HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix IV Monitoring
Appendix IV
DWQ Water Quality
Monitoring Programs
in the
Roanoke River Basin
Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs 219
220 Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs
DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Roanoke River Basin
Staff in the Environmental Sciences Branch (ESB) and
Regional Offices of DWQ collect a variety of biological,
chemical and physical data. The following discussion contains
a brief introduction to each program, followed by a summary
of water quality data in Roanoke River basin for that program.
For more detailed information on sampling and assessment of
streams in this basin, refer to the Basinwide Assessment Report
for the Roanoke River basin, available from the Environmental
Sciences Branch website at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html or
by calling (919) 733-9960.
Roanoke River Basin include:
• Benthic Macroinvertebrates
• Fish Assessments
• Aquatic Toxicity Monitoring
• Lake Assessment
• Ambient Monitoring System
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
Benthic macroinvertebrates, or benthos, are organisms that live in and on the bottom substrates
of rivers and streams. These organisms are primarily aquatic insect larvae. The use of benthos
data has proven to be a reliable monitoring tool, as benthic macroinvertebrates are sensitive to
subtle changes in water quality. Since macroinvertebrates have life cycles of six months to over
one year, the effects of short-term pollution (such as a spill) will generally not be overcome until
the following generation appears. The benthic community also integrates the effects of a wide
array of potential pollutant mixtures.
Criteria have been developed to assign a bioclassification to each benthic sample based on the
number of different species present in the pollution intolerant groups of Ephemeroptera
(Mayflies), Plecoptera (Stoneflies) and Trichoptera (Caddisflies), commonly referred to as EPTs.
A Biotic Index (BI) value gives an indication of overall community pollution tolerance.
Different benthic macroinvertebrate criteria have been developed for different ecoregions
(mountains, piedmont, coastal plain and swamp) within North Carolina and bioclassifications fall
into five categories (except for swam streams): Excellent, Good, Good-Fair, Fair and Poor.
The Biological Assessment Unit defines “swamp streams” as those streams that are within the
coastal plain ecoregion and that normally have no visible flow during a part of the year. This
low flow period usually occurs during the summer, but flowing water should be present in
swamp streams during the winter. Sampling during winter, high flow periods provides the best
opportunity for detecting differences in communities from what is natural, and only winter
(February to early March) benthos data can be used when evaluating swamp streams. The
swamp stream must have visible flow in this winter period, with flow comparable to a coastal
plain stream that would have acceptable flow for sampling in summer. Swamp stream
bioclassifications fall into three categories: Natural, Moderate and Severe.
Overview of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Data
Based on benthic macroinvertebrate data, water quality in the Roanoke River basin is Good near
the headwaters (subbasins 01-04), while in the lower reaches (subbasins 05-10) overall water
quality is generally Good-Fair. Benthic macroinvertebrate basinwide samples resulted in the
following bioclassifications: Excellent-1, Good-9, Good-Fair-6, Fair-3, Natural-11, and
Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs 221
Moderate-6. Comparisons of benthos data from 1999 to 2004 between repeat sites reveal that
Dan River at NC 704 improved from Good to Excellent, North Double Creek and Country Line
Creek improved from Good-Fair to Good, Marlowes Creek improved from Fair to Good-Fair,
while two swamp sites (Hoggard Mill and Conoconnara Swamp) declined from Natural to
Moderate. All remaining sites maintained the same bioclassification from 1999 to 2004. Overall,
water quality in this basin has improved slightly since 1999, based on benthos data.
The following table lists the bioclassifications (by subbasin) for all benthos sites in the Roanoke
River basin. Benthos sampling may slightly overestimate the proportion of Fair, Poor and
Severe stress sites, as DWQ special studies often have the greatest sampling intensity (number of
sites/stream) in areas where it is believed that water quality problems exist.
Benthic macroinvertebrate basinwide monitoring data collected in the Roanoke River basin,
1999-2004. Current basin sites are in bold.
Subbasin/
Waterbody Location County Index No. Date ST EPT BI
EPT
BI BioClass
30201
Dan R NC 704 Stokes 22-(1) 7/7/04 91 45 3.89 3.42 Excellent
Stokes 22-(1) 8/23/99 85 41 4.20 3.31 Good
Stokes 22-(1) 8/16/99 74 32 4.16 3.19 Good
Dan R SR 1695 Stokes 22-(8) 7/7/04 87 43 4.80 4.07 Good
Stokes 22-(8) 8/23/99 72 37 4.58 3.96 Good
N Double Cr SR 1504 Stokes 22-10 6/28/04 31 31 -- 3.42 Good
Stokes 22-10 8/23/99 25 25 -- 3.95 Good-Fair
Snow Cr SR 1673 Stokes 22-20 7/7/04 31 31 -- 4.33 Good
Stokes 22-20 9/13/00 29 29 -- 4.10 Good
Stokes 22-20 8/23/99 18 18 -- 4.37 Fair
Town Fork Cr SR 1998 Stokes 22-25 5/18/04 87 35 4.84 3.86 Good-Fair
Town Fork Cr SR 1961 Stokes 22-25 5/25/04 67 26 5.10 4.69 Good-Fair
Town Fork Cr SR 1917 Stokes 22-25 5/25/04 80 35 5.30 4.84 Good
Brushy Fk SR 1998 Stokes 22-25-1 5/18/04 86 37 5.10 4.06 Good-Fair
30202
Mayo R SR 1358 Rockingham 22-30-(1) 7/8/04 77 33 4.71 4.13 Good
Rockingham 22-30-(1) 8/23/99 70 32 4.26 3.44 Good
Mayo R SR 2177 Rockingham 22-30-(10) 8/24/99 52 21 5.23 4.26 Good-Fair
30203
Rock House Cr SR 2127 Rockingham 22-34-(2) 4/12/01 81 23 5.00 3.80 Good-Fair
Smith R NC 14 Rockingham 22-40-(3) 9/13/99 51 18 5.24 3.68 Fair
30204
Dan R NC 57 Caswell 22-(39) 8/24/99 66 32 5.42 4.52 Good
Country Line Cr SR 1129 Caswell 22-56-(1) 7/1/04 24 24 -- 4.89 Good
Country Line Cr NC 57 Caswell 22-56-(3.7) 7/1/04 24 24 -- 4.82 Good
30205
Marlowes Cr SR 1351 Person 22-58-12-6 6/30/04 66 14 6.67 5.87 Fair
Marlowes Cr SR 1322 Person 22-58-12-6 6/30/04 56 13 6.43 5.93 Good-Fair
Person 22-58-12-6 8/25/99 53 9 6.34 5.74 Fair
30206
Grassy Cr SR 1436 Granville 23-2-(1) 6/30/04 13 13 -- 5.05 Not Rated
Mountain Cr SR 1300 Granville 23-2-3 7/2/04 13 13 -- 5.40 Not Rated
Island Cr SR 1445 Granville 23-4 6/29/04 17 17 -- 5.48 Good-Fair
Granville 23-4 8/24/94 17 17 -- 5.11 Good-Fair
Nutbush Cr NC 39 Vance 23-8-(1) 6/29/04 70 12 7.34 6.84 Fair
Nutbush SR 1317 Vance 23-8-(1) 6/29/04 63 9 7.00 6.70 Fair
Vance 23-8-(1) 8/25/99 41 8 6.73 6.76 Fair
30207
Smith Cr SR 1217 Warren 23-10 4/26/04 69 18 6.29 5.09 Fair
Smith Cr SR 1208 Warren 23-10 4/26/04 87 22 6.03 4.87 Good-Fair
Smith Cr US 1 Warren 23-10 4/26/04 50 10 6.43 5.13 Fair
Smith Cr US 1 Warren 23-10 7/16/99 59 12 6.56 5.52 Fair
Newmans Cr SR 1218 Warren 23-10-2 4/27/04 76 15 6.30 5.32 Fair
Sixpound Cr SR 1306 Warren 23-13 6/29/04 62 15 6.43 5.44 Good-Fair
Warren 23-13 7/16/99 54 14 5.50 5.05 Good-Fair
222 Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Subbasin/
Waterbody
Location
County
Index No.
Date
ST
EPT
BI
EPT
BI
BioClass
30208
Deep Cr US 158 Halifax 23-24(1) 2/23/04 62 23 5.28 4.10 Natural
7/15/99 58 11 6.41 5.17 Not Rated
Chockoyotte Cr Country
Club Rd
Halifax 23-29 2/23/04 52 11 6.72 5.40 Moderate
Quankey Cr NC 903 Halifax 23-30 2/23/04 53 17 5.82 4.05 Natural
2/16/99 40 9 6.66 5.93 Natural
Quankey Cr NC 561 Halifax 23-30 9/1/99 9 5.51 Fair
L Quankey Cr NC 903 Halifax 23-30-1 2/23/04 46 17 5.65 4.49 Moderate
Oconeechee Cr SR 1126 Northhampto
n
23-31 2/16/99 22 4 6.48 6.88 Natural
Conoconnara Swp NC 561 Halifax 23-33 2/24/04 30 3 7.22 7.26 Moderate
2/16/99 31 5 6.45 6.81 Natural
Kehukee Swp SR 1804 Halifax 23-42 2/24/04 46 7 7.03 5.89 Moderate
9/2/99 6 6 6.19 6.19 Not Rated
2/11/99 59 8 7.11 6.64 Moderate
30209
Conoho Cr NC 11/42 Martin 23-49 2/4/04 31 4 7.64 7.10 Moderate
Conoho Cr NC 125/903 Martin 23-49 2/1/99 29 3 7.29 7.58
Conoho Cr SR 1417 Martin 23-49 2/4/04 38 6 6.68 5.40 Natural
2/1/99 39 5 6.27 4.80
Hardison Mill Cr SR 1528 Martin 23-50-3 2/4/04 36 2 7.49 5.20 Moderate
2/1/99 27 3 7.29 7.67 Moderate
30210
Cashie R SR 1219, be
WWTP
Bertie 24-2-(1) 2/23/04 29 3 7.47 7.03 Moderate
Bertie 24-2-(1) 2/11/99 41 6 7.51 7.24 Natural
Cashie R SR 1257 Bertie 24-2-(1) 2/24/04 35 7 6.51 4.90 Natural
SR 1257 Bertie 24-2-(1) 2/15/99 34 7 6.80 6.09 Natural
Hoggard Mill Cr SR 1301 Bertie 24-2-6 2/23/04 30 3 7.13 5.65 Moderate
Bertie 24-2-6 2/15/99 46 7 6.81 6.38 Natural
Roquist Swp US 13/17 Bertie 24-2-8 2/24/04 38 4 7.01 6.46 Natural
US 13/17 Bertie 24-2-8 2/11/99 31 4 6.99 5.50 Natural
Wading Place Cr NC 308 Bertie 24-2-8 3/8/99 35 3 7.31 7.45 Moderate
Assessing Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Small Streams
The benthic macroinvertebrate community of small streams is naturally less diverse than the
streams used to develop the current criteria for flowing freshwater streams. The benthic
macroinvertebrate database is being evaluated and a study to systematically look at small
reference streams in different ecoregions is being developed with the goal of finding a way to
evaluate water quality conditions in such small streams.
DWQ will use this monitoring information to identify potential impacts to these waters even
though a use support rating is not assigned. DWQ will continue to develop criteria to assess
water quality in small streams.
Fish Assessments
Historical studies of fish communities in the Roanoke River basin were conducted primarily by
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) in the 1960s and late 1970s.
Several streams were sampled by DWQ during the last basinwide planning cycle (1994).
Twenty-three of the 30 sites sampled in 2004 had not been sampled previously. Scores are
assigned to these samples using the North Carolina Index of Biotic Integrity (NCIBI). The
NCIBI uses a cumulative assessment of twelve parameters or metrics. Each metric is designed to
contribute unique information to the overall assessment. The scores for all metrics are then
summed to obtain the overall NCIBI score.
Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs 223
Overview of Fish Community Data
In 2004, fish community assessments were performed at 30 sites in the basin, 29 in the Piedmont
and 1 in the Coastal Plain. Chockoyotte Creek was not rated because metrics and criteria have
yet to be developed for Coastal Plain streams. The Piedmont NCIBI ratings ranged from Poor to
Excellent with the scores ranging from 22 to 54. The two streams rated Excellent were Archies
and Peters Creeks. Based upon the fish community ratings, degraded streams (bioclassifications
of Fair or Poor) included North Hyco, Little Island, Nutbush, and Smith Creeks. Fish
community sampling resulted in the following bioclassifications: Excellent-2, Good-18, Good-
Fair-5, Fair-2, and Poor-2. The following table lists the most recent ratings since 1990, by
subbasin, for all fish community sites.
Fish community data collected from the Roanoke River basin, 1990 - 2004. Current basinwide
sites are in bold font.
Subbasin/Waterbody Location County Index No. Date NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
030201
Dan R SR 1416 Stokes 22-(1) 04/19/04 52 Good
Archies Cr SR 1415 Stokes 22-2 04/19/04 54 Excellent
Elk Cr SR 1433 Stokes 22-5 04/20/04 44 Good-Fair
Peters Cr SR 1497 Stokes 22-6 04/21/04 54 Excellent
Big Cr SR 1471 Stokes 22-9 04/20/04 48 Good
N Double Cr SR 1504 Stokes 22-10 04/20/04 42 Good-Fair
S Double Cr SR 1483 Stokes 22-11 04/20/04 46 Good
Snow Cr SR 1652 Stokes 22-20 04/21/04 46 Good
Town Fork Cr SR 1955 Stokes 22-25 04/21/04 48 Good
030202
Big Beaver Island Cr US 311 Rockingham 22-29 04/22/04 52 Good
Pawpaw Cr SR 1360 Rockingham 22-30-6-(1) 04/22/04 44 Good-Fair
08/03/90 48 Good
Hogans Cr NC 704 Rockingham 22-31 04/22/04 48 Good
Jacobs Cr NC 704 Rockingham 22-32-(0.5) 04/22/04 50 Good
030203
Rock House Cr SR 2127 Rockingham 22-34-(2) 04/23/04 48 Good
Matrimony Cr NC 770 Rockingham 22-38 04/23/04 52 Good
Wolf Island Cr SR 1767 Rockingham 22-48 04/23/04 50 Good
Wolf Island Cr NC 700 Caswell 22-48 10/05/94 54 Excellent
Hogans Cr SR 1330 Caswell 22-50 05/25/04 52 Good
Jones Cr SR 2571 Rockingham 22-50-3 06/08/04 48 Good
030204
Moon Cr SR 1511 Caswell 22-51 04/30/04 46 Good
09/07/94 44 Good-Fair
Rattlesnake Cr SR 1523 Caswell 22-52 05/25/04 48 Good
Cane Cr SR 1527 Caswell 22-54 05/25/04 46 Good
10/05/94 46 Good
Country Line Cr NC 57 Caswell 22-56-(3.7) 09/07/94 48 Good
030205
N Hyco Cr US 158 Caswell 22-58-1 04/30/04 30 Poor
S Hyco Cr US 158 Person 22-58-4-(3) 04/30/04 52 Good
Marlowe Cr SR 1322 Person 22-58-12-9 04/28/04 42 Good-Fair
09/07/94 40 Good-Fair
030206
Aarons Cr SR 1400 Granville 22-59 04/28/04 46 Good
Grassy Cr SR 1300 Granville 23-2-(1) 06/09/99 46 Good
Grassy Cr SR 1436 Granville 23-2-(1) 06/02/94 50 Good
Johnson Cr SR 1440 Granville 23-2-7-(1) 04/28/04 44 Good-Fair
Island Cr SR 1445 Granville 23-4 06/09/99 54 Excellent
06/02/94 50 Good
Little Island Cr SR 1348 Vance 23-4-3 04/29/04 30 Poor
224 Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Subbasin/Waterbody Location County Index No. Date NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
Nutbush Cr SR 1317 Vance 23-8-(1) 04/29/04 38 Fair
10/04/94 44 Good-Fair
030207
Smith Cr US 1 Warren 23-10 04/29/04 38 Fair
05/12/94 42 Good-Fair
Sixpound Cr SR 1306 Warren 23-13 05/12/94 42 Good-Fair
030208
Deep Cr US 158 Halifax 23-24-(1) 05/26/04 46 Good
09/21/94 50 Good
Chockoyotte Cr US 158 Halifax 23-29 05/26/04 --- Not Rated
Quankey Cr SR 1619 Halifax 23-30 09/21/94 38 Fair
Conoconnara Swp NC 561 Halifax 23-33 09/21/94 --- Not Rated
Kehukee Swp SR 1804 Halifax 23-42 10/27/94 --- Not Rated
030210
Cashie R SR 1257 Bertie 24-2-(1) 10/26/94 --- Not Rated
In 2004, 61 different species were collected during NC DWQ's fish community monitoring
program. The most commonly collected species were the bluehead chub and the redbreast
sunfish (collected at 28 of the 30 sites). The most abundant species was the bluehead chub,
which constituted almost one-quarter of all the fish collected. It was also the numerically
dominant species at 15 of the 30 sites.
Overview of Fish Tissue Sampling
The Division conducted fish tissue surveys at four stations within the Roanoke Basin from 1999
to 2004. These surveys were conducted as part of the mercury contaminant assessments in the
eastern part of the state and during statewide pesticide and PCB assessments.
Tissue samples collected during the period contained PCB and organic contaminants at
undetectable levels or at levels less than the US EPA, US FDA, and State of North Carolina
criteria.
Elevated mercury concentrations were, however, measured in fish samples collected from the
Cashie River near Windsor (Subbasin 03-02-10). Elevated levels were most often detected in
largemouth bass, a species at the top of the food chain and most often associated with mercury
bioaccumulation in North Carolina. Largemouth bass, yellow perch and redear sunfish (10 of 23
samples) collected from the Cashie River contained mercury concentrations exceeding the state
criteria of 0.4 ppm. Presently, there are no site-specific consumption advisories for mercury
contaminated fish in the Roanoke River basin; however, an advice for the consumption of shark,
Swordfish, Tilefish, King mackerel, Spanish mackerel, Albacore tuna, Largemouth bass,
Bowfin/Blackfish, and Chain pickerel/Jack fish east of Interstate 85 was issued by NCDHHS in
2002. For more information on NCDHHS consumption advice and advisories in North Carolina,
refer to http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/fish/current.html.
There is a NCDHHS site specific fish consumption advisory due to dioxin contamination in the
Roanoke River from Williamston to the mouth including Welch Creek and the western part of
Albemarle Sound (Chapter 8). Dioxin concentrations, however, have been declining since 1994.
Annual monitoring by the mill has indicated that dioxin concentrations in most fish species are
gradually decreasing since the mill initiated dioxin reduction and management programs in the
early 1990s. In October 2001 NCDHHS lifted gamefish from the advisory after consecutive
Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs 225
sampling years showed dioxin levels in gamefish dropped below the NC criteria of 4 pg/g. The
advisory remains in place for catfish and carp species.
Roanoke River Basin Fish Kills
DWQ has systematically tracked reported fish kill events across the state since 1996. From
September 1,1999 to August 31,2004, DWQ field investigators reported 3 fish kill events in the
Roanoke River basin.
The two largest fish kills in this basin occurred after hurricane Isabel in 2003. The fish kills
occurred due to low dissolved oxygen levels in the river as a result from an influx of low DO
swamp water and organic matter flowing into the mainstem of the river following the hurricane.
The following table lists the details of the Roanoke River Basin fish kills. For more information
on fish kills in North Carolina, refer to http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/Fishkill/fishkillmain.htm
Detailed Fish Kill Information for the Roanoke River Basin from September 1, 1999-August 31,
2004.
Date County Waterbody Location Kill # Kill
Area
Duration Cause Mortality Fish species Comments
Subbasin 03-02-09
9/23/03 Martin Roanoke
River
Jamesesville,
Plymouth
WA03021 18
miles
2 days Low DO 93,500
Juvenile
fish are
not
reflected
in totals.
Catfish,
Sunfish,
Suckers,
Shad,
Largemouth
bass, Eels,
Minnows,
Flounder,
Perch,
Striped bass
Kill resulted from the
flushing of swamp water
into the river following
Hurricane Isabel, and the
subsequent drop in DO
levels. Kill zone stretched
from Devils Gut above
Jamesville to the river
mouth. All DO readings
were < 0.5 mg/L. Fish
were seen at the surface
gasping for air.
Subbasin 03-02-10
9/25/03 Bertie Cashie
River
Windsor WA03022 17.7
miles
4 days Low DO 22,243 Sunfish,
Catfish,
Crappie,
Minnows
Kill caused by low DO
levels resulting from an
influx of swamp water and
organic matter following
Hurricane Isabel. Dead
fish found from Windsor
to the mouth of the river.
All DO readings were
< 0.5 mg/L.
Subbasin 03-02-05
3/29/04 Person Mayo
Creek
Below
Reservoir
Spillway
RA04001 1 mile 1 day Unknown 60 Carp,
Bluehead chub
Observed ~60 dead carp in
various stages of decay
within 500 meters of the
spillway. About 50% of
the live carp in the area
had sores on top of their
head and body. Many carp
and Bluehead chub were
very lethargic and
unresponsive.
Aquatic Toxicity Monitoring
Acute and/or chronic toxicity tests are used to determine toxicity of discharges to sensitive
aquatic species (usually fathead minnows or the water flea, Ceriodaphnia dubia). Results of
226 Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs
these tests have been shown by several researchers to be predictive of discharge effects on
receiving stream populations. Many facilities are required to monitor whole effluent toxicity
(WET) by their NPDES permit or by administrative letter. Other facilities may also be tested by
DWQ’s Aquatic Toxicology Unit (ATU). Per Section 106 of the Clean Water Act, the ATU is
required to test at least 10 percent of the major discharging facilities over the course of the
federal fiscal year (FFY). However, it is ATU’s target to test 20 percent of the major dischargers
in the FFY. This means that each major facility would get evaluated over the course of their
five-year permit. There are no requirements or targets for minor dischargers.
The ATU maintains a compliance summary for all facilities required to perform tests and
provides monthly updates of this information to regional offices and DWQ administration.
Ambient toxicity tests can be used to evaluate stream water quality relative to other stream sites
and/or a point source discharge.
Thirty NPDES permits in the Roanoke River basin currently require WET testing. Twenty-seven
permits have a WET limit; the other three facilities permits specify monitoring but do not have a
limit. Across the state, the number of facilities required to perform WET has increased steadily
since 1987, the first year that WET limits were written into permits in North Carolina.
Consequently, compliance rates have also risen. Since 1998, the compliance rate has stabilized
at approximately 90-95 percent. The following graph summaries WET monitoring compliance
in the Roanoke River basin from 1987 to 2004. Facilities with toxicity problems during the most
recent two-year review period are discussed in subbasin chapters.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
198
7
198
9
199
1
199
3
199
5
199
7
199
9
200
1
200
3
Year
Fa
c
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
M
o
n
i
t
o
r
i
n
g
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Co
m
p
l
i
a
n
c
e
(
%
)
No. Facilities % Meeting Permit Limit
NPDES facility whole effluent toxicity compliance in the Roanoke River basin,
1987-2004. The compliance values were calculated by determining whether
facilities with WET limits were meeting their ultimate permit limits during the
given time period, regardless of any SOCs in force.
Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs 227
Ambient Monitoring System
The Ambient Monitoring System (AMS) is a network of stream, lake and estuarine stations
strategically located for the collections of physical and chemical water quality data. North
Carolina currently has 365 water chemistry monitoring stations statewide, including 22 stations
in the Roanoke River basin. Between 23 and 32 parameters are collected monthly at each
station. These locations were chosen to characterize the effects of point source dischargers and
nonpoint sources such as agriculture, animal operations, and urbanization within watersheds.
The locations of these stations are listed in the following table and shown on individual subbasin
maps. Notable ambient water quality parameters are discussed in the subbasin chapters. Refer
to 2005Roanoke River Basinwide Assessment Report at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html for
more detailed analysis of ambient water quality monitoring data.
Ambient Monitoring Stations in the Roanoke River Basin by Subbasin, 1999-2004.
Subbasin Station Location Class County
01
N0150000 Dan River at NC 704 near Francisco C Tr Stokes
02
N1400000 Mayo River at SR 1358 near Price WS-V Rockingham
03
N2300000 Dan River at SR 2150 near Wentworth WS-IV Rockingham
N24300001 Smith River at SR 1714 near Eden WS-IV Rockingham
N24500002 Smith River at NC 14 at Eden WS-IV Rockingham
N3000000 Dan River at SR 1761 near Mayfield C Rockingham
04
N3500000 Dan River at NC 57 at VA Line at Milton C Caswell
05
N41100003 Hyco Creek at US 158 near Leasburg C Caswell
N4250000 Hyco River Below Afterbay Dam near Mcghees Mill C Person
N44000004 Marlowe Creek at SR 1322 near Woodsdale C Person
N4510000 Hyco River at US 501 near Denniston VA III NT Halifax
N4590000 Mayo Creek at SR 1501 near Bethel Hill C Person
06
N5000000 Nutbush Creek at SR 1317 near Henderson C Vance
07
N6400000 Smith Creek at US 1 near Paschall C Warren
08
N7300000 Roanoke River at NC 48 at Roanoke Rapids WS-IV CA Halifax
N8200000 Roanoke River at US 258 near Scotland Neck C Halifax
N8300000 Roanoke River at NC 11 near Lewiston C Martin
09
N8550000 Roanoke River at US 13 And US 17 at Williamston C Martin
N9250000 Roanoke River 1.3 Mi Ups Welch Creek near Plymouth C Sw Martin
N9600000 Roanoke River at NC 45 at Sans Souci C Sw Bertie
N9700000 Albemarle Sound at Batchelor Bay near Black Walnut B Sw Bertie
10
N8950000 Cashie River at SR 1219 near Lewiston C Sw Bertie
1Sample collection at station N2430000 began on 7/24/00. 2Sample collection at station N2450000 ceased on 6/21/00.
3Sample collection at station N4110000 ceased on 6/21/00.
4Sample collection at station N4400000 was temporarily suspended on 10/7/03.
228 Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Lakes Assessment Program
Eleven Roanoke River Basin lakes were sampled in June through September of 2004. Generally,
lake conditions were similar to previous years. Farmer Lake and Lake Roxboro had elevated
chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen concentrations; however, all other parameters were normal.
While blue-green algae dominated the phytoplankton assemblages in Farmer Lake, Lake
Roxboro had a diverse assemblage including species that may cause taste and odor problems in
drinking water. Lakes with noted water quality impacts are discussed in the appropriate subbasin
chapters. See the table below for a list of the lakes and their characteristic information.
Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs 229
230 Appendix IV – Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Lakes Assessment – Roanoke River Basin
RATING KEY: S = Supporting; R = Not Rated; I = Impaired
KEY Water Quality Standards: NCE = No Criteria Exceeded; E = Criteria exceeded in less than 10% of the measurements OR criteria exceeded but number of sampling trips less than 10; CE =
Criteria Exceeded – parameter is problematic, highly productive, or exceeds the standard in >10% of samples; ND = No Data – samples not taken for this parameter.
KEY Other Data: N = Indicates that the parameter is within the target or has not occurred per available information; Y = Exceeds target or has occurred; ND = No Data – samples not taken for this
parameter
Subbasin 030201 030204 030205 030206 030207 030208
Lakes Ambient Program Name Hanging Rock Lake Kernersville Reservoir Belews Lake Farmer Lake Lake Roxboro
Roxboro City Lake (Lake Isaac Walton)
Mayo Reservoir Hyco Lake Kerr Reservoir Lake Gaston Roanoke Rapids Lake
Trophic Status (NC TSI) Oligotrophic Eutrophic Oligotrophic Eutrophic Eutrophic Eutrophic Mesotrophic Mesotrophic Mesotrophic Mesotrophic Oligotrophic
Mean Depth (meters) 1 5 15 5.5 6 3.5 9 6.1 10.7 6 5
Volume (106m3) 0.003 0.4 228 6.5 11 0.3 105 99 448 512 96
Watershed Area (mi2) 0.8 3.5 46.3 48.3 23.9 196.1 51.4 188 7610.8 8293.4 8294.2
Assessment Unit Name Cascade Creek Belews Cr (Kernersville Reservoir)
Belews Cr. (including Belews Lake below elev. 725) & West Belews Cr. (W. Belews Cr. Arm of Belews Lake below elevation 725)
County Line Creek (Farmer Lake)
South Hyco Creek (Lake Roxboro)
Storys Creek [Roxboro City Lake (Lake Issac Walton)]
Mayo Cr (Maho Cr) (Mayo Res)
Hyco R., including Hyco Lake below elevation 410)
Nutbush Creek Arm of John H. Kerr Reservoir (below normal pool elevation 300 ft MSL…)
Roanoke River (Lake Gaston below normal full power pool elevation 200 MSL)
Roanoke River (Lake Gaston below normal ….)
Classification B WS IV C WS-IV WS-IV WS- II, HQW WS-II, B, HQW WS-II, HWQ WS-V WS-V, B B WS-V, B WS-IV, B W- IV, B, CA
Assessment Unit 22-12-(2) 22-27-(1.5) 22-27-(7) 22-27-9-(4) 22-27-(7.5)22-56-(3.5) 22-58-4-(1.4) 22-58-12-(1.5)22-58-15-(0.5)22-58-(0.5) 23-8-(2) 23-(12) 23-(20.2)23-(22.5)
Stations in Assessment Unit ROA003A ROA0092A ROA009J ROA009G ROA009E, 009H ROA027J, 027L, 027G
ROA0303DA, 0303DC, 0303DE
ROA031C, 031E, 031H ROA0343A, 0342A, 0341A
ROA030C, 030E, 030F, 030G
ROA037A, 037E, 037I, 0371J ROA038A, 039 ROA039B ROA039C, 039D, O39E
NL1 NL2 NL6 NL4 NL3, NL5 NL7-NL9 NL11-NL13 NL17-NL19 NL20-NL22 NL10, NL14-NL16 NL23-NL26 NL27-NL28 NL29 NL30-NL32
Number of Sampling Trips 12 8 11 11 11 12 11 4 3 3 6 5 5 3
Water Quality Standards
Chlorophyll a >40 ug/L NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE
Dissolved Oxygen <4.0 mg/L NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE
pH <6 s.u. or > 9 s.u. NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE
Turbidity >25 mg/L NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE E (9%) NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE
Temperature >32°C Lower Piedmont & Coastal Plain NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE NCE E (33%) NCE NCE NCE NCE
Metals (excluding copper, iron & zinc) 15A NCAC 2B .0211 ND NCE ND ND ND NCE NCE NCE NCE ND ND NCE NCE ND
Other Data
% Saturation DO >120% N N N N Y (9%) Y (8%) Y (9%) N N N N N N N
Algae Documented blooms during 2 or more sampling events in 1 year with historic blooms N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Fish Kills related to eutrophication N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Chemically/Biologically Treated For algal or macrophyte control - either chemicals or biologically by fish, etc. N N N N N N N N N N N Y Y N
Macrophytes Limiting access to public ramps, docks, swimming areas; reducing access by fish and other aquatic life to habitat N N N N N N N N N N N Y Y Y
Sediments
Clogging intakes – dredging program
necessary; Frequent public/agency complaints -
visual
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Rating: S NR S S S NR S NR NR NR NR NR NR NR