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Home My WebLink AboutChapter 2 Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 33 Chapter 2 Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 Including: Alligator River and portions of the Albemarle, Croatan and Roanoke Sounds 2.1 Subbasin Overview This subbasin contains the Alligator River and several tributaries. Most streams are of low relief and often swampy. Channelized ditches are common. Most waters in this subbasin are brackish estuarine, including Albemarle, Croatan and Roanoke Sounds, and the Alligator River to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW). Ecologically, the subbasin contains characteristics of the Chesapeake- Pamlico lowlands and tidal marshes, as well as nonriverine swamps and peatlands. Land cover generally consists of evergreen forests, mixed forests, forested wetlands and marshes. The Alligator River upstream of US 64 and all of its natural tributaries (not canals, Alligator Lake or ICWW) are classified as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW). Based on their designations by the Marine Fisheries Commission as primary nursery areas, two tributaries (upper Scarboro Creek and Doughs Creek) to Shallowbag Bay are classified as High Quality Waters (HQW). This subbasin contains a mixture of public lands and Significant Natural Heritage Areas including Roper Island, Durant Island, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Reserve, the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Preyer Reserve. Portions of Dare, Hyde and Tyrrell Counties can be found in this subbasin with the highest concentration of urbanized areas located on Roanoke Island in the Towns of Manteo and Wanchese. Rapid population growth is occurring in Dare County and along coastal areas. Additional information regarding population and land use changes throughout the entire basin can be found in Chapter 11. There is one major and five minor National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharges in this subbasin with a total permitted flow of 1.5 MGD. The major NPDES facility is the Manteo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) with a permitted flow of 1.0 MGD. The Manteo WWTP discharges to Shallowbag Bay [AU# 30-21-3] on Roanoke Island and significant noncompliance issues were identified during the last two years of the assessment period. There are two stormwater discharge permits in this subbasin. For the listing of NPDES permit holders, refer to Appendix III. Subbasin 03-01-51 at a Glance Land and Water Area Total area: 978 mi2 Land area: 568 mi2 Water area: 410 mi2 Land Cover (percent) Forest/Wetland: 53% Surface Water: 39% Cultivated Crop: 8% Urban: <1% Pasture/ Managed Herbaceous: <1% Counties Dare, Hyde and Tyrrell Municipalities Manteo Monitored Waterbody Statistics Aquatic Life: Total: 8.8 mi/106,724.7 ac Supporting: 8.8 mi/106,724.7 ac Recreation: Total: 8.8 mi/132,564.3 ac Supporting: 8.8 mi/132,564.3 ac Shellfish Harvesting: Total: 54,628.7 ac Supporting: 52,547.2 ac Impaired: 2,081.5 ac ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r¾r ¾r ¾r ¾r¡~ ¡~ ¡~ #* #* #*#* XY TYRRELL DARE HYDE Manteo US 64 US 264 N C 9 4 Albemarle Sound Roanoke S o u n d Cro ata n S o u n d P a m li c o S o u n d Alligator River E a s t La k e East Dismal Swamp NW F o r k Allig a tor R iv e r New River S W F o rk Alligator Ri v er Alligator River W h ip ping Cre e k South Lake Milltail Cre ek The Frying Pan S e c o nd Creek Little Alligator R i v e r S w a n C reek MA5 MA3 MA12 Figure 4 Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 ® 04812162 Miles Planning Section Basinwide Planning Unit January 8, 2007 Non-Dischargers %L Major #I Minor NPDES Dischargers XY Major #*Minor Legend Monitoring Stations¡~Ambient Monitoring Station !(à Benthic Community ¾r Recreation Locations Aquatic Life Rating/ Shellfish Harvesting Rating Impaired No Data Not Rated Supporting County Boundary Subbasin Boundary Municipality Primary Roads AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-51SubbasinTable 5 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA ALBEMARLE SOUND 30b Portion of Albemarle Sound in subbasin 03-01-51. Waters of Albemarle Sound (All waters south and east of a line running in a southerly direction from Horniblow Point (North end of Norfolk-Southern Railroad Bridge) to a point of land on the east side of R 106,724.7 S AcresSB S SMA3 NCE MA5 NCE MA3 NCE MA5 NCE Dioxin Industrial Site Baum Creek 30-20-5 From source to Croatan Sound 10.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Broad Creek 30-21-7a DEH closed area at head of creek 126.0 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Marina 30-21-7b Approved area at mouth of creek 392.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-1 Callaghan Creek 30-20-4 From source to Croatan Sound 24.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Cedar Bush Bay 30-20-7 Entire Bay 207.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-2 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-51 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-51SubbasinTable 5 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Croatan Sound 30-20-(2)a From Northwest Point on Roanoke Island following a line west to Reeds Point on the Dare County mainland to a line running from a point of land just below Long Wretch Creek on Dare County mainland to the Southern tip of Smith Island south of Roanoke Island 24,496.4 S AcresSA;HQW ND S S APP I-2 N68 NCE N69 NCE 30-20-(2)b The waters of Croatan Sound enclosed in a line beginning at a point near north shore of Spencer Creek at 35 degrees 51' 45" N- 75 degrees 44' 53" W; and thence 250 yeards in an easterly direction to a point at 35 degrees 51' 45" n- 75 degrees 44' 43" west 169.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-20-(2)c The waters of Croatan Sound which include all waters within a line beginning at a point on the shore at 35 degrees 53' 56" N- 75 degrees 41' 36" W, thence WSW 800 yards to a point in the sound at 35 degrees 53' 38" N- 75 degrees 41' 53 W, thence 1975 yard 340.9 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-20-(2)d The waters of Croatan Sound which include all waters on the North shore of Baum Creek to a straight line to Fl. Beacon number 2 at 35 degrees 50' 27" n-75 degrees 40' 06" W, thence in a straight line tto a point on an island at 35 degrees 50' 05" N- 75 de 156.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-20-(2)e The waters of Croatan sound which include all waters below Oyster Creek southeast to Cut Through. DEH closed area Croatan Sound 5-e 92.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-20-(2)f DEH Closure Area at Mann's Harbor 22.1 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Cut Through 30-20-8a From DEH closure line to Croatan Sound 128.6 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-2 30-20-8b From Roanoke Sound to DEH closure line 178.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-51 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-51SubbasinTable 5 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Doughs Creek 30-21-3-2 From source to Shallowbag Bay 21.2 S AcresSC;HQW ND S N86 NCE Hog I Creek 30-20-9 Entire Creek 15.4 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-2 Intracoastal Waterway (Pungo River-Alligator River Canal) 30-16-12 From Currituck-Fairfield Township line to Alligator River 8.8 S MilesSC;Sw S SMA12 NCE Turbidity 9.6 MA12 NCE Turbidity Unknown Johns Creek 30-21-5 From source to Roanoke Sound 10.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Long Wretch Creek 30-20-10 From source to Croatan Sound 1.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-2 Mill Landing Creek (Mill Creek) 30-21-8 From source to Roanoke Sound 29.8 S AcresSC ND S N67 NCE Oyster Creek 30-21-9 Entire Creek 84.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-2 Oyster Creek (Croatan Sound) 30-20-6 From source to Croatan Sound 62.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Pamlico Sound 30-22j Portion of Pamlico Sound (from Croatan and Roanoke Sounds to a line running from Sandy Point south of Stumpy Point Bay to the northeast tip of Ocracoke Island) in subbasin 03-01-51. 18,083.5 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-6 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-51 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-51SubbasinTable 5 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Pond Island 30-21-4a The waters surrounding the Island within 1,000 feet from shore within subbasin 03-01-51 165.1 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria WWTP NPDES Roanoke Sound 30-21a Those waters in subbasin 03-01-51in the western portion of Roanoke Sound, from a line running from Northwest Point on Roanoke Island northward to Rhodoms Point on Colington Island, thence a line running eastward through Wright Memorial Monument, to a line 9,134.1 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP I-2 30-21b DEH closed area on east side of Roanoke Island extending from mouth of Shallowbag Bay to Johns Creek along the shoreline 130.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria WWTP NPDES 30-21c DEH closed area west of Pond Island in subbasin 03-01-51 109.2 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria 30-21d DEH closed area adjacent to Mill Landing on east side of Roanoke Island 351.4 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Rockhall Creek 30-21-6 Entire Creek 5.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Sand Beach Creek 30-21-5-1 From source to Johns Creek 38.7 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-1 Fecal Coliform Bacteria WWTP NPDES Shallowbag Bay 30-21-3 Entire Bay 534.1 S AcresSC NR S N70 NCE Fecal Coliform Bacteria WWTP NPDES Ammonia WWTP NPDES Low Dissolved Oxygen WWTP NPDES Smith Creek 30-20-11 Entire Creek 3.3 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND S APP H-2 Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-51 AU Number Description Length/AreaClassification AL Rating REC RatingStation Year/ ParameterResult % Exc Aquatic Life Assessment ResultStation Recreation Assessment Stressors Sources Pasquotank 03-01-51SubbasinTable 5 SH Rating Shellfish Harvesting GA Spencer Creek 30-20-3 From source to Croatan Sound 86.8 S AcresSA;HQW ND ND I PRO H-2 Fecal Coliform Bacteria Use Categories:Monitoring data type: Use Support Ratings 2006: AL - Aquatic Life MF - Fish Community Survey E - Excellent S - Supporting, I - Impaired REC - Recreation MB - Benthic Community Survey G - Good NR - Not Rated SH - Shellfish Harvesting MA - Ambient Monitoring Site GF - Good-Fair NR*- Not Rated for Recreation (screening criteria exceeded) ML- Lake Monitoring F - Fair ND-No Data Collected to make assessment N- DEH RECMON P - Poor NR+-Not rated because draft criteria used for rating NI - Not Impaired GA - DEH SS Classification and Growing Area S- Severe Stress CE-Criteria Exceeded > 10% and more than 10 samples APP- Approved M-Moderate Stress NCE-No Criteria Exceeded CAO- Conditionally Approved-Open N- Natural Miles/Acres CAC- Conditionally Approved-Closed FW- Fresh Water PRO- Prohibited S- Salt Water Results Results: Aquatic Life Rating Summary S 8.8 S Milesm S 106,724.7 S Acresm NR 534.1 S Acrese ND 1.1 S Miles ND 125,497.0 S Acres ND 497.2 FW Miles ND 4,980.6 FW Acres Recreation Rating Summary 8.8 S MilesSm 131,806.2 S AcresSm 1.1 S MilesND 100,949.7 S AcresND 497.2 FW MilesND 4,980.6 FW AcresND Fish Consumption Rating Summary 106,724.7 S AcresIm 9.9 S MilesIe 126,031.2 S AcresIe 497.2 FW MilesIe 4,980.6 FW AcresIe Shellfish Harvesting Rating Summary 52,547.2 S AcresSm 2,081.5 S AcresIm Pasquotank Subbasin 03-01-51 40 Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 A map including the locations of the NPDES facilities and water quality monitoring stations is presented in Figure 4. Table 5 contains a summary of assessment unit numbers (AU#) and lengths, streams monitored, monitoring data types, locations and results, along with use support ratings for waters in the subbasin. Appendix V provides definitions of the terms used throughout this basin plan. No benthic samples were collected during this assessment period (2000 – 2005); however, data was collected from three ambient monitoring stations (MA3, MA5 and MA12). No water quality standards were exceeded. Many of the waters in subbasin 03-01-51 are classified for shellfish harvesting (Class SA). Many also have the supplemental classification of High Quality Waters (HQW) or Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW). Several management strategies are in place to protect these waters. Waters in the following sections and in Table 5 are identified by an assessment unit number (AU#). This number is used to track defined segments in the water quality assessment database, list 303(d) Impaired waters, and to identify waters throughout the basin plan. The AU# is a subset of the DWQ index number (classification identification number). A letter attached to the end of the AU# indicates that the assessment is smaller than the DWQ index segment. No letter indicates that the AU# and the DWQ index segment are the same. 2.2 Use Support Assessment Summary All surface waters in the state are assigned a classification appropriate to the best-intended use of that water. Waters are regularly assessed by DWQ to determine how well they are meeting their best-intended use. Table 6 provides a summary of use support for waters in subbasin 03-01-51. In subbasin 03-01-51, use support was assigned for aquatic life, recreation, fish consumption and shellfish harvesting categories. Waters are Supporting, Impaired, Not Rated, and No Data in the aquatic life and recreation categories on a monitored or evaluated basis. All waters are Impaired in the fish consumption category on an evaluated basis based on fish consumption advice issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). There are no water supply watersheds designated in this subbasin. Criteria for making use support determinations for the shellfish harvesting category were based on Division of Environmental Health (DEH) Sanitary Surveys (SS) growing area classifications. The problem parameter for all shellfish waters is the potential for fecal coliform water quality standard exceedances. Differences in acreage estimates between basin cycles are not just related to changes in water quality; they are also due to changes in acreage are related to more refined methods of estimating acreages, changes in growing area classifications, extension of closure areas as a result of additional boat slips, and changes in use support methodology. For more information about use support determinations, refer to Appendix II or the Supplemental Guide to North Carolina’s Basinwide Planning: Support Document for Basinwide Water Quality Plans found at DWQ’s website http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/SupplementalGuide.htm. Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 41 Table 6 Summary of Use Support Ratings by Category in Subbasin 03-01-51 Use Support Rating Aquatic Life Recreation Shellfish Harvesting Freshwater Saltwater Freshwater Saltwater Freshwater Saltwater Monitored Waters Supporting 0 8.8 mi 106,724.7 ac 0 8.8 mi 131,806.2 ac 0 52,547.2 ac Impaired* 0 0 0 0 0 2,081.5 ac (3.8%) Total 0 8.8 mi 106,724.7 ac 0 8.8 mi 131,806.2 ac 0 54,628.7 ac Unmonitored Waters Not Rated 0 534.1 ac 0 0 0 0 No Data 497.2 mi 4,980.6 ac 1.1 mi 125,497 ac 497.2 mi 4,980.6 ac 1.1 mi 100,949.7 ac 0 0 Total 497.2 mi 4,980.6 ac 1.1 mi 126,031.1 ac 497.2 mi 4,980.6 ac 1.1 mi 100,949.7 ac 0 0 Totals All Waters 497.2 mi 4,980.6 ac 9.9 mi 232,756 ac 497.2 mi 4,980.6 ac 9.9 mi 232,756 ac 0 54,628.7 ac * The noted percent Impaired is the percent of monitored miles/acres only. 2.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired Waters The following waters were either identified as Impaired in the previous basin plan (2002) or are newly Impaired based on recent data. If previously identified as Impaired, the water will either remain on the state’s 303(d) list or will be delisted based on recent data showing water quality improvements. If the water is newly Impaired, it will likely be placed on the 2008 303(d) list. The current status and recommendations for addressing these waters are presented below, and each is identified by an assessment unit number (AU#). Information regarding 303(d) listing and reporting methodology is presented in Chapter 15. For more information about use support determinations for the Impaired Class SA waters presented in Table 7 below, refer to Appendix II or the Supplemental Guide to North Carolina’s Basinwide Planning: Support Document for Basinwide Water Quality Plans found at DWQ’s website http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/SupplementalGuide.htm. Refer to Figure 4 for a map of subbasin 03-01-51. Table 7 Summary of DEH Growing Areas H-1, H-2 and I-2 Classifications in Subbasin 03-01-51 Class SA Waters Assessment Unit # Growing Area Classification DEH Growing Area Broad Creek 30-21-7a 30-21-7b PRO APP H-1 Johns Creek 30-21-5 PRO H-1 Pond Island 30-21-4a PRO H-1 Roanoke Sound 30-21a 30-21b 30-21c 30-21d APP PRO PRO PRO H-1, I-2 Rockhall Creek 30-21-6 PRO H-1 42 Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 Sand Beach Creek 30-21-5-1 PRO H-1 Baum Creek 30-20-5 PRO H-2 Callaghan Creek 30-20-4 PRO H-2 Croatan Sound 30-20-(2)a 30-20-(2)b 30-20-(2)c 30-20-(2)d 30-20-(2)e 30-20-(2)f APP PRO PRO PRO PRO PRO H-2, I-2 Cut Through 30-20-8a 30-20-8b APP PRO H-2 Oyster Creek (Croatan Sound) 30-20-6 PRO H-2 Spencer Creek 30-20-3 PRO H-2 PRO=Prohibited, CAC=Conditionally Approved Closed, CAO=Conditionally Approved Open 2.3.1 West Shore Roanoke Sound Growing Area H-1 The following DWQ Class SA waters and the Impaired assessment units associated with these waters are located within Growing Area H-1. If the entire Class SA water is located within more than one growing area it is noted in Table 7 or refer to the basinwide Growing Area map in the Executive Summary. According to the Sanitary Survey of Roanoke Sound, Area H-1 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality Section, October 2002 and August 2006), little change in bacteriological water quality has occurred since the last review in 2002; however, some water quality improvements have resulted in opening of shellfish waters. Area H- 1 includes waters of the Roanoke Sound, Shallowbag Bay, Broad Creek, and Mill Creek. Roanoke Sound is bordered on the east by the Outer Banks and on the west by Roanoke Island. H-1 is located in Dare County, which is undergoing rapid population growth with large influxes in seasonal populations. Manteo population is estimated at approximately 1,100 permanent residents and with a seasonal peak population of approximately 3,500 people (CAMA LUP-Town of Manteo, 2007). However, much of the survey area in area H-1 is uninhabited marshland. Wildlife and waterfowl are abundant in the marshland areas of this growing area. Notable activities on Roanoke Island include new housing developments and the construction of wetlands. This area has had significant flooding with heavy rainfall events affecting low-lying areas and flooding septic systems. The growing Pirate’s Cove subdivision also hosts the largest marina in the area with 181 boat slips. The survey reports all violations noted from previous surveys have been corrected. The Manteo Municipal WWTP is the only WWTP in H-1 that discharges to the sound. The discharge location is approximately 3,400 feet offshore in Shallowbag Bay. The WWTP has a history of exceeding its permit limits for fecal coliform, petroleum, and ammonia levels in its effluent. Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 43 As a result of the DEH 2006 survey report, approximately 45 acres around Manteo have been reclassified from Prohibited to Approved for shellfish harvesting and an additional 240 acres are classified as Approved in the Wanchese area. However, approximately 34 acres are Prohibited east of Wanchese Harbor due to development and observed pollution in runoff waters. Broad Creek [AU# 30-21-7a] Broad Creek (126 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Broad Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacteria levels. Broad Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. The marina along Broad Creek is limited to 29 boats with no boats over 24’ in length. Runoff from boat maintenance and from the parking lot of the marina drains to Broad Creek and eventually to waters east of Wanchese Harbor. Constructed wetlands have recently been completed in the mouth of Broad Creek and were observed to be hosting an abundant waterfowl population with associated accumulated fecal matter. Further downstream (AU# 30-21-7b), 392 acres are classified as approved and supporting shellfish harvesting Johns Creek [AU# 30-21-5] Johns Creek (10.7 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Johns Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Johns Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Pond Island [AU# 30-21-4a] Pond Island (165.1 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Pond Island is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Pond Island will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Roanoke Sound [AU# 30-21b, 30-21c and 30-21d] Portions of the Roanoke Sound (590.8 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Roanoke Sound is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Roanoke Sound will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. An additional 9,134.1 acres are classified as approved and supporting shellfish harvesting in area I-2. Rockhall Creek [AU# 30-21-6] Rockhall Creek (5.7 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Rockhall Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Rockhall Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Sand Beach Creek [AU# 30-21-5-1] Sand Beach Creek (38.7 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Sand Beach Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-1 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Sand Beach Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 44 Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 2.3.2 Croatan Sound Growing Area H-2 The following DWQ Class SA waters and the Impaired assessment units associated with these waters are located within Growing Area H-2. If the entire Class SA water is located within more than one growing area it is noted in Table 7 or refer to the basinwide Growing Area map in the Executive Summary. According to the Sanitary Survey of Croatan Sound, Area H-2 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality Section, December 2005), water quality remains good. The largest water quality issues are along the backside of Roanoke Island, near Manteo and Wanchese with high bacteria counts. Oyster production is limited to areas surrounding Wanchese and no clams are produced there. Area H- 2 is bordered by Roanoke Island in the east and the mainland village of Manns Harbor to the west. The permanent population is estimated at approximately 2,000 people, but drastically increases during the summer months. Development is scattered throughout much of the area. In North Manteo, 100+ lots have been created, Sunnyside Subdivision in Manteo has extended to make room for an additional 30 units and several new residential units have been built in Skyco. With the exception of the houses connected to the Manteo WWTP, all the residences utilize onsite septic systems and seven violations were noted during the sanitary survey. Of these violations, one house had a crushed septic system with drainage to the sound and pipes from four mobile homes were disconnected and were found to be discharging directly onto the ground within 20 feet of the marsh. Other possible water quality pollution sources include landfills, wildlife, and increased impervious surface runoff. Dredge material from Shallowbag Bay in area H-1 was deposited in a 30-acre site in area H-2. Several drainage ditches connect possible runoff from Dare County’s demolition landfill to the sound. An illegal dumpsite was discovered in Manteo consisting of boats, appliances and other trash. Possible chemical pollutants may come from the NCDOT Marine Maintenance Facility located on Spencer Creek. Baum Creek [AU# 30-20-5] Baum Creek (10.9 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Baum Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-2 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Baum Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Callaghan Creek [AU# 30-20-4] 2002 Status To evaluate the impact of a fire treatment berm at a Dare County landfill in 1998, DWQ monitored chemicals (metals), toxicity and benthic macroinvertebrates. One station failed Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 45 toxicity tests and metals were extremely high (i.e., silver, selenium, copper, zone, arsenic, aluminum, lead, manganese and iron). Biologists noted some impacts to the benthic communities nearest the landfill. DWQ recommended that a follow-up study be conducted on Callaghan Creek. It was also recommended that DWQ regional office staff work with landfill managers to generate appropriate disposal options. Current Status Callaghan Creek (24.8 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Callaghan Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-2 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Callaghan Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. DWQ sampled unnamed tributaries to Callaghan Creek and Billys Creek in October 2000 to assess the long-term impacts from the 1998 landfill fire. The sample sites were all channelized drainage ditches without bends or pools. Use of a non-standard sampling methodology precluded assignment of bioclassifications to these sites; however, this method collected enough taxa to make between site comparisons of the invertebrate communities. All sites had dissolved oxygen levels below 4.0 mg/l and no flow conditions existed. Substrate consisted of detritus- mud mixture. Macroinvertebrate communities at all sites in this study were very pollution tolerant. The sample site near the landfill showed a biotic community still impacted from the landfill fire; however, several taxa rarely found in DWQ collections were also found during the study (DWQ ESS, December 2000). Croatan Sound [AU# 30-20-(2)b, 30-20-(2)c, 30-20-(2)d, 30-20-(2)e and 30-20-(2)f] Croatan Sound (580.3 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Croatan Sound is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-2 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Croatan Sound will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Cut Through [AU# 30-20-8b] Cut Through (178.5 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Cut Through is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-2 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Cut Through will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. An additional 128.6 acres are classified as approved and supporting shellfish harvesting in area H-2. Oyster Creek [AU# 30-20-6] Oyster Creek (62.8 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Oyster Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-2 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Oyster Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. Spencer Creek [AU# 30-20-3] Spencer Creek (86.8 acres) is Impaired for shellfish harvesting. Spencer Creek is classified by DEH SS as prohibited in growing area H-2 due to potential fecal coliform bacterial levels. Spencer Creek will remain on the state’s 303(d) list of Impaired waters. 46 Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 2.4 Status and Recommendations for Waters with Noted Impacts The surface waters discussed in this section are not Impaired. However, notable water quality problems and concerns were documented for these waters during this assessment. Attention and resources should be focused on these waters to prevent additional degradation and facilitate water quality improvements. DWQ will notify local agencies of these water quality concerns and work with them to conduct further assessments and to locate sources of water quality protection funding. Additionally, education on local water quality issues and voluntary actions are useful tools to prevent water quality problems and to promote restoration efforts. The current status and recommendations for addressing these waters are presented below, and each is identified by an AU#. Nonpoint source program agency contacts are listed in Appendix IV. 2.4.1 Shallowbag Bay [AU#30-21-3] Shallowbag Bay (534.1 acres) is Not Rated on an evaluated basis in the aquatic life category due to significant noncompliance issues with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia permit limits at the Manteo WWTP (Permit NC0079057). Manteo’s WWTP is permitted to discharge 0.6 MGD and it has a phased NPDES permit under which it can expand to 1 MGD by obtaining an Authorization to Construct from DWQ. Many of the effluent violations with Manteo WWTP were results of mechanical malfunctions. In 2005 and 2006, there were two Notice of Violations issued against MWWTP and 9 Permit Enforcement penalties issued against the plant. In 2005, the Town of Manteo received a grant from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) to develop a feasibility study of nutrient removal options for wastewater discharged to Shallowbag Bay. The 2007 Manteo Land Use Plan states water quality conditions in Shallowbag Bay are concerns and recommends actions to improve their WWTP and reduce pollutants from stormwater runoff and marinas to improve water quality. BMPS are needed to reduce runoff from highly impervious areas of historic downtown Manteo to reduce stormwater runoff into Shallowbag Bay (CAMA LUP- Town of Manteo, 2007). The Town of Manteo prepared a stormwater management plan in 2000 with intentions to augment its zoning ordinance with stormwater management requirements. The 2005 Zoning Ordinance requires the runoff generated by new development to not exceed the predevelopment site volume for the first 1.5” and it shall be retained on the site. Residential and historic sites are exempt from this ordinance. Shallowbag Bay is also monitored by the Division of Environmental Health (DEH) Recreational Monitoring Program (RECMON). Based on DEH monitoring data, the bay is Supporting in the recreation category. 2.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 03-01-51 The previous sections discussed water quality concerns for specific stream segments. The following section discusses issues that may threaten water quality in the subbasin that are not specific to particular streams, lakes, or reservoirs. The issues discussed may be related to waters near certain land use activities or within proximity to different pollution sources. The increase in impervious surfaces throughout the basin contributes to the growing water quality issues associated with stormwater runoff. An increase in the numbers of slips at marinas is a concern to water quality because of the limited number of marina facilities with pump out Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51 47 capabilities. Establishing marinas that meet Clean Marina standards is essential to protect public health and water quality. According to the Sanitary Survey of Albemarle and Currituck Sounds, Areas I-1, I-3 through I-16 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation & Recreational Water Quality Section, December 2005), there has been little change in water quality since the last survey. The only shellfish found in this area is Rangia clams. No commercial shellfish harvesting occurs. Freshwater runoff is the most significant factor affecting water quality in this region and can be associated with agricultural runoff or natural runoff from swampwaters following heavy rains. Area I-4 consists mainly of forest and swamps surrounding the Alligator River. Logging is the main industry in this region. There are some farming operations on the western side of the river. The eastern side of the river is part of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. According to the Sanitary Survey of Eastern Albemarle Sound, Area I-2 (DEH Shellfish Sanitation Unit, June 2005), water quality has improved with a few exceptions. The only shellfish present in this area is Rangia clams. The estimated population of this area is 11,000 people, which is a 50 percent increase since the last survey. With the influx of tourists the population more than triples. There are 15 subdivisions, many of which are located along closed waters. 48 Chapter 2 – Pasquotank River Subbasin 03-01-51