Appendix V

Appendix V

Other Water Quality Data
in the
Watauga River Basin

Appendices

Other Water Quality Research

North Carolina actively solicits "existing and
readily available" data and information for each
basin as part of the basinwide planning process.
Data meeting DWQ quality assurance objectives are
used in making use support determinations. When
resources allow, data and information indicating
possible water quality problems are investigated
further. Both quantitative and qualitative
information are accepted during the solicitation
period.

High levels of confidence must be present in order
for outside quantitative information to carry the
same weight as information collected from within
DWQ. This is particularly the case when
considering waters for the Impaired categories in
the Integrated Report and 303(d) list. Methodology
for soliciting and evaluating outside data is
presented in North Carolina’s 2002 Integrated Report, which is available on-line
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tmdl/Docs_303/2002/2002 Integrated Rept.pdf. The next data solicitation period
for the Watauga River basin is scheduled for fall 2008.
DWQ data solicitation includes
the following:

• Information, letters and photographs
regarding the uses of surface waters for
boating, drinking water, swimming,
aesthetics and fishing.
• Raw data submitted electronically and
accompanied by documentation of
quality assurance methods used to collect
and analyze the samples. Maps showing
sampling locations must also be included.
• Summary reports and memos, including
distribution statistics and accompanied
by documentation of quality assurance
methods used to collect and analyze the
data.
Contact information must accompany all
data and information submitted.

Any data submitted to DWQ from other water sampling programs conducted in the Watauga
River basin have been reviewed. Data that meet quality and accessibility requirements were
considered for use support assessments and the 303(d) list. These data are also used by DWQ to
adjust the location of biological and chemical monitoring sites. In particular, DWQ has reviewed
and considered information developed through the Volunteer Water Information Network
(VWIN) as managed by the University of North Carolina – Asheville (UNCA) Environmental
Quality Institute (EQI). Other programs or research that developed data or information are
presented in individual subbasin chapters.

For VWIN, each county with monitoring stations has a coordinator to organize and train
volunteers and to ensure that all stations are monitored monthly. The NC Cooperative Extension
Service (CES), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Equinox Environmental Consultation &
Design coordinate monitoring in the Watauga River basin. Southern Appalachian Man and the
Biosphere (SAMAB), the National Forest Foundation, and the Appalachian Trail Park Office
initiated watershed monitoring. The Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Council
and the NC CES provide funding. The information obtained through VWIN provides an overall
view of water quality conditions and changes over time.

In the Watauga River basin, VWIN monitors 11 sites, which are listed in the following table.
These sites generally agree with DWQ ambient monitoring data but were not used in use support
assessments. VWIN has collected two years of monthly data for most sites. Parameters
monitored include major nutrients, turbidity, suspended solids, pH, alkalinity, conductivity and
heavy metals such as zinc, copper and lead.
A-V-1

County Stream Name Sampling Location
Avery Elk River Near Appalachian Trail and Elk River Falls
Elk River Downstream from Lees McRae
Spring to UT Spring to Unnamed Tributary on the Appalachian
Trail at Doll Flats
Watauga Watauga River NC-TN State Line
Watauga River Gauging station upstream from Cove Creek
Watauga River Hwy 105/Appalachian Angler
Cove Creek Near confluence with the Watauga River
Laurel Fork Flintlock Campground
Dutch Creek Valle Crucis Elementary School
Brushy Fork Corner of Hwy 421/321
Boone Fork Downstream from Price Lake

A-V-2