HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 4
Chapter 4
Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04
Including: Dan River, Country Line Creek, Rattlesnake Creek and Moon Creek
4.1 Subbasin Overview
This subbasin contains an eight-mile reach of the Dan
River, from Virginia at Danville to North Carolina near
Milton, before it flows into the Roanoke River. The
subbasin is mostly rural. By the year 2020, population in
Caswell County is expected to increase by 16 percent.
Subbasin 03-02-04 at a Glance
Land and Water Area
Total area: 239 mi2
Land area: 236 mi2
Water area: 3 mi2
Population Statistics
2000 Est. Pop.: 13,495 people
Pop. Density: 57 persons/mi2
Land Cover (percent)
Forest/Wetland: 75.9%
Surface Water: 1%
Urban: 0.5%
Cultivated Cropland: 2.3%
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 20.4%
Counties
Rockingham, Caswell and Person
Municipalities
Yanceyville and Milton
Monitored Stream Statistics
Aquatic Life
Total Streams: 65.0 mi/361.8 ac
Four individual NPDES wastewater discharge permits are
issued in this subbasin with a total permitted flow of 0.66
MGD (only 2 of the 4 permits are currently active). Refer
to Appendix VI for identification and more information on
individual NPDES permit holders. Refer to Appendix I
for more information regarding population growth and
trends. Two cattle operations are registered in this
subbasin. Refer to Chapter 16 for more information
regarding animal operations within this basin.
Several water quality improvement programs have been
implemented in this subbasin. The NC Agriculture Cost
Share Program (NCACSP), which helps reduce
agricultural runoff by helping farmers implement best
management practices, is one of these programs. The
NCACSP provided $169,139 towards implementing
sediment and nutrient reduction practices, and livestock
stream access elimination within this subbasin. For more
information on this and other programs, refer to watershed
discussion throughout this chapter as well as in Chapters
16 and 20. Total Supporting: 55.4 mi
Total Impaired: 9.6 mi
A map including the locations of NPDES discharges and
water quality monitoring stations is presented in Figure 7.
Table 6 contains a summary of assessment units and
lengths, streams monitored, monitoring data types,
locations and results, along with use support ratings for
waters in this subbasin. Refer to Appendix IX for more information about use support ratings.
Total Not Rated: 361.8 ac
Recreation
Total Streams: 9.6 mi
Total Impaired: 9.6 mi
Two benthic macroinvertebrate community samples and three fish community samples (Figure 7
and Table 6) were collected during this assessment period. Data were also collected from one
ambient monitoring station and one lake. Refer to the 2005 Roanoke River Basinwide
Assessment Report at http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/bar.html and Appendix IV for more information on
monitoring.
Chapter 4 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04 39
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ROCKINGHAM C o u n tr y L i n e C r e e k
M o o n C r e e k
DAN RIVER
Farmer Lake
C o u n try Line Creek
PERSON
CASWELLHyco Creek
S outh H yco Creek
Reedy Fork Creek
CASWELL
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-8
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Cane
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Rattlesnake
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Yanceyville
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NL9NL8
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NL12
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NF30
NF29
NF26NF24
NF21
NB84
NF20
NF16
NF15
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Figure 7 Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04
Division of Water Quality
Basinwide Planning Unit
May 30, 2006
0 2.5 5 7.5 101.25
Miles
^
Legend
Subbasin Boundary
Primary Roads
Municipality
County Boundary
Aqutic Life Use Support Rating
Impaired
No Data
Not Rated
Supporting
")Benthic Community
[¡Fish Community
po Ambient Monitoring Station
Lake Monitoring Station
NPDES Dischargers
XW Major
#*Minor
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
ROANOKE 03-02-04SubbasinTable 6
Cane Creek
22-54
From North Carolina-Virginia State Line to Dan River
0.8 FW MilesC S ND
NF21 /2004G
Country Line Creek
22-56-(1)
From source to a point 0.5 mile upstream of mouth of Nats
Fork
10.5 FW MilesWS-II;HQW S ND
NB84 /2004G
22-56-(3.7)
From dam at Farmer Lake to Dan River
24.5 FW MilesC S NR
NB40 /2004G
Country Line Creek (Farmers Lake)
22-56-(3.5)
From a point 0.5 mile upstream of mouth Nats Fork to dam
at Farmer Lake (Town of Yanceyville water supply intake
located 1.8 mile upstream of N.C. Hwy. 62)
361.8 FW AcresWS-II;HQW,CA NR NDNL7 ID
NL9 ID
NL8 ID
Turbidity Unknown
Nutrient Impacts Unknown
DAN RIVER (North Carolina portion)
22-(39)b
From NC/VA crossing downstream of Wolf Island Creek to
last crossing of North Carolina-Virginia State Line
9.6 FW MilesC I INA7 CE Turbidity 16.1 NA7 CE Fecal Coliform Bacteria Unknown
Turbidity Unknown
Moon Creek (Wildwood Lake)
22-51
From source to Dan River
17.0 FW MilesC S ND
NF24 /2004G
Rattlesnake Creek
22-52
From source to Dan River
2.7 FW MilesC S ND
NF26 /2004G
ROANOKE Subbasin 03-02-04Friday, April 07, 2006 10:48:15 AMDRAFT
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
ROANOKE 03-02-04SubbasinTable 6
Use Categories:Monitoring data type: Use Support Ratings 2005:
AL - Aquatic Life NF - Fish Community Survey E - Excellent S - Supporting, I - Impaired
REC - Recreation NB - Benthic Community Survey G - Good NR - Not Rated
NA - Ambient Monitoring Site GF - Good-Fair NR*- Not Rated for Recreation (screening criteria exceeded)
NL- Lake Monitoring F - Fair ND-No Data Collected to make assessment
P - Poor
NI - Not Impaired
Miles/Acres m- Monitored N- Natural
FW- Fresh Water e- Evaluated M - Moderate CE-Criteria Exceeded > 10% and more than 10 samples
S-Severe NCE-No Criteria Exceeded
ID- Insufficeint Data Available
Results:
Results
Aquatic Life Rating Summary
S 55.4 FW Milesm
I 9.6 FW Milesm
NR 361.8 FW Acresm
ND 83.7 FW Miles
Recreation Rating Summary
9.6 FW MilesIm
24.5 FW MilesNR e
114.6 FW MilesND
361.8 FW AcresND
Fish Consumption Rating Summary
148.7 FW MilesIe
361.8 FW AcresIe
ROANOKE Subbasin 03-02-04Friday, April 07, 2006 10:48:15 AMDRAFT
Waters in the following sections are identified by assessment unit number(s) (AU#). This
number is used to track defined segments in the water quality assessment database, 303(d)
Impaired waters list and the various tables in this basin plan. The assessment unit number is a
subset of the DWQ index number (classification identification number). A letter attached to the
end of the AU# indicates that the assessment unit is smaller than the DWQ index segment. No
letter indicates that the assessment unit and the DWQ index segment are the same.
4.2 Use Support Assessment Summary
Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-02-04 in the aquatic life, recreation,
fish consumption and water supply categories. All waters are Impaired on an evaluated basis in
the fish consumption category because of fish consumption advice that applies to the entire
basin. In the water supply category, all waters are Supporting on an evaluated basis based on
reports from DEH regional water treatment plant consultants.
There were 65 stream miles (43.7 percent) and 361.8 freshwater acres (100 percent; Farmers
Lake) monitored during this assessment period in the aquatic life category. In the recreation
category, 9.6 stream miles (6.5 percent) were monitored. A total of 9.6 stream miles (6.5
percent) are Impaired, for both the aquatic life and recreational use categories. Refer to Table 6
for a summary of use support rating by category for waters in subbasin 03-02-04.
4.3 Status and Recommendations of Previously and Newly Impaired
Waters
The following waters were either identified as Impaired in the previous basin plan (2001) 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 are identified by an assessment unit number (AU#). Information regarding 303(d) listing
and reporting methodology is presented in Appendix VII.
4.3.1 Dan River [AU # 22-(39)b]
Current Status
The Dan River (North Carolina portion), from NC/VA crossing downstream of Wolf Island
Creek to the last crossing of North Carolina-Virginia State Line (9.6 miles), is Impaired for
aquatic life due to turbidity standard violations at site NA7. The turbidity standard was violated
in 16.1 percent of samples in this assessment period. This segment will be added to the 303(d)
list of impaired waters.
This section of the Dan River is also Impaired for recreation because the fecal coliform bacteria
standard was exceeded at site NA7. Intensive fecal coliform bacteria monitoring in 2004 was
also part of supporting an interstate TMDL with Virginia since the Dan River is 303(d) listed in
Virginia for bacteria. This segment will be added to North Carolina’s 303(d) list for fecal
coliform bacteria.
Chapter 4 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04 43
2006 Recommendations
DWQ will continue to monitor the Dan River. Local agencies are encouraged to secure funding
opportunities for restoration projects in controlling nonpoint sources of pollution.
Water Quality Initiative
The NCEEP is developing a project along the Dan River [22-(39)b] that has the potential to
restore 82 acres of riverine wetland. This project will also include the preservation of
approximately 3 acres of bottomland hardwood wetlands.
Dan River Summary
Figure 8 - Dan River
There are a total of 49.8 miles of the Dan River impaired for turbidity standard violations as well
as 38.2 miles impaired for fecal coliform bacteria standard violations.
Subbasin
No.
Distance
Impaired
(miles)
Turbidity
Impairment
(% exceeded)
New
Turbidity
Impairment
Fecal
Impairment
New
Fecal
Impairment
03-02-01 11.6 24 % Yes No
03-02-02 4.8 16.4 % No Yes Yes
03-02-03 9.4
15.6
16.4 %
17.5 %
No
Yes Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
03-02-04 9 16.1 % Yes Yes Yes
The 11.6 miles in the upper Dan River (subbasin 01) are in trout waters where the allowable
turbidity levels are at or below 10 NTUs. These same waters received an Excellent and a Good
benthic bioclassification during the last two basin cycles. This segment of the Dan River had
elevated turbidity during the last assessment period as well, however each data type was not
assessed independently unlike during this assessment period.
44 Chapter 4 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04
The remaining 38.2 miles of the Dan River are impaired for both turbidity and fecal coliform
bacteria. Of these, 14.2 miles were impaired for turbidity during that last basin cycle (4.8 miles
in subbasin 02 and 9.4 miles in subbasin 03). A TMDL for this 14.2 miles segment was
approved by the USEPA in January 2005, which recommends a 59 percent reduction in Total
Suspended Solids distributed over both point and nonpoint sources in order to achieve acceptable
water quality levels in this area. A TMDL will have to be developed for the remaining 24 miles.
This new segment will be added to the 2008 303(d) list of impaired waters and a TMDL will be
completed within 13 years of listing. The entire 38.2 miles will also be added to the impaired
waters list for fecal coliform and a TMDL will also be required.
In the past, the Dan River was often called the “Muddy Dan” by locals. The river almost always
ran brown due to sediment in the river. There were several instream sand mining operations as
well as a lot of agricultural activity along the river. All of the mining operations are gone and
many of the tobacco fields in this area have been converted to other agricultural practices such as
cattle farming. Many of these fields have also been converted to permanent grasslands or to
natural vegetation with help from the NC agriculture cost share program. While more
environmentally friendly agricultural practices have started to occur in this area, a lot more
timber harvesting is occurring in both North Carolina and Virginia. Since the Dan River flows
back and forth across the state line, timber harvesting practices in one state ultimately affects the
water quality in the other. Development of single family homes have increased in this area as
well. Sediment and erosion controls are generally lacking on these smaller size lots. The use of
ATV’s was also noted as an activity in this area that is likely contributing to the sediment load in
the small tributaries that flow into the Dan River. With a continued push to improve agricultural
and forestry BMPs in the area as well as better sediment and erosion control ordinances along the
Dan River, improvements should be achievable.
4.4 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. Nonpoint
source program agency contacts are listed in Appendix VIII.
4.4.1 Moon Creek [AU# 22-51]
Current Status and 2006 Recommendations
Moon Creek, from source to Dan River (17.0 miles), is Supporting aquatic life due to a Good
fish community bioclassification at site NF24. The fish community was noted as very unstable,
which was likely related to the instream and riparian habitats and lingering effects from the 2002
drought. The land use is predominantly agriculture and like other streams in subbasins 02 - 04,
Moon Creek appeared to have been impacted by very substantial nonpoint source erosion
including sedimentation, a shifting sand substrate, bank “blowouts”, scour pools, and channel
Chapter 4 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04 45
and riparian bank instabilities. DWQ will continue to monitor water quality in Moon Creek. It
is recommended that local agencies work with landowners to install BMPs to improve the
riparian areas.
4.4.2 Rattlesnake Creek [AU# 22-52]
Current Status and 2006 Recommendations
Rattlesnake Creek, from source to Dan River (0.8 miles), is Supporting aquatic life due to a
Good fish community bioclassification at site NF26. Rattlesnake Creek appeared to have been
impacted by very substantial nonpoint source erosion including sedimentation, bank “blowouts”,
deep scour pools, entrenchment, and channel and riparian bank instabilities. DWQ will continue
to monitor water quality in this segment of the river. It is recommended that local agencies work
with landowners to install BMPs to improve the riparian areas.
4.4.3 Cane Creek [AU# 22-54)]
Current Status and 2006 Recommendations
Cane Creek, from the North Carolina-Virginia State Line to the Dan River (0.8 miles), is
Supporting aquatic life due to a Good fish community bioclassification at site NF21. The
majority of the creek’s watershed lies in southwestern Pittsylvania County, Virginia. The
monitoring site was located at the State line, approximately 0.8 miles above its mouth. Like
other streams in the area, the banks are sloughing, the substrate is sand, and a large quantity of
sediment is transported during high flow events. DWQ will continue to monitor water quality in
Cane Creek. It is recommended that local agencies in North Carolina and Virginia work with
landowners to install BMPs to improve the riparian areas.
4.4.4 Country Line Creek [AU# 22-56-(3.7)]
Current Status and 2006 Recommendations
Country Line Creek, from dam at Farmer Lake to the Dan River (24.5 miles), is Supporting
aquatic life for a Good benthic community bioclassification at site NB40. At this site, there were
indications of deeply incised banks and signs of moderate erosion; the channel was filled with
sediment and sand bar development was noted. Habitat deficiencies included sandy substrate,
marginal instream habitat, bank vegetation, canopy and insufficient pools and riffles. It is
recommended that local agencies work with landowners to install BMPs to improve the riparian
area along Country Line Creek.
4.4.5 Country Line Creek (Farmer Lake) [AU# 22-56-(3.5)]
Current Status and 2006 Recommendations
Farmer Lake (Country Line Creek), from a point 0.5 mile upstream of mouth of Nats Fork to the
dam at Farmer Lake (Town of Yanceyville water supply intake located 1.8 mile upstream of
N.C. Hwy. 62) (361.8 acres), is Not Rated for aquatic life. Farmer Lake was monitored at sites
NL7, NL8 and NL9.in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004. Moderate nutrient and chlorophyll a levels
were generally found each year, indicating biological productivity. Assessment of parameters
related to biological productivity indicated eutrophic conditions confirming biological
productivity. High dissolved oxygen saturation values were also noted, indicating algal activity.
46 Chapter 4 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04
Algal analyses of samples collected in August 2004 at the upper lake and in mid-lake indicated a
moderate to severe blue-green algal bloom at both stations. The algal bloom was composed
primarily of the blue-green algae Cylindrospermopsis. Some strains of this species have the
ability to produce toxins, but there are no reports in North Carolina of humans becoming ill from
blue-green toxins or evidence that this strain exhibited toxicity. Water clarity in this lake is
somewhat reduced due to sedimentation, especially at the most upstream station.
While surface water quality standards were not exceeded in more than 10 percent of the samples
taken on Farmer Lake, this lake is not being rated due to concerns related to the elevated
turbidity, low water clarity and elevated percent dissolved oxygen saturation. If resources are
available, further study of this lake will be conducted.
Water Quality Initiatives
The NCEEP is working with a landowner to place a conservation easement with 300 foot buffers
along 2,304 feet of two unnamed tributaries to Country Line Creek [22-56-(3.5)].
Chapter 4 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04 47
48 Chapter 4 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-04