Chapter 9

Chapter 9
Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09
Including: Roanoke River, Conoho Creek, Sweetwater Creek, Devils Gut, Hardison Mill
Creek and Welch Creek

9.1 Subbasin Overview
This subbasin contains a very expansive floodplain
ecosystem with many inlets and outlets. In addition, there is
a complex distributary system at the mouth of the Roanoke
River that may, during periods of low flow experience
saltwater intrusion and tidal effects that extend more than
halfway up the Roanoke River (Bales and others, 1993).
Over 55,000 acres of land are owned either by US Fish and
Wildlife Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission or The
Nature Conservancy. The area is mostly rural, consisting
largely of forest and agricultural land. Martin County has an
estimated growth of 0.6 percent by the year 2020 and Bertie
County may decrease by 8 percent in population by 2020.
For more information regarding population growth and
trends, refer to Appendix I.

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
$431,084 towards implementing sediment and nutrient
reduction practices and animal waste management 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.

Eight individual NPDES discharge permits are issued in this
subbasin with a total permitted flow of 86 MGD, the largest
permitted flow in the basin. Three facilities are required to
conduct whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing. McMurray
Fabrics Inc. had significant noncompliance for WET testing
requirements in this assessment period. One individual
stormwater permit is issued in this subbasin. Refer to
Appendix VI for identification and more information on
individual NPDES permit holders. Six registered animal operations are located in this subbasin.
Refer to Chapter 16 for more information regarding animal operations within this basin.
Subbasin 03-02-09 at a Glance

Land and Water Area
Total area: 559 mi2
Land area: 435 mi2
Water area: 124 mi2

Population Statistics
2000 Est. Pop.:25,359 people
Pop. Density: 45 persons/mi2
Land Cover (percent)
Forest/Wetland: 71.5%
Surface Water: 2.4%
Urban: 0.6%
Cultivated Crop: 24.8%
Pasture/
Managed Herbaceous: 0.8%

Counties
Halifax, Martin, Bertie,
Washington, Edgecombe and
Beaufort
Municipalities
Oak City, Hassell, Hamilton,
Williamston, Jamesville and
Plymouth
Monitored Stream Statistics
Aquatic Life
Total Streams: 116.4 mi
Total Supporting: 80.3 mi
Total Impaired: 17.8 mi
Total Not Rated: 18.3 ac
Recreation
Total Streams: 47.2 mi
Total Supported: 47.2 mi

A map including the locations of NPDES discharges and water quality monitoring stations is
presented in Figure 14. Table 11 contains a summary of assessment units and lengths, streams
Chapter 9 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09 93
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oho C
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Indian Creek
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AskewvilleLewiston-
Woodville
Oak City
Hamilton
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Figure 14 Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09
Division of Water Quality
Basinwide Planning Unit
May 30, 2006
0 3 6 9 121.5
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 03-02-09SubbasinTable 11
ALBEMARLE SOUND (Batchelor Bay)
24
West of a line extending from a point of land 0.3 mile north
of mouth of Morgan Swamp in a southerly direction to a
point of land on the eastside of the mouth of Roanoke River
1,475.5 S AcresB;Sw ND ND Dioxin
Conoho Creek
23-49a
From source to Martin Co 1417 below Beaverdam Cr
24.5 FW MilesC S ND
NB93 /2004M
23-49b
From Martin Co 1417 to Roanoke River
7.0 FW MilesC S ND
NB67 /2004N
Hardison Mill Creek
23-50-3
From source to Sweetwater Creek
19.9 FW MilesC S ND
NB69 /2004M
Habitat Degradation Unknown
ROANOKE RIVER
23-(26)b2
From subbasin 8/9 boundary to Hwy 17 Bridge in
Williamston
28.9 FW MilesC S SNA18 NCE
NA25 NCE
NA18 NCE
23-(26)b3
From Hwy 17 bridge at Williamston to the 18 mile marker
at Jamesville
17.8 FW MilesC I NRNA27 CE Low DO 16.3 Fecal Coliform Bacteria WWTP NPDES
Dioxin WWTP NPDES
Low Dissolved Oxygen Impoundment
23-(53)
From 18 mile marker at Jamesville to Albemarle Sound
(Batchelor Bay)
18.3 FW MilesC;Sw NR SNA20 NCE
NA21 NCE
NA26 NCE Low DO 22.9
NA20 NCE
NA21 NCE
Dioxin WWTP NPDES
Low Dissolved Oxygen Unknown
ROANOKE Subbasin 03-02-09Friday, April 07, 2006 10:48:17 AMDRAFT
AU Number
Description
Length/AreaClassification
AL Rating REC RatingStation
Year/
ParameterResult % Exc
Aquatic Life Assessment
ResultStation
Recreation Assessment
Stressors Sources
ROANOKE 03-02-09SubbasinTable 11
Welch Creek
23-55
From source to Roanoke River
13.3 FW MilesC;Sw ND ND Dioxin WWTP NPDES
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 80.3 FW Milesm
NR 18.3 FW Milesm
I 17.8 FW Milesm
ND 1,475.5 S Acres
ND 194.3 FW Miles
Recreation Rating Summary
47.2 FW MilesSm
17.8 FW MilesNR e
1,475.5 S AcresND
245.7 FW MilesND
Fish Consumption Rating Summary
1,475.5 S AcresIm
49.4 FW MilesIm
261.3 FW MilesIe
ROANOKE Subbasin 03-02-09Friday, April 07, 2006 10:48:18 AMDRAFT

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.

Benthic community biocriteria for swamp streams have been developed since the previous
basinwide plan (2001). Where appropriate, those criteria were applied to sites Not Rated in the
2001 basin plan (Conoho Creek and Hardison Mill Creek). Three benthic macroinvertebrate
community samples (Figure 14 and Table 11) were collected during this assessment period.
Data were also collected from one ambient monitoring station. 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.

Waters in the following sections are identified by assessment unit number (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 is smaller than the DWQ index segment. No letter indicates
that the assessment unit and the DWQ index segment are the same.

9.2 Use Support Assessment Summary

Use support ratings were assigned for waters in subbasin 03-02-09 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 116.4 stream miles (37.5 percent) monitored during this assessment period in the
aquatic life category. Of these, 17.8 stream miles (5.7 percent) are Impaired and 80.3 stream
miles (25.8 percent) were Supporting. In the recreation category, all 47.2 monitored stream
miles (15.2 percent) were Supporting. There were also 49.4 stream miles (15.9 percent) and
1,475.5 saltwater acres (100 percent) that were Impaired on a monitored basis in the fish
consumption category for dioxin contamination. All surface waters within this basin are
Impaired on an evaluated basis for mercury based on an advice by NC Department of Heath and
Human Services. Refer to Table 11 for a summary of use support ratings by category for waters
in the subbasin 03-02-09.

9.3 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 is identified by an assessment unit number (AU#). Information regarding 303(d) listing and
reporting methodology is presented in Appendix VII.
Chapter 9 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09 97
9.3.1 Roanoke River [AU# 23-(26)b3 & 23-(53)], Welch Creek [AU# 23-55], Albemarle
Sound (Batchelor Bay)[AU# 24]

2001 Recommendations
DWQ, in cooperation with Weyerhaeuser Company, will continue to monitor the lower Roanoke
River and Welch Creek and will work closely with the Department of Health and Human
Services’ Division of Public Health to lift the advisory when there is no longer a risk to human
health from consumption of fish due to dioxin concentrations.

Current Status
The Roanoke River [AU# 23-(26)b3], from Hwy 17 bridge at Williamston to the 18 mile marker
at Jamesville (17.8 miles), is Impaired for aquatic life based on the dissolved oxygen standard
violation at site NA27. A US Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a study entitled, “Relations
Among Floodplain Water Levels, Instream Dissolved-Oxygen Conditions, and Streamflow in the
Lower Roanoke River, North Carolina, 1997-2001” (USGS Water-Resources Investigations
Report 03-4295). Data from this study indicated that from September 1999 through August
2004, 16.3 percent of the samples taken were below the continuous monitoring dissolved oxygen
standard for the daily average of 5 mg/l. This section of the Roanoke River will be placed on the
2008 303(d) list.

McMurray Fabrics Inc. had significant noncompliance for their Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET)
testing requirements in this assessment period. DWQ is working with the facility to rectify the
problem. The facility will continue to conduct WET testing per their permit requirements.

The Town of Williamston WWTP has had chronic problems exceeding their discharge limits for
fecal coliform bacteria and total suspended solids. They have had civil penalties levied in excess
of $70,000 over the past several years. The town was issued an SOC for fecal coliform in
February 2006. They are required to upgrade their chlorination and dechlorination system by
December 2007. They paid an upfront SOC penalty of $5,000.

The Roanoke River [AU# 23-(53)] from the 18 mile marker at Jamesville to Albemarle Sound
(Batchelor Bay) (18.3 miles), is not rated for aquatic life due to inconclusive data available in the
swamp area. Dissolved oxygen was below the standard for the daily average of 5 mg/l in 22.95
percent of the samples taken at USGS site NA26 (swamp water area). This section of the
Roanoke River is supporting for recreation because the fecal coliform bacterial screening criteria
was not exceeded at sites NA20 and NA21.

The Town of Plymouth were awarded a nearly $2 million dollar grant from the NC Clean Water
Management Trust Fund. The Plymouth sewer system has experienced a large amount of
groundwater infiltration, which is overburdening lift stations after heavy rain events. Sewer lines
and possibly waterlines will be replaced or repaired using funds from this grant. This project is
divided into two phases. Construction on phase I is projected to start in January 2007 and will
result in the replacement of sewer and waterlines. Phase II will involve slip lining of sewer pipes
and manhole replacement. Phase II construction should start in January 2008.

It is noted that severe bank erosion is occurring on the Roanoke River. River flows are managed
for flood control by the US Army Corp of Engineers and for hydropower generation by private
98 Chapter 9 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09

industries. These managed flows are not similar to natural seasonal flow conditions and
subsequently extends the length of time flooding occurs on the floodplain and in backswamps.
In addition, frequent managed high flows at bankfull heights further accelerate river bank
erosion. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) re-licensing requirements for
Dominion North Carolina Power (Dominion) are be discussed in Section 9.5 (Additional Water
Quality Issues).

Dioxin Fish Consumption Advisory
These same areas of the Roanoke River (from Hwy 17 bridge [AU# 23-(26)b3] to the Albemarle
Sound [AU# 23-(53)]) (36.1 miles total) as well as Albemarle Sound (Batchelor Bay) [AU# 24]
from west of a line extending from a point of land 0.3 miles north of mouth of Morgan Swamp in
a southerly direction to a point of land on the eastside of the mouth of Roanoke River (1,475.5
saltwater acres) and Welch Creek [AU# 23-55], from the source to Roanoke River (13.3 miles),
is Impaired for fish consumption based on an advisory from the NC Department of Health and
Human Services’ (DHHS) for dioxin in carp and catfish.

The Albemarle Sound, from Bull Bay to Harvey Point, west to mouth of the Roanoke River and
to the mouth of the Chowan River to the US Hwy 17 Bridge, is also Impaired for fish
consumption under this same dioxin advisory.

The fish consumption impairments are due to the fish consumption advisory posted in October
2001 for carp and catfish. It is advised that carp and catfish from these waters may contain low
levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any carp or catfish
from these areas. All other persons should eat no more than one meal per person per month of
carp and catfish from these areas. Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities present
no health risks and are not affected by this advisory. For more information regarding fish
consumption advisories, call [phone] or visit the NC DHHS Division of Public Health
website at http://www.schs.state.nc.us/epi/fish/current.html.

2006 Recommendations
DWQ, in cooperation with Weyerhaeuser Company, will continue to monitor the lower Roanoke
River and Welch Creek and will work closely with the DHHS to lift the advisory when there is
no longer a risk to human health from consumption of fish. The EPA approved a dioxin TMDL
in 1996. Discussions between multiple state and federal agencies regarding alternative dioxin
clean up options have ensued. Such alternatives look at site remediation and testing, removal
and capping of the dioxin contaminant in Welch Creek.

9.4 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.
Chapter 9 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09 99
9.4.1 Conoho Creek [AU# 23-49a & 23-49b]

Current Status and 2006 Recommendations
Conoho Creek [AU# 23-49a], from source to Martin Co. 1417 below Beaverdam Creek (24.5
miles) and [AU#23-49b] from Martin Co. 1417 to Roanoke River (7.0 miles), is Supporting
aquatic life based on Moderate Stress and Natural benthic community bioclassifications at sites
NB93 and NB67. Riparian areas were intact at site NB93 and considering the range of Moderate
Stress scores, this site nearly scored a Natural. The downstream site NB67 scored Natural likely
due to the larger drainage area (increased flow and dilution of impacts), which may contribute to
the better benthic community bioclassfication. DWQ will continue to monitor Conoho Creek.

9.4.2 Hardison Mill Creek [AU# 23-50-3)]

Current Status and 2006 Recommendations
Hardison Mill Creek, from source to Sweetwater Creek (19.9 miles), is Supporting aquatic life
based on a Moderate Stress benthic community bioclassification at sites NB69. A large clear cut
area on the right bank and adjacent riparian zone was noted. Actual cutting was in progress
during the sampling effort. Microhabitats were also lacking at this site. DWQ will continue to
monitor Hardison Mill Creek.

9.5 Additional Water Quality Issues within Subbasin 03-02-09

9.5.1 Indian Creek [AU# 23-47)]

Water Quality Initiatives
The NCEEP is facilitating the transfer of the Roquist Pocosin tract from the NC Department of
Transportation to the Wildlife Resource Commission. The tract provides water quality protection
to Indian Creek (AU# 23-47). This will be discussed in more detail in section 10.5.1.

9.5.2 Roanoke River [AU # 23-(26)b2]

Current Status
Roanoke River, from subbasin 03-02-08/-09 boundary to Hwy 17 bridge in Williamston (28.9
miles), is Supporting aquatic life due to DWQ and USGS concurrent ambient monitoring at sites
NA18 and NA25. During this assessment period, no benthic or fish community sites were
sampled on the Roanoke River due to resource constraints and high flows.

This section of the Roanoke River is also Supporting recreation because the fecal coliform
bacterial screening criteria was not exceeded at site NA18.

DWQ as well as other state and federal agencies are extensively involved with Dominion
Power’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) new license requirements to conduct
several studies including monitoring and reporting of water quality conditions in the Roanoke
River and upstream reservoirs.

A comprehensive Section 216 study was initiated to study the potential impacts John H Kerr dam
has on the lower Roanoke River. The relationship between river flow, floodplain water level,
100 Chapter 9 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09

and instream dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are important but poorly understood for the
lower Roanoke River. Flooding and floodplain inundation of this area no longer follows a
natural seasonal pattern, but are instead primarily governed by upstream reservoir releases.

The objective of the proposed study is to provide the flow and water quality modeling tools that
can be used to assess the effects of changes in John H. Kerr operations on Roanoke River flows;
duration, extent, depth, and timing of floodplain inundation; DO levels in the river; and intrusion
of brackish water from Albemarle Sound upstream into the river. These objectives will be met
by performing the following tasks:
(1) review existing data and develop a hydrologic and water quality monitoring plan to
support modeling,
(2) review existing modeling frameworks for the Roanoke River,
(3) implement the hydrologic and water quality monitoring program,
(4) develop, calibrate, and test hydrodynamic models that are capable of simulating upstream
and downstream movement of water, as well as the storage and release of water from the
floodplains,
(5) develop, calibrate, and test unsteady water quality models that simulate DO dynamics in
the main channel and the floodplain and accounts for the effects of brackish water
intrusion from Albemarle Sound on flow and DO processes, and
(6) apply these models to determine effects of selected water management scenarios on
downstream flows, floodplain inundation, and DO.

As of August 2006, task 1 and 2 have been completed and task 3 (monitoring) has been initiated.
The hydrodynamic modeling activities are proposed to begin concurrently with data collection.
The entire project is scheduled to be complete by mid-2008.

The study will provide policy makers and water resource managers in North Carolina and
Virginia with the tools and data that are essential to assessing management strategies for
maintaining and enhancing Roanoke River water quality and riparian habitat. The flow and
transport model for the Roanoke River can be used to assess the effects of flow management
scenarios on dissolved-oxygen in the river.

Chapter 9 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09 101
102 Chapter 9 – Roanoke River Subbasin 03-02-09