CTB 2013 Fish Community Templates

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
ANDERSON CR SR 1383 05/02/12 CF62 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
LINCOLN 33 03050101 1 35,446963-81.042733 11-119-2-2 Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 121.5 1 695 1 7 1 0.3 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 75 1 25 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 19.3
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 80
pH (s.u.) 6.3
Water Clarity I Clear, easily silted
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
11
3
3
4
2
6
8
10
3
55
Substrate Sand, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/02/12 2012-22 T 14 50 Good
04/25/07 2007-30 I 15 1 48 Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 1 Redlip Shiner (n=115, 37%) Exotic Species Redlip Shiner (n=115, 37%)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- White Sucker (n=3) and Largemouth Bass (n=1) (first collections ever). Lost -- Flat Bullhead (n=2),
Eastern Mosquitofish (n=1), and Green Sunfish (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains eastern Lincoln County; tributary to Killian Creek; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed. Landuse 2006 (from
USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 62% forest, 25% cultivation, 5%
developed, and 5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 the forested land has decreased from 76 to 62%, the developed land has increased from 1 to 5%,
and the grassland/herbaceous increased from 2 to 5%. Habitat -- lower quality instream habitats; sandy runs; side snags; riffles formed by logs in the
current; severe bank erosion with steep banks; American Beech bluff on the east side; Total Habitat Score range 55-59. Water Quality -- specific
conductance moderate, range 74-80 pS/cm. 2012 -- an abundant fish community, but with lower than expected (relative to reference sites) species
diversity, intolerant species absent; trophically balanced with a low percentage of tolerant fish (6%). 2007 & 2012 -- moderately diverse for a stream of its
size, 17 species are known from the site, including 2 species of darters, but no intolerant species; dominant species is the Redlip Shiner, a nonnative
species that has displaced the native and ecologically similar Greenhead Shiner; stream appears to experience dramatic extremes in flows (e.g., based
upon the USGS gage on Killian Creek near Mariposa, high flows in winter 2010 with flows 9 ft. above median height and with flows between 2,000-3,000
cfs and very low flows < 2 cfs in summer 2008 and summer 2011). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of good
quality in this still predominantly forested watershed; continue monitoring in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
BEAVERDAM CR SR 1609 105/01/121 CF2 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GASTON 35 03050102 35,404746 81.245757 11-129-9-(0.7) Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 122.8 1 750 12 0.5 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 20.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 76
pH (s.u.)F 6.8
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
12
9
9
10
7
6
8
5
5
76
Substrate ISand, cobble, bedrock
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/01 /12
2012-20
18
54
Excellent
05/31 /06
2006-68
18
54
Excellent
05/21 /02
2002-52
13
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Sandbar Shiner (n=165, 50%) Exotic Species Redear Sunfish (first collection ever) and Green
Sunfish, n=1, each.
Gained -- Greenfin Shiner (n=1), Redear Sunfish (n=1), and Carolina Fantail Darter (n=5) (first ever
collections), and Rosyside Dace (n=1). Lost -- Golden Shiner (n=2), Whitefin Shiner (n=1), Pumpkinseed
(n=1), Warmouth (n=1), and Largemouth Bass (n=2).
Watershed -- drains the northwestern portion of Gaston County, including the eastern and southeastern portion of the Town of Cherryville; no NPDES
dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the South Fork Catawba River; site is - 1.3 miles above the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006
(from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 46% forest, 38% cultivation, 10%
developed, and 5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested lands have decreased from 51 to 46%, cultivated has decreased from 42 to 38%, and
developed land has increased from 6 to 10%. Habitat -- moderate quality instream and riparian habitats; silty edges; deep pools with hard and soft, silty
bottoms; bedrock outcrops; one well developed riffle at end of the reach; forested riparian zones, except for utility line right-of-way in middle of the reach;
Total Habitat Score range 63-76. Water Quality -- specific conductance range 67-76 pS/cm. 2012 -- only metric not to score a "5" (the maximum) was
the Percentage of Piscivores which should be greater given the fact that deep pool habitat is abundant at this site. 2002-2012 -- moderately diverse
community with 23 species known from the site, including 4 species of darters and 3 intolerant species (Highback Chub, Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma
thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species, and Piedmont Darter); dominant species is the Sandbar Shiner; the percentage of tolerant fish (White Sucker
and Redbreast Sunfish) has steadily declined from 46-33-14%; rated Excellent twice since 2002; sampled in 2006 as part of a Catawba River Basin
Biological TMDL Study (Biological Assessment Unit Memorandum F-20061207). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems
to be of good quality, however, the sediment sources for this stream should be identified by staff from the Morrisville Regional Office and reduced if
possible; continue monitoring in 2017 at this site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
BUFFALO SHOALS CR SR 1503
05/21/12 CF3
Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
IREDELL 32 03050101 1
5,7533753-81.0449553 11-78-(0.5)
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil)
Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 13.8
830
10
0.3 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Visible Landuse (%) 90 5
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
0 5--roads
NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None
I ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 16.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.7
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 88
pH (s.u.) 6.8
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
10
5
7
5
4
6
8
5
4
58
Substrate Sand, cobble, bedrock boulders
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratina
05/21 /12
2012-28
17
52
Good
04/26/07
2007-33
13
52
Good
06/04/97
97-54
20
58
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluehead Chub (n=95, 27%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=7, first collection ever)
Gained -- Greenfin Shiner (n=2), Spottail Shiner (n=1), White Perch (n=1), Green Sunfish (n=7), and
Warmouth (n=1) (first collections ever), and Flat Bullhead (n=2). Lost -- White Sucker (n=4), Notchlip
Redhorse (n=2), and Sunfish hybrid (n=1).
Watershed -- drains western Iredell County, west of the City of Statesville, including the 1-40 corridor; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the
watershed; tributary to the Lake Norman (Catawba River), site is — 4.8 miles above the creek's confluence with the reservoir. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 31 % forest, 54% cultivation, 9% developed, and
5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 cultivated land has decreased from 62 to 54% and developed land has increased from 2 to 9%. Habitat -- straight
channel; shallow runs and sandy flats; side snags of shallow pools; boulder and bedrock riffle only at the end of the reach at the old mill site; much lower
quality instream habitats in 2012 than in 2007; evidence of recent high water with fresh sand deposited within the channel; the discharge and the gage
height at the USGS gage for the Lower Little River near All Healing Springs rose from — 18 cfs to > 3,000 cfs and from — 1 ft. to 13 ft. on May 14-15, 2012;
this was the greatest flow recorded from January 01, 2008 through June 01, 2012); Total Habitat Score range 58-90. Water Quality -- specific
conductance moderate, range 62-88 pS/cm. 2012 -- diverse and abundant community but intolerant species were absent and only one species of sucker
was present. 1992-2012 -- for a stream of its size a moderately diverse community with 25 species known from the site including 5 species of suckers, 3
species of darters, and one intolerant species (but none collected since 1997 and only 1 specimen of the Piedmont Darter was collected then); dominant
species is the omnivorous Bluehead Chub; downstream reservoir may hinder certain species from recovering/recolonizing after low flow events (very low
flows experienced in June -July 2008 and late summer 2011); a stable NCIBI ratings during the past two cycles. Recommendation -- based upon all the
data collected, the water seems to be of good quality in this agricultural watershed; continue monitoring in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
CANOE CR
SR 1250
105/25/121
CF4
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 30
03050101 35.7637 81.7645 11-33-(2)
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV
12.4 1052
6
0.4 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban
Visible Landuse (%) 100 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
0 0
NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None
I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.3
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 51
pH (s.u.) 6.6
Water Clarity I Turbid, becoming extremely turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
14
8
10
6
6
7
8
5
5
74
Sample ID
Substrate lCobble, boulder, gravel, sand, silt
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/25/12
2012-43
16
48
Good
05/02/02
2002-41
12
50
Good
05/05/97
97-32
15
54
Excellent
05/10/93
93-15
13
46
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluehead Chub (n=106, 21 %) Exotic Species I Green Sunfish (n=15, first collection ever)
Gained -- White Perch (n=3), Green Sunfish (n=15), and Warmouth (n=1) (first collections ever), Spottail
Shiner (n=4), Warpaint Shiner (n=4), and Redbreast Sunfish (n=26). Lost -- Greenhead Shiner (n=141) and
Yellow Perch (n=242).
-- drains northwest Burke County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Catawba River, site is — 3.7 miles
upstream from the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse
categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 68% forest, 10% cultivation, 10% developed, 5% grassland/herbaceous, and 8% shrubland; since 1992, forested land has
decreased from 94 to 68% and developed land has increased from 2 to 10%. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; runs, riffles, sandy -bottom
pools; side undercuts and root mats; open canopy at the new bridge; abundant periphyton and silt atop the rocks; Total Habitat Score 65-74; a marginal
reference site. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 36-51 pS/cm; water became very turbid during sampling, an indication of possible
non -point source sediment. 2012 -- diverse and abundant community, most species ever collected at the site; trophically imbalanced, the Percentage of
Omnivores+Herbivores (53%) was the greatest ever recorded at the site, the abundances of Bluehead Chub, Central Stoneroller, Spottail Shiner, and
White Sucker were indicative of nonpoint source nutrient inputs and the species were taking advantage of the abundant periphyton atop the rocks; the
Percent Tolerant Fish (White Sucker, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, and Creek Chub) was the greatest it has ever been (25%), but at the upper end
of the metric's range for a Piedmont reference site. Yellow Perch and Greenhead Shiner were conspicuously absent in 2012 when they had been very
abundant in 2002; Yellow Perch were Age-1 and -2 fish (58-130 mm TL) which had seasonally migrated up from the river; Greenhead Shiner, a species
endemic and common to abundant in many of the streams in the basin, was inexplicably missing. Collectively, these observations indicate a very
productive stream and fish community. 1993-2012 -- very diverse for a stream of its size with 19 species known from the site, but no Intolerant Species;
migrants from river include White Perch and Yellow Perch; dominant species are Bluehead Chub and Rosyside Dace; decline in NCIBI ratings from
Excellent to Good between 1997 and 2012, but not within the past 10 years. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the rating has not
changed during the past 10 years, the sediment in the stream appears excessive, the sediment sources should be identified by staff from the Asheville
Regional Office, and reduced, if possible; continue to monitor this site in 2017 to document impacts from changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
CATAWBA CR SR 2435 104/25/121 CF5 I Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GASTON 37 03050101 35,19472222 81.08138889 11-130c Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 123.4 1 600 8 0.3 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 75 0 25 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R7.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)Specific Conductance (pS/cm)pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
9
3
2
4
1
6
5
5
2
42
Substrate Sand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/25/12
2012-18
8
38
Fair
04/24/07
2007-26
10
34
Poor
05/22/02
2002-55
11
40
Fair
05/19/97
97-44
11
42
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Swallowtail Shiner and Greenfin Shiner None, only 1 Redear Sunfish has been collected
(n=117 and 109, 38% and 36%, Exotic Species since 1997 (0.1 %)
respectively)
Gained -- Sandbar Shiner (n=6) and Eastern Mosquitofish (n=3) (first ever collections). Lost -- Rosyside Dace
(n=1), Creek Chub (n=1), Creek Chubsucker (n=4), and Bluegill (n=8).
-- drains southeastern Gaston County, including the southeast portion of the City of Gastonia; three small water treatment plants within the
(combined Ow = unlimited); plant nursery and active cattle pasture along the right bank; tributary to Lake Wylie (Catawba River), site is - 2 miles
upstream from the reservoir. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are
reported) -- 28% forest, 7% cultivation, and 61 % developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 39 to 28% and developed land has increased
from 49 to 61 %. Habitat -- same as in previous cycles: very low quality instream habitats; very large woody debris, blow downs, and deadfalls (tree
trunks); channel filled with very soft and shifting sand; infrequent stick riffles; severe erosion with steep sloughing banks; cattle continued to be fenced out
of the stream along the right bank; Total Habitat Score range 41-59. Water Quality -- specific conductance has been elevated, but stable during the past
three cycles (148-155 pS/cm), range 148-293 pS/cm. 2012 -- many metrics were indicative of an impaired community: low diversity and the fewest
species (n=8) collected at any Catawba River basin site, and an absence of suckers and intolerant species. 1997-2012 -- low total diversity for a stream of
its size, only 16 species known from the site, including one species of darter and sucker; no intolerant species have ever been collected from this site;
dominant species is the omnivorous Bluehead Chub. Recommendation -- community considered as impaired (rating = Fair or Poor) in the last three
cycles; unless watershed management and stream restoration projects are implemented, future assessments in 2017 of this watershed maybe
unnecessary.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
CATAWBA R SR 1103 106/07/121 CF6 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MCDOWELL 30 1 03050101 1 35.6203461 -82.1790438 11-(1) Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 13.6 1 1416 1 6 1 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban/Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 25 1 40 35 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) R6.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
16
6
11
6
4
6
7
2
3
66
Substrate Sand, cobble, ,It, and leafy detritus
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/07/12
2012-50
20
48
Good
04/29/02
2002-33
16
46
Good -Fair
05/07/97
97-37
17
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Central Stoneroller (n=329, 35%) Exotic Species Green Sunfish (n=3, first collection ever),
Smallmouth Bass (n=4)
Gained -- Western Blacknose Dace (n=1), Flat Bullhead (n=1), Green Sunfish (n=3), Bluegill (n=2), Sunfish
hybrid (n=2), and Largemouth Bass (n=1) (all first time collections). Lost -- Fathead Minnow (n=1)
Watershed -- drains southwestern McDowell County, including a small portion of the Town of Old Fort; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed.
Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 91 % forest and 5%
developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 97 to 91 %. Habitat -- moderate quality habitats; silty- and detritus -bottom pools from old
beaverdam activity and nonpoint runoff; cobble riffles at the upper end of the reach; nonpoint sources of sediment and nutrients; narrow riparian zones with
moderate bank erosion; cattle pastures along both banks; Total Habitat Score 66-78. Water Quality -- specific conductance, low to moderate, range 36-59
pS/cm. 2012 -- most fish (n=934) collected and greatest catch rate (25.2 fish/100 seconds shocking time) of any Catawba River basin site; most species
ever collected including five species of Sunfish, Bass, and Trout; as in previous two assessment cycles, only one intolerant species (Smallmouth Bass)
was collected; the community is trophically imbalanced with a very high Percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (55%, Central Stoneroller, Bluehead Chub,
Spottail Shiner, and White Sucker) indicative of nonpoint nutrient runoff, abundant periphyton, and sun -lit areas from an open canopy and narrow riparian
zones. 1997-2012 -- a moderately diverse community with 23 species known from the site including two intolerant species (Rainbow Trout and
Smallmouth Bass); dominant species is the Central Stoneroller; no appreciable change in water quality in the past 15 years. Recommendation -- based
upon all the data collected, the water quality has not changed in the past three cycles; continue to monitor this site in 2017 to determine possible nonpoint
source nutrient impacts from the adjacent riparian zones on the stream which is supplementally classified as Tr.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
CROOKED CR SR 1135 106/11/121 CF9 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MCDOWELL 30 1 03050101 1 35,60552-82.11167 11-12 Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 129.1 1 1387 1 17 1 0.4 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 75 25 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R6.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
16
9
14
6
6
6
10
5
5
82
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, bedrock, cobble, boulder
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
06/11 /12
2012-53
20
58
Excellent
05/24/07
2007-67
19
52
Good
04/30/02
2002-35
22
56
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 1 Bluehead Chub (n=114, 19%) Exotic Species Ismallmouth Bass (n=7)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained— Eastern Silvery Minnow (n=2), Notchlip Redhorse (n=10), Bluegill (n=3), and Smallmouth Bass
i(N=7). Lost -- Western Blacknose Dace (n=1), Flat Bullhead (n=1), and Brown Trout (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southwestern McDowell County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; extreme headwaters are in the Southern
Crystalline Ridges & Mountains Level IV ecoregion; tributary to the Catawba River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 83% forest and 11 % cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 94 to 83% and cultivated land has increased from 5 to 11 %. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; wide and shallow
channel; good pool at the beginning of the reach; excessive amount of silt in the pools and atop the rocks, except those in the riffles; Total Habitat Score
range 71-80. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 40-45 pS/cm. 2012 -- abundant, diverse, and trophically balanced community;
increase in the NCIBI score (but not the rating) was due to the addition of the intolerant Smallmouth Bass. 2002-2012 -- moderately diverse community
with 25 species known from the site, including three intolerant species (Fieryblack Shiner, Smallmouth Bass, and Piedmont Darter), but Fieryblack Shiner
has not been collected since 2002; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; has rated Excellent twice since 2002. Recommendation -- based upon all
the data collected, the water seems to be of high quality, however, the sediment sources for this stream should be identified by staff from the Asheville
Regional Office and reduced if possible; continue monitoring in 2017 at this regional reference site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
CROWDERS CR
SR 1108
104/25/121
CF10
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
GASTON 37
03050101 1 35.176388891 -81.21611111 11-135d
Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
40.7 650
8
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban
Visible Landuse (%) 75 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
0 25--recently logged
NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C)
12.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
9.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
117
pH (s.u.)
6.8
Water Clarity I Clear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
11
3
3
4
2
6
9
5
5
53
Sample ID
Substrate ISand
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratina
04/25/12
2012-17
17
50
Good
04/24/07
2007-27
12
40
Fair
05/22/02
2002-56
12
38
Fair
05/19/97
97-45
9
36
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Lima
Bluehead Chub (n=79, 25%) Exotic Species IYellow Perch (n=2, first collection ever)
Gained -- Eastern Mosquitofish (n=2), Pumpkinseed (n=1), and Yellow Perch (n=2) (first ever collections);
Rosyside Dace (n=1), Greenhead Shiner (n=1) Flat Bullhead (n=1), and Largemouth Bass (n=1). Lost -- Striped
Jumprock (n=1) and Warmouth (n=3).
Watershed -- drains central Gaston County, including portions of the municipal areas of Kings Mountain, Bessemer City, Gastonia, and the 1-85 corridor;
four small NPDES dischargers within the watershed (NC0004260, NC0062278, NC0086142, and NC0005177, Total Q,N = 0.800 MGD); tributary to Lake
Wylie (Catawba River). NCO062278 had consistent compliance issues dating from 2002; non-compliance increased in 2009-2010 with 10 civil penalties and
5 notices of violation; effective June 30, 2011, a settlement agreement required facility modifications; technical assistance was provided by staff from the
Mooresville Regional Office to help optimize operations and the WWTP met significant compliance by May 2012. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 50% forest, 9% cultivation, and 37% developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 58 to 50% and developed land has increased from 28 to 37%. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; wide
and very shallow channel with sandy runs, woody debris plunges and riffles; shallow side snags; eroding banks, but high quality riparian characteristics;
Total Habitat Score range 45-58. Water Quality -- specific conductance was the lowest ever measured in 2012 but still elevated, previous range 156-178
pS/cm. 2012 -- most fish (n=318) and species ever collected at this site; slightly lower diversity of suckers than expected as compared to the regional
reference sites; suckers were still absent (only one specimen of White Sucker and Striped Jumprock have ever been collected from the site); and there was
a low percentage of species with multiple age classes (41 %, indicative of unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often observed in streams that have
experience low flow). 1997-2012 -- moderate diversity for a stream of this size with 21 species known from the site, including 2 species darters, 2 species of
suckers, and 1 intolerant species (Highback Chub); a continually improving trophic structure with the omnivores+herbivores decreasing from 68-52-42-25%
and the insectivores increasing from 30-48-58-74% due to the increase in the number of Greenfin Shiner, Swallowtail Shiner, and Sandbar Shiner which all
prefer clear, sandy bottom streams; dominant species is the omnivores Bluehead Chub. Recommendation -- based upon all the physico-chemical data
collected, the NCIBI scores, and ratings, the water quality seems to have improved since 2007 in this increasingly urbanized watershed; continue monitoring
of this mixed-Ianduse watershed in 2017 to document changing Ianduse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
CURTIS CR US 70 106/07/121 CF112 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MCDOWELL 30 1 03050101 35.645-82.15916667 11-10 Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 16.7 1 1440 1 10 1 0.5 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 30 0 60 10 - industrial
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R5.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
18
12
16
8
7
6
8
4
5
89
Substrate lCobble, boulder, sand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/07/12
2012-49
15
56
Excellent
05/24/07
2007-68
20
60
Excellent
04/30/02
2002-34
19
60
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Warpaint Shiner and Redbreast Sunfish
(n=69 and 63, 17% and 15%, Exotic Species Smallmouth Bass (n=7) and Rainbow Trout
respectively) (n=1)
Gained -- none. Lost -- Fieryblack Shiner (n=1), Western Blacknose Dace (n=1), Brown Trout (n=8), Green
Sunfish (n=2), and Piedmont Darter (n=3).
-- drains northwest McDowell County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; most of the watershed is in the
Crystalline Ridges & Mountains Level IV ecoregion; tributary to the Catawba River, site is — 0.8 miles above the creek's confluence with the river.
Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 97% forest; since
1992 developed land has increased from < 01. to 2%, no other substantial change in landuse. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; no change in
stream and riparian habitats since last sampled in 2007; long, frequent riffles; deep main channel pools; undercuts and root mats; open canopy at bridge
and at the end of the reach; Kudzu along the left bank; Rhododendron, alder, and Dog Hobble along the right bank; Total Habitat Score range 82-89.
Water Quality -- specific conductance always low, the second lowest of any fish community site in the basin in 2012; specific conductance range 18-21
pS/cm. 2012 -- Percentage of Tolerant fish (17%, primarily Redbreast Sunfish) was greater than expected and had increased from 2007 levels (10%)
which may indicate a beginning change in water quality; four stocked Brown and one Rainbow Trout collected (208-365 mm and 288 mm TL, respectively).
2002-2012 -- moderately diverse community with 22 species known from the site, including 4 intolerant species (Fieryblack Shiner, Rainbow Trout,
Smallmouth Bass, and Piedmont Darter); dominant species are Warpaint Shiner and Central Stoneroller; consistently rated Excellent. Recommendation -
based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of very high quality in this stream that is supplementally classified as Tr, continue monitoring in
2017 at this regional reference site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
DROWNING CR SR 1647 10/09/12 1 CF72 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 32 03050101 35,7464914 81.4160128 11-52-(1) Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 114.7 1 962 6 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 55 1 40 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 12.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 50
pH (s.u.) 6.1
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid, became very turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Site Photograph
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
3
Riffle Habitat (16)
5
Pool Variety (10)
10
F
Erosion (7)
4—
s as
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
9
-
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
3
Total Habitat Score (100)
62
Substrate Bedrock, sand, silt, leaf deposits
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
10/09/12
2012-96
10
44
Good -Fair
05/21 /07
2007-56
12
1 44
1 Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Rosyside Dace (n=123, 47%) Exotic Species None have ever been collected from this site out
of 654 fish.
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- none. Lost -- Bluegill (n=2) and Largemouth Bass (n=1)
ua[a Ana
Watershed -- drains eastern Burke County, including the 1-40 and US 70 corridors; tributary to Lake Hickory (Catawba River), site is - 1.7 miles upstream
from the reservoir. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) --
36% forest, 21 % cultivation, 35% developed, and 5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 the forested land has decreased from 49 to 36% and the
developed land has increased from 24 to 35%. Habitat -- lower quality instream habitats; runs; bedrock shelves and plunge pools; deadfalls; entrenched
with moderate bank erosion; Total Habitat Score range 62-66. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 43-50 NS/cm; stream became very
turbid during sampling from walking in the channel, a possible indication of non -point source sediment. 2012 -- a more balanced trophic structure in 2012
than in 2007, but these improvements were offset by an absence of piscivores (despite the deep pools) and the loss of one species of sunfish; intolerant
species absent; total species diversity and diversities of darters and suckers were lower than expected compared to that at the regional reference sites.
2007 & 2012 -- a low diversity community of only 12 species including 2 species of suckers and 1 species of darters; intolerant species are absent;
dominant species are Bluehead Chub and Rosyside Dace; community is affected by flow extremes (i.e., hydrologically flashy stream typical of increasingly
urbanized watersheds; the discharge and the gage height at the USGS gage for the Lower Little River near All Healing Springs rose from - 18 cfs to >
3,000 cfs and from - 1 ft. to 13 ft. on May 14-15, 2012; this was the greatest flow recorded from January 01, 2008 through October 15, 2012 and very low
flows in 2007, in June -July 2008, and in late summer 2011) and by limited avenues for colonization or recolonization by some species because of proximity
to the reservoir. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, there was no change in water quality between the two cycles; however, the
amount of sediment in the stream appears excessive and sediment sources for this stream should be investigated by staff from the Asheville Regional
Office and reduced if possible; continue monitoring in 2017 to document changing landuse practices in this increasingly urbanized watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
F7774FCK CR
I
NC 90
105/22/121
CF13
I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
ALEXANDER
32 1 03050101 1
35.917777781 -81.31277778 11-62-2-(1)
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi)
Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr
14.6
1116
8
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland
Rural Residential
Agriculture
Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 70 30
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
0 0
NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None
I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 45
pH (s.u.) 6.3
Water Clarity I Clear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
16
6
10
4
3
6
9
5
2
66
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, gravel, cobble
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/22/12
2012-33
11
44
Good -Fair
04/26/07
2007-35
11
48
Good
05/23/02
2002-60
10
48
Good
05/08/97
97-40
10
48
Good
05/11 /93
93-20
10
40
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
head Chub (n=212, 42%) Exotic Species
F
Gained -- Flat Bullhead (n=1) and Green Sunfish (n=2).
Green Sunfish (n=2, first time collected), second
exotic species ever collected out of 3,169 fish
�(0.1%)
Lost -- Fathead Minnow (n=4) and White Sucker (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains the northeast portion of the Brushy Mountains in western Alexander and eastern Caldwell counties including the Eastern Blue Ridge
Foothills; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Middle Little River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 83% forest and 11 % cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 94 to 83% and cultivated land has increased from 6 to 11 %. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; large deadfalls
obstructing the channel; severe bank erosion; cobble and gravel riffles; channel filled with sand and gravel; undercut banks; high water previous week (the
discharge and the gage height at the USGS gage for the Lower Little River near All Healing Springs rose from — 18 cfs to > 3,000 cfs and from — 1 ft. to 13 ft.
on May 14-15, 2012; this was the greatest flow recorded from January 01, 2008 through June 01, 2012), debris deposited out into the flood plain along the
right bank; forested bluff on the left bank; cattle continued to be fenced out of the stream along the right bank; Total Habitat Score range 56-77. Water
Quality - specific conductance low -moderate, range 35-45 pS/cm. 2012 -- lower species diversity and diversities of suckers, sunfish, and darters than
expected compared to the regional reference site; the trophic structure which had been gradually improving declined which may indicate an increase in the
nonpoint source nutrient runoff and increase in periphyton. 1993-2012 -- an abundant, but species -poor community (which seems to be the natural condition
in the Lower Little River system), only 14 species known from the site including 2 intolerant species (Highback Chub and Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma
thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species which has not been collected since 2002) and 2 species of darters (Carolina Fantail Darter and Seagreen Darter);
Tessellated Darter, trout, and piscivores have never been collected from this site; dominant species are Bluehead Chub and Greenhead Shiner.
Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected and even though the NCIBI rating declined slightly, there was no substantial change in water quality;
continue to monitor this predominantly forested watershed in 2017 to document nonpoint source impacts and changing Ianduse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
E FK TWELVEMILE CR SR 1008
04/24/12 CF60
Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
UNION 38 1 03050103 1
34,963781-80.710425 11-138-2
Carolina Slate Belt
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil)
Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 41.7
512
9
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Visible Landuse (%) 95 5
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
0 0
NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None
---
---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 11.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 220
pH (s.u.) 6.1
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
13
Bottom Substrate (15)
4
Riffle Habitat (16)
5
Pool Variety (10)
6
Erosion (7)
2 a
Bank Vegetation (7)
7
Light Penetration (10)
10 >.1
Left Riparian Score (5)
5 #.�.
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
62 Substrate
Sample Date
Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/24/12
2012-13
15
44
Good -Fair
04/23/07
1 2007-24
14
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=61, 30%) 1 Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=2)
Gained -- Golden Shiner (n=3), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=2), and Largemouth Bass (n=2). Lost -- Creek Chub
(n=3) and Creek Chubsucker (n=2).
Watershed -- drains southwestern Union County west of the City of Monroe; no NPDES dischargers or municipalities in the watershed; tributary to
Twelvemile Creek (and ultimately the Catawba River); site is part of the NC Natural Heritage Program's East Fork Twelvemile Creek Aquatic Habitat
Significant Natural Heritage Area. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5%
are reported) -- 42% forest, 33% cultivation, and 21 % developed; since 1992 the forested land has decreased from 50 to 42% and the developed land has
increased from 6 to 21 %. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; deeply entrenched with eroding banks and blowouts, undercut banks absent; coarse
woody debris; shallow gravelly runs; snag pools along the edges; shallow stick and gravel riffles; Total Habitat Score range 62-66. Water Quality --
specific conductance very high for a stream with no known WWTP dischargers; the second highest of any fish community site in the Catawba River basin,
range 180-220 pS/cm, groundwater source is naturally elevated, a town by the name of Mineral Springs is within the watershed. 2012 -- the percentage of
tolerant fish was moderate (35%, primarily due to the abundance of Redbreast Sunfish); a low percentage of species with multiple age classes, indicative
of unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often observed in streams that experience very low flow; 14 specimens of the Carolina Darter (Etheostoma
collis, a state Special Concern Species) were collected (47 were collected in 2007). Although flows appeared normal during sampling, at nearby Waxhaw
Creek, between April 2011-May 2012, there were 12 high flow storm events where water levels rose at least 5 ft and flows increased from 0-700 cfs; in
2012 there were four such events between January and May and in April one such event occurred - 2 weeks before sampling where the creek rose 7 ft.
and flows went from 2 cfs to 500 cfs. The drastically, but naturally changing flows of several orders of magnitude undoubtedly impacts the fish community.
2007 & 2012 -- low diversity for a stream of its size with 17 species known from the site including 2 species of suckers and 2 species of darters; intolerant
species are absent; dominant species is the omnivorous Bluehead Chub. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, even though the NCIBI
score and rating declined slightly only a 4 point decline), the water quality has not changed; continue monitoring in 2017 to document changing landuse
practices in this increasingly urbanized watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
ELK SHOAL CR SR 1605 105/21/121 CF15 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
ALEXANDER 32 03050101 35,81019 81.09854 11-73-(0.5) Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 113.8 1 878 5 0.3 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 20 0 80 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 70
pH (s.u.) 6.6
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
11
3
2
4
1
6
9
3
3
47
Substrate ISand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/21 /12
2012-29
10
44
Good -Fair
05/23/02
2002-57
10
48
Good
05/09/97
97-43
14
54
Excellent
05/11 /93
93-22
11
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Creek Chub (n=53, 49%) Exotic Species Redlip Shiner (n=5)
Gained -- Redlip Shiner (n=5). Lost -- Greenhead Shiner (n=13).
Watershed -- drains southeastern Alexander County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Lookout Shoals Reservoir
(Catawba River), site is - 3.3 miles upstream of confluence with the reservoir. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 39% forest, 50% cultivation, and 5% developed;
since 1992 forested has decreased from 53 to 39%, cultivated land has increased from 46 to 50%, and developed land has increased from <0.1 to 5%.
Habitat -- very low quality instream and riparian habitats; evidence of very high water from the previous week's bankfull event (the discharge and the gage
height at the USGS gage for the Lower Little River near All Healing Springs rose from - 18 cfs to > 3,000 cfs and from - 1 ft. to 13 ft. on May 14-15, 2012;
this was the greatest flow recorded from January 01, 2008 through June 01, 2012). Fresh deadfalls; high debris line and debris deposited onto the flood
plain; severely eroding banks; narrow riparian zones; Total Habitat Score range 47-51. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 54-70
pS/cm. 2012 -- fewest fish ever collected and fewer than expected total species diversity and diversity of sunfish compared to that at regional reference
sites; very high Percent Tolerant Fish (58%, primarily Creek Chub which can become dominant in headwater streams that are subject to extremes in
flows). 1993-2012 -- moderately diverse community with 16 species known from the site, including 3 species of suckers and 1 intolerant species
(Highback Chub); only 1 species of sunfish (Redbreast Sunfish) has been collected since 1997 and only one was collected in 2012, Largemouth Bass,
Green Sunfish, and Bluegill have been missing; dominant species are Bluehead Chub and Creek Chub; community is affected by flow extremes (very low
flows experienced in June -July 2008 and late summer 2011) and by limited avenues for colonization or recolonization by some species because of
proximity to the reservoir. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water quality has declined between 1997 and 2012; continue to
monitor this predominantly agricultural watershed in 2017 to document nonpoint source impacts.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
FORNEY CR SR 1386 05/02/12 CF63 Poor
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
LINCOLN 33 03050101 1 35,447382-81.010887 11-119-2-3 Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 17.8 1 695 1 6 1 0.2 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 70 1 5 1 0 25 -- WWTP
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
Lincoln County's Forney Creek WWTP NCO074012 0.975
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 57.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Clear, easily silted
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
8
3
1
2
2
7
10
5
5
48
Substrate Sand, It
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/02/12 2012-23 11 34 Poor
04/25/07 2007-32 11 1 40 1 Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 ISpeckled Killifish (n=33, 32%) Exotic Species JRedlip Shiner (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Largemouth Bass (n=1). Lost -- Redear Shiner and Carolina Fantail Darter (n=1 each).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains eastern Lincoln County, west of NC 16; no municipalities in the watershed, although suburban use is present; site is immediately
downstream from the WWTP that provides all of the summer base flow to the creek (7Q10 = 0.6 MGD); tributary to Killian Creek. Landuse 2006 (from
USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 53% forest, 12% cultivation, 25%
developed, and 7% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992, forested land has decreased from 86 to 53% and developed land has increased from 2 to 25%.
Habitat -- same habitats as in 2007: low quality instream habitats; channel filled with sediment; riffles created by sticks in the current; wide and forested
riparian zones; Total Habitat Score range 48-50. Water Quality -- elevated specific conductance due to discharge, range 164-180 pS/cm; flow at — 50% of
median flow (based upon USGS gage site on Killian Creek near Mariposa). 2012 -- many metrics indicative of a impaired community: low fish abundance,
an absence of suckers and intolerant species, a moderate percentage of tolerant fish, trophically imbalanced with too few Omnivores+Herbivores (only 2%,
two Bluehead Chub), and a low percentage of species with multiple age classes (36%) which suggests unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often
observed in streams that experience very low flow. 2007 & 2012 -- moderate diversity for a stream of its size, but suckers and intolerant species are
absent; dominant species are Bluegill and Speckled Killifish; stream appears to experience dramatic extremes in flows (e.g., high flows in winter 2010 with
flows 9 ft. above median height and with flows between 2,000-3,000 cfs in winter 2010 and very low flows < 2 cfs in summer 2008 and summer 2011).
Recommendation -- poor quality instream habitats, sedimentation, changing watershed landuse practices, and WWTP discharge, more so than the flow
extremes, resulted in the Poor NCIBI rating; based upon all the data collected, the water quality seemed to have declined further; unless watershed
management projects are implemented, future assessments in 2017 of this increasingly urbanized and WWTP-Impacted watershed maybe unnecessary.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
GLADE CR SR 1610 105/21/121 CF64 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
ALEXANDER 32 1 03050101 1 35.8533371 -81.183432 11-69-7-(0.7) Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 112.7 1 919 1 9 1 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 20 1 80 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 19.3
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 60
pH (s.u.) 6.9
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
16
8
10
8
5
6
8
3
3
72
Site Photograph
Substrate lBedrock, cobble, gravel, sand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/21 /12 2012-30 15 58 Excellent
04/26/07 2007-34 14 1 54 1 Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Redlip Shiner (n=118, 30%) Exotic Species Mountain Redbelly Dace (n=2, first collection
ever) and Redlip Shiner (n=118).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Mountain Redbelly Dace; Notchlip Redhorse, Sunfish hybrid, and Largemouth Bass, n=1 each. Lost
- Fieryblack Shiner (n=2) and Flat Bullhead (n=1).
ua[a Anmysis
Watershed --drains the southeastern portion of the Town of Taylorsville and south central Alexander County; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed;
tributary to the Lower Little River; site is - 0.4 miles above the creek's confluence; confluence is flanked by Millersville Dam upstream and North State
Dam downstream. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) --
33% forest, 47% cultivation, and 15% developed; since 1992, the forested land has decreased from 47 to 33% and developed land has increased from 4
to 15%. Habitat -- moderate quality instream and riparian habitats; bedrock riffles, shelves, and plunges throughout; runs and some snags; open canopy
at beginning of the reach; bluff on the right bank; evidence of bankfull high water; livestock crossing from one bank to the other in the mid -reach; Total
Habitat Score range 72-79. Water Quality -- specific conductance range 49-60 pS/cm. 2012 -- diverse and abundant community for a stream of its size;
only metric not to achieve the maximum score of "5" was the Percentage of Piscivores; piscivores are probably limited by the lack of deep pools. 2007 &
2012 -- a naturally low species diversity community (which seems to be the case for many streams in the Little River and Lower Little River systems
because of the numerous downstream impoundments and dams, current and historical, which impede upstream recolonization of the streams); only 17
species known from the site; including two intolerant species (Fieryblack Shiner and Highback Chub), dominant species is the Redlip Shiner, a nonnative
species that has displaced the native and ecologically similar Greenhead Shiner. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected and even though
the NCIBI score increased slightly, the water quality continues to be of high quality; continue monitoring in 2017 to document any further changes in
landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
GRAGG PRONG SR 1367 06/05/12 CH 6 Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
CALDWELL 31 03050101 36,0463252 81.7074049 11-38-10 Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 14.9 1 1335 9 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 80 10 0 10--nursery
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.6
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 33
pH (s.u.) 6.8
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
18
13
16
10
7
6
8
5
5
93
Site Photograph
Substrate lCobble, boulder, bedrock, gravel
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/05/12
2012-45
16
56
Excellent
05/22/07
2007-59
17
60
Excellent
05/25/99
99-37
18
56
Excellent
10/01 /98
98-79
17
56
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Fieryblack Shiner and Central Stoneroller
(n=113 and 103, 26% and 24%, Exotic Species Rock Bass (n=3) and Smallmouth Bass (n=13)
respectively).
Gained -- Flat Bullhead (n=2) and Rock Bass (n=3). Lost -- White Sucker (n=8), Rainbow Trout (n=8), and
Brown Trout (n=22).
Watershed -- drains northwestern Caldwell County, including a portion of the Southern Metasedimentary Mountains Level IV ecoregion and Pisgah
National Forest lands; no municipalities or NDPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Johns River, site is — 0.4 miles upstream from
confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are
reported) -- 93% forest; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 99 to 93% and developed land has increased from 0.1 to 4%. Habitat -- very high
quality instream and riparian habitats; no change in habitats since last sampled in 2007; deep plunge pools and swift chutes; abundant long and wide
riffles; old mill site along the right bank; recent high water event evident; Total Habitat Score range 84-95. Water Quality -- specific conductance low,
range 29-33 pS/cm. 2012 -- diverse, abundant and trophically balanced community, one stocked Rainbow Trout (285 mm TL) collected. 1998-2012 --
moderate level of diversity with 22 species known from the site, including 5 intolerant species (Fieryblack Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth
Bass, Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species); dominant species is the Central Stoneroller; consistently rated Excellent.
Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of very high quality; continue monitoring in 2017 at this regional reference
site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
HENRY FK SR 1922 105/24/121 CF18 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 35 03050102 35,66194444 81.63611111 11-129-1-(2) Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;ORW 1 19.1 1 1215 13 0.4 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 60 0 40 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 16.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 24
pH (s.u.) 6.5
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
18
8
16
8
7
6
10
5
4
87
Site Photograph
Substrate JBedrock, cobble, gravel, sand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/24/12
2012-39
11
48
1 Good
05/23/07
2007-63
13
54
Excellent
09/28/98
98-72
12
52
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Central Stoneroller and Fieryblack Shiner (n=41 and 40, 19% each) Exotic Species Rock Bass (n=9) and Smallmouth Bass (n=15)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Sandbar Shiner (n=1). Lost --Spottail Shiner (n=6), White Sucker (n=1), and Carolina Fantail Darter
(n=4)
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southeast Burke County including the South Mountains State Park; headwater site; no municipalities in the watershed; Henry Fork
and Jacob Fork join to form the South Fork Catawba River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only
landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 91 % forest; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 99 to 91 %. Habitat -- high quality instream and riparian
habitats; abundant bedrock plunges; undercuts and side snags; riffles wide and long; moderately embedded substrate; Total Habitat Score Range 87-90.
Water Quality -- specific conductance very low, range 24-28 pS/cm. 2012 -- fewest species and fish ever collected at this site and an unusually low
number of fish (n=211) for a mountain stream; number of fish collected decreased by one-half between 2007 and 2012; four intolerant species collected.
Flows during the Summer 2011 drought were as low as 3cfs (USGS gage on Jacob Fork at Ramsey) which may have still impacted the community in 2012
and then in mid -May 2012, the greatest high -flow event in 5 years occurred (— 3,000 cfs, 13 ft. deep); these two events undoubtedly had more of an impact
on the community rather than any change in water quality. 1998-2012 -- low level of diversity for a stream of this size with only 15 species known from the
site, including 4 intolerant species (Fieryblack Shiner, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare
species); dominant species is the omnivorous Bluehead Chub. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of high
quality in this stream supplementally classified as ORW; continue monitoring at this regional reference site in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
HOWARDS CR SR 1185 105/01/121 CF61 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
LINCOLN 35 03050102 35,49612 81.31968 11-129-4 Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 126.1 1 767 9 0.5 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 25 0 75 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 21.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 5.6
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 63
pH (s.u.) 6.4
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Site Photograph
Channel Modification (5)
4
Instream Habitat (20)
9
Bottom Substrate (15)
2
Riffle Habitat (16)
3
Pool Variety (10)
8
Erosion (7)
5
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
10
Left Riparian Score (5)
2
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
51
Substrate Sand, silt
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/01 /12
2012-21
1 18
52
Good
04/24/07
2007-28
1 20
1 48
1 Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Bluehead Chub (n=39, 23%) Exotic Species Green Sunfish (n=2) and Redear Sunfish (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Golden Shiner (n=1) and Notchlip Redhorse (n=3). Lost -- White Sucker (n=1), Warmouth (n=1),
Bluegill (n=1), and Piedmont Darter (n=1).
ua[a Anmysis
Watershed -- drains northwest Lincoln County and the extreme southwestern portion of Catawba County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the
watershed; tributary to the South Fork Catawba River, site is — 2.8 miles above the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 39% forest, 49% cultivation, and 6% developed;
since 1992 cultivated land has decreased from 57 to 49%. Habitat -- lower quality instream and riparian habitats; straight channel of uniform depth;
primarily a run -pool with one gravel riffles/chute; riparian zones were only one tree -wide; Total Habitat Score range 51-52. Water Quality -- specific
conductance moderate, range 54-63 pS/cm. 2012 -- slight improvements in the percentages of tolerant fish, Omnivores+Herbivores, and insectivores
resulted in the slight increase in the NCIBI score, but not the rating; no substantial change in water quality. 2007 & 2012 -- fairly diverse for a stream of its
size, 22 species are known from the site, including 2 intolerant species (Piedmont Darter and Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly
Rare species), 3 species of darters, and 6 species of sunfish; despite having pools Piscivores were absent; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; a NC
Ecosystem Enhancement Program local watershed action plan has been developed for the Howard Creek and Indian Creek watersheds
(http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/eep/rbrps/catawba). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of good quality in this
agricultural watershed; continue monitoring in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
HOYLE CR SR 1836 04/25/12 CF19 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GASTON 35 03050102 35.335-81.13361111 11-129-15-(6) Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 127.5 1 695 1 6 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 20 0 80 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R6.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
12
3
5
6
4
7
10
5
3
60
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, some coarse gravel
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/25/12
2012-16
22
52
Good
05/31 /06
2006-67
15
40
Fair
05/22/02
2002-53
15
42
Good -Fair
06/12/97
97-59
14
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluehead Chub (n=112, 37%) 1Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=1)
Gained -- Golden Shiner (n=1), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=1), and Seagreen Darter (first collections ever),
Greenhead Shiner (n23), Whitefin Shiner (n=3), Flat Bullhead (n=4), Carolina Fantail Darter (n=1), and
Piedmont Darter (n=3). Lost -- Warmouth (n=2) and Sunfish hybrid (n=1).
Watershed -- drains south central Lincoln and north central Gaston counties, west of the Town of Stanley; two small permitted dischargers within the
watershed (NC0020036 and NC0080195, Total Qw = 0.5 MGD); tributary to the South Fork Catawba River; site is - 0.4 miles above the creek's confluence
with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/strearnstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 52%
forest, 26% cultivation, 16% developed, and 5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 60 to 52%. Habitat -- lower quality
instream habitats; a few coarse gravel riffles; sandy runs; log plunges; scattered boulders; Total Habitat Score range 50-60. Water Quality -- specific
conductance moderate, range 68-88 pS/cm. 2012 -- community had recovered from the setback documented in 2006 that was due to post -hurricane
flooding in 2004; most species (n=22) collected at any Catawba River basin site; however, the abundance of Omnivores+Herbivores (primarily Bluehead
Chub) continues to indicate elevated nutrients from nonpoint runoff; and a low percentage of species with multiple age classes (41 %), indicative of
unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often observed in streams that experience very low flow. 1997-2012 -- high diversity for a stream of its size with 26
species, including 4 species of darters and 3 intolerant species (Highback Chub, Piedmont Darter, and Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a
Significantly Rare species); dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; community is affected by flow extremes (e.g. low in 2002 and high in 2004) and by
limited avenues for recolonization by some species (i.e., Highback Chub, Greenhead Shiner, and Piedmont Darter) from the downstream and impounded
South Fork Catawba River; sampled in 2006 as part of a Catawba River Basin Biological TMDL Study (Biological Assessment Unit Memorandum F-
20061207). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the fish community has recovered, continue monitoring of this mixed-landuse
watershed in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
F777KFSH CR
I SR 1439
105/24/121
CF22
I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 1
31 1 03050101 1 35.81665131 -81.747872 11-35-3-(2)b
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
W S-111
32.0 1 1026
8
0.3 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban
Agriculture
Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 1 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
75 0
NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None
I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 19.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 37
pH (s.u.) 6.3
Water Clarity I Clear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
9
4
0
7
4
3
5
2
2
41
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, gravel
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/24/12
1 2012-41
15
44
Good -Fair
05/22/07
1 2007-61
21
54
Excellent
07/30/03
2003-48
13
40
Fair
05/02/02
2002-42
17
38
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Greenfin Shiner (n=26, 21 %) Exotic Species Rock Bass (n=2), Green Sunfish (n=3),
Smallmouth Bass (n=1), and Yellow Perch (n=1)
Gained -- V-lip Redhorse and Green Sunfish (n=3 each, first collections ever), and Rock Bass (n=2) and Yellow
Perch (n=1). Lost -- Central Stoneroller (n=25), Rosyside Dace (n=4), Greenhead Shiner (n=1), Striped
Jumprock (n=1), Margined Madtom (n=5), Warmouth (n=1), Largemouth Bass (n=1), Carolina Fantail Darter
(n=4), Seagreen Darter (n=2), and Piedmont Darter (n=2).
Watershed -- drains north -central Burke County, including the Southern Metasedimentary Mountains, Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills, and Northern Inner
Piedmont Level IV Ecoregions; headwaters within the Pisgah National Forest; no municipalities in the watershed; one NPDES discharger (NC0040754, Q. =
0.0075 MGD) located in the headwaters of Roses Creek -a tributary to Irish Creek; Irish Creek is a tributary to Warrior Fork, site is — 1 mile upstream from the
creek's confluence with Warrior Fork. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5%
are reported) -- 84% forest and 6% cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 96 to 84%, developed land has increased from <0.1 to 3%, and
cultivated land (nurseries) has increased from 3 to 6%. Habitat -- very low quality instream and riparian habitats; shallow gravel runs; bank stabilization
placed along the left bank; narrow riparian zones provided little canopy; entrenched, riffles absent and channel filled with sediment for bar development; Total
Habitat Score range 34-50. Water Quality -- specific conductance low, range 30-37 pS/cm. 2012 -- an unusually low number (n=123) of fish were collected
for a mountain stream (as was the case in earlier years, range 52-194); total species diversity, diversity of darters (with the loss of three species), and
number of intolerant species were lower than expected compared to that at the regional reference sites; a net loss of six species between 2007 and 2012 (10
species lost plus 4 species gained), the percentage of tolerant fish (22%) was moderately high for a mountain stream. 2002-2012 -- moderately high level of
diversity for a stream of this size with 28 species known from the site including 5 species of suckers, 4 intolerant species (Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass,
Piedmont Darter and Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species), and 4 species of darters; proximity to Warrior Fork may
positively influence recolonization and upstream dispersal of some species; dominant species is Tessellated Darter. Recommendation -- based upon the
data collected, the water quality has declined; continue to monitor this site in 2017 to document changing landuse practices and to determine nonpoint
impacts from the adjacent riparian zones.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
JACOB FK I SR 1924 105/24/121 CF24 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 35 1 03050102 1 35.590555561 -81.56722222 1 11-129-2-(4) Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-III;ORW 25.7 1 1125 1 10 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 1 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C)
16.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
9.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
22
pH (s.u.)
5.5
Water Clarity I Clear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
18
10
15
10
7
7
10
5
5
92
Substrate JCobble, boulder, gravel, sand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/24/12
2012-38
15
52
1 Good
05/03/99
99-28
19
54
1 Excellent
09/28/98
98-73
16
52
Good
05/06/97
97-33
22
56
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Lima
Bluehead Chub and Margined Madtom
(n=39 and 31, 22% and 19%,
respectively)
Exotic Species Rock Bass (n=5) and Smallmouth Bass (n=1)
Gained -- Flat Bullhead (n=1, first collection ever), Greenfin Shiner (n=3), and Smallmouth Bass (n=1). Lost --
Rosyside Dace (n=1), Creek Chub (n=1), Thicklip Chub (n=4), Greenhead Shiner (n=2), Spottail Shiner (n=6),
Rainbow Trout (n=1), and Piedmont Darter (n=3).
Watershed -- drains southeast Burke County including the South Mountains State Park; headwater site; no municipalities in the watershed; one small
NPDES discharger (NC0036935, Qw = 0.0696 MGD) located — 1.3 miles upstream; Henry Fork and Jacob Fork join to form the South Fork Catawba River;
site is part of the NC Natural Heritage Program's Jacob Fork/South Fork Catawba Aquatic Habitat Significant Natural Heritage Area; a USGS gage site.
Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 91 % forest.; since
1992 forested land has decreased from 97 to 91 %. Habitat -- very high quality instream and riparian habitats; riffles (wide and long), pools with a deeper
pool at the end of the reach; no change in habitats since 1999; Total Habitat Score range 85-92. Water Quality -- specific conductance very low, range 15-
25 pS/cm. 2012 -- fewest species and fish ever collected and unusually low (n=180) for a mountain stream; five intolerant species collected; although the
trout fishery in the reach is not managed, the reach is downstream from Delayed Harvest Trout Waters and one stocked Brown Trout (288 mm TL) and two
stocked Rainbow Trout (303 & 304 mm TL) were collected. Flows during the Summer 2011 drought were as low as 3 cfs which may have still impacted the
community in 2012 and then in mid -May 2012, the greatest high -flow event in 5 years occurred (— 3,000 cfs, 13 ft. deep); these two events undoubtedly had
more of an impact on the community rather than any change in water quality. 1997-2012 -- moderate level of diversity with 24 species known from the site,
including 7 intolerant species (Fieryblack Shiner, Thicklip Chub, Thinlip Chub, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma
thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species); dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; consistently rates a high Good -Excellent. Recommendation -- based
upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of very high quality; continue monitoring in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
JOHNS R off SR 1367 06/05/12 CF73 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
CALDWELL 31 03050101 36,0517131 81.70123 11-38-(1) Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 18.4 1 1355 11 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 75 0 0 25--RV park
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 43
pH (s.u.) 6.7
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Site Photograph
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
16
Bottom Substrate (15)
12
Riffle Habitat (16)
16�
Pool Variety (10)
10
_
Erosion (7)
7
~
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
y'
Light Penetration (10)
5
�'� •. "'~
Left Riparian Score (5)
4
Right Riparian Score (5)
3
Total Habitat Score (100)
84
Substrate Cobble, boulder
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
06/05/12
2012-46
19
50
Good
05/22/07
2007-60
17
1 56
1 Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Central Stoneroller (n=300) Exotic Species Rock Bass (n=2), Smallmouth Bass (n=10),
Rainbow Trout (n=3), and Brown Trout (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Sandbar Shiner (n=2), Bluegill (n=8), Rock Bass (n=2), and Seagreen Darter (n=3). Lost -- Notchlip
Redhorse and Flat Bullhead (n=3 each).
ua[a Anmysis
Watershed -- headwater site that drains northwestern Caldwell County, including a portion of the Southern Metasedimentary Mountains Level IV ecoregion
and Pisgah National Forest lands; no municipalities in the watershed; one new NPDES facility (NC0087963, Qw = 0.05 MGD) now discharging to the
headwaters of Thunderhole Creek in the river's extreme headwaters. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 93% forest; no substantial change in watershed
landuse since 1992. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; frequent wide riffles and runs; deep plunge pools; clean rocks but with no Podostemum
growths; no change in instream habitats since last sampled in 2007. However, since 2007 there has been recent widening of the road, shoulder, and road
slope along the left bank; land -disturbing activity including logging and nursery construction above the reach on the left; trout pond discharge and RV park
along the right bank; recent high water event; Total Habitat Score range 84-90. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 42-43 pS/cm.
2012 -- 6 species of Sunfish, Bass, and Trout and 5 intolerant species collected; Bluegill most likely came from overflows from the RV park ponds; the
Percentage of Tolerant Fish (3%) was the lowest of any site in the Catawba River basin; the decline in the NCIBI score and NCIBI rating was due to the
abundance and dominance of Central Stoneroller (a Herbivore), a species that can become very abundant in mountain streams as a response to increase
nonpoint nutrient inputs, land disturbing activities including the opening -up of the riparian canopy, and greater growths of the periphyton; substantial
declines noted in Carolina Fantail Darter (20% to 4%) and Bluehead Chub (14% to 4%). 2007 & 2012 -- moderate diversity for a stream of its size with 21
species known from the site including 5 Intolerant Species (Fieryblack Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Seagreen Darter,
Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species) and 3 species of suckers; dominant species is the Central Stoneroller. Recommendation -- based
upon all the data collected, there appeared to be a slight decline in water quality; continue monitoring of this regional reference site in 2017 to determine if
the declines in rating and water quality are persistent.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
F77WOAN CR I NC 73 105/29/1361 CF25 I Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
LINCOLN 33 1 03050101 1 35.4541871 -81.033716 11-119-2-(0.5) Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 12.4 690 8 0.2 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 70 0 30 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 21.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.9
Specific Conductance (µS/cm) 136
pH (s.u.) 6.9
Water Clarity I Clear, easily silted
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
9
3
2
3
5
6
8
2
2
44
Substrate ISand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratina
05/29/13
2013-33
9
36
Far
05/02/12
2012-24
9
36
Not Rated (Fair)
04/25/07
2007-31
14
52
Good
05/21/02
2002-49
10
46
Good -Fair
05/20/97
97-47
16
52
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 ISpeckled Killifish (n=141, 55%) Exotic Species Redlip Shiner (n=5)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- none. Lost -- Golden Shiner (n=10), White Sucker (n=2), Striped Jumprock (n=2), Flat Bullhead
(n=3), and Green Sunfish (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains east-southeast Lincoln County; watershed is between Forney and Anderson creeks; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the
watershed; tributary to Dutchmans Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_
5% are reported) -- 61 % forest, 15% cultivation, and 17% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 80 to 61 % and developed land has
increased from 2 to 17% including new subdivisions and a golf course. Habitat -- very low quality instream habitats; shallow pools and runs; side snags;
sticks in the current; riparian zones were very narrow (only one tree -wide); Total Habitat Score range 40-57. Water Quality -- specific conductance
continues to increase, the 2012 measurement was the greatest recorded; previous measurements of 86, 131, and 117 µS/cm. 2012 -- flow at — 50% of
median flow (based upon USGS gage site on Killian Creek near Mariposa); fewest species ever collected including no intolerant species and no suckers;
very altered trophic structure (3% omnivores+herbivores and 97% insectivores); lowest NCIBI rating ever recorded. 1997-2012 -- moderate diversity for a
stream of its size, 19 species are known from the site, but intolerant species (e.g., Highback Chub and Seagreen Darter) are absent; dominant species is
Speckled Killifish, a species adapted to warm, clear, shallow and sandy bottom streams and whose abundance has increased from 4 to 42 to 10 to 55%
since 1997; trophic structure has changed over the past 15 years with the omnivores+herbivores decreasing from 34-24-17-3% and insectivores increasing
from 65-76-83-97%, no piscivores have been collected since 1997 probably due to the rarity of deep pools; stream appears to experience dramatic extremes
in flows (e.g., high flows in winter 2010 with flows 9 ft. above median height and with flows between 2,000-3,000 cfs and very low flows < 2 cfs in summer
2008 and summer 2011). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, there appeared to be a decline in water quality, but the stream is also low
flow -affected and the lowest ratings have been recorded during droughts in 2002 and 2012; because the flows negatively affected the community perhaps
more so than an actual change in water quality, until verified, community should be considered Not Rated in 2012; consideration should be given to re -
sampling in 2013 under more normal flow conditions; and continue to monitor in 2017 to document changing landuse practices. Note: site was re -sampled
in 2013 and it was rated Fair with the fewest fish ever collected (n=158); most abundant species was the Speckled Killifish (n=103, 65%); only one specimen
of one species of sucker was collected; intolerant species were absent as were piscivores; specific conductance was 154 µS/cm indicative of nonpoint
runoff; Total Habitat Score = 42.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
KILLIAN CR
I
NC 73
105/02/121
CF25
I Not Rated (Fair)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
LINCOLN 33 1 03050101 1
35.4541871
-81.033716 11-119-2-(0.5)
Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil)
Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 12.4
1 690
1 8
0.2 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 70 0 30 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 21.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 136
pH (s.u.) 6.9
Water Clarity I Clear, easily silted
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
9
3
2
3
5
6
8
2
2
44
Substrate ISand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/02/12
1 2012-24
9
36
Not Rated (Fair)
04/25/07
1 2007-31
14
52
Good
05/21/02
2002-49
10
46
Good -Fair
05/20/97
97-47
16
52
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 ISpeckled Killifish (n=141, 55%) Exotic Species I Redlip Shiner (n=5)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- none. Lost -- Golden Shiner (n=10), White Sucker (n=2), Striped Jumprock (n=2), Flat Bullhead
(n=3), and Green Sunfish (n=1).
uaca
Watershed -- drains east-southeast Lincoln County; watershed is between Forney and Anderson creeks; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the
watershed; tributary to Dutchmans Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_
5% are reported) -- 61 % forest, 15% cultivation, and 17% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 80 to 61 % and developed land has
increased from 2 to 17%. Habitat -- very low quality instream habitats; shallow pools and runs; side snags; sticks in the current; riparian zones were very
narrow (only one tree -wide); Total Habitat Score range 40-57. Water Quality -- specific conductance continues to increase, the 2012 measurement was the
greatest recorded; previous measurements of 86, 131, and 117 pS/cm. 2012 -- flow at — 50% of median flow (based upon USGS gage site on Killian Creek
near Mariposa); fewest species ever collected including no intolerant species and no suckers; very altered trophic structure (3% omnivores+herbivores and
97% insectivores); lowest NCIBI rating ever recorded. 1997-2012 -- moderate diversity for a stream of its size, 19 species are known from the site, but
intolerant species (e.g., Highback Chub and Seagreen Darter) are absent; dominant species is Speckled Killifish, a species adapted to warm, clear, shallow
and sandy bottom streams and whose abundance has increased from 4 to 42 to 10 to 55% since 1997; trophic structure has changed over the past 15 years
with the omnivores+herbivores decreasing from 34-24-17-3% and insectivores increasing from 65-76-83-97%, no piscivores have been collected since 1997
probably due to the rarity of deep pools; stream appears to experience dramatic extremes in flows (e.g., high flows in winter 2010 with flows 9 ft. above
median height and with flows between 2,000-3,000 cfs and very low flows < 2 cfs in summer 2008 and summer 2011). Recommendation -- based upon all
the data collected, there appeared to be a decline in water quality, but the stream is also low flow -affected and the lowest ratings have been recorded during
droughts in 2002 and 2012; because the flows negatively affected the community perhaps more so than an actual change in water quality, community should
be considered Not Rated in 2012; consideration should be given to re -sampling in 2013 under more normal flow conditions; and continue to monitor in 2017
document changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
LAMBERT FK SR 1317 05/22/12 CF65 Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
ALEXANDER 32 1 03050101 1 35.9459231 -81.251191 11-69-3 Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 110.3 1 1100 1 6 1 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 70 1 5 25 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 16.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.7
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 38
pH (s.u.) 6.1
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
14
6
5
4
3
6
10
5
4
61
Substrate Isand, gravel, cobble
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/22/12 2012-32 9 44 Good -Fair
04/26/07 2007-36 9 1 46 1 Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Bluehead Chub (n=181, 36%) Exotic Species None ever collected at this site out of 769 fish.
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- White Sucker (n=1) and Redbreast Sunfish (n=15). Lost -- Greenfin Shiner (n=9) and Carolina
Fantail Darter (n=4).
ua[a Anmysis
Watershed -- drains northwest Alexander County, including the southeast facing slopes of the Brushy Mountains (within the Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills
Level IV ecoregion); no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Lower Little River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 81 % forest and 13% cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 91 to 81 % and developed land from < 0.1 to 3%. Habitat -- low quality instream and bank habitats; side blow-out snags;
infrequent and embedded gravel riffles; deeply entrenched, but with wide riparian zones; severe bank erosion evident from high water event the week
before (the discharge and the gage height at the USGS gage for the Lower Little River near All Healing Springs rose from — 18 cfs to > 3,000 cfs and from
— 1 ft. to 13 ft. on May 14-15, 2012; this was the greatest flow recorded from January 01, 2008 through June 01, 2012); large trees acros the channel;
channel filled with sediment and bar development; Total Habitat Score range 61-69. Water Quality -- specific conductance low, range 27-38 pS/cm. 2012
-- as in 2007 the community was abundant, but species diversity was lower than expected, darters were absent, and only one species of sunfish was
collected; piscivores were absent as they were in 2007. 2007 & 2012 -- an abundant, but low diversity community which seems to be the natural condition
in the Lower Little River system, only 11 species known from the site including one intolerant species (Highback Chub) and 1 species of darter (Carolina
Fantail Darter); dominant species is the omnivorous Bluehead Chub; stream seems to alternate between extremes in flows (very low flows in 2007 and
very low flows in June -July 2008 and late summer 2011 based upon the USGS gage on the Lower Little River and high flows in 2012). Recommendation
-- based upon all the data collected, there has been no change in water quality during the past two cycles; continue to monitor this predominantly forested
watershed in 2017 to document nonpoint source impacts.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
LEEPERS CR
I
NC 73
05/02/12
1 CF27
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
LINCOLN 33 1 03050101 1
35.47016471
-81.1197024 11-119-1-(1)
Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil)
Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 28.2
1 714
1 10
0.5 1 No
ForestedfWetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 21.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.8
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 70
pH (s.u.) 6.4
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
9
3
3
10
3
6
6
5
5
55
Substrate ISand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/02/12
1 2012-25
18
52
Good
04/25/07
2007-29
17
46
Good -Fair
05/20/97
97-48
18
52
Good
06/29/93
93-31
19
56
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Speckled Killifish (n=136, 36%) Exotic Species None, only 2 Redlip Shiners have been collected
since 1993 (0.2% of all fish)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Spottail Shiner (n=2, first collection ever), Seagreen Darter (n=1), and Piedmont Darter (n=2). Lost --
Creek Chub and Redlip Shiner (n=1 each).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southern Catawba and east central Lincoln counties north and east of the City of Lincolnton, no NPDES dischargers or large
municipalities in the watershed; tributary to Dutchmans Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only
landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 47% forest, 31 % cultivation, and 12% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 62 to 47% and
developed land has increased from 7 to 12%. Habitat -- lower quality instream habitats; coarse woody debris and debris dams across the channel; stick
riffles; side snags; deep pools and plunges; steep bluff on the left bank; an old mill site; Total Habitat Score range 55-62. Water Quality -- specific
conductance in 20112 was the greatest ever measured, moderate, previous range 49 (1997)-65 (2007) pS/cm. 2012 -- increases in the number of fish,
diversity of darters, and number of intolerant species resulted in the improved NCIBI rating; dominant species was Speckled Killifish, a species adapted to
warm, clear, shallow, sandy bottom streams and which has been increasing in abundance from 0-2-7-36% since 1993. 1993-2012 -- a fairly diverse
community with 25 species known from the site, including 3 species of suckers, 4 species of darters, and 2 intolerant species (Piedmont Darter and
Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species), but only 1 piscivore has ever been collected and none since 1993 even though
deep pool habitats are not lacking; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; stream appears to experience dramatic extremes in flows (e.g., based upon the
USGS gage on Killian Creek near Mariposa, high flows in winter 2010 with flows 9 ft. above median height and with flows between 2,000-3,000 cfs and very
low flows < 2 cfs in summer 2008 and summer 2011) which negatively affects the community and ratings. Site is — 5.5 miles upstream from the 2009-2010
Random Ambient Monitoring site at SR 1404 which was rated Excellent in 2009. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, there appeared to
be a slight improvement in water quality during the past two cycle; fish community fluctuates between Good and Excellent; continue monitoring of this mixed-
landuse watershed in 2017 to document changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
LITTLE SUGAR CR NC 51 104/24/121 CF28 I Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MECKLENBURG 34 1 03050103 35.085-80.88277778 11-137-8b Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 149.2 1 540 1 14 1 0.5 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 75 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
CMUD Sugar Creek WWTP NCO024937 20
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 249
pH (s.u.) 7.1
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
12
3
1
4
3
4
2
3
5
41
Substrate Sand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/24/12
2012-15
13
38
Fair
04/24/07
2007-25
14
40
Fair
04/15/99
99-16
12
42
Good -Fair
06/30/97
97-65
12
40
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=190, 39%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=2)
Gained -- Largemouth Bass (n=1). Lost -- Brassy Jumprock and Margined Madtom, n=1 each.
Watershed -- drains southern Mecklenburg County, including the City of Charlotte metropolitan area; site is - 5.7miles below Sugar Creek WWTP;
tributary to Sugar Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are
reported) -- 3% forest and 96% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 12 to 3% and developed land has increased from 84 to 96%.
Habitat -- very low quality instream and riparian habitats; sandy runs; side snags; rip/rap; only riffle/plunge was at a sewer pipe spanning the channel;
urban debris in the stream and along the banks; artificial wetland constructed along the right shoreline, driving range and parking lot along the left bank;
Total Habitat Score range 30-41. Water Quality -- specific conductance always elevated, but in 2012 it was the lowest ever recorded (249 pS/cm), range
249-552 pS/cm; strong odor of chlorine. 2012 -- an abundant, but tolerant community; many metrics indicative of an impaired community: lower than
expected species diversity for a stream of its size, absence of intolerant species, and a high percentage of tolerant fish (55%, Redbreast Sunfish and
Eastern Mosquitofish). 1997-2012 -- low -moderate diversity for a stream of this size with 19 species known from this site, but no intolerant species and
only one species of sucker (none collected since 1999); dominant species is the tolerant Redbreast Sunfish which are often of large size.
Recommendation -- 3 out of 4 times the community has rated as impaired (rating = Fair); continue to monitor this site in 2017 to document impacts from
WWTP and urban landscapes.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
F777(6-NG CR I US 321 105/29/1631 CF31 I Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GASTON 36 1 03050102 1 35.295555561 -81.18722222 11-129-16-(4) Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 41.7 690 7 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 75 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 20.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 97
pH (s.u.) 6.6
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
11
3
2
4
3
6
9
4
4
51
Substrate ISand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratina
05/29/13
2013-32
15
36
Fair
05/01/12
2012-19
11
34
Not Rated (Poor)
05/22/02
2002-54
12
46
Good -Fair
05/20/97
97-46
11
40
Fair
06/30/93
93-33
1 5
30
Poor
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=61, 40%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=3, first collection ever)
Gained -- Eastern Mosquitofish (n=22), Green Sunfish (n=3), and Tessellated Darter (n=4) (first collections
ever), and Striped Jumprock (n=1) Lost -- Greenhead Shiner (1), White Catfish (n=1), Warmouth (n=5),
Largemouth Bass (n=1), and Seagreen Darter (n=1).
Watershed -- drains central Gaston County, including the northern portion of the City of Gastonia and the 1-85 corridor; no NPDES dischargers in the
watershed; tributary to the South Fork Catawba River, site is — 6 miles upstream from the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories > 5% are reported) -- 41 % forest, 30% cultivation, 22% developed, and
5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 cultivated land has decreased from 36 to 30% and developed land has increased from 14 to 22%. Habitat -- lower
quality instream habitats; sandy runs; rip/rap along the left bank along the sewer line right-of-way; snags; Oriental Privet and Japanese Honeysuckle along
the banks; shallow pools and coarse woody debris stick riffles; Total Habitat Score range 51-67. Water Quality -- specific conductance stable, range 93-99
pS/cm. 2012 -- many metrics indicative of an impaired community: greatest percentage of tolerant fish (63%) of any Catawba River basin site; an absence
of Intolerant Species; and a very imbalanced trophic structure with too low a percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and an absence of piscivores (due to the
lack of deep pools); number of Bluegill collected decreased from 151 in 2002 to 1 in 2012; decline in rating may be due to low flow conditions which was at —
20% of median flow (USGS gage 02144000 on Long Creek near Bessemer City). 1993-2012 -- low -moderate diversity for a stream of its size, 18 species
known from the site including one Intolerant Species (Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species and only one specimen was
collected in 1997 and 2002); dominant species are Bluegill and Redbreast Sunfish; community considered as impaired (rating = Fair or Poor) in 3 of the 4
monitoring cycles. Recommendation -- continue monitoring this site in 2017 to document impacts from changing landuse practices in this increasingly
urbanized watershed, consider re -sampling in 2013 under more normal flow conditions; until verified community should be considered Not Rated in 2012.
Note: this site was re -sampled in 2013 and it rated Fair; as in 2012 many metrics indicated an impaired community: high percentage of tolerant fish (64%;
primarily Redbreast Sunfish which were 58% of all the fish collected); an absence of Intolerant Species; and a very imbalanced trophic structure with too low
a percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and a high percentage of Insectivores.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
LONG CR US 321 105/01/121 CF31 I Not Rated (Poor)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GASTON 36 03050102 35,29555556 81.18722222 11-129-16-(4) Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mi�) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 141.7 1 690 7 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 25 75 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 20.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 97
pH (s.u.) 6.6
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
11
3
2
4
3
6
9
4
4
51
Substrate Sand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/01/12
2012-19
11
34
Not Rated (Poor)
05/22/02
2002-54
12
46
Good -Fair
05/20/97
97-46
11
40
Fair
06/30/93
93-33
5
30
Poor
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=61, 40%) 1 Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=3, first collection ever)
Gained -- Eastern Mosquitofish (n=22), Green Sunfish (n=3), and Tessellated Darter (n=4) (first collections
ever), and Striped Jumprock (n=1) Lost -- Greenhead Shiner (1), White Catfish (n=1), Warmouth (n=5),
Largemouth Bass (n=1), and Seagreen Darter (n=1).
Watershed -- drains central Gaston County, including the northern portion of the City of Gastonia and the 1-85 corridor; no NPDES dischargers in the
watershed; tributary to the South Fork Catawba River, site is — 6 miles upstream from the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 41 % forest, 30% cultivation, 22% developed, and
5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 cultivated land has decreased from 36 to 30% and developed land has increased from 14 to 22%. Habitat -- lower
quality instream habitats; sandy runs; rip/rap along the left bank along the sewer line right-of-way; snags; Oriental Privet and Japanese Honeysuckle along
the banks; shallow pools and coarse woody debris stick riffles; Total Habitat Score range 51-67. Water Quality -- specific conductance stable, range 93-
99 pS/cm. 2012 -- many metrics indicative of an impaired community: greatest percentage of tolerant fish (63%) of any Catawba River basin site; an
absence of Intolerant Species; and a very imbalanced trophic structure with too low a percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and an absence of piscivores
(due to the lack of deep pools); number of Bluegill collected decreased from 151 in 2002 to 1 in 2012; decline in rating may be due to low flow conditions
which was at — 20% of median flow (USGS gage 02144000 on Long Creek). 1993-2012 -- low -moderate diversity for a stream of its size, 18 species
known from the site including one Intolerant Species (Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species and only one specimen was
collected in 1997 and 2002); dominant species are Bluegill and Redbreast Sunfish; community considered as impaired (rating = Fair or Poor) in 3 of the 4
monitoring cycles. Recommendation -- continue monitoring this site in 2017 to document impacts from changing landuse practices in this increasingly
urbanized watershed, consider re -sampling in 2013 under more normal flow conditions; until verified community should be considered Not Rated in 2012.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
LOWER CR SR 1501 05/23/12 CF33 Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 31 03050101 1 35,825169-81.635807 11-39-(6.5) 1 Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 182.9 1 1000 1 13 1 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 0 75 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
City of Lenoir's Lower Creek WWTP NCO023981 6
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 18.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.8
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 91
pH (s.u.) 6.7
Water Clarity I Greenish turbidity
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
7
3
0
8
2
6
10
5
3
48
Substrate Sand, ;,It
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/23/12
2012-37
14
46
Good -Fair
05/02/02
2002-43
18
42
Good -Fair
10/24/97
97-96
12
44
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluegill and Greenfin Shiner (n=43 and
42, 27% and 26%, respectively) Exotic Species None
Gained -- Striped Jumprock (n=1), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=27), and White Perch (n=11) (first collections
ever), and Eastern Silvery Minnow (n=2). Lost -- Central Stoneroller (n=1), Rosyside Dace (n=1), Creek Chub
(n=1), Flat Bullhead (n=2), Green Sunfish (n=2), Largemouth Bass (n=2), Tessellated Darter (n=34), and
Yellow Perch (n=26).
Watershed -- drains primarily southwest Caldwell County, including portions of the City of Lenoir metropolitan area; site is - 6 miles below the city's
W WTP outfall; tributary to Lake Rhodhiss (Catawba River); site is - 4.5 miles upstream from the reservoir. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 55% forest, 15% cultivation, and 21 % developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 77 to 55% and developed land has increased from 12 to 21 %. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; riffles
absent; long runs with a few side snags; steep and eroding banks; deep along the left bank; evidence of a recent bank -full high water event; Total Habitat
Score range 35-48. Water Quality -- specific conductance elevated, range 91-102 pS/cm. 2012 -- lower total species diversity and diversity of sunfish
than expected; darters and intolerant species absent; moderate percentage of diseased fish (1.2%, Bluegill with popeye disease which can be caused by
bacterial or nematode infection and which seems to preferentially infect Bluegill). 1997-2012 -- for a stream of its size, the fish community is not very
abundant or diverse, only 23 species and only one intolerant species (Thinlip Chub of which only one was collected in 1997 and none since then) known
from the site; Gizzard Shad, White Perch, and Yellow Perch are seasonal migrants from the reservoir; dominant species is the Bluegill; an NC NC
Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) local watershed action plan has been developed for the Lower Creek watershed
(http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/eep/rbrps/catawba). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water quality has not changed; continue
monitoring of this site in 2017 to document impacts from an increasingly urbanized watershed and to document any potential improvements as a result of
the EEP project.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
LOWER LITTLER
I SR 1318
05/22/12
1 CF34
I Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
ALEXANDER 32 1 03050101 1
35.933347
-81.22397 11-69-(0.5)
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil)
Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 43.8
1 1053
1 12
0.5 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 50 0 50 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 16.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 48
pH (s.u.) 6.0
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
3
10
3
2
4
2
6
7
3
5
45
Substrate ISand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/22/12
2012-31
11
38
Fair
07/30/03
2003-46
10
46
Good -Fair
05/23/02
2002-58
10
38
Fair
05/09/97
97-42
14
48
Good
05/11 /93
93-21
8
28
Poor
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Bluehead Chub (n=399, 69%) Exotic Species None ever collected at this site out of 1,913 fish.
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Creek Chub (n=9) and Carolina Fantail Darter (n=1). Lost -- Flat Bullhead (n=9).
uaca
Watershed -- drains central Alexander County northwest of the Town of Taylorsville including portions of the Northern Inner Piedmont and Eastern Blue
Ridge Foothills Level IV ecoregions; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Lookout Shoals Reservoir (Catawba River).
Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 70% forest, 20%
cultivation, and 5% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 83 to 70% and developed land has increased from 0.1 to 5%. Habitat -- very
low quality instream habitats; large coarse woody debris across the channel; sparse instream habitats; fish found along the banks in the grasses hanging in
the water and in the rip/rap at the bridge; stick riffles; severe bank erosion in places; evidence of bank -full high water and a high wrack line from last week's
storms (the discharge and the gage height at the USGS gage for the Lower Little River near All Healing Springs rose from — 18 cfs to > 3,000 cfs and from —
1 ft. to 13 ft. on May 14-15, 2012; this was the greatest flow recorded from January 01, 2008 through June 01, 2012); Total Habitat Score range 45-65.
Water Quality - specific conductance generally low -normal, range 25-48 pS/cm. 2012 -- for a stream with minimal mid -channel habitats, it had a very
abundant fish community but with an altered trophic structure; greatest Percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (69%, primarily Bluehead Chub) of any site in
the Catawba River basin; piscivores absent (due to an absence of deep pools). 1993-2012 -- very abundant community, but with a low diversity for a stream
of this size (which seems to be the natural condition in the Lower Little River system), only 14 species known from the site, including just one species of
darter and one intolerant species (Highback Chub); no nonindigenous species, an imbalanced trophic structure, only one Largemouth Bass (a piscivore) has
ever been collected (< 0.1 %); dominant species is Bluehead Chub. Recommendation -- ratings are variable, perhaps due to the constantly changing
minimal habitats that are available and fluctuating flow levels ((very low flows experienced in June -July 2008 and late summer 2011 based upon the USGS
gage on the Lower Little River); based upon all the data collected, fish community ratings fluctuate from Poor to Good at the same time conductivity is stable;
stream restoration programs are needed to improve instream habitats and repair eroding banks; continue monitoring in 2017 at this site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
LYLE CR
I
US 70
105/03/121
CF35
I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
CATAWBA 32 1 03050101 1
35.720833331
-81.10888889 11-76-(4.5)
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil)
Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
W S-IV 143.2
1 810
1 9
0.5 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 75 0 25 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
City of Conover's Northeast WWTP NCO024252 1.5
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 19.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 103
pH (s.u.) 6.9
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
9
4
7
10
5
6
7
5
3
61
Substrate Isand, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/03/12
2012-27
15
42
Good -Fair
07/14/04
2004-118
19
58
Excellent
07/01/97
97-68
22
48
Good
05/11 /93
93-23
20
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluehead Chub (n=65, 38%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=32)
Gained -- White Perch (n=1, first collection ever) and Greenhead Shiner (n=2). Lost -- White Sucker (n=1),
Notchlip Redhorse (n=8), Shorthead Redhorse (n=1), Striped Jumprock (n=1), Redbreast Sunfish (n=21), and
Largemouth Bass (n=5).
Watershed -- drains northeast Catawba County including the north and northeast portions of the cities of Conover, Newton, and Hickory and the 1-40
corridor; two additional NPDES dischargers (NC0032662 and NC0044059, Total Q. = 0.115 MGD) are located in the watershed; tributary to Lake Norman,
site is — 3.3 miles above the creek's confluence with the reservoir; site is part of the NC Natural Heritage Program's Lyle Creek Corridor Significant Natural
Heritage Area. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 30%
forest, 33% cultivation, and 31 % developed; since 1992, forested land has decreased from 43 to 30% and developed land has increased from 17 to 31 %.
Habitat -- lower quality instream habitats; deadfalls and snags restricted to the stream margins; deep blow-out pools and on the bank on the upper right at
the end of the reach (same as in 2004 at the old sand dipping operation) now armored with rip/rap; gravel riffles on right and left mid -reach; Total Habitat
Score range 46-73. Water Quality -- specific conductance elevated, range 78-103 pS/cm. 2012 -- lowest species diversity ever recorded at this site;
suckers absent (six species had been collected in 1997); only site in the Catawba River basin from which Redbreast Sunfish were not collected, moderate
percentage of diseased fish (1.2%, Bluegill with popeye disease which can be caused by bacterial or nematode infection and which seems to preferentially
infect Bluegill); only 33% of all species were represented by multiple age classes indicative of a loss of age classes and rarity of many species (only
represented by 1 or 2 fish/species). 1993-2012 -- an extremely diverse community but with low abundance, 32 species known from the site (one of the
greatest in the Catawba River basin largely due in part to the site's proximity to the reservoir for such species as Gizzard Shad, Common Carp, Channel
Catfish, Flathead Catfish, and Yellow Perch); community also includes 6 species of suckers, 3 species of darters, and 1 intolerant species (Piedmont Darter);
dominant species is Bluehead Chub. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water quality seems to have declined; continue monitoring
of this site in 2017 to document impacts from an increasingly urbanized watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
MIDDLE LITTLER SR 1002 05/23/12 CF42 Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
ALEXANDER 32 03050101 1 35,8893525-81.3206942 11-62 1 Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 116.3 1 1066 1 7 1 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 85 1 15 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R5.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
18
8
14
8
6
6
10
5
5
85
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, gravel, cobble, bedrock, boulder
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/23/12
2012-35
15
56
Excellent
04/27/07
2007-37
12
48
Good
05/23/02
2002-59
13
56
Excellent
05/08/97
97-41
12
52
Good
05/11 /93
93-19
9
46
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Bluehead Chub (n=153, 24%) Exotic Species Green Sunfish (n=2), first collection ever out of
1,737 fish (0.1 /%).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- White Sucker (n=4), Green Sunfish (n=2), and Bluegill (n=3). Lost -- none.
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains western Alexander and eastern Caldwell counties, including the southeast facing slopes of the Brushy Mountains which are in the
Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Lake Hickory; downstream are
Moretz Lake and Rink dams. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are
reported) -- 77% forest and 13% cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 93 to 77% cultivated land has increased from 7 to 13%, and
developed land has increased from < 0.1 to 4%. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; old mill site at the end of the reach; runs; pools with sand
bottoms; snags; excellent riparian habitats along both banks with forested bluff on the left; pools, root mats, snags, long riffles, and plunges; bank erosion
evident from last week's high water events; Total Habitat Score range 72-85. Water Quality -- consistently low specific conductance, range 24-34 pS/cm.
2012 -- very abundant community, most fish (n=638) ever collected at this site; increase in score and rating due to increased total diversity and diversity of
darters and suckers. 1993-2012 -- a naturally low species diversity community, only 16 species known from the site; including two intolerant species
(Highback Chub and Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species), dominant species is the omnivorous Bluehead Chub; no
changes in the percentage of tolerant fish or in the trophic metrics which are all stable; community has rated Excellent twice since 2002.
Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water quality seems to have improved and is of high quality; continue monitoring in 2017 at this
regional reference site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
MULBERRY CR
NC 90
106/06/121
CF45
I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
CALDWELL 31
03050101 1
35.94305551 -81.6338888 11-38-32-(15)
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi)
Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
32
1150
13
0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Visible Landuse (%) 60 20
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
0 20--nursery
NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None
I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
16.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
48
pH (s.u.)
6.6
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
18
8
10
10
5
6
10
2
2
76
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate lCobble, gravel, sand, boulder
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/06/12
2012-47
21
54
Excellent
05/21 /07
2007-58
22
60
Excellent
09/22/99
99-61
26
60
Excellent
06/21 /99
99-51
23
58
Excellent
04/16/99
99-19
26
56
Excellent
05/08/97
97-39
23
60
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Central Stoneroller (n=75, 22%) Exotic Species Rock Bass (n=10) and Smallmouth Bass (n=16)
Gained -- V-lip Redhorse and White Perch (n=1 each, first collections ever), Brassy Jumprock (n=8), and Rock
Bass (n=16). Lost -- Mountain Redbelly Dace (n=1), Fieryblack Shiner (n=1), Thinlip Chub (n=4), Greenhead
Shiner (n=3), and Creek Chub (n=7).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains central Caldwell County, west of the US 321 corridor; drains three Level IV ecoregions -- Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mountains,
Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills, and Northern Inner Piedmont; no NPDES or municipalities in the watershed; tributary to the Johns River, site is — 3 miles
upstream from the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse
categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 92% forest; no substantial change in landuse since 1992. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; no change in
riparian quality since last sampled in 2007 (narrow riparian zones with houses and lawns), but stream seemed to have more silt, sand, and detritus and less
gravel (embeddedness scored 8 out of 15 in 2012 vs. 12 out of 15 in September 1999) and fewer riffles (scored 10 out of 16 in 2012 and 14 out of 16 in
September 1999) than before; instream habitats also included runs, pools, woody debris, snags, and undercuts; riffles at the beginning and end of the reach;
boulder rip/rap at the bridge; Total Habitat Score range 60-79. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 39-48 pS/cm. 2012 -- five species of
suckers collected; although still rated Excellent, three metrics decreased slightly (Percent Tolerants, Percent Omnivores+Herbivores and Percent
Insectivores) while the percentage of the herbivorous Central Stoneroller (dominant species in 2012) increased slightly which considered collectively may
indicate a beginning change in water and habitat quality. 1997-2012 -- very diverse community with 32 species known from the site, including 5 species of
suckers, and 7 intolerant species (Thicklip Chub, Thinlip Chub, Fieryblack Shiner, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma
thatassinum, a Significantly Rare species, and Piedmont Darter); dominant species are Warpaint Shiner and Bluehead Chub; consistently rated Excellent.
Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of high quality; continue monitoring in 2017 of this regional reference site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
N MUDDY CR SR 1760 106/11/121 CF46 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MCDOWELL 30 03050101 1 5,6750802-81.906097 11-32-(0.5) Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 144.8 1 1102 1 10 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 75 0 25 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
Town of Marion's Corpening Creek WWTP NCO031879 3
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 86
pH (s.u.) 7.0
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
16
8
11
6
7
7
10
5
3
78
Substrate Sand, cobble, bedrock
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
06/11 /12
2012-51
20
56
Excellent
05/23/07
2007-65
23
54
Excellent
04/30/02
2002-36
19
48
Good
05/07/97
97-36
19
52
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 IBluehead Chub (n=41, 19%) 1Exotic Species IRedear Sunfish (n=1, first collection ever)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Redear Sunfish (n=1) and Largemouth Bass (n=2) (first collections ever). Lost -- Rosyside Dace
1(n=1), Creek Chub (n=2), White Sucker (n=7), Green Sunfish (n=2), and Pumpkinseed (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southeastern McDowell County including the City of Marion and the 1-40, US 226, and US 221 corridors; two additional NPDES
dischargers (NC0075353 and NC0086428, Qw total = 0.02) located in the watershed; watershed also includes the Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills; tributary to
Muddy Creek, site is located - 3.6 miles upstream of the creek's confluence with Muddy Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 61 % forest, 17% cultivation, 12% developed, and
5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 the forested land has decreased from 77 to 61 % and the cultivated land has increased from 9 to 17%. Habitat --
moderate quality habitats; no change in habitats since last sampled in 2007; plunges, bedrock shelves; flat cobble riffles; runs and snags; Eastern
Hemlock and Rhododendron bluff along the left bank; pasture along the right bank; Total Habitat Score range 66-79. Water Quality -- faint chlorine odor
from the upstream WWTPs; specific conductance moderate, range 50-86 pS/cm. 2012 -- percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (Central Stoneroller,
Spottail Shiner, and Bluehead Chub) has always been slightly elevated due to upstream nutrient sources. 1997-2012 -- very diverse community with 27
species known from the site, but with only one intolerant species (Piedmont Darter); dominant species is the Bluehead Chub. Recommendation -- based
upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of high quality despite the upstream WWTP discharger; continue monitoring of this site in 2017 to
document any WWTP impacts and changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
PADDY CR NC 126 06/06/12 CF47 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 30 03050101 1 5,7661111-81.905 11-28 Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 6.7 1 1315 1 6 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 50 0 50 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 16.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 10
pH (s.u.) 5.5
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
18
12
16
6
4
6
9
3
5
84
Substrate lCobble, boulder, bedrock
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/06/12
2012-48
12
52
Good
05/23/07
2007-64
12
46
Good -Fair
05/01 /02
2002-38
13
46
Good -Fair
05/05/97
97-31
9
40
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Central Stoneroller (n=113, 34%) 1 Exotic Species Ismallmouth Bass (n=5)
Gained -- Bluegill (n=1, first collection ever) and Striped Jumprock (n=4). Lost -- Creek Chub (n=5) and
Brown Trout (n=1).
Watershed -- drains northwest Burke County, including three Level IV ecoregions -- Southern Metasedimentary Mountains, Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills,
and Northern Inner Piedmont; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Lake James, site is - 1.6 miles upstream from the
creek's confluence with the lake. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htm1, only landuse categories >_ 5%
are reported) -- 91 % forest and 5% cultivation; no substantial change in landuse since 1992. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; shallow riffles and
runs; high gradient plunge pools with bedrock shelves and chutes; Fissidens and Podostemum on bedrock shelves; cobble and boulder riffles without
macrophytes; livestock with direct access to the stream from both banks, barren riparian areas due to cattle grazing and trampling; no change in habitats,
same as previous monitoring cycles; Total Habitat Score range 75-87. Water Quality -- specific conductance consistently low even though cattle have
access to the stream, the lowest of any fish community site in the basin in 2012, range 10-16 pS/cm. 2012 -- an additional species of sucker (Striped
Jumprock which was previously collected in 1997 and 2002) and a slightly more balanced trophic structure resulted in an increase in the NCIBI score and
NCIBI rating, but no overall change in the water or habitat quality. 1997-2012 -- 16 species known from the site, but only 1 species of darter (the type
locality for the Carolina Fantail Darter) and 1 intolerant species (Smallmouth Bass); dominant species continues to be the Central Stoneroller, a species
that successfully exploits mountain streams that have been altered by livestock; percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and Insectivores - 50% each;
community is isolated by Lake James which continues to serve as a barrier to recolonization by some species and is also affected by hydrologic extremes
in flows (i.e., prolonged droughts followed by hurricane -induced flooding). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, there appeared to be a
slight improvement in water quality since 2007 and a significant improvement since 1997; feasibility of riparian restoration and fencing of cattle away from
the stream should be pursued; continue monitoring in 2017 at this uniquely low specific conductivity site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
POTT CR SR 1217 05/03/12 1 CF48 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
LINCOLN 35 1 03050102 1 5,5513188-81.3185968 11-129-3-(0.7) Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 121.1 1 790 1 8 1 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 60 1 20 20 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 65
pH (s.u.) 6.0
Water Clarity ISlightly turbid, becoming extremely turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
10
4
5
8
2
7
10
5
5
61
Substrate Sand, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/03/12
2012-26
18
52
Good
05/31 /06
2006-69
13
40
Fair
05/21 /02
2002-50
20
50
Good
05/21 /97
97-49
15
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluehead Sunfish (n=101, 48%) Exotic Species IRedear Sunfish (n=1; first collection ever)
Gained -- Central Stoneroller (n=1), Warmouth (n=5), and Redear Sunfish (n=1) (first collections ever),
Greenfin Shiner (n=24), Creek Chub (n=1), and Largemouth Bass (n=2). Lost -- Fathead Minnow (n=1) and
Bluegill (n=21).
Watershed -- drains southern Catawba and northern Lincoln counties; no municipalities in the watershed; two small NPDES dischargers located in the
creek's headwaters more than five miles upstream (NC0029297 and NC 0074233, Total Q. = 0.045 MGD); tributary to the South Fork Catawba River.
Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories _> 5% are reported) -- 45% forest, 39%
cultivation, 6% developed, and 7% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 53 to 48%, cultivated land has decreased from 45
to 39%, and developed land has increased from 1 to 6%. Habitat -- lower quality instream habitats; woody debris obstructions across the channel; snags
and plunges; sand and gravel bars; gravel riffles; severe bank erosion along the left bank; Total Habitat Score range 55-74. Water Quality -- specific
conductance moderate, range 47-65 pS/cm. 2012 -- community had recovered from the setback documented in 2006 that was due to post -hurricane
flooding in 2004; improvements noted in number of fish collected, total species diversity, diversity of sunfish, and in the number of species with multiple
age classes (indicator of successful reproduction and survivorship in the stream); however, abundance of Omnivores+Herbivores (primarily Bluehead
Chub) continues to indicate elevated nutrients from nonpoint runoff. 1997-2012 -- fairly diverse for a stream of its size, 25 species known from the site
including 3 intolerant species (Thinlip Chub, Highback Chub, and Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species); dominant
species is the Bluehead Chub; community is affected by high flow extremes (e.g. in 2004) and by limited avenues for recolonization by some species (i.e.,
Thinlip Chub and Greenhead Shiner); sampled in 2006 as part of a Catawba River Basin Biological TMDL Study (Biological Assessment Unit
Memorandum F-20061207). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the fish community has recovered, continue monitoring of this mixed-
landuse watershed in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
S MUDDY CR
I SR 1764
106/11/121
CF50
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
MCDOWELL 30
1 03050101 1 35.64995741
-81.8548099 11-32-2
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 1
33.5 1 1100
1 9 1
0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 0 75 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 49
pH (s.u.) 6.6
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
12
5
10
4
3
6
10
3
3
60
Substrate ISand, cobble
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/11/12
2012-52
18
52
Good
05/23/07
2007-66
16
52
Good
05/01 /02
2002-37
14
48
Good
07/02/97
97-70
15
50
Good
06/28/93
93-27
11
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluehead Chub (n=69, 38%) Exotic Species No exotic species have ever been collected from
this site since 1993 out of 1,017 fish.
Gained -- Spottail Shiner and Sandbar Shiner (n=1 each) first collections ever), Notchlip Redhorse (n=1),
Highback Chub (n=20, and Bluegill (n=1). Lost -- White Sucker, Flat Bullhead, and Warmouth (n=1 each).
Watershed -- drains southeast McDowell and southwest Burke counties; no municipalities or NDPES dischargers in the watershed; headwaters drain the
Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills; tributary to Muddy Creek; site is — 4 miles upstream of confluence with Muddy Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 69% forest, 14% cultivation, 5% developed, 5%
grassland/herbaceous, and 6% shrubland; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 88 to 69%, cultivated land has increased from 9 to 14%, and
developed land has increased from 1 to 5%. Habitat -- lower quality instream and riparian habitats; more riffles at the upper half than in the lower half of the
reach; riffles, runs, snags and deadfalls present; deeply entrenched within a broad agricultural valley; confined to a narrow channel; overall better quality
habitats in the upper than in the lower reaches; Total Habitat Score range 46-66. Water Quality -- specific conductance generally low -moderate, range 34-
49 pS/cm. 2012 -- total species diversity continues to gradually increase; a slight increase in the Percentage Omnivores+Herbivores (Bluehead Chub) did
not change the NCIBI score or rating. 1993-2007 -- moderate diversity for a stream of this size with 22 species known from the site, including 4 species of
suckers, 3 species of darters, 2 intolerant species (Highback Chub and Piedmont Shiner), and no nonindigenous species; dominant species is Bluehead
Chub and Greenhead Shiner; generally stable NCIBI metrics and stable NCIBI ratings since 1993; the Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative is likely
a contributing factor to the maintenance of existing water quality (http://www.nceep.net/services/Iwps/muddy_creek/Muddy_Creek_Factsheet_%20jan09.pdf;
http://www.nceep.net/services/Iwps/muddy_creek/Muddy_ Creek_plan_2003.pdf). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems
be of good quality in this still predominantly forested watershed; continue monitoring in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
SILVER CR SR 1149 105/25/121 CF51 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 31 03050101 1 5,69805556-81.76305556 11-34-(0.5) 1 Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 126.1 1 1038 1 8 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 60 1 15 0 25--nursery
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R6.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
13
4
3
4
5
6
9
5
5
59
Substrate Sand, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/25/12
2012-42
16
48
Good
05/22/07
2007-62
13
50
Good
05/01 /02
2002-39
19
60
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 IBluehead Chub (n=126, 48%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Spottail Shiner (n=9, first collection ever), Green Sunfish (n=1), and Bluegill (n=1). Lost -- none.
ua[a Anmysis
Watershed -- drains southwest Burke County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; headwaters drain the Eastern Blue Ridge
Foothills; tributary to the Catawba River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories
>_ 5% are reported) -- 59% forest, 19% cultivation, 10% developed, 6% grassland/herbaceous, and 5% shrubland; since 1992 forested land has decreased
from 87 to 59% and developed land has increased from 1 to 10%. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; side snags, woody debris plunges and stick
riffles; channel filled with sediment creating gravel bars; Total Habitat Score range 48-59. Water Quality - specific conductance moderate, range 49-55
pS/cm. 2012 -- the increase in the Percent Omnivores+Herbivores (Bluehead Chub, Central Stoneroller, and Spottail Shiner) from 32% in 2007 to 56% in
2012 contributed in the 2 point decrease in the NCIBI score (but not the rating). 2002-2012 -- moderate diversity for a stream of this size with 20 species
known from the site including 2 intolerant species (Piedmont Darter and Highback Chub, but Highback Chub has not been collected since 2002) and 3
species of darters; piscivores have not been collected since 2002 perhaps due to the lack of deep pools; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub which
has increased from 24% in 2002 to 48% in 2012. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality continues to be good, but has
declined since 2002 due to changing landuse practices; continue monitoring of this mixed-landuse watershed in 2017 to further document impacts on the
fish community from the changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
SIXMILE CR SR 1312 104/24/121 CF52 I Poor
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
UNION 38 03050103 1 5,01111111-80.82777778 11-138-3 Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 120.3 1 600 1 8 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 75 0 0 25 - wetland
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C)
11.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
74
pH (s.u.)
No data
Water Clarity Slightly turbid & greenish
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
4
12
4
1
10
5
6
10
5
5
62
Substrate Sand, gravel, clay
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/24/12
2012-14
10
34
Poor
05/20/02
2002-47
12
38
Fair
06/11 /97
97-57
12
40
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=71, 44%) Exotic Species Green Sunfish (n=15) and Redear Sunfish (n=1)
Gained -- Redear Sunfish (n=1), Sunfish hybrid (n=2), Largemouth Bass (n=4), and Carolina Darter (n=7) (first
collections ever), and White Sucker (n=1). Lost -- Highfin Shiner (n=3), Swallowtail Shiner (n=29), Sandbar
Shiner (n=7), Rosyside Dace (n=10), Redfin Pickerel (n=3), and Warmouth (n=1)
Watershed -- drains west Union and southeast Mecklenburg counties, south of 1-485; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Twelvemile
Creek in SC. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only Ianduse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 24%
forest, 9% cultivation, and 65% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 58 to 24% and developed land has increased from 7 to 65%.
Habitat -- lower quality instream habitats; large perched wetland along the left bank; straight channel (may have been channelized years ago); primarily
one large pool with runs; infrequent stick riffles; Total Habitat Score range 55-62. Water Quality -- in 2012 specific conductance was the lowest recorded
from this site (74 pS/cm), range 74-185 pS/cm. 2012 -- many metrics indicative of a impaired community: low species diversity, absence of intolerant
species, greatest percentage of tolerant fish (63%) of any Catawba River basin site; trophically imbalanced with too few Omnivores+Herbivores (only 1 %,
one Bluehead Chub and White Sucker, each); and a high percentage of diseased fish (3.7%, Bluegill with popeye disease which can be caused by
bacterial or nematode infection and which seems to preferentially infect Bluegill); seven specimens of Carolina Darter (Etheostoma collis, a state Special
Concern species) were collected. 1997-2012 -- low -moderate diversity for a stream of this size with 17 species known from this site, but no intolerant
species and only one species of sucker; dominant species is the tolerant Redbreast Sunfish. Recommendation -- community consistently considered as
impaired (rating = Fair or Poor); unless watershed management projects are implemented, future assessments in 2012 maybe unnecessary in this
increasingly urbanized watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
SMOKY CR SR 1515 105/23/121 CF53 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 31 03050101 1 5,79944444-81.605 11-41-(1) Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV 7.6 1 1011 1 6 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 44
pH (s.u.) 6.7
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
16
8
14
8
5
7
10
5
5
83
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, gravel, cobble, bedrock, boulders
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/23/12
2012-36
15
58
Excellent
05/21 /07
2007-57
17
54
Excellent
05/03/02
2002-44
16
58
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Bluehead Chub (n=62, 16%) Exotic Species None have ever been collected from this site
since 1993 out of 1,081 fish.
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Flat Bullhead (n=2). Lost -- Spottail Shiner (n=6), Notchlip Redhorse (n=2), and Brassy Jumprock
(n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains northeast Burke and southwestern Caldwell counties; no major municipalities or no NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributaryto
Lake Rhodhiss (Catawba River), site is — 1.5 miles upstream from the reservoir. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 53% forest, 24% cultivation, 15% developed, and
5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992, the forested land has decreased from 74 to 53% and the cultivated land has increased from 12 to 24%. Habitat --
high quality instream and riparian habitats; same habitats as in 2007--riffles, bedrock shelves and plunge pools, root mats and snags; wide and forested
riparian zones, gorge -like in the upper half of the reach; same blow-out along the right bank as in 2002 and 2007; still lots of fine silts in the creek; Total
Habitat Score range 71-83. Water Quality -- specific conductance low -moderate, range 38-44 pS/cm. 2012 -- abundant, diverse, and trophically balanced
community; slight increase in the NCIBI score (but not the rating) was due to a more balanced trophic structure. 1993-2012 -- fairly diverse for a stream of
this size with 19 species known from the site, including the intolerant Highback Chub; dominant species is the Bluehead Chub. Recommendation --
based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of high quality and stable, however, the amount of deposited sediment in the stream appears
excessive and sediment sources for this stream should be identified by staff from the Asheville Regional Office and reduced if possible; continue
monitoring in 2017 at this site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
UPPER CR
I SR 1439
105/24/121
CF56
I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
BURKE 31
1 03050101 1 35.827222221
-81.73666667 11-35-(1)
Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
W S-11I;Tr, HQW 1
42.4 1 1030
1 14 1
0.4 1 Yes
ForestedfWetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 50 25 25 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 30
pH (s.u.) 6.4
Water Clarity I Clear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
14
8
16
9
6
6
8
4
5
81
Substrate lCobble, gravel, sand
Site Photograph
Sample Date SamDle ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
05/24/12
2012-40
20
54
Excellent
09/22/99
99-60
27
56
Excellent
06/21/99
99-50
25
54
Excellent
04/16/99
99-18
24
56
Excellent
07/01/97
97-69
1 21
1 54
1 Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=29, 15%) Exotic Species Rock Bass (n=4), Smallmouth Bass (n=3), Yellow
Perch (n=1)
Gained -- Brassy Jumprock (n=1). Lost -- Thicklip Chub (n=5), Whitefin Shiner (n=1), Creek Chub (n=1), White
Sucker (n=2), Notchlip Redhorse (n=3), V-lip Redhorse (n=1), Flat Bullhead (n=2), and Piedmont Darter (n=1).
Watershed -- drains north central Burke County, including three Level IV Ecoregions -- Southern Metasedimentary Mountains, Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills,
and Northern Inner Piedmont; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; a tributary to Irish Creek; headwaters drain portions of the Pisgah
National Forest; tributary to Warrior Fork, site is — 1.3 miles upstream from the creek's confluence with Warrior Fork. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htm], only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 91 % forest; since 1992 forested land has
decreased form 98 to 91 %, cultivated land has increased from 1 to 4%, and developed land from 1 to 3%. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; riffles,
runs, and side snags; deep pool at the beginning of the reach; old Henderson Mill dam was removed since last sampled in 1999 and pool at the end of the
reach at the mill dam was removed; bank erosion along the old mill site; sun -lit areas at the mill and the utility line right-of-way; Total Habitat Score range 78-
86. Water Quality -- specific conductance low, range 24-30 pS/cm. 2012 -- fewer fish than expected were collected and unusually low (n=196) for a
mountain stream; five intolerant species collected; fewest species ever collected at this site; loss of species and fewer fish may indicate a early change in
water quality from changing landuse practices and which warrants further attention in 2017. 1997-2012 -- very diverse community with 32 species known
from the site, including 5 species of suckers, and 8 intolerant species (Thicklip Chub, Thinlip Chub, Fieryblack Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass,
Smallmouth Bass, Seagreen Darter, Etheostoma thalassinum, a Significantly Rare species, and Piedmont Darter); dominant species are Redbreast Sunfish
and Bluehead Chub; consistently rated Excellent. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water seems to be of very high quality in this
stream that is supplementally classified as Tr, HOW; continue monitoring in 2017 at this regional reference site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
UPPER LITTLER SR 1712 05/22/12 CF66 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
CALDWELL 32 03050101 35,896149 81.421808 11-58 Northern Inner Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 111.3 1 1172 6 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 25 0 50 25 - nursery
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
Caldwell County's Gateway Alternate School NCO041157 0.004
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 19.3
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 46
pH (s.u.) 6.5
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
12
5
10
4
4
7
7
5
4
63
Site Photograph
Substrate Sand, bedrock, flat cobble
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/22/12 2012-34 T 11 48 Good
04/27/07 2007-38 I 10 1 46 Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Rosyside Dace (n=231, 26%) Exotic Species None ever collected at this site out of 1,540 fish
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Bluegill (n=1) and Sunfish hybrid (n=5). Lost -- none.
Data Analysis
-- drains east central Caldwell County and the southeastern facing slopes of the Brushy Mountains; also drains the Eastern Blue Ridge
Foothills Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities in the watershed; WWTP is - 0.8 miles above the site. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 72% forest, 13% cultivation, 9% developed, and
5% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 89 to 72% and developed land has increased from 3 to 9%. Habitat -- lower
quality instream habitats; bedrock shelves; cobble and gravel riffles, gravel runs, and a few bedrock plunges; open canopy at the bridge and the lower one-
third of the reach; bank erosion from previous week's storms (the discharge and the gage height at the USGS gage for the Lower Little River near All
Healing Springs rose from - 18 cfs to > 3,000 cfs and from - 1 ft. to 13 ft. on May 14-15, 2012; this was the greatest flow recorded from January 01, 2008
through June 01, 2012); deeply entrenched; channel filled with sediment, embedded and with bar development; Total Habitat Score range 63-67. Water
Quality -- specific conductance range 40-46 pS/cm. 2012 -- for such a small stream it has a very abundant fish community (n=897, second greatest in the
Catawba River basin), but species diversity was lower than expected compared to that at regional reference sites, intolerant species and piscivores absent
(due to absence of deep pools); the additional species of sunfish (Bluegill) increased the NCIBI score and the rating, although there was no overall change
in water quality at the site. 2007 & 2012 -- low species diversity for a stream of its size (which seems to be the natural condition in the Lower Little River
system), only 11 species known from the site; intolerant species and piscivores are absent; no change in trophic metrics (20% and 80% for
Omnivores+Herbivores and Insectivores, respectively); dominant species are Rosyside Dace and Greenhead Shiner; stream is subjected to extremes in
hydrologic flows and may become intermittent during low flow (very low flows experienced in June -July 2008 and late summer 2011 based upon the USGS
gage on the Lower Little River). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, and although the NCIBI score and rating increased slightly, there
likely has been no change in water quality during the past two cycles; continue monitoring in 2017 to document changes in Ianduse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
W FK TWELVEMILE CR SR 1321 05/28/13 CF59 Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude Longitude
AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
UNION 38
1 03050103 1
34.9576031 -80.751853
11-138-1
Carolina Slate Belt
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi)
Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
22.3
495
8 0.4
1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban
Visible Landuse (%) 25 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture
75
NPDES Number
Other (describe)
0
Volume (Qw, MGD)
None
Water Quality Parameters
Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 13.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 116
pH (s.u.) 6.4
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
11
6
5
8
3
6
8
5
3
60
Sample ID
Substrate lCobble, gravel, bedrock, sand
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/28/13
2013-31
21
42
Good -Fair
04/23/12
2012-12
12
30
Poor (Not Rated)
04/23/07
2007-23
18
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
uaca
Redbreast Sunfish (n=61, 44%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=7)
Gained -- Eastern Mosquitofish (n=1), Warmouth (n=1), and Largemouth Bass (n=4). Lost -- Rosyside Dace
(n=14), Golden Shiner (n=1), Highfin Shiner (n=4), Swallowtail Shiner (n=13), Creek Chub (n=9), White Sucker
(n=3), Black Bullhead (n=2), Flat Bullhead (n=10), Margined Madtom (n=3), and Sunfish hybrid (n=1).
Watershed -- drains southwestern Union County including the City of Charlotte metropolitan area; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to
Twelvemile Creek and ultimately the Catawba River; site is part of the NC Natural Heritage Program's East Fork Twelvemile Creek Aquatic Habitat
Significant Natural Heritage Area. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are
reported) -- 51 % forest, 21 % cultivation, and 22% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 65 to 51 % and developed land has increased
from 4 to 22%. Habitat -- shallow, straight channel with eroding banks, runs and pools; lone cobble riffle at sewer line right-of-way; Total Habitat Score
range 60-67. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 112-116 pS/cm. 2012 - six species of sunfish collected; high percentage of diseased
fish (1.4%, Bluegill with popeye disease which can be caused by bacterial or nematode infection and which seems to preferentially infect Bluegill); very
altered trophic structure with too few omnivores+herbivores (2%) and too many insectivores (95%); very high percentage of tolerant fish (Redbreast Sunfish
and Green Sunfish); and a low percentage of species with multiple age classes (42%), indicative of unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often observed in
streams that have experience prolonged low flow conditions; two specimens of Carolina Darter (Etheostoma collis, a state Special Concern Species) were
collected (nine were collected in 2007). Although flows appeared normal, at nearby Waxhaw Creek, between April 2011-May 2012, there were 12 high flow
storm events where water levels rose at least 5 ft and flows increased from 0-700 cfs; in 2012 there were four such events between January and May and in
April one such event occurred — 2 weeks before sampling where the creek rose 7 ft. and flows went from 2 cfs to 500 cfs. The drastically, but naturally
changing flows of several orders of magnitude undoubtedly impacts the fish community. 2007 & 2012 -- moderately diverse for a stream of its size with 21
species known from the site, including 2 species of suckers and 2 species of darters; Intolerant Species absent; dominant species is Tessellated Darter.
Recommendation -- continue monitoring this site in 2017 to document impacts from changing landuse practices in this increasingly urbanized watershed,
consider re -sampling in 2013 under more stable median flow conditions; until verified community should be considered Not Rated in 2012. Note: this site
was re -sampled in 2013 and was rated Good -Fair; number of fish collected = 203; most abundant species was the tolerant Redbreast Sunfish (n=68, 33%);
most species ever collected and included seven species collected for the first time (Greenfin Shiner, Spottail Shiner, Coastal Shiner, Creek Chubsucker,
Redfin Pickerel, Redear Sunfish, and Black Crappie); 28 species now known from the site.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
W FK TWELVEMILE CR SR 1321 04/23/12 CF59 Poor (Not Rated)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
UNION 38 1 03050103 1 34,9576031 -80,751853 11-138-1 Carolina Slate Belt
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 22.3 495 8 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 0 75 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 13.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 116
pH (s.u.) 6.4
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
11
6
5
8
3
6
8
5
3
60
Substrate lCobble, gravel, bedrock, sand
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/23/12
2012-12
12
30
Poor (Not Rated)
04/23/07
2007-23
18
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
IRedbreast Sunfish (n=61, 44%)
Exotic Species
lGreen Sunfish (n=7)
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Gained -- Eastern Mosquitofish (n=1), Warmouth (n=1), and Largemouth Bass (n=4). Lost -- Rosyside Dace
(n=14), Golden Shiner (n=1), Highfin Shiner (n=4), Swallowtail Shiner (n=13), Creek Chub (n=9), White Sucker
(n=3), Black Bullhead (n=2), Flat Bullhead (n=10), Margined Madtom (n=3), and Sunfish hybrid (n=1).
Watershed -- drains southwestern Union County including the City of Charlotte metropolitan area suburbs; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary
to Twelvemile Creek and ultimately the Catawba River; site is part of the NC Natural Heritage Program's East Fork Twelvemile Creek Aquatic Habitat
Significant Natural Heritage Area. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are
reported) -- 51 % forest, 21 % cultivation, and 22% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 65 to 51 % and developed land has increased
from 4 to 22%. Habitat -- shallow, straight channel with eroding banks, runs and pools; lone cobble riffle at sewer line right-of-way; Total Habitat Score
range 60-67. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 112-116 pS/cm. 2012 - six species of sunfish collected; high percentage of diseased
fish (1.4%, Bluegill with popeye disease which can be caused by bacterial or nematode infection and which seems to preferentially infect Bluegill); very
altered trophic structure with too few omnivores+herbivores (2%) and too many insectivores (95%); very high percentage of tolerant fish (Redbreast Sunfish
and Green Sunfish); and a low percentage of species with multiple age classes (42%), indicative of unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often observed in
streams that have experience prolonged low flow conditions; two specimens of Carolina Darter (Etheostoma collis, a state Special Concern Species) were
collected (nine were collected in 2007). Although flows appeared normal, at nearby Waxhaw Creek, between April 2011-May 2012, there were 12 high flow
storm events where water levels rose at least 5 ft and flows increased from 0-700 cfs; in 2012 there were four such events between January and May and in
April one such event occurred — 2 weeks before sampling where the creek rose 7 ft. and flows went from 2 cfs to 500 cfs. The drastically, but naturally
changing flows of several orders of magnitude undoubtedly impacts the fish community. 2007 & 2012 -- moderately diverse for a stream of its size with 21
species known from the site, including 2 species of suckers and 2 species of darters; Intolerant Species absent; dominant species is Tessellated Darter.
Recommendation -- continue monitoring this site in 2017 to document impacts from changing landuse practices in this increasingly urbanized watershed,
consider re -sampling in 2013 under more stable median flow conditions; until verified community should be considered Not Rated in 2012.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
WAXHAW CR SR 1103 105/28/131 CF58 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
UNION 38 1 03050103 1 34.836666671 -80.79166667 11-139 Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 35 1 495 1 9 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 1 75 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 13.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.3
Specific Conductance (µS/cm) 93
pH (s.u.) 6.2
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
11
2
1
10
4
6
10
5
5
59
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, clay, gravel
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
05/28/13
2013-30
13
1 44
1 Good -Fair
04/23/12
2012-11
12
1 34
1 Not Rated (Poor)
04/23/07
2007-22
14
48
Good
06/11 /97
97-55
19
56
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=11, 26%) Exotic Species No exotic species have ever been collected from
this site
Gained -- Pirate Perch (n=11, only known locale in the basin), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=2), and Pumpkinseed
(n=1) (first collections ever), and Largemouth Bass (n=3). Lost -- Bluehead Chub (n=4), Coastal Shiner (n=7),
Sandbar Shiner (n=15), Brassy Jumprock (n=11), Carolina Darter (n=9), and Tessellated Darter (n=6).
Watershed -- drains the extreme southwestern corner of Union County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers within the watershed; tributary to the
Catawba River in SC; site is part of NC Natural Heritage Program's Waxhaw Creek Aquatic Habitat Significant Natural Heritage Area and NC Ecosystem
Enhancement Program Conservation Area; a USGS gage site. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only
landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 68% forest, 22% cultivation, and 5% developed; since 1992 the forested land has decreased from 73 to 68% and
the developed land has increased from 1 to 5%. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; deadfalls and snags; stick riffles and runs, some undercut banks;
entrenched, but with good canopy and wide riparian zones; quality of instream habitats has declined since 1997 when at that time it was considered a
regional fish community reference site (total habitat score = 74); Total Habitat Score range 59-74. Water Quality -- flow at 160% of median flow; specific
conductance moderate, range 93-109 µS/cm. 2012 -- fewest fish collected (n=42) and lowest catch rate (0.9 fish/100 seconds shocking time) of any
Catawba River basin site; darters absent; 7 of 12 species were represented by only 1 or 2 fish/species and a low percentage of species with multiple age
classes (17%), indicative of unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often observed in streams that experience very low flow. Between April 2011-May 2012,
there were 12 high flow storm events where water levels rose at least 5 ft and flows increased from 0-700 cfs; in 2012 there were four such events between
January and May and in April one such event occurred — 2 weeks before sampling where the creek rose 7 ft. and flows went from 2 cfs to 500 cfs. The
drastically, but naturally changing flows of several orders of magnitude undoubtedly impacts the fish community. 1997-2012 -- fairly diverse community, 26
species known from the site including the Carolina Darter (Etheostoma co//is, a state Special Concern species); dominant species is the tolerant Redbreast
Sunfish; the intolerant Piedmont Darter has not been collected since 1997. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, there appeared to be a
decline in water quality in the past two cycles, but the stream is affected by flow extremes and the lowest rating was recorded in 2012; consideration should
be given to re -sampling in 2013 under more normal and stable flows; because the flows negatively affected the community more so than a change in water
quality, until verified, community should be considered Not Rated; continue to monitor the site in 2017. Note: site was re -sampled in 2013 and was rated
Good -Fair; number of fish collected = 156; most abundant species was the tolerant Eastern Mosquitofish (n=44, 28%), catch rate = 4.1 fish/100 seconds
shocking time.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
WAXHAW CR SR 1103 04/23/12 CF58 Not Rated (Poor)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
UNION 38 1 03050103 1 34.836666671 -80.79166667 11-139 Southern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 35 1 495 1 9 1 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 25 1 75 1 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q,„, MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C)
13.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.3
Specific Conductance (µS/cm)
93
pH (s.u.)
6.2
Water Clarity ITurbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
11
2
1
10
4
6
10
5
5
59
Sample ID
Substrate Sand, clay, gravel
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/23/12
2012-11
12
34
Not Rated (Poor)
04/23/07
2007-22
14
48
Good
06/11 /97
97-55
19
56
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish (n=11, 26%) Exotic Species No exotic species have ever been collected from
this site
Gained -- Pirate Perch (n=11, only known locale in the basin), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=2), and Pumpkinseed
(n=1) (first collections ever), and Largemouth Bass (n=3). Lost -- Bluehead Chub (n=4), Coastal Shiner (n=7),
Sandbar Shiner (n=15), Brassy Jumprock (n=11), Carolina Darter (n=9), and Tessellated Darter (n=6).
Watershed -- drains the extreme southwestern corner of Union County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers within the watershed; tributary to the
Catawba River in SC; site is part of NC Natural Heritage Program's Waxhaw Creek Aquatic Habitat Significant Natural Heritage Area and NC Ecosystem
Enhancement Program Conservation Area; a USGS gage site. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only
landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 68% forest, 22% cultivation, and 5% developed; since 1992 the forested land has decreased from 73 to 68% and
the developed land has increased from 1 to 5%. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats; deadfalls and snags; stick riffles and runs, some undercut banks;
entrenched, but with good canopy and wide riparian zones; quality of instream habitats has declined since 1997 when at that time it was considered a
regional fish community reference site (total habitat score = 74); Total Habitat Score range 59-74. Water Quality -- flow at 160% of median flow; specific
conductance moderate, range 93-109 µS/cm. 2012 -- fewest fish collected (n=42) and lowest catch rate (0.9 fish/100 seconds shocking time) of any
Catawba River basin site; darters absent; 7 of 12 species were represented by only 1 or 2 fish/species and a low percentage of species with multiple age
classes (17%), indicative of unsuccessful reproduction/survival and often observed in streams that experience very low flow. Between April 2011-May 2012,
there were 12 high flow storm events where water levels rose at least 5 ft and flows increased from 0-700 cfs; in 2012 there were four such events between
January and May and in April one such event occurred — 2 weeks before sampling where the creek rose 7 ft. and flows went from 2 cfs to 500 cfs. The
drastically, but naturally changing flows of several orders of magnitude undoubtedly impacts the fish community. 1997-2012 -- fairly diverse community, 26
species known from the site including the Carolina Darter (Etheostoma collis, a state Special Concern species); dominant species is the Redbreast Sunfish;
intolerant Piedmont Darter has not been collected since 1997. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, there appeared to be a decline in
water quality in the past two cycles, but the stream is affected by flow extremes and the lowest rating was recorded in 2012; consideration should be given to
re -sampling in 2013 under more normal and stable flows; because the flows negatively affected the community more so than a change in water quality,
community should be considered Not Rated in 2012; continue to monitor the site in 2017.