Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary..........................................................................................................................ix
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................xx
What is Basinwide Water Quality Planning?........................................................................xx
Goals of Basinwide Water Quality Planning........................................................................xx
Benefits of Basinwide Water Quality Planning..................................................................xxi
How You Can Get Involved ...............................................................................................xxi
Division of Water Quality Functions and Locations ..........................................................xxi
Some Other Reference Materials......................................................................................xxiii
How to Read the Basinwide Plan......................................................................................xxiii
Chapter 1.............................................................................................................................................1
New River Subbasin 05-07-01
Including the: South Fork New River, East and Middle Fork South Fork New River, Naked
Creek, Peak Creek and Cranberry Creek
1.1 Subbasin Overview........................................................................................................1
1.2 Use Support Assessment Summary ...............................................................................8
1.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters....................8
1.3.1 Naked Creek [AU# 10-1-32b]...........................................................................9
1.3.2 Peak Creek [AU# 10-1-35-(2)b]......................................................................10
1.3.3 Little Peak Creek [AU# 10-1-35-4].................................................................12
1.3.4 Ore Knob Branch [AU# 10-1-35-3].................................................................12
1.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts....................................13
1.4.1 Middle Fork South Fork New River [AU# 10-1-2-(6), 10-1-2-(14) and
10-1-2-(15)]......................................................................................................13
1.4.2 East Fork South Fork New River [AU# 10-1-3-(7) and 10-1-3-(8)]...............16
1.4.3 South Fork New River [AU# 10-1-(3.5) a and b]............................................16
1.4.4 South Fork New River [AU# 10-1-(26)b and 10-1-(30)a]...............................17
1.4.5 Winkler Creek [AU# 10-1-4-(3.5)a and b]......................................................19
1.4.6 Howard Creek [AU# 10-1-9]...........................................................................19
1.4.7 Meat Camp Creek [AU# 10-1-10]...................................................................20
1.4.8 Roan Creek [AU# 10-1-31-(1) and 10-1-31-(2)].............................................21
1.4.9 Cranberry Creek (Mulberry Creek) [AU# 10-1-37]........................................21
1.4.10 Pine Swamp Creek [AU# 10-1-24]..................................................................22
1.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 05-07-01 .......................................22
1.5.1 Christmas Tree Production and Best Management Practices ..........................22
1.5.2 Land Clearing Activities..................................................................................23
1.5.3 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection.....................................23
Table of Contents i

Chapter 2...........................................................................................................................................26
New River Subbasin 05-07-02
Including the: North Fork New River, Big Laurel Creek, Big Horse Creek, Helton Creek,
Three Top Creek, Buffalo Creek and Little Buffalo Creek
2.1 Subbasin Overview......................................................................................................26
2.2 Use Support Assessment Summary .............................................................................30
2.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters..................30
2.3.1 Little Buffalo Creek [AU# 10-2-20-1].............................................................31
2.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts....................................32
2.4.1 Little Horse Creek [AU# 10-2-21-8]...............................................................33
2.4.2 Big Horse Creek [AU# 10-2-21-(7)]................................................................33
2.4.3 North Fork New River [AU# 10-2-(1) and 10-2-(12)]....................................34
2.4.4 Three Top Creek [AU# 10-2-13].....................................................................35
2.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 05-07-02 .......................................35
2.5.1 Low Head Dams ..............................................................................................36
2.5.2 Management Strategies for Water Quality Protection.....................................37
Chapter 3...........................................................................................................................................38
New River Subbasin 05-07-03
Including the: New River, Little River, Pine Swamp Creek, Bledsoe Creek, Brush Creek and
Laurel Branch
3.1 Subbasin Overview......................................................................................................38
3.2 Use Support Assessment Summary .............................................................................42
3.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters..................42
3.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts....................................42
3.4.1 Elk Creek [AU# 10-6-(2)]................................................................................43
3.4.2 Little River [AU# 10-9-(6) and 10-9-(11.5)]...................................................44
3.4.3 Pine Swamp Creek [AU# 10-9-5]....................................................................46
3.4.4 Bledsoe Creek [AU# 10-9-7]...........................................................................46
3.4.5 Brush Creek [AU# 10-9-10]............................................................................48
3.4.6 Laurel Branch [AU# 10-9-10-2]......................................................................48
3.4.7 Glade Creek [AU# 10-9-9]..............................................................................49
3.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 05-07-03 .......................................50
3.5.1 Livestock Exclusion.........................................................................................50
3.5.2 Management Strategies for Trout Water Protection ........................................51
3.5.3 Special Aquatic Resources...............................................................................51
3.5.4 Surface Waters Identified for Potential Reclassification.................................52
Chapter 4...........................................................................................................................................53
North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards
4.1 Description of Surface Water Classifications and Standards ......................................53
4.1.1 Statewide Classifications .................................................................................53
4.1.2 Statewide Water Quality Standards .................................................................53
Table of Contents ii

4.1.3 Special Management Strategies.......................................................................57
4.1.4 Reclassification of Surface Waters..................................................................57
Chapter 5...........................................................................................................................................59
Water Quality Stressors
5.1 Stressor and Source Identification ...............................................................................59
5.1.1 Introduction – Stressors ...................................................................................59
5.1.2 Introduction – Sources of Stressors .................................................................59
5.1.3 Overview of Stressors Identified in the New River Basin...............................60
5.1.4 Overview of Stressor Sources Identified in the New River Basin...................61
5.2 Aquatic Life Stressors – Habitat Degradation .............................................................62
5.2.1 Introduction and Overview ..............................................................................62
5.2.2 Sedimentation ..................................................................................................63
5.2.3 Loss of Riparian Vegetation ............................................................................64
5.2.4 Loss of Instream Organic Microhabitats..........................................................64
5.2.5 Channelization .................................................................................................64
5.2.6 Recommendations for Reducing Habitat Degradation ....................................65
5.3 Aquatic Life Stressors – Water Quality Standards ......................................................66
5.3.1 Introduction and Overview ..............................................................................66
5.3.2 pH.....................................................................................................................67
5.3.3 Toxic Impacts...................................................................................................67
5.4 Recreation Stressor – Fecal Coliform Bacteria............................................................67
Chapter 6...........................................................................................................................................69
Population Growth, Land Cover Changes and Water Quality
6.1 General Sources of Pollution.......................................................................................69
6.2 Managing the Impacts of Growth and Development and Stormwater Runoff ............70
6.2.1 Introduction to Stormwater Runoff..................................................................70
6.2.2 Effects of Growth and Development ...............................................................70
6.2.3 Controlling Stormwater Pollution....................................................................71
6.2.4 Protecting Headwaters .....................................................................................72
6.3 The Role of Local Governments..................................................................................73
6.3.1 Introduction and Overview ..............................................................................73
6.3.2 Reducing Impacts of Future Development ......................................................75
6.3.3 Existing Programs to Control Stormwater Runoff...........................................76
Chapter 7...........................................................................................................................................77
Stormwater and Wastewater Programs
7.1 Federal and State Stormwater Programs......................................................................77
7.1.1 NPDES Phase I ................................................................................................77
7.1.2 NPDES Phase II...............................................................................................77
7.1.3 State Stormwater Programs – Sensitive Waters...............................................78
7.1.4 Water Supply Watershed Stormwater Rules....................................................79
7.2 Federal and State Wastewater Programs......................................................................80
Table of Contents iii

7.2.2 NPDES Wastewater Discharge Permit Summary............................................80
7.2.2 Septic Systems and Straight Piping .................................................................81
Chapter 8...........................................................................................................................................84
Agriculture and Water Quality
8.1 Animal Operations.......................................................................................................84
8.2 Impacted Streams in Agricultural Areas......................................................................85
8.3 Agricultural Best Management Practices and Funding Opportunities ........................86
8.3.1 USDA – NRCS Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP).........86
8.3.2 NC Agriculture Cost Share Program ...............................................................86
Chapter 9...........................................................................................................................................89
Forestry in the New River Basin
9.1 Forestland Ownership and Resources..........................................................................89
9.1.1 Forest Management..........................................................................................89
9.1.2 Urban Forestry .................................................................................................89
9.1.3 Forest Utilization .............................................................................................89
9.1.4 Christmas Tree Production ..............................................................................90
9.2 Forestry Water Quality Regulations in North Carolina...............................................90
9.2.1 Forest Practice Guidelines (FPG) for Water Quality.......................................90
9.2.2 Other Forestry Related Water Quality Regulations .........................................90
9.2.3 Water Quality Foresters...................................................................................91
9.2.4 Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Water Quality...................91
Chapter 10.........................................................................................................................................93
Water Resources
10.1 River Basin Hydrologic Units......................................................................................93
10.2 Minimum Streamflow..................................................................................................94
10.3 Interbasin Transfers .....................................................................................................95
10.4 Water Quality Issues Related to Drought ....................................................................95
10.5 Source Water Assessment of Public Water Supplies...................................................96
10.5.1 Introduction......................................................................................................96
10.5.2 Delineation of Source Water Assessment Areas .............................................97
10.5.3 Susceptibility Determination – North Carolina’s Overall Approach...............97
10.5.4 Source Water Protection ..................................................................................98
10.5.5 Public Water Supply Susceptibility Determinations in the New River
Basin ................................................................................................................99
Chapter 11.......................................................................................................................................100
Natural Resources
11.1 Ecological Significance of the New River Basin.......................................................100
11.2 Rare Aquatic and Wetland-Dwelling Animal Species...............................................100
Table of Contents iv

11.3 Significant Natural Heritage Areas in the New River Basin .....................................100
11.4 Significant Aquatic Habitats in New River Basin .....................................................102
11.5 Public Lands...............................................................................................................103
Chapter 12.......................................................................................................................................106
Water Quality Initiatives
12.1 The Importance of Local Initiatives...........................................................................106
12.2 Federal Initiatives.......................................................................................................108
12.2.1 Clean Water Act – Section 319 Program.......................................................108
12.3 State Initiatives...........................................................................................................109
12.3.1 North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP).......................109
12.3.2 Clean Water Management Trust Fund...........................................................110
References.......................................................................................................................................114

Table of Contents v

APPENDICES

I Population and Growth Trends in the New River Basin

II Local Governments and Planning Jurisdictions in the New River Basin

III Land Cover in the New River Basin

IV DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the New River Basin

V Other Water Quality Data in the New River Basin

VI NPDES Discharges and General Stormwater Permits

VII 303(d) Listing and Reporting Methodology

VIII New River Basin Nonpoint Source Program Description and Contacts

IX Use Support Methodology and Use Support Ratings

X Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Appendices vi

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 General Map of the Entire New River Basin...........................................................xviii
Figure 2 General Map of the New River Basin in North Carolina...........................................xix
Figure 3 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2002 to 2007).............................................................xx
Figure 4 Division of Water Quality Regional Offices ...........................................................xxiv
Figure 5 New River Subbasin 05-07-01.......................................................................................2
Figure 6 New River Subbasin 05-07-02.....................................................................................27
Figure 7 New River Subbasin 05-07-03.....................................................................................39
Figure 8 ORWs and HWQs in the New River Basin .................................................................56
Figure 9 Water Supply Watersheds in the New River Basin .....................................................58
Figure 10 Stressors Identified for Impaired Streams in the New River Basin.............................60
Figure 11 Stressors Identified for Streams with Noted Impacts in the New River Basin............60
Figure 12 Sources of Stressors Identified in the New River Basin..............................................61
Figure 13 Diagram of Headwater Streams within a Watershed Boundary..................................72
Figure 14 Significant Natural Resources in the New River Basin.............................................105

List of Figures vii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Summary of Impaired Waters in the New River Basin ...............................................xv
Table 2 Basinwide Planning Schedule (2000 to 2007)..........................................................xxii
Table 3 Five-Year Planning Process for Development of an Individual Basinwide Plan.....xxii
Table 4 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in
Subbasin 05-07-01 .........................................................................................................3
Table 5 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 05-07-01 .........................9
Table 6 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in
Subbasin 05-07-02 .......................................................................................................28
Table 7 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 05-07-02 .......................31
Table 8 DWQ Assessment and Use Support Ratings Summary for Monitored Waters in
Subbasin 05-07-03 .......................................................................................................40
Table 9 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Use Category in Subbasin 05-07-03 ................43
Table 10 Primary and Supplemental Surface Water Classifications ..........................................54
Table 11 Communities in the New River Subject to Stormwater and/or Water Supply
Watershed Stormwater Requirements..........................................................................79
Table 12 Summary of NPDES Dischargers and Permitted Flows for the New River Basin
(September 2004).........................................................................................................81
Table 13 Results of the Ashe/Alleghany Straight Pipe Elimination Project...............................82
Table 14 Registered Animal Operations in the New River Basin (September 2004).................85
Table 15 Summary of NCACSP projects in the New River Basin (1998 to 2003)....................88
Table 16 Hydrologic Subdivisions in the New River Basin.......................................................93
Table 17 Selected Minimum Streamflow Projects in the New River Basin...............................94
Table 18 Estimated Interbasin Transfers in the New River Basin (1997)..................................95
Table 19 SWAP Results for Surface Water Sources in the New River Basin............................99
Table 20 List of Rare Animals Associated with Aquatic and Wetland Habitats in the New
River Basin.................................................................................................................101
Table 21 Local Water Quality Initiatives..................................................................................107
Table 22 Projects in the New River Basin Funded by the Clean Water Management Trust
Fund ...........................................................................................................................111

List of Tables viii