for 303(d) listed waters to address impairment. EPA issued
guidance in August 1997 that called for states to develop schedules for developing TMDLs for
all waters on the 303(d) list within 8 to 13 years. Information regarding 303(d) listing and
reporting methodology can be found in Appendix VII.

In North Carolina, there are nearly 2,400 Impaired stream miles on the 2000 303(d) list. The
rigorous and demanding task of developing TMDLs for each listed water during a 13-year time
frame will require the focus of many resources. It will be a priority for North Carolina’s water
quality programs over the next several years to develop TMDLs for 303(d) listed waters.

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Challenges Related to Achieving Water Quality Improvements

To achieve the goal of restoring Impaired waters throughout the basin, DWQ will need to work
closely with other state agencies and stakeholders to identify and control pollutants. The costs of
restoration can be high, but several programs exist to provide funding for restoration efforts.
These programs include the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the NC
Agricultural Cost Share Program (NCACSP) and the Ecosystem Enhancement Program
(NCEEP).

Balancing economic growth and water quality protection will be a tremendous challenge. Point
source impacts on surface waters can be measured and addressed through the basinwide planning
process. Nonpoint source pollution can be identified through the basinwide plan, but actions to
address these impacts must be taken at the local level. Such actions should include:
development and enforcement of local erosion control ordinances; requirement of stormwater
BMPs for existing and new development; development and enforcement of buffer ordinances;
and land use planning that assesses impacts on natural resources. This basinwide plan presents
many water quality initiatives and accomplishments that are underway throughout the New River
basin. These actions provide a foundation on which future initiatives can be built.
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Figure 1 General Map of the Entire New River Basin

Map published by the National Committee for the New River (NCNR). Map used with
permission from NCNR. For more information about NCNR, visit www.ncnr.org.
Executive Summary xviii