FRB 2013 Fish Community Templates

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
"ERY CR off SR 3498 107/17/121 EF66 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2 06010105 1 35,456389 82.568333 6-60 Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
B 1 8.1 1 2080 5 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 70 1 30 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 23.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 48
pH (s.u.) 6.5
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Site Photograph
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
16
Bottom Substrate (15)
6�""
Riffle Habitat (16)
14
T
Pool Variety (10)
4
_
Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
3
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
73
Substrate Gravel, sand, bedrock, cobble
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
07/17/12
2012-80
20
1 50
Good
06/12/07
2007-73
23
1 40
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Warpaint Shiner (n=83, 23%) Exotic Species Flat Bullhead (n=3), Redbreast Sunfish (n=4),
and Green Sunfish (n=14)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Rock Bass. Lost -- Whitetail Shiner, Swamp Darter (non -indigenous), Banded Darter, Gilt Darter.
All species gained or lost were represented by 1 or 2 fish/species.
ua[a Anmysis
Watershed -- drains the extreme south central portion of Buncombe County, headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV
ecoregion and U.S. Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; no NPDES or municipalities in the watershed; stream is impounded - 1.6 miles upstream by
Dubose Dam; small tributary to the French Broad River, site is - 1.0 mile 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) -- 70% forest, 16% cultivation, and 11 % developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 81 % to 70% and developed land has increased from 6% to 11 %. Habitat -- moderate quality instream and
riparian habitats; shallow riffles and small and shallow bedrock plunges; Rhododendron -lined banks at the upper end of the reach; Total Habitat Score
range 73-83. Water Quality -- specific conductance low to moderate, range 38-48 pS/cm. 2012 -- a diverse and abundant community; increase in NCIBI
score and rating were attributed to more fish, but fewer tolerant fish being collected, the presence of Smallmouth Bass (an intolerant species), and a
greater percentage of species represented by multiple age groups indicative of successful recruitment and reproduction in the stream. 2007 & 2012 -- high
level of species diversity for a small stream, 24 species known from the site, including 9 species of cyprinids, 7 species of darters, and 2 intolerant species
(Rock Bass and Gilt Darter), but the number of intolerant species is lower than expected (only 1 species present in 2007 and 2012), percentage of tolerant
fish is moderate to high (10-17%, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Creek Chub, and Flat Bullhead); dominant species are the widely distributed
Warpaint Shiner and River Chub. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality is Good in this stream; continue to monitor this site
in 2017 to document any impacts from changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
BENT CR off NC 191 106/28/121 EF67 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2 06010105 35,5006616-82.5994464 6-67-(7) Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
B 1 10.7 1 2090 1 9 0.3 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 95 0 0 5 - roads and trails
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 27
pH (s.u.) 6.5
Water Clarity I Clear, tannic, dark silty
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Site Photograph
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
18
y
Bottom Substrate (15)
12
Riffle Habitat (16)
16
;
Pool Variety (10)
6
Erosion (7)
7
`
Bank Vegetation (7)
7
Light Penetration (10)
9
,
Left Riparian Score (5)
5
Right Riparian Score (5)
5
Total Habitat Score (100)
90
Substrate Cobble, boulder, gravel, dark organic silt
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/28/12
2012-74
21
1 50
Good
06/12/07
2007-74
22
1 56
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Central Stoneroller (n=114, 18%) Exotic Species Chain Pickerel (n=1), Flat Bullhead (n=4), and
Redbreast Sunfish (n=11)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Bigeye Chub (n=6), Chain Pickerel (n=1), and Bluegill (n=12). Lost -- Golden Redhorse (n=3),
White Sucker (n=4), Largemouth Bass (n=1), and Smallmouth Bass (n=1).
ua[a Ana
Watershed -- drains southwestern Buncombe County, including the U.S. Forest Service's 9.4 mi` Bent Creek Experimental Forest; headwater tributaries
drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities in the watershed; two NPDES dischargers (NC0020478 and 0036684,
Total Qw = 0.12) located - 2.9 and 0.9 miles, respectively upstream from the site; site is within the UNC Arboretum's property; a small tributary to the
French Broad River, site is - 3 miles downstream from Lake Powhatan and - 0.5 miles above the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from
USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htm1, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 92% forest and 5% developed; because
the watershed is contained largely within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, no appreciable change in landuse percentages since 1992 was measured.
Habitat -- high quality instream and riparian habitats; shallow riffles, silts along the edges and atop the rocks; shallow side snags; silty and open -canopied
pool at the end of the reach; seemed to be low -flow conditions based upon the discharge recorded at the USGS gage on the Swannanoa River at Biltmore;
Total Habitat Score range 88-90. Water Quality -- specific conductance low, measurements of 21 and 27 µS/cm in 2007 and 2012, respectively; water
became very dark from suspended organic silts while walking in the channel. 2012 -- abundant and diverse community for a stream of its size, 5 species
of darters present; absence of Smallmouth Bass resulted in the decrease in the NCIBI score, but not the rating; no change in trophic metrics; percentage of
tolerant fish (4%, Redbreast Sunfish, Creek Chub, and Flat Bullhead) was slightly elevated as it was in 2007; upstream reaches are managed by the
NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, one stocked Brook Trout (295 mm TL) was collected. 2007-2012 -- 25 species known from the site,
including 7 species of cyprinids, 5 species of darters, and 3 intolerant species (Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Gilt Darter); dominant species is Mottled
Sculpin. Recommendation - based upon all the data collected, the overall water quality in this stream is Good and unchanged; continue to monitor this
site in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
BIG CR
I SR 1444
106/13/121
EF75
I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
YANCEY
7 1 06010108 1 36.01542991
-82.3515462 7-3-40-(2.5)
Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr
8.1 1 2100
1 6
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 90 1 10 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 33
pH (s.u.) 7.1
Water Clarity I Clear
Site Photograph
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
w y;z �, . `�f ' i"•
r S v
i
++'
_ P
Ii
4
yt i 1
fie, q
Substrate Cobble, boulder
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
5
18
12
16
4
3
4
5
2
2
71
Sample ID
06/13/12
1 2012-59
1 11
1 40
1 Good -Fair
06/21 /07
1 2007-92
19
1 56
1 Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Mottled Sculpin (n=195, 43%) j Exotic Species Rainbow Trout (n=2)
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Gained -- none. Lost --Bigeye Chub (n=4), Warpaint Shiner (n=70), Tennessee Shiner (n=45), Telescope
Shiner (n=26), Brown Trout (n=4, only young -of -year in 2012), Brook Trout (n=1), Rock Bass (n=1), and Banded
Darter (n=1).
Watershed -- drains northwest Yancey County; some headwater tributaries drain the Southern Sedimentary Ridges Level IV ecoregion and the US Forest
Service's Pisgah National Forest; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; small tributary to the Cane River, site is — 50 ft. 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) -- 93% forest and 5% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 99.9% to 93% and developed land has increased from < 1 % to
5%. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; primarily high gradient with fast velocity riffles and runs; shallow side snags and pools; riparian zones
narrow and altered by residential lawns and Japanese Knot Weed providing a poor canopy cover; along US 19 W the visible watershed has little riparian
protection with open canopy dominated by church parking lots and residential lawns; Total Habitat Score declined from 86 in 2007 to 71 in 2012. Water
Quality -- specific conductance was low during the past two monitoring cycles, 33 and 40 pS/cm. 2012 -- fewest species collected from any site in the basin
in 2012 (n=11), but no tolerant species were collected; only site where Warpaint Shiner was not collected and 1 of 4 sites where Rock Bass was not
collected; close proximity to Cane River influences the community's total diversity and composition as species seasonally immigrate to and emigrate from Big
Creek (e.g., Bigeye Chub, Warpaint Shiner, Tennessee Shiner, and Telescope Shiner); the fish community rating in 2012 was affected more by the site's
proximity to the Cane River than by an actual change in water quality; the substantial decline in the NCIBI score and rating were attributed to the loss of eight
species and a slightly skewed trophic structure (87% Insectivores); stream supports a reproducing population of Brown Trout; headwaters managed by the
NCWRC as Wild Trout Waters, one stocked Rainbow Trout (313 mm TL) collected. 2007 & 2012 -- 19 species known from the site, including 9 species of
cyprinids, 3 species of darters, and 6 intolerant species (Telescope Shiner, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Greenfin Darter);
a very intolerant community persists in the creek; dominant species is the Mottled Sculpin. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected the water
quality is generally Good in this stream that is supplementally classified as Trout Waters; there is the potential for a future decline in the fish community if the
riparian zones are not better managed; riparian re -vegetation and restoration in the watershed should be pursued to reduce solar insolation, primary
production, bank erosion, and nonpoint source runoff, and decrease the potential for River Chub and Central Stoneroller to become abundant; continue
monitoring of this site in 2017 to document any further changes within the immediate watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
BIG CRABTREE CR SR 1002 106/12/121 EF7 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MITCHELL 6 1 06010108 1 35,88785-82.14647 7-2-48 Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 14.6 1 2590 1 10 0.5 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 95 0 5 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R6.5
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
20
12
16
10
7
7
9
5
5
96
Site Photograph
Substrate Cobble, boulder, silt, gravel, sand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
06/12/12
2012-55
20
58
Excellent
06/18/07
2007-83
20
58
Excellent
12/01 /04
2004-141
17
58
Excellent
09/30/98
98-77
17
58
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Warpaint Shiner (n=56, 19%) Exotic Species Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Redbreast
Sunfish (n=1 each).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- White Sucker (n=1). Lost -- Rosyside Dace (n-=7).
uata Ana
-- drains southern Mitchell and southeastern Yancey counties; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the North
Toe River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 90%
forest and 5% cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 98% to 90% and developed land has increased from < 1 % to 4%. Habitat -- the
highest Total Habitat Score of any fish community site in the basin in 2012; no changes in habitats since the last monitoring cycle; deep and swift flow in
the riffles and runs; boulder pools, pool at the beginning of the reach with leafy detritus deposits along right bank; greater flows than in previous cycle;
Total Habitat Score range 84-96. Water Quality -- specific conductance low and stable during the past four monitoring cycles, range 27-34 pS/cm. 2012
fewer fish were collected than expected which might have been due to higher than normal flow conditions; stream is stocked by a private trout club,
although all trout collected were wild; one Eastern Hellbender (290 mm TL, a Special Concern species and indicator of cold, highly oxygenated swift
waters) was netted and released. 1998-2012 -- 22 species known from the site, including 9 species of cyprinids, 4 species of darters, and 4 intolerant
species (Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Greenfin Darter, and Gilt Darter); dominant species is Mottled Sculpin; fish community has consistently been rated
Excellent. Recommendation -- based upon the all the data collected, the water seems to be consistently of very high quality in this stream that is
supplementally classified as Trout Waters; continue monitoring of this fish community regional reference site in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
BIG ROCK CR NC 226 106/13/121 EF10 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MITCHELL 6 1 06010108 1 36,054187-82.217936 7-2-64 Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 33.2 1 2330 1 13 0.4 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 65 0 35 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 16.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 55
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
18
10
16
6
6
6
9
3
3
82
Site Photograph
Substrate lCobble, boulder, bedrock veins
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
06/13/12
2012-57
12
48
Good
06/20/07
2007-89
14
50
Good
09/30/98
98-78
14
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
ua[a Ana
Mottled Sculpin (n=252, 34%) Exotic Species I Brown Trout (n=8)
Gained -- Rock Bass (n=4, first collection ever). Lost -- Blacknose Dace (n=2), Bluegill (n=1), sunfish hybrid
(n=1), and Greenfin Darter (n=2).
Watershed -- drains northern Mitchell County, including portions of the US Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; some of the headwaters drain the High
Mountains Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the North Toe River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 89% forest and 7% cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 97% to 89% and cultivated has increased from 3% to 6%. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; swift flow; primarily
fast and wide runs and riffles; some side boulder pools; swift and moderately deep plunges and bedrock chutes; narrow riparian zones bordered by
pastures; greater than normal flows based upon the discharge recorded at the USGS on the South Toe River near Celo; Total Habitat Score range 77-87.
Water Quality -- specific conductance moderately elevated during the past three monitoring cycles, range 55-65 pS/cm. 2012 -- decline in NCIBI score
was due to the loss of the Greenfin Darter, but the rating did not change; no tolerant species collected; stream is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery
Supported Trout Waters, one stocked Rainbow Trout (313 mm TL) collected; stream supports a reproducing population of Brown Trout. 1998-2012 -- 17
species known from the site, including 9 species of cyprinids, 2 species of darters, and 4 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass,
and Greenfin Darter); dominant species is Mottled Sculpin; an abundant, but low diversity community, consistently lower than expected diversity metric
scores compared to those at the fish community regional reference sites; as with the other metrics, the trophic metrics were very stable over the past three
monitoring cycles; an intolerant community (0.0%-0.1 % tolerant fish). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water quality is
consistently Good in this stream that is supplementally classified as Trout Waters; continue monitoring of this regional reference site in 2017 to document
any affects on the fish community due to landuse changes.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date
Station ID
Bioclassification
BOYLSTON CR
I SR 1314
107/17/121
EF11
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude
AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
HENDERSON 1 3
1 06010105 1 35.3753611
-82.549108
6-52-(6.5)
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
W S-IV
15.3 1 2000
1 9
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 15 0 75-row crops 10-hot houses
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 20.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.8
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 45
pH (s.u.) 6.2
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
12
4
10
4
4
6
8
3
4
60
Substrate lCobble, gravel, silt, sand
Site Photograph
Sample Date SamDle ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
07/17/12
2012-78
27
48
Good
06/04/02
2002-64
24
52
Good
09/15/97
97-76
23
56
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
uaca
Tennessee Shiner (n=64, 12%) and Chain Pickerel (n=1), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=3),
Fantail Darter (n= 63, 12%) Exotic Species Redbreast Sunfish (n=5), Green Sunfish (n=31),
and Pumpkinseed (n=1).
Gained -- Black Redhorse (n=1), Chain Pickerel (n=1), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=3), Pumpkinseed (n=1), and
Largemouth Bass (n=2, first collections ever for all species). Lost -- Blotched Chub (n=14) and Golden
Redhorse (n=2).
-- drains northeastern Transylvania and northwestern Henderson counties, including the Town of Mills River; headwater tributaries drain the
Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the French Broad River, site is — 0.8 mile
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) -- 61 % forest, 27% cultivation, and 9% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 68% to 61 % and developed
land has increased from 3% to 9%. Habitat -- lower elevation creek that flows through a broad valley; low quality instream and riparian habitats; riffles;
shallow side snags and deadfalls; stream appeared wider and shallower near the middle and end of reach in 2012 than in 2002; bank erosion moderate;
Total Habitat score range 64-76. Water Quality -- despite draining an agricultural area, the specific conductance has been low during the past three
monitoring cycles, range 35-45 pS/cm. 2012 -- a very diverse and abundant community, the most total species, most species of darters (n=6), and most
nonindigenous species (n=5) collected from any site in the basin in 2012; slight decline in the NCIBI score, although the NCIBI rating was unchanged; a
greater percentage of tolerant fish (13%, Green Sunfish, Creek Chub, Redbreast Sunfish, Eastern Mosquitofish, and White Sucker) collected in 2012 than in
2002; only site from which Eastern Mosquitofish and Pumpkinseed were collected in 2012. 1997-2012 -- most diverse community of any in the basin that
was monitored in 2012; 33 species known from the site, including 11 species of cyprinids, 6 species of darters, but only 2 intolerant species (Rock Bass and
Gilt Darter), and 1 Significantly Rare Species (Blotched Chub); dominant species are the widespread River Chub and Warpaint Shiner; NCIBI score has
gradually decreased since 1997; Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout have not been collected since 1997. Recommendation -- based upon all the data
collected, the water quality in this stream is Good and unchanged, although the NC IBI score has trended downward since 1997; continue to monitor this site
in 2017 to document any impacts from landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
CANE CR
I
US 25
107/17/121
EF15
I
Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
HENDERSON 1 2
1 06010105 1
35.421944441 -82.50416667 1 6-57-(9)b
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi)
Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
82.1
1 2050
13 0.5
1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban
Visible Landuse (%) 1 20 1 20
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (z 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture
50
NPDES Number
Other (describe)
10-road
Volume (Q., MGD)
None
---
---
Water Quality Parameters
Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 22.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 70
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)
Sample Date
4
14
6
3
10
5
6
8
4
3
63
Sample ID
Substrate I Cobble, gravel, sand, silt
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratina
07/17/12
1 2012-79
1 24
1 50
Good
06/04/02
2002-67
24
50
Good
09/16/97
97-79
26
46
1 Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
uata
Chain Pickerel (n=2), Flat Bullhead (n=7),
Redline Darter (n=79, 22%) Exotic Species Redbreast Sunfish (n=28), and Green Sunfish
�(n=2).
Gained -- Chain Pickerel (n=2), Brown Bullhead (n=1), Largemouth Bass (n=2), and Banded Darter (n=2). Lost
-- Mountain Brook Lamprey (9), Blotched Chub (n=23), Silver Shiner (n=1), Black Redhorse (n=1), and
Greenside Darter (n=2).
Watershed -- drains northeast Henderson and southeast Buncombe counties, including the Town of Fletcher; headwater tributaries drain the Southern
Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion, five NPDES discharges (NC0033227, 0066788, 0076147, 0086436, and 0087556, Total Qw = 0.388 MGD)
located in the watershed; large tributary to the French Broad River, site is — 2.6 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) -- 68% forest, 17% cultivation, and 12%
developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 81 % to 68%, cultivated land has increased from 12% to 16%, and developed land has increased
from 6% to 12%. Habitat -- lower quality instream habitats; coarse woody debris, riffles only at the beginning and end of the reach with a long pool in
between the riffles with thick deposits of silts along its banks; Podostemum and Potamogeton present; Total Habitat Score range 63-72. Water Quality --
specific conductance elevated during the past three monitoring cycles, range 62-70 pS/cm. 2012 -- as in previous cycles, a very diverse community with 5
species of darters and 8 species of cyprinids; large biomass of Golden Redhorse, White Sucker, and Northern Hog Sucker; short segment of the creek (from
SR 1551 to the US 25) is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters; only site from which Brown Bullhead were collected in 2012. 1997-
2012 -- second most diverse community in the basin in 2012 with 32 species known from the site, including 12 species of cyprinids, 6 species of darters, 3
intolerant species (Silver Shiner, Rock Bass, and Gilt Darter), and 1 Significantly Rare species (Blotched Chub); Saffron Shiner which was abundant in 1997
(n=76) has not been collected since then; Blotched Chub was abundant and common in 1997 and 2002 (n=74 and 23, respectively), but has not been
collected since 2002; dominant species is the Redline Darter which is abundant in the riffles; the percentage of tolerant fish has always been high (11 %-15%,
primarily Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, White Sucker, Creek Chub, Flat Bullhead, and Brown Bullhead); never -the -less, trophic metrics have not
changed since 2002. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality continues to be generally Good and unchanged, but the declines
and absences of a Significantly Rare species and a widespread cyprinid (Blotched Chub and Saffron Shiner, respectively) are causes for some concern;
Asheville Regional Office staff should identify sediment source inputs in this watershed that are contributing to the increased sediment noted along its banks
and embedded substrate; continue to monitor this site in 2017 to document impacts from changing landuse practices in this increasingly urbanized watershed
and any impacts from the permitted dischargers.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
CRAB CR SR 1532 07/10/12 EF20 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
TRANSYLVANIA 1 1 1 06010105 1 5,23444444-82.6175 6-38-23 Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr,HQW 1 11.1 1 2100 1 6 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 0 1 15 85 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 21.3
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 30
pH (s.u.) 6.5
Water Clarity I Clear, easily silted
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
16
6
14
8
6
4
7
1
1
68
Substrate Gravel, sand, cobble
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
07/10/12
2012-75
20
50
Good
06/13/07
2007-75
21
56
Good
06/03/02
2002-62
20
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
ua[a Ana
Central Stoneroller (n=110, 21 %) Exotic Species I Rosyside Dace (n=6) and Brown Trout (n=3).
Gained -- Bigeye Chub (n=4, first collection ever), Mirror Shiner (n=4), Bluegill (n=2). Lost -- Rainbow Trout
(n=5), Redbreast Sunfish (n=20), Rock Bass (n=1), and Greenside Darter (n=2).
-- drains eastern Transylvania County; most of the watershed is in the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no
municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; small tributary to the Little River; site is — 1.4 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) -- 83% forest, 10%
cultivation, and 6% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 90% to 83% and developed land has increased from < 1 % to 6%. Habitat --
moderate quality instream habitats; riffles and runs; deadfalls creating pools of varied depths; snags and undercut banks; overgrown with alders and briars;
row crops (corn and green peppers) being grown beyond the very narrow riparian zones; grazing cattle previously had access to the creek in prior cycles;
Total Habitat Score range 64-73. Water Quality -- specific conductance stable and low during the past three monitoring cycles, range 25-30 µS/cm. 2012
- diverse and abundant community for a stream of its size; most species of cyprinids (minnows, n=10) collected from any site in the basin in 2012; much
lower percentage of tolerant fish in 2012 than in 2007 (1 vs. 11); loss of Greenside Darter, Rock Bass, and Rainbow Trout resulted in the lower NCIBI
score, but did not alter the NCIBI rating between 2007 and 2012; creek supports a reproducing population of Brown Trout; only site from which Rosyside
Dace were collected in 2012. 2002-2012 -- very diverse and abundant fish production for a stream of its size, 25 species known from the site including 9
species of cyprinids, 5 species of darters, and 3 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, and Gilt Darter); dominant species is the herbivorous
Central Stoneroller which can become abundant in productive streams and the insectivorous Saffron Shiner; stable trophic metrics during the past two
cycles; loss of two intolerant species (Rainbow Trout and Rock Bass) may suggest declining water quality. Recommendation -- based upon all the data
collected, water quality continues to be Good in this stream that is supplementally classified as Trout Waters and High Quality Waters; continue to monitor
this site in 2017 to document any impacts from changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
CRABTREE CR
I NC 209
106127/121
EF21
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
HAYWOOD 1 5
1 06010106 1 35.598055561 -82.93388889 5-22
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
19.1 2520
6
0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Visible Landuse (%) 30 5
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
65 0
NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None
I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
16.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
8.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
67
pH (s.u.)
7.4
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, 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)
Sample Date
5
12
10
10
10
3
2
4
0
0
56
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate JBedrock, cobble, silt
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/27/12
2012-71
12
50
Good
06/14/07
2007-79
13
44
Good -Fair
09/24/02
2002-82
11
40
Good -Fair
06/03/97
97-52
8
28
Poor
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Whitetail Shiner (n=294, 38%)and Exotic Species Brown Trout (n=1) and Redbreast Sunfish (n=54)
Central Stoneroller (n=253, 33 )
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Tennessee Shiner (n=1) and Silver Shiner (n=11) (first collections ever). Lost -- River Chub (n=8),
Fathead Minnow (n=1), and Blacknose Dace (n=2).
uata Hnaiysis
Watershed -- drains northeastern Haywood County; headwaters drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities or
NPDES dischargers upstream; tributary to the Pigeon River, site is — 1.4 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) -- 65% forest and 28% cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 85% to 65% and cultivated land has increased from 13% to 28%. Habitat -- lowest Total Habitat Score of any site (along
with Sandymush Creek) in the basin in 2012; no change since last monitoring cycle: cattle with access to the creek along both banks, severe bank erosion,
open canopy, variety of pool sizes, cobble riffles and runs, Podostemum -covered rocks; and bedrock pools with silt -covered rocks; Total Habitat Score range
56-66. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderately elevated during past four monitoring cycles, range 57-75 pS/cm; water became very turbid from re-
suspended silts when walking in the channel. 2012 -- as in cycles past, an extremely productive stream with consistently limited species diversity; 1 of 2
sites in the basin where no darters were collected; large specimens and biomass of Central Stoneroller, Whitetail Shiner, Northern Hog Sucker, Brown Trout,
Redbreast Sunfish, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass; Silver Shiner (adults, 102-118 mm TL) and Tennessee Shiner (adult, 65 mm TL) had immigrated
upstream from the Pigeon River (re -introduced as part of the Pigeon River Re -Introduction Project); a more balanced trophic structure resulted in the higher
NCIBI score and rating; only site from which Silver Shiner were collected in 2012. 1997-2012 -- 16 species known from the site, including 10 species of
cyprinids and 3 intolerant species (Silver Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass); darters, sculpins, and lampreys have never been collected from this
site; dominance by the Central Stoneroller and subsequently the very high percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores were indicative of nutrient enrichment; the
insectivorous Whitetail Shiner, another dominant species, can become very abundant in other warm, slightly turbid, silty -bottom productive streams such as
Newfound, Turkey, Sandymush, Little Ivy, and Reems creeks. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected and in spite of the obvious nutrient
and sediment inputs, the fish community rating in this productive stream continues to improve; Asheville Regional Office staff should identify sediment source
inputs in this watershed; nutrient, bank erosion, sediment source reductions, and fencing out cattle may be needed in the future if deteriorations in these
habitats persist; continue monitoring of this site in 2017 to document changing landuse practices in the immediate watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
FINES CR
off SR 1355
110/10/131
EF76
I Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
HAYWOOD
5 06010106 1 35.66694441
-82.991111 5-32
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
125.7 1 2270
1 11 1
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 90 0 0 10-road
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 15.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 75
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
17
12
16
10
7
6
8
5
3
89
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate Cobble, large boulder, sand
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
10/1013
2013-68
12
38
Fair
06/27/12
2012-70
14
36
Not Rated (Fair)
06/14/07
2007-78
16
40
Good -Fair
09/24/02
2002-85 @ SR 1355
13
38
Fair
10/22/97
97-93 @ SR 1355
11
34
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Warpaint Shiner (n=73, 33%) and
Exotic Species
Brown Trout (n=6), Redbreast Sunfish (n=10),
Central Stoneroller (n=72, 32 /o).
and Green Sunfish (n=3).
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Gained -- Green Sunfish (n=3).
Lost -- Rainbow Trout (n=1), Tuckasegee Darter (n=2), and Swamp Darter
(n=1; nonindigenous).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains northeast Haywood County; most of the watershed drains the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no
municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; the last tributary to join the Pigeon River above Walters Lake, site is - 600 ft. 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) -- 78% forest and 16% cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 92% to 78% and cultivated land has increased from 6% to 16%.
Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; gorge -like with high gradient plunge pools and waterfalls; fast and deep runs and riffles; Podostemum -covered
rocks in the riffles; narrow riparian zone on the right due to the road; Total Habitat Score range 88-90. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderately
elevated during past four monitoring cycles, range 67-75 pS/cm. 2012 -- 1 of only 4 sites that were sampled in the basin where Rock Bass was not
collected; decline in NCIBI score and rating was attributed to the more than three -fold decrease in the number of fish collected (from 754 in 2007 to 222 in
2012, especially Central Stoneroller, Northern Hog Sucker, Redbreast Sunfish, Bluegill, River Chub, and Longnose Dace), a decrease in species diversity
including the loss of the indigenous Tuckasegee Darter, and the loss of the intolerant Rainbow Trout; these changes may have been the result of at
minimum five very high flow events (based upon the discharge recorded at the USGS gage on the Pigeon River near Hepco) between late fall 2009-winter
2010, during late fall 2010, and during late fall 2011 which may have scoured the gorge -like area; improvements were noted in two facets of the biological
integrity of the community which had a more balanced trophic structure than it had in 2007 (a lower percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and a greater
percentage of Insectivores); stream continued to support a reproducing population of Brown Trout. 1997-2012 -- 18 species known from the site, including
6 species of cyprinids, 2 species of darters, and 2 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout and Smallmouth Bass); dominant species is the herbivorous Central
Stoneroller; Rock Bass has never been collected at this site. Recommendation -- community should be re -sampled in 2013 to verify that the Fair rating is
persistent and which would result in the stream's placement on the impaired stream's list. Note: site was re -sampled in 2013 and was rated Fair; as in
2012 several metrics indicated an impaired community: low abundance of fish, an absence of darters and intolerant species, and a moderately elevated
percentage of tolerant fish, Rainbow Trout has not been collected since 2007, and the total number of fish collected has declined from 754 to 222 to 174
during the last three sampling events.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
FINES CR
off SR 1355
106/27/121
EF76
I Not Rated (Fair)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
HAYWOOD
5 1 06010106 1 35.66694441
-82.991111 5-32
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
25.7 1 2270
11 1
0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 90 1 0 0 10-road
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 15.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.9
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 75
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
17
12
16
10
7
6
8
5
3
89
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate JCobble, large boulder, sand
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/27/12
1 2012-70
1 14
1 36
Not Rated (Fair)
06/14/07
1 2007-78
1 16
1 40
Good -Fair
09/24/02
2002-85 @ SR 1355
13
38
Fair
10/22/97
97-93 @ SR 1355
11
34
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Warpaint Shiner (n=73 , 33%) and Central Exotic Species Brown Trout (n=6), Redbreast Sunfish (n=10),
Stoneroller (n=72, 32 /o). and Green Sunfish (n=3).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Green Sunfish (n=3). Lost -- Rainbow Trout (n=1), Tuckasegee Darter (n=2), and Swamp Darter
(n=1; nonindigenous).
uaca
Watershed -- drains northeast Haywood County; most of the watershed drains the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities
or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; the last tributary to join the Pigeon River above Walters Lake, site is — 600 ft. 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) -- 78% forest and
16% cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 92% to 78% and cultivated land has increased from 6% to 16%. Habitat -- high quality
instream habitats; gorge -like with high gradient plunge pools and waterfalls; fast and deep runs and riffles; Podostemum -covered rocks in the riffles; narrow
riparian zone on the right due to the road; Total Habitat Score range 88-90. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderately elevated during past four
monitoring cycles, range 67-75 pS/cm. 2012 -- 1 of only 4 sites that were sampled in the basin where Rock Bass was not collected; decline in NCIBI score
and rating was attributed to the more than three -fold decrease in the number of fish collected (from 754 in 2007 to 222 in 2012, especially Central
Stoneroller, Northern Hog Sucker, Redbreast Sunfish, Bluegill, River Chub, and Longnose Dace), a decrease in species diversity including the loss of the
indigenous Tuckasegee Darter, and the loss of the intolerant Rainbow Trout; these changes may have been the result of at minimum five very high flow
events (based upon the discharge recorded at the USGS gage on the Pigeon River near Hepco) between late fall 2009-winter 2010, during late fall 2010,
and during late fall 2011 which may have scoured the gorge -like area; improvements were noted in two facets of the biological integrity of the community
which had a more balanced trophic structure than it had in 2007 (a lower percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and a greater percentage of Insectivores);
stream continued to support a reproducing population of Brown Trout. 1997-2012 -- 18 species known from the site, including 6 species of cyprinids, 2
species of darters, and 2 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout and Smallmouth Bass); dominant species is the herbivorous Central Stoneroller; Rock Bass has
never been collected at this site. Recommendation -- community should be re -sampled in 2013 to verify that the Fair rating is persistent and which would
result in the stream's placement on the impaired stream's list.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
FLAT CR SR 1742 106/15/121 EF25 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2 06010105 35,71777778 82.62444444 6-88 Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 124.5 1 1770 7 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 100 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
20.7
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
125
pH (s.u.)
8.1
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, 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
19
12
16
10
7
6
10
5
3
93
Substrate I Large boulder and cobble
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/15/12
2012-62
20
50
Good
06/18/02
2002-72
16
50
Good
04/10/97
97-18
17
56
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Central Stoneroller (n=63, 21 %) Exotic Species Redbreast Sunfish (n=7) and Green Sunfish
(n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Creek Chub (n=1), Flathead Catfish (n=1), Green Sunfish (n=1), Bluegill (n=2), and Banded Darter
(n=1) (first collections ever for all species). Lost -- Flat Bullhead (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains north central Buncombe County; some headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no
municipalities in the watershed; five NPDES dischargers (NC0034924, 0061182, 0067342, 0068152, and 0073814, Total Q. = 0.151 MGD) located in the
watershed; tributary to the French Broad River, site is — 0.3 miles 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) -- 57% forest, 28% cultivation, and 11 % developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 77% to 57%, cultivated land has increased from 18% to 28%, and developed land has increased from 5% to
11 %. Habitat -- high quality instream and riparian habitats; extremely rocky; gorge -like; high velocity and gradient plunge pools and chutes; large, silty
pool at the end of the reach; watershed above the reach with mostly an open canopy and plant nurseries; high water event on 06/11/2012; Total Habitat
Score range 89-93. Water Quality -- second greatest specific conductance of any fish community site in the basin in 2012 (125 pS/cm) and was more
than twice the measurement of 52 pS/cm in 2002; pH also elevated; water with a greenish cast. 2012 -- diverse, but not very abundant fish community
with a a slightly greater than expected percentage of tolerant fish (4%, Redbreast Sunfish, White Sucker, Green Sunfish, and Creek Chub); four species of
darters present; only site from which Flathead Catfish were collected in 2012. 1997-2012 -- diverse community with 24 species known from the site,
including 10 species of cyprinids, 4 species of darters, and 3 intolerant species (Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Greenfin Darter); dominant species is
the Whitetail Shiner. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality continues to be Good in this increasingly agricultural and
developed watershed, however there are indications of increasing degradation such as the dramatic increase in specific conductance from point and
nonpoint source runoff; continue to monitor this site in 2017 to document any impacts from changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
HOMINY CR NC 151 06/27/12 EF26 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2 06010105 35,535881 82.692489 6-76b Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 130.2 1 2095 7 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 55 1 35 0 10-road
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
21.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.5
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
85
pH (s.u.)
7.3
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, 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
15
6
14
6
6
6
8
5
2
73
Substrate lCobble, gravel, sand, silt
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/27/12
2012-72
17
50
Good
06/12/07
2007-71
15
46
Good -Fair
09/24/02
2002-84
16
40
Good -Fair
09/17/97
97-80
16
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Icentral Stoneroller (n=93, 20%) 1 Exotic Species lRedbreast Sunfish (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Tennessee Shiner and Golden Redhorse (n=1 each, first collections ever), Whitetail Shiner (n=3),
Redbreast Sunfish (n=1). Lost -- Longnose Dace (n=8) and Redear Sunfish (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southwestern Buncombe and a small part of eastern Haywood counties, including a very small portion of the Town of Canton;
headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; three NPDES dischargers (NC0025933, 0039187, and 0085952,
Total Qw = 0.055 MGD) located on small tributaries in the watershed; tributary to the French Broad River, site is - 500 ft. above its confluence with South
Hominy Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 67%
forest, 19% cultivation, and 13% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 78% to 67% and cultivated land has increased from 11 % to
19%. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; narrow riparian zone along the right bank with road, residential, and commercial land use; shallow
riffles, runs, and side pools; no change in habitats since last monitoring cycle, Total Habitat Score range 69-75. Water Quality -- specific conductance
elevated during all monitoring cycles, range 78-98 pS/cm. 2012 -- slight increase in the NCIBI score and rating was due to a greater overall diversity of
species and not quite as many fish collected in 2012 as compared to 2007 (461 vs. 1062); diverse cyprinid community with 9 species present; overall a
very intact native community with very few nonindigenous species collected. 1997-2012 -- 21 species known from the site, including 10 species of
cyprinids, but only 2 species of darters (Fantail Darter and Swannanoa Darter) and only 1 intolerant species (Rock Bass); regardless of the number of fish
collected at this site (from 266 in 2002 to 1062 in 2007) the trophic metrics have been stable (23%-31 % Omnivores+Herbivores and 67%-73%
Insectivores); dominant species are Mottled Sculpin and Saffron Shiner. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water quality
fluctuates between Good -Fair and Good, but there are indications of some degradation such as elevated conductivity and turbidity; Asheville Regional
Office staff should identify sediment source inputs in this watershed and should also investigate the source for the elevated specific conductance.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
IVY CR SR 2207 106/14/121 EF8 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 4 06010105 35,791389 82.538948 6-96-(0.5) Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-II;HQW 1 60 1 1950 15 0.5 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 85 1 5 1 0 10
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 16.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 32
pH (s.u.) 6.3
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
19
12
16
10
7
6
8
3
5
91
Site Photograph
Substrate Cobble and large boulders
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
06/14/12
2012-61
19
58
Excellent
06/18/02
2002-73
18
60
Excellent
09/18/97
97-83
20
58
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
ua[a Ana
Tennessee Shiner (n=98, 21 %) Exotic Species None
Gained -- Bluegill (first collection ever), Mountain Brook Lamprey, and Mirror Shiner. Lost -- Telescope Shiner
and Gilt Darter.
Watershed -- drains northeast Buncombe County; headwater tributaries drain the High Mountains and the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV
ecoregions including US Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; no municipalities in the watershed; one NPDES discharger (NC0039152, Qw = 0.0025
MGD) located — 7.5 miles upstream; large tributary to the French Broad River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 87% forest and 8% cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 96% to 87% and cultivated land has increased from 3% to 8%. Habitat -- high quality instream and riparian habitats;
fast riffles, runs, and plunges; deep runs and chutes; deep boulder pools along the right bank; no change in habitats since last monitoring cycle; Total
Habitat Score range 84-91. Water Quality -- specific conductance has gradually decreased from 63 pS/cm in 1997 to 43 pS/cm in 2002 to 32 pS/cm in
2012; high flow conditions in 2012. 2012 -- only site in the basin from which no nonindigenous species were collected in 2012; no tolerant species present;
one Eastern Hellbender (400 mm TL, a Special Concern species and indicator of cold, highly oxygenated swift waters) was netted and released; stream is
managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, one stocked Brown Trout (245 mm TL) was collected. 1997-2012 -- 23 species known
from the site, including 9 species of cyprinids, 4 species of darters, and 6 intolerant species (Telescope Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth
Bass, Greenfin Darter, Gilt Darter); dominant species is the Central Stoneroller which has been decreasing in dominance from 22% in 1997 to 7% in 2012;
a very intolerant community with 0% tolerant fish collected; community consistently has been rated Excellent. Recommendation -- based upon the all the
data collected, the water seems to be consistently of very high quality in this stream that is supplementally classified as High Quality Waters; continue
monitoring of this fish community regional reference site in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
LITTLE IVY CR SR 1547 106/14/121 EF71 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MADISON 4 06010105 1 5,8085416-82.5187343 6-96-10a Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-II;HQW 1 42.1 1 2045 1 8 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 40 0 60 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R6.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Site Photograph
Channel Modification (5)
5�
Instream Habitat (20)
13
yti
Bottom Substrate (15)
5-
Riffle Habitat (16)
14
Pool Variety (10)
6
^a
Erosion (7)
6'
Bank Vegetation (7)
6
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
2
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
67
Substrate lBedrock, gravel, sand, boulders
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/14/12
2012-60
15
56
Good
06/18/07
2007-84
14
52
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Whitetail Shiner (n=207, 33%) 1 Exotic Species lRedbreast Sunfish (n=4)
Gained -- Telescope Shiner (n=1), White Sucker (n=1), Redbreast Sunfish (n=4), and Swannanoa Darter
(n=8). Lost -- Mirror Shiner (n=5), Longnose Dace (n=3), and Rainbow Trout (n=1).
-- drains southeast Madison County; headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities
or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Ivy Creek and ultimately the French Broad River, site is — 3 miles upstream from the creek's
confluence with Ivy Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are
reported) -- 75% forest, 16% cultivation, and 6% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 92% to 75%, cultivated land has increased from
8% to 16%, and developed land has increased from < 1 % to 6%. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; narrow riparian zones; runs and plunges;
slick silt- and periphyton-covered rocks, no change in habitats since last monitoring cycle; Total Habitat Score range 67-73. Water Quality -- highest
specific conductance of any fish community site in the basin in 2012 (180 pS/cm), was also elevated in 2007 at 151 pS/cm; sources of high conductivity
are most likely from nonpoint source runoff or illegal discharges; water with a greenish cast. 2012 -- an abundant community with a large biomass of
Central Stoneroller, Whitetail Shiner, and Northern Hog Sucker; overall diversity was slightly lower than expected; a slight increase in the NCIBI score, but
not the rating and was the result of the collection of an additional species of darter; Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, one stocked Brown Trout (233 mm
TL) collected. 2007 & 2012 -- 18 species known from the site, including 10 species of cyprinids, 2 species of darters, and 4 intolerant species (Telescope
Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass); dominant species is the insectivorous Whitetail Shiner which can become very abundant in
other warm, slightly turbid, silty -bottom productive streams such as Newfound, Turkey, Sandymush, Crabtree, and Reems creeks. Recommendation --
based upon all the data collected, the water quality remains Good in this stream that is supplementally classified as High Quality Waters, but there are
indications of some degradation such as elevated conductivity, turbidity, and a very productive fish community; Asheville Regional Office staff should
identify sediment source inputs in this watershed and should also investigate the source for the elevated specific conductance; continue monitoring of this
regional reference site in 2017 to document changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
MEADOW FK NC 209 09/26/12 EF72 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MADISON 4 06010105 1 5,8307293-82.8619264 6-118-19 Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr, ORW 1 22.7 1 1850 1 7 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 95 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 13.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 38
pH (s.u.) 6.1
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)
5
19
12
16
8
6
6
9
5
4
90
Substrate lCobble, boulder, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total
NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
09/26/12
2012-93
12
48
Good
06/19/07
T
2007-86
I 11
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 1
River Chub (n=128, 33%)
Exotic Species
Brown Trout (n=3)
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Gained -- Whitetail Shiner (n=5) and Tennessee Shiner (n=1). Lost -- Rainbow Trout (n=6, only young -of -year
n 2012).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains northwest Madison County, including portions of the US Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; no municipalities or NPDES
dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Spring Creek, site is — 100 ft. from the fork's confluence with the creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 91 % forest; since 1992 forested land has
decreased from 99% to 91 % and developed land has increased from < 1 % to 4%. Habitat -- high quality instream and riparian habitats; high gradient
stream with logs, debris dams, and deadfalls across the channel; bank blow-out on the left; braided channel in lower one-half of the reach; Podostemum-
covered rocks in the riffles; evidence of recent high water with tires and bottles deposited in the stream and in the wrack line along the bank; utility line right
of -way at the beginning of the reach; Total Habitat Score range 90-99. Water Quality -- specific conductance low, was 41 and 38 pS/cm in 2007 and
2012; supplemental stream classification changed from C;Tr to C;Tr, ORW on 09/01/2009. 2012 -- abundance of the omnivorous River Chub and
herbivorous Central Stoneroller increased from 14% to 33% and from 4% to 10%, respectively which may indicate an increase in stream productivity; no
tolerant species present; stream is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, one stocked Brook Trout (281 mm TL) collected;
stream supports a reproducing population of Brown Trout. 2007 & 2012 -- least diverse community of any in the basin that were monitored in 2012, only
13 species known from the site including 7 species of cyprinids, 2 species of darters, and 3 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and
Greenfin Darter); Mottled Sculpin, a cold -cool water riffle species, does not occur within the Spring Creek drainage, an intolerant community with no
tolerant fish being collected during the past two monitoring cycles; dominant species is the River Chub; the intolerant Rock Bass has not yet been found in
this high gradient creek; low diversity and low NCIBI rating might be natural in this headwater tributary to Spring Creek. Recommendation -- based upon
all the data collected, water quality is Good in this stream that is supplementally classified as Trout Waters and Outstanding Resource Waters; continue
monitoring of this fish community regional reference site in 2017 to document any changes within the immediate watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
N FK MILLS R SR 1341 107/18/121 EF69 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
HENDERSON 3 1 06010105 1 35.3938891 -82.624444 6-54-2-(9) Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-II;Tr,HQW 1 23.1 1 2140 1 13 1 0.4 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 20 1 5 75 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.3
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 17
pH (s.u.) 5.8
Water Clarity IClear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Site Photograph
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
18
- _-
Bottom Substrate (15)
12
Riffle Habitat (16)
16
- +_�__ .•4 i _
Pool Variety (10)
10
Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
8
Left Riparian Score (5)
2
_
Right Riparian Score (5)
2
Total Habitat Score (100)
84
Substrate Cobble, boulder
Sample Date
Sample ID
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
07/18/12
2012-81
1 21
60
Excellent
06/13/07
2007-77
1 21
60
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Saffron Shiner (n=258, 30%) Exotic Species Rainbow Trout (n=1) and Redbreast Sunfish
(n=11).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Fatlips Minnow (n=1), Creek Chub (n=5), and Rock Bass (n=7). Lost -- Black Redhorse, Brown
Trout (young -of -year only), Greenside Darter (n=1 for each species).
ua[a Anmysis
Watershed -- drains northeastern Transylvania and northwestern Henderson counties, including the U.S. Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; no
municipalities in the watershed; one NPDES discharger (NC0020486, Qw = 0.012 MGD) is located - 1.7 miles upstream from the site; a large tributary to
the Mills River and ultimately the French Broad River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only
landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 96% forest; no appreciable change in landuse characteristics since 1992. Habitat -- high quality instream
habitats; long pool at the beginning, then extensive riffles and runs; narrow riparian zones with row crops (right) and a residence (left); less silts atop the
rocks than in 2007, although Total Habitat Scores were similar in 2007 and 2012 (81 and 84, respectively). Water Quality -- second lowest specific
conductance of any fish community site in the basin in 2012 (17 pS/cm), was 16 pS/cm in 2007; low pH measurements (5.6 and 5.8 s.u. in 2007 and in
2012, respectively). 2012 -- most species of cyprinids (n=10) collected from any site in the basin in 2012, much of the upper watershed is managed by the
NCWRC as Wild Trout Waters and the mainstem as Delayed Harvest Waters; one wild Rainbow Trout collected; all metric scores were rated a maximum
of "5". 2007 & 2012 -- 24 species known from the site, including 10 species of cyprinids, 6 species of darters, and four intolerant species (Rainbow Trout,
Rock Bass, Greenfin Darter, and Gilt Darter); dominant species is the Mottled Sculpin. Recommendation -- based upon the all the data collected, the
water seems to be consistently of very high quality in this stream that is supplementally classified as Trout Waters and High Quality Waters; continue
monitoring of this fish community regional reference site in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
N TOE R
I SR 1138
106/12/121
EF36
I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
AVERY
6 1 06010108 1 36.065833331
-82.00027778 7-2-(0.5)
Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
W S-V;Tr
1 29.5 1 3040
1 15
0.5 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 30 1 70 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 15.5
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 57
pH (s.u.) 6.2
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
17
8
16
8
7
3
2
2
2
70
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate I Cobble, boulder
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/12/12
1 2012-54
1 16
1 46
1 Good -Fair
06/22/07
2007-93
15
44
Good -Fair
06/23/97
97-61
18
46
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 River Chub (n=484, 38%) Exotic Species Rainbow Trout (n=12), Brown Trout (n=4), and
Redbreast Sunfish (n=20).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Rock Bass (n=14, first collection ever) and Mountain Brook Lamprey (n=6). Lost -- Mirror Shiner
(n=2).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains west central Avery County, including the towns of Newland and Sugar Mountain; headwater tributaries drain the High Mountains and the
Southern Metasedimentary Mountains Level IV ecoregion; two NPDES dischargers (NC0021857 and NC0033685, Total Q. = 0.606) located in the river's
headwaters. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 78%
forest, 7% cultivation, and 9% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 92% to 78% and developed land has increased from 4% to 9%.
Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; fast and wide riffles with abundant Podostemum -covered rocks; fast chutes; deep runs; side boulder pools;
embedded substrate; narrow riparian zones with sparse vegetation and an open canopy with lawns along both banks. Water Quality -- specific conductance
moderately elevated during the past two monitoring cycles, 64 and 57 pS/cm. 2012 -- most fish (n=1,266 in 2012 and n=1242 in 2007) and greatest
percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (46% in 2012 and 47% in 2007) collected from any site in the basin; as in years past, there was a lower than expected
diversity of darters and cyprinids compared to that at the regional reference sites; stream is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters,
four stocked Brook Trout (245-312 mm TL) collected; stream supports a reproducing population of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout; one Eastern Hellbender
(290 mm TL, a Special Concern species and indicator of cold, highly oxygenated swift waters) was netted and released. 1997-2012 -- 20 species known
from the site, including 7 species of cyprinids, 2 species of darters, and 3 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, and Gilt Darter); dominant species
are Mottled Sculpin and River Chub; based upon their known geographical distribution, at least five additional species of cyprinids (Tennessee Shiner, Silver
Shiner, Telescope Shiner, and Fatlips Minnow) and at least two additional species of darters (Greenfin Darter and Greenside Darter) should be at the site; an
extremely productive stream for its size and elevation with consistently high percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (46-51 %, River Chub, Central Stoneroller,
and White Sucker) indicative of abundant periphyton, non -point source nutrient inputs, an open canopy, and a sun -lit channel. Recommendation -- based
upon all the data collected, water quality is just Good -Fair in this stream that is supplementally classified as Trout Waters; riparian re -vegetation and
restoration in the watershed should be pursued to reduce solar inputs, reduce primary production, and decrease the abundance of River Chub and Central
Stoneroller; continue monitoring of this site in 2017 to document any impacts from future changing landuse practices and increasing rural development.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
NEWFOUND CR
SR 1641
110/11/131
EF37
I Poor
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2
06010105 35,66611111-82.63416667 6-84e
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
34.2 1900
6
0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Visible Landuse (%) 75 25
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
0 0
NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None
---
---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
23.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.3
Specific Conductance (µS/cm)
112
pH (s.u.)
7.3
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, easily silted
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
5
Instream Habitat (20)
12
Bottom Substrate (15)
5
Riffle Habitat (16)
10
Pool Variety (10)
4
Erosion (7)
6
Bank Vegetation (7)
5
Light Penetration (10)
4
Left Riparian Score (5)
4
Right Riparian Score (5)
3
Total Habitat Score (100)
58
Sample Date
Sample ID
Substrate Cobble, bedrock, sand, silt
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
10/11 /13
2013-71
7
26
Poor
07/16/12
2012-77
13
38
Not Rated (Fair)
06/11 /07
2007-70
19
48
Good
06/17/02
2002-69
14
48
Good
04/09/97
97-17
10
28
Poor
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Whitetail Shiner (n=224, 53%)
Exotic Species
Flat Bullhead (n=13) and Redbreast Sunfish
(n=57).
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Gained -- none. Lost -- River Chub (n=2), Blacknose Dace (n=7, only young -of -year in 2012), White Sucker
(n=14), Black Redhorse (n=1), Swannanoa Darter (n=1), and Banded Darter (n=7).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains western Buncombe County; headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities
in the watershed; one NPDES discharger (NC0029882, Qw = 0.0075 MGD) located in the headwaters of Dix Creek, a tributary to Newfound Creek; tributary
to the French Broad River, site is - 1.1 mile 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) -- 49% forest, 40% cultivation, and 8% developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 68% to 49% and cultivated land has increased from 24% to 40%. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats;
sediment -filled channel; shallow pools and sandy runs; Piedmont -like; Elodea was abundant; fairly open canopy; livestock upstream along the left bank;
woody debris wrack line up underneath the bridge (> 25 ft. above base flow level from storms during early winter 2010); Total Habitat Score in 2007 was
79, range 58-79. Water Quality -- specific conductance elevated during past three monitoring cycles, range 108-113 µS/cm; water became very turbid
from re -suspension of the silts when walking in the channel. 2012 -- until 2012 the species diversity had steadily been increasing as had the diversity of
darters from 0 to 2 to 4; the substantial decline in NCIBI score and rating were due to a loss of species including darters and cyprinids and a slightly
skewed trophic structure; community continued to have a high percentage of tolerant fish (17%, Redbreast Sunfish, Flat Bullhead, and Creek Chub). 1997-
2012 -- 19 species known from the site, including 8 species of cyprinids, 4 species of darters, but only 2 intolerant species (Rock Bass and Smallmouth
Bass); dominant species is the insectivorous Whitetail Shiner which can become very abundant in other warm, slightly turbid, silty -bottom productive
streams such as Turkey, Sandymush, Little Ivy, Crabtree, and Reems creeks. Recommendation -- Asheville Regional Office staff should identify
sediment source inputs in this watershed; community should be re -sampled in 2013 to verify that the Fair rating is persistent which would result in the
stream's placement on the impaired stream's list. Note: site was re -sampled in 2013 and was rated Poor (NCIBI=26, the lowest score the community
has ever received). Even more so than in 2012, most metrics indicated an impaired community: a low abundance offish (n=68, the fewest ever collected
at this site), a low diversity of fish (n=7, the fewest ever collected at this site), an absence of darters, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and intolerant species,
and a high percentage of tolerant fish.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date
Station ID
Bioclassification
NEWFOUND CR
I SR 1641
107/16/121
EF37
I Not Rated (Fair)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude
AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 1 2
1 06010105 1 35.666111111
-82.63416667
6-84e
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
34.2 1 1900
6
1
0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 75 1 25 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
23.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
112
pH (s.u.)
7.3
Water Clarity Slightly turbid, 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
12
5
10
4
6
5
4
4
3
58
Site Photograph
Substrate lCobble, bedrock, sand, silt
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
07/16/12
2012-77
13
38
Not Rated (Fair)
06/11/07
2007-70
19
48
Good
06/17/02
2002-69
14
48
Good
04/09/97
97-17
10
28
Poor
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Whitetail Shiner (n=224, 53%) Exotic Species Flat Bullhead (n=13) and Redbreast Sunfish
(n=57).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- none. Lost -- River Chub (n=2), Blacknose Dace (n=7, only young -of -year in 2012), White Sucker
0=14), Black Redhorse (n=1), Swannanoa Darter (n=1), and Banded Darter (n=7).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains western Buncombe County; headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities in
the watershed; one NPDES discharger (NC0029882, Qw = 0.0075 MGD) located in the headwaters of Dix Creek, a tributary to Newfound Creek; tributary to
the French Broad River, site is — 1.1 mile 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) -- 49% forest, 40% cultivation, and 8% developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 68% to 49% and cultivated land has increased from 24% to 40%. Habitat -- low quality instream habitats;
sediment -filled channel; shallow pools and sandy runs; Piedmont -like; Elodea was abundant; fairly open canopy; livestock upstream along the left bank;
woody debris wrack line up underneath the bridge (> 25 ft. above base flow level from storms during early winter 2010); Total Habitat Score in 2007 was 79,
range 58-79. Water Quality -- specific conductance elevated during past three monitoring cycles, range 108-113 µS/cm; water became very turbid from re -
suspension of the silts when walking in the channel. 2012 -- until 2012 the species diversity had steadily been increasing as had the diversity of darters from
0 to 2 to 4; the substantial decline in NCIBI score and rating were due to a loss of species including darters and cyprinids and a slightly skewed trophic
structure; community continued to have a high percentage of tolerant fish (17%, Redbreast Sunfish, Flat Bullhead, and Creek Chub). 1997-2012 -- 19
species known from the site, including 8 species of cyprinids, 4 species of darters, but only 2 intolerant species (Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass); dominant
species is the insectivorous Whitetail Shiner which can become very abundant in other warm, slightly turbid, silty -bottom productive streams such as Turkey,
Sandymush, Little Ivy, Crabtree, and Reems creeks. Recommendation -- Asheville Regional Office staff should identify sediment source inputs in this
watershed; community should be re -sampled in 2013 to verify that the Fair rating is persistent which would result in the stream's placement on the impaired
stream's list.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
PIGEONROOST CR
SR 1349/NC 197
06/13/12
EF39
Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC
Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
MITCHELL 6 1 06010108 1
36.045833331
-82.29916667 7-2-69
1 Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil)
Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 14.1
2075
9
0.4 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 95 1 0 0 10-road and fire house
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 9.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 34
pH (s.u.) 7.2
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
19
12
16
6
6
5
6
1
5
81
Substrate JCobble, boulder
Site Photograph
Sample Date SamDle ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
06/13/12
1 2012-58
16
1 56
1 Good
06/20/07
1 2007-88
22
56
1 Good
06/21 /02
2002-79
23
58
Excellent
10/20/97
97-87
21
60
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Mottled Sculpin (n=246, 32%) 1 Exotic Species JBrown Trout (n=4)
Gained -- Ohio Lamprey (n=2) and Rock Bass (n=2). Lost -- Blotched Chub (n=2), Bigeye Chub (n=56), Fatlips
Minnow (n=4), Blacknose Dace (n=11), Creek Chub (n=1), Redbreast Sunfish (n=1), Swannanoa Darter (n=5),
and Banded Darter(n=31).
Watershed -- drains the northwest corner of Mitchell County, including the US Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; no municipalities or NPDES
dischargers in the watershed; one of the last tributaries to the North Toe River before joining the Cane River to form the Nolichucky River, site is — 100 ft
upstream of 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) -- 96% forest; no appreciable change in the watershed's landuse since 1992. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats;
primarily high gradient riffles and runs; plunges and side snags; wide forested riparian zone on the right until the bridge, then residential; narrow riparian zone
on the left with Japanese Knot Weed and altered/bare area towards the bridge upstream at the end of the reach; Total Habitat Score range 81-96. Water
Quality -- specific conductance low and stable during the past four monitoring cycles, range 34-39 pS/cm. 2012 -- as in cycles past, the fish community is
abundant, no tolerant species collected; no change in NCIBI rating or score, but the loss of 6 species, including 2 species of darters (including Banded Darter
which is associated with Podostemum -covered cobble) and 2 uncommon cyprinids (Blotched Chub and Fatlips Minnow) may be a cause for future concern;
stream supports a reproducing population of Brown Trout; only site from which Ohio Lamprey was collected in 2012. 1997-2012 -- a diverse community with
27 species known from the site, including 13 species of cyprinids, 5 species of darters, and 7 intolerant species (Telescope Shiner, Brook Trout, Rainbow
Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Greenfin Darter, and Gilt Darter), and 2 Significantly Rare species (Ohio Lamprey (proposed Special Concern) and
Blotched Chub); dominant species is Mottled Sculpin; overall, a very intolerant community, <0.1 % tolerant fish; consistently stable trophic metrics; during the
past two monitoring cycles the community has missed being rated Excellent by only 2 points (an additional species of darter, or another species with a
multiple age groups (2012), or an additional species of bass or trout (2007) would have produced an Excellent rating; community is still of very high quality.
Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality ranges from a high Good to Excellent in this stream that is supplementally classified as
Trout Waters; riparian restoration should be pursued to reduce solar insolation, temperature, primary production, and decrease the potential for River Chub
and Central Stoneroller to become abundant; continue monitoring of this regional reference site in 2017 to document any changes within the immediate

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
PRICE CR SR 1126/1136 106/12/121 EF41 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
YANCEY 7 06010108 1 5,9051533-82.3821605 7-3-21 Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr 1 22.1 1 2475 1 5 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 30 1 30 40 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 47
pH (s.u.) 7.1
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)
Sample Date
5
14
8
16
4
7
3
3
2
2
64
Substrate
Site Photograph
Cobble
Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/12/12
2012-56
21
50
Good
06/20/02
2002-77
22
52
Good
10/21 /97
97-89
19
46
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 River Chub (n=111, 28%) Exotic Species Bluehead Chub (n=3), Rainbow Trout (n=1), and
Redbreast Sunfish (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Bluegill (n=1, first collection ever) and Banded Darter (n=5). Lost -- Mountain Brook Lamprey (n= 2),
Telescope Shiner (n=1), and Greenside Darter (n=2).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southwestern Yancey County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Cane River, site is — 0.8
miles upstream of 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) -- 84% forest and 10% cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 97% to 84%, cultivated land has
increased from 3% to 10%, and developed land has increased from < 1 % to 4%. Habitat -- lower quality riparian habitats; narrow riparian zones bordered
by road right-of-way and by residential lawn; extensive riffles; grasses hanging in the water; a few deeper runs and shallow pools; sun -lit and an open
canopy because of the altered riparian zones; Total Habitat Score range 64-81. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate and stable during the
past three monitoring cycles, range 47-57 pS/cm. 2012 -- no appreciable change in NCIBI score or rating; only two tolerant fish collected; upstream reach
is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, one stocked Brown Trout (280 mm TL) collected; only site in the basin at which Striped
Shiner and Bluehead Chub were collected in 2012. 1997-2012 -- 25 species known from the site, including 11 species of cyprinids, 4 species of darters, 5
intolerant species (Telescope Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Gilt Darter), and 1 State Threatened species (Striped Shiner)
which has been collected during every monitoring cycle; number of fish collected has steadily declined since 1997 indicating an improving fish community;
trophic metrics in past two cycles have been stable (-43% Omnivores+Herbivores and — 54% Insectivores), still indicative of an abundance of
Omnivores+Herbivores, but less dominance by Central Stoneroller and greater dominance by River Chub; very intolerant community during past two
cycles (Percentage of Tolerant Fish <1 % and 4 or 5 intolerant species). Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality is Good in
this stream that is supplementally classified as Trout Waters; riparian and canopy restoration along both banks should be pursued; continue to monitor this
site in 2017 to document any impacts from changing landuse practices.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
REEMS CR NC 251 06/15/12 EF43 Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2 06010105 35,69472222 82.61361111 6-87-(10) Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 136.3 1 1790 11 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 95 0 0 5-road
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R7.
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)
4
17
10
16
6
7
7
10
4
5
86
Substrate 113oulder, cobble, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
06/15/12
2012-63
19
48
Good
06/18/02
2002-71
20
50
Good
09/17/97
97-81
22
52
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
ua[a Ana
Whitetail Shiner (n=141, 42%) Exotic Species lRedbreast Sunfish (n=11)
Gained -- Blacknose Dace (n=1), Creek Chub (n=3), and Bluegill (n=2). Lost-- Blotched Chub (n=4), Golden
Shiner (n=1), Saffron Shiner (n=2), and Mirror Shiner (n=17).
Watershed -- drains north central Buncombe County, including the Town of Weaverville; headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges &
Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no NPDES dischargers located in the watershed; tributary to the French Broad River, site is - 100 ft. from the creek's confluence
with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htm1, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 72%
forest, 13% cultivation, and 12% developed; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 83% to 72%, cultivated land has increased from 9% to 13%,
and developed land has increased from 8% to 13%. Habitat -- high quality instream and riparian habitats; gorge -like with high velocity riffles, runs, and
plunges; side snags; large boulders; evidence in the channel and along the banks from the high water event on 06/11/2012; Total Habitat Score range 66-
88. Water Quality -- specific conductance elevated during all monitoring cycles, range 66-88 pS/cm. 2012 -- slightly lower NCIBI score from previous
cycle as a result of elevated percentage of tolerant fish (4.2%, Redbreast Sunfish and Creek Chub), but the rating was unchanged; lowest percentage of
Omnivores+Herbivores (2%, comprised of Central Stoneroller and River Chub) collected from any site in the basin in 2012, the percentage was also
unusually and inexplicably low (8%) in 2002 skewing the trophic metrics and leading to the lowest metric score (1 "); 5 species of darters and 4 intolerant
species were present; watershed upstream from Weaverville is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout waters, one stocked Brook Trout
(283 mm TL) collected. 1997-2012 -- 23 species known from the site, including 12 species of cyprinids, 5 species of darters, 4 intolerant species (Rock
Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Greenfin Darter, and Gilt Darter), and 1 Significantly Rare species (Blotched Chub); dominant species are the insectivorous
Whitetail Shiner and the common and widespread Warpaint Shiner, the Whitetail Shiner can become very abundant in other warm, slightly turbid, silty -
bottom productive streams such as Newfound, Turkey, Sandymush, Little Ivy, and Crabtree creeks. Recommendation -- based upon all the data
collected, the water quality in this stream continues to be Good; continue to monitor this site in 2017 to document changing Ianduse practices in this
increasingly urbanized watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
F77kfCH(AND CR SR 1184 106/26/121 EF47 I Not Rated (Good -Fair)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
HAYWOOD 5 06010106 35,50833333-82.97194444 5-16-(11.5)c Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
B;Tr 48 2590 10 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 40 60 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„ MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 20.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 52
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)
Sample Date
5
18
10
16
8
5
6
6
4
2
80
Sample ID
Substrate lCobble, boulder, silts on some rocks
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/26/12
2012-69
17
---
Not Rated (Good -Fair)
06/15/07
2007-81
12
36
Fair
07/17/01
2001-77
9
28
Poor
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Longnose Dace (n=97, 30%) Exotic Species Rainbow Trout (n=3) and Redbreast Sunfish
(n=37)
Gained -- Warpaint Shiner (n=29), River Chub (n=23), Saffron Shiner (n=3), Rock Bass (n=3), Mottled Sculpin
(n=6), Black Crappie (n=1), Greenfin Darter (n=14), Fantail Darter (n=2), and Tuckasegee Darter (n=8). Lost --
White Sucker (n=1), Brown Trout (n=10), Green Sunfish (n=13), and Smallmouth Bass (n=1).
vaca Anaiysis
Watershed -- drains southwest Haywood County, including the City of Waynesville; headwaters drain the High Mtns and Southern Metasedimentary Mtns
and mid -waters drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregions; two NPDES dischargers (NC0030422 and NC0032361, Total O,H =
0.019 MGD) located in the headwaters; tributary to the Pigeon River, site is — 1.3 miles upstream from Lake Junaluska. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 73% forest, 6% cultivation, and 20% developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 79% to 73% and developed land has increased from 15% to 20%. Habitat -- moderately high instream
habitats; chutes, runs; and frequent wide, deep and shallow, fast riffles; deep pool at the bend in the middle of the reach. Water Quality -- for an urban
stream, specific conductance has only been moderately elevated during the past three monitoring cycles, range 52-68 pS/cm. 2012 -- community
continues to have a high percentage of tolerant fish (11.5%, Redbreast Sunfish); there was a more balanced trophic structure in 2012 than in 2007 (30%
Omnivore+Herbivore and 69% Insectivore vs. 44% and 54%, respectively); except for Black Crappie, all species gained were re -introduced fish or progeny
of species re -introduced as part of the Richland Creek Re -introduction Project; Rock Bass, Saffron Shiner, and Fantail Darter have not yet established
reproducing populations; stream is managed by the NCWRC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, one stocked Brown Trout (211 mm TL) collected;
stream supports a reproducing population of Rainbow Trout; only site from which Black Crappie were collected in 2012; it is premature to assign a rating to
this stream because three of the introduced species are not established, thus site is considered "Not Rated"; if all 17 species were included site would rate
"Good", if 3 species were deleted (i.e., the non -established species) site would rate "Good -Fair". 2001-2012 -- 22 species known from the site, including 7
species of cyprinids, 3 species of darter (none prior to re -introduction efforts) and 4 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and
Greenfin Darter); dominant species were Redbreast Sunfish in 2001 (29%), Central Stoneroller (44%) in 2007 and Longnose Dace (30%) in 2012.
Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, the water quality of the creek and biological integrity of the fish community is improving; continue to
monitor the site in 2017 to determine if the re -introduction project is a success and to determine if the stream can be removed from the impaired stream's
list.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
RICHLAND CR Walnut Trail Rd 110/10/131 EF48 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
HAYWOOD 1 5 1 06010106 1 35.537777781 -82.95638889 1 5-16-(16)a Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 64.7 2510 12 0.5 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 30 25 45 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q_ MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C) 24.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 59
pH (s.u.) 7.4
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
15
8
6
6
8
4
3
81
Substrate JCobble, gravel, boulder, sand, silt
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
10/10/13
2013-70
12
44
Good -Fair
06/26/12
2012-68
12
36
Not Rated (Fair)
06/14/07
2007-80
10
40
Good -Fair
09/24/02
2002-83
11
32
Poor
10/22/97
97-91
11
38
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 lRedbreast
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Sunfish (n=41, 34%) Exotic Species IRedbreast Sunfish (n=41)
Gained -- Black Redhorse (n=1), Banded Darter (n=8), and Gilt Darter (n=2) (first collections ever). Lost --
Largemouth Bass (n=1).
ua[a Ana
Watershed -- drains southwest Haywood County, including the City of Waynesville; headwater tributaries drain the High Mtns and Southern
Metasedimentary Mtns, middle reaches drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregions; two NPDES dischargers (NC0030422 and
NC0032361, Total Qw = 0.019 MGD) located in the creek's headwaters; tributary to the Pigeon River, site is — 1 mile downstream from Lake Junaluska and
— 1.6 miles upstream from the creek's confluence with the river; Lake Junaluska was lowered during the winter of 2011-2012 for dredging and re -filled
during spring 2012, a process that is now repeated every other year. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 67% forest, 9% cultivation, and 21 % developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 76% to 67% and developed land has increased from 16% to 21 %. Habitat -- moderately high quality
instream habitats; riffles, fast runs, good undercuts with roots; a variety of pool sizes; Corbicula abundant; Podostemum -covered rocks in the riffles; Total
Habitat Score range 73-81. Water Quality -- conductivity moderately elevated during the past four monitoring cycles, range 59-81 pS/cm; lowest dissolved
oxygen (DO) concentration of any fish community site in the basin in 2012; DO slightly depressed at only 72% of saturation (74% in 2007); water
temperature the greatest of any fish community site in the basin in 2012; elevated temperature and depressed DO are in response to the creek being
impounded upstream by Lake Junaluska. 2012 -- fewest fish (n=121), species of cyprinids (minnows, n=3), and species with multiple age groups (58%)
and the greatest percentage of tolerant fish (34%) and percentage of nonindigenous fish (34%) collected from any site in the basin in 2012; number offish
was one-half the number collected in 2007; decline in the NCIBI score and rating may be attributed to the lowering, dredging, and re -filling activities
associated with the lake as well as being downstream from the lake; Gilt Darter (n=2) and Banded Darter (n=8) had emigrated upstream from the mouth of
the creek, Gilt Darters were "wild" (offspring from re -introduced parents as part of the Pigeon River Re -Introduction Project), 4 Banded Darters had been
marked with visible implant elastomer tags and were re -introduced in either April or October 2010, 1 Banded Darter had also been marked and was
introduced in October 2009, and 3 Banded Darters were "wild" (offspring from re -introduced parents). 1997-2012 -- for its size, the stream supports a
species-depauperate community with only 18 species known from the site, including 4 species of cyprinids, 3 species of darters, and 3 intolerant species
(Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Gilt Darter); species that should be in Richland Creek (which are in the river, nearby tributaries, or upstream from Lake
Junaluska) include River Chub, Silver Shiner, Tennessee Shiner, Longnose Dace, Blacknose Dace, White Sucker, Greenfin Darter, and Olive Darter;
dominant species are Northern Hog Sucker and Central Stoneroller. Recommendation -- community should be re -sampled in 2013 to verify that the Fair
rating is persistent and which would result in the stream's placement on the impaired stream's list or if the impairment was temporary and related to
in 201

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
RICHLAND CR Walnut Trail Rd 106/26/121 EF48 I Not Rated (Fair)
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
HAYWOOD 5 06010106 35,53777778-82.95638889 5-16-(16)a Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 64.7 2510 12 0.5 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 30 25 45 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 24.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.1
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 59
pH (s.u.) 7.4
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)
Sample Date
5
18
8
15
8
6
6
8
4
3
81
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate JCobble, gravel, boulder, sand, silt
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/26/12
2012-68
12
36
Not Rated (Fair)
06/14/07
2007-80
10
40
Good -Fair
09/24/02
2002-83
11
32
Poor
10/22/97
97-91
11
38
Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 lRedbreast Sunfish (n=41, 34%) Exotic Species lRedbreast Sunfish (n=41)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Black Redhorse (n=1), Banded Darter (n=8), and Gilt Darter (n=2) (first collections ever). Lost --
Largemouth Bass (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southwest Haywood County, including the City of Waynesville; headwater tributaries drain the High Mtns and Southern
Metasedimentary Mtns, middle reaches drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregions; two NPDES dischargers (NC0030422 and
NC0032361, Total Qw = 0.019 MGD) located in the creek's headwaters; tributary to the Pigeon River, site is — 1 mile downstream from Lake Junaluska and
— 1.6 miles upstream from the creek's confluence with the river; Lake Junaluska was lowered during the winter of 2011-2012 for dredging and re -filled
during spring 2012, a process that is now repeated every other year. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 67% forest, 9% cultivation, and 21 % developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 76% to 67% and developed land has increased from 16% to 21 %. Habitat -- moderately high quality
instream habitats; riffles, fast runs, good undercuts with roots; a variety of pool sizes; Corbicula abundant; Podostemum -covered rocks in the riffles; Total
Habitat Score range 73-81. Water Quality -- conductivity moderately elevated during the past four monitoring cycles, range 59-81 pS/cm; lowest dissolved
oxygen (DO) concentration of any fish community site in the basin in 2012; DO slightly depressed at only 72% of saturation (74% in 2007); water
temperature the greatest of any fish community site in the basin in 2012; elevated temperature and depressed DO are in response to the creek being
impounded upstream by Lake Junaluska. 2012 -- fewest fish (n=121), species of cyprinids (minnows, n=3), and species with multiple age groups (58%)
and the greatest percentage of tolerant fish (34%) and percentage of nonindigenous fish (34%) collected from any site in the basin in 2012; number offish
was one-half the number collected in 2007; decline in the NCIBI score and rating may be attributed to the lowering, dredging, and re -filling activities
associated with the lake as well as being downstream from the lake; Gilt Darter (n=2) and Banded Darter (n=8) had emigrated upstream from the mouth of
the creek, Gilt Darters were "wild" (offspring from re -introduced parents as part of the Pigeon River Re -Introduction Project), 4 Banded Darters had been
marked with visible implant elastomer tags and were re -introduced in either April or October 2010, 1 Banded Darter had also been marked and was
introduced in October 2009, and 3 Banded Darters were "wild" (offspring from re -introduced parents). 1997-2012 -- for its size, the stream supports a
species-depauperate community with only 18 species known from the site, including 4 species of cyprinids, 3 species of darters, and 3 intolerant species
(Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Gilt Darter); species that should be in Richland Creek (which are in the river, nearby tributaries, or upstream from Lake
Junaluska) include River Chub, Silver Shiner, Tennessee Shiner, Longnose Dace, Blacknose Dace, White Sucker, Greenfin Darter, and Olive Darter;
dominant species are Northern Hog Sucker and Central Stoneroller. Recommendation -- community should be re -sampled in 2013 to verify that the Fair
rating is persistent and which would result in the stream's placement on the impaired stream's list or if the impairment was temporary and related to
dredging activities at Lake Junaluska..

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
S FK MILLS R SR 1340 107/18/121 EF68 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
HENDERSON 3 1 06010105 1 35.3755551 -82.614167 6-54-3-(17.5) Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-II;Tr,HQW 1 39.6 1 2150 1 13 1 0.6 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 20 1 25 55 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 19.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 15
pH (s.u.) 6.2
Water Clarity I Clear, slightly tannic
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
10
6
6
8
3
3
87
Substrate lCobble, boulder
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
07/18/12 2012-82 T 17 58 Excellent
06/13/07 2007-76 I 19 56 Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 ISaffron Shiner (n=159, 32%) Exotic Species I Rainbow Trout (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Mirror Shiner and Rainbow Trout. Lost -- Creek Chub (young -of -year only), Blacknose Dace, Brown
Trout (young -of -year only), and Redbreast Sunfish.
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains northeastern Transylvania and northwestern Henderson counties, including the U.S. Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; extreme
headwaters drain the High Mountain Level IV ecoregion; no municipalities in the watershed; one NPDES discharger (NC0033251, Qw = 0.0074) is located
approximately 1,000 ft. upstream from the SR 1340 bridge crossing; this stream is a large tributary to the Mills River and ultimately the French Broad River.
Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 97% forest; no
appreciable change in land use characteristics since 1992. Habitat -- high quality instream habitats; deep and very fast chutes, riffles, and runs along the
left bank; undercuts and root mats; rip/rap along the left bank for bank stabilization; Total Habitat Score = 87 in 2007 and 2012. Water Quality -- lowest
specific conductance of any fish community site in the basin in 2012 (was 13 pS/cm in 2007). 2012 -- diverse and abundant community with 5 species of
darters present; much of the watershed is managed by the NCWRC as Wild Trout Waters, one wild Age 1 Rainbow Trout collected. 2007 & 2012 -- 21
species known from the site, including 9 species of cyprinids, 5 species of darters, and 4 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Greenfin Darter,
and Gilt Darter); dominant species is the Saffron Shiner; a very intolerant community with 0% and 1 % tolerant fish collected in 2007 and 2012.
Recommendation -- based upon the all the data collected, the water seems to be of very high quality in this stream that is supplementally classified as
Trout Waters and High Quality Waters; continue monitoring of this fish community regional reference site in 2017

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
S HOMINY CR
NC 151/SR 3449
06/28/12
1 EF50
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2
1 06010105 1 35.5334951 -82.691541 1 6-76-5b
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr
38.3 2095
13
0.5 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Visible Landuse 1 50 20
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
30 0
NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None
I ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 35
pH (s.u.) 5.9
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)
Sample Date
4
16
8
14
8
4
5
5
3
2
69
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate JCobble, boulder, gravel, silt
Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
06/28/12
2012-73
21
50
Good
06/12/07
2007-72
20
56
Good
11/30/04
2004-140
14
---
Not Rated
09/23/02
2002-81
19
50
Good
04/09/97
97-16
1 16
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
River Chub (n=115, 23%)
Exotic Species
Brown Trout (n=1), Redbreast Sunfish (n=2), and
Green Sunfish (n=1)
Gained -- Redbreast Sunfish (n=2), Green Sunfish (n=1), and Bluegill (n=1). Lost -- Blacknose Dace (n=5) and
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Rainbow Trout (n=4).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southwest Buncombe County; headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mountains Level IV ecoregion and the US
Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; no municipalities in the watershed; one NPDES discharger (NC0069957, Qw = 0.002) located on Beaverdam Creek
about 3.7 miles upstream; tributary to Hominy Creek, site is —1,000 ft. above the creek's confluence with Hominy Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 79% forest, 13% cultivation, and 7% developed;
since 1992 forested land has decreased from 85% to 79% and cultivated land has increased from 8% to 13%. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats;
wide and swift riffles; deep boulder pool at the bend; Podostemum abundant in the riffles; landowner along the right bank using hay bales for bank
stabilization at the bend, bales had rolled into the creek and were starting to decay; Total Habitat Score has declined, was 90 in 2007, range 69-90. Water
Quality -- specific conductance low and stable since 2002, range 32-35 pS/cm; water clarity became greatly diminished when walking in the channel due to
re -suspension of sediment, more so than observed in previous years. 2012 -- only one intolerant species (Rock Bass) collected; the absence of the
intolerant Rainbow Trout and slightly fewer species with multiple age class resulted in the lower NCIBI score, but not the rating; large biomass of Golden
Redhorse, Black Redhorse, Northern Hog Sucker, Rock Bass, and Brown Trout. 1997-2012 -- 24 species known from the site, including 9 species of
cyprinids, but just 2 species of darters (Fantail Darter and Swannanoa Darter) and 2 intolerant species (Rainbow Trout and Rock Bass); dominant species is
Mottled Sculpin. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality and the fish community in this stream that is supplementally classified
as Trout Waters have been consistently Good since 1997 (except for being Not Rated after the flooding in 2004 from Hurricanes Francis, Ivan, and Jeanne);
however, the increased turbidity, bank erosion, and riparian degradation may lead to a future decline in the community; continue monitoring of this site in
2017 to document impacts from landuse changes and any local sediment source reductions.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
SANDYMUSH CR SR 1107 109/26/121 EF52 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MADISON 2 06010105 1 5,70666667-82.75055556 6-92-(9) Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 134.8 1 2030 1 7 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 30 1 40 30 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 16.3
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 8.8
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 94
pH (s.u.) 7.3
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
12
5
10
9
4
3
4
2
2
56
Substrate Cobble, sand, gravel
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
09/26/12
2012-94
14
46
Good -Fair
06/19/02
2002-75
15
48
Good
09/17/97
97-82
18
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012 1 Central Stoneroller (n=104, 25%) Exotic Species lRedbreast Sunfish (n=20)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Mottled Sculpin (n=43). Lost -- Black Redhorse (n=16) and Swannanoa Darter (n=37).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains northwest Buncombe and southwest Madison counties; headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV
ecoregion; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the French Broad River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 78% forest and 17% cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 93% to 78% and cultivated land has increased from 7% to 17%. Habitat -- low quality instream and riparian habitats;
sparse bank vegetation with moderate bank erosion, open canopy and sun -lit; narrow riparian zones, riparian zone on the right was recently logged
providing little canopy over the stream; sandy, gravelly with cobble runs and riffles; three deep pools; lowest Total Habitat Score of any fish community site
(along with Crabtree Creek) in the basin in 2012; Total Habitat Score range 56-74 and has been declining since 1997. Water Quality -- specific
conductance elevated, range 73-94 and has been slightly increasing during past three cycles. 2012 -- no substantial change in the rating, although the
NCIBI score has been gradually declining; lower NCIBI score and rating in 2012 was the result of the loss of the Swannanoa Darter; community continues
to have a lower than expected overall species diversity, cyprinid diversity, intolerant species, and a greater than expected percentage of tolerant fish (6.8%,
Redbreast Sunfish and White Sucker) as compared to the fish community regional reference sites; as in previous cycles, there was a large biomass of
White Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker, Central Stoneroller, River Chub, and Smallmouth Bass collected. 1993-2012 -- 19 species known from the site,
including 9 species of cyprinids, but only 2 species of darters and 2 intolerant species (Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass), dominant species is the
herbivorous Central Stoneroller which is indicative of abundant periphyton in sun -lit streams and the insectivorous Whitetail Shiner which can become very
abundant in other warm, slightly turbid, silty -bottom productive streams such as Newfound, Turkey, Little Ivy, Crabtree, and Reems creeks.
Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, Sandymush Creek is a productive stream with generally Good water quality; Asheville Regional
Office staff should identify sediment source inputs in this watershed; continue monitoring of this site in 2017 to document any impacts from future changing
landuse practices and their affects on instream and riparian habitats and overall water quality.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
SHELTON LAUREL CR NC 208/212 09/25/12 EF54 Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
MADISON 4 06010105 35,9347965-82.7429518 6-112-26 Southern Metasedimentary Mtns.
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;Tr, ORW 40 1675 13 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 65 35 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q., MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R7.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (µS/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)
4
18
10
15
6
6
5
6
3
3
76
Site Photograph
Substrate lCobble, boulder, bedrock, gravel
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Rating
09/25/12
1 2012-92
18
58
Excellent
06/20/02
2002-76
18
58
Excellent
06/03/97
97-53
18
58
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 ITennessee Shiner (n=308, 36%) Exotic Species jBrown Trout (n=1)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Saffron Shiner and Brown Trout (first collections ever). Lost -- Blacknose Dace and Fantail Darter.
All species gained or lost were represented by 1 or 2 fish/species.
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains northeast Madison County; much of the watershed drains the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; portions of the
watershed are part of the US Forest Service's Pisgah National Forest; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; large tributary to Big
Laurel Creek and ultimately the French Broad River. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse
categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 91 % forest and 5% cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 98% to 91 % and cultivated land has
increased from 2% to 5%. Habitat -- moderate quality habitats; substrate appeared to be more embedded with sand than in 2002; fairly uniform depth with
shallow riffles and runs; pool at the beginning of the reach; Podostemum -covered rocks in the riffles; left bank continues to re -vegetate since 2002; Total
Habitat Score range 67-81. Water Quality -- specific conductance stable during the past two monitoring cycles (52 and 50 pS/cm), but was 24 µS/cm in
1997; stream classification changed from C;Tr to C;Tr, ORW on 09/01/2009. 2012 -- no tolerant species present; stream is managed by the NCWRC as
Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, although a wild Brown Trout (260 mm TL) was collected. 1997-2012 -- 21 species known from the site, including 9
species of cyprinids, 5 species of darters, and 5 intolerant species (Telescope Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Greenfin Darter);
dominant species is Tennessee Shiner; a very intolerant community with 0% tolerant fish collected 1997-2012; community has consistently been rated
Excellent. Recommendation -- based upon the all the data collected, the water seems to be consistently of very high quality in this stream that is
supplementally classified as Trout Waters and Outstanding Resource Waters; continue monitoring of this fish community regional reference site in 2017.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date
Station ID
Bioclassification
SWANNANOA R
I SR 2435
07/16/12
1 EF57
I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude
AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 1 2
1 06010105 1 35.601666671
-82.40833333
6-78b
Broad Basins
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C
62.7 1 2165
1 12
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 30 45 0 25-school
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD 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) 7.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 53
pH (s.u.) 7.0
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
12
16
6
6
6
7
3
3
82
Site Photograph
Substrate lBedrock, cobble, gravel, sand
Sample Date SamDle ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
07/16/12
2012-76
18
44
Good -Fair
06/18/02
2002-70
22
48
Good
09/19/97
97-85
19
40
Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
River Chub (n=170, 28%) Exotic Species Flat Bullhead (n=10) and Redbreast Sunfish
(n=39).
Gained -- Rock Bass (n=2) and sunfish hybrid (n=2) (first collections ever), and Flat Bullhead (n=10). Lost --
Mountain Brook Lamprey (n=2), Silver Shiner (n=5), Blacknose Dace (n=20), White Sucker (n=37), Rainbow
Trout (n=1), and Largemouth Bass (n=1, only young -of -year in 2012).
Watershed -- drains eastern Buncombe County, including the US 70 and 1-40 corridors; headwater tributaries drain the High Mountains and Southern
Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; watershed includes the Town of Black Mountain; no NPDES dischargers located in the watershed. Landuse
2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only Ianduse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 79% forest, and 16% developed;
no substantial change in Ianduse characteristics since 1992. Habitat -- moderate quality instream habitats; swift riffles and chutes; side pools with sand;
deep plunge chutes inhabited by large Black Redhorse; Podostemum common on the bedrock and in the riffles; fairly open canopy; Total Habitat Score
range 73-82. Water Quality -- specific conductance moderate, range 44-54 pS/cm during past three monitoring cycles. 2012 -- a slight decline in NCIBI
score and rating due to loss of two intolerant species (Silver Shiner and Rainbow Trout), and an increase in the percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (River
Chub and Central Stoneroller which is indicative of nonpoint source nutrient inputs, abundant periphyton, and open canopy) which was also the greatest
percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (46%) collected from any site in the basin in 2012; large biomass of Northern Hog Sucker and Black Redhorse; stream
is managed by the NCW RC as Hatchery Supported Trout Waters, 4 stocked Brown Trout (165-235 mm TL) were collected. 1997-2012 -- 25 species known
from the site, including 10 species of cyprinids, 3 darters, and 3 intolerant species (Silver Shiner, Rainbow Trout, and Rock Bass); dominant species is still
the herbivorous Central Stoneroller which is indicative of abundant periphyton in sun -lit streams, however its dominance has been decreasing from 40% in
1997 to 27% in 2002 to 18% in 2012 while the River Chub over the same time period has increased from 9% to 28%, which may actually signify a decrease
in the amount of periphyton. Recommendation -- based upon all the data collected, water quality is generally Good -Fair to Good in this productive stream;
continue monitoring of this site in 2017 to document any impacts from future changing Ianduse practices and increasing urban development.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
TURKEY CR SR 1629 106/15/121 EF59 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
BUNCOMBE 2 06010105 35,70472222 82.66888889 6-92-13 Broad Basins
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C 127.4 1 1885 6 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Urban Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 95 0 5 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (>_ 1 MGD or < 1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 19.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.8
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 88
pH (s.u.) 7.4
Water Clarity I Turbid, 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
16
5
10
8
6
6
8
5
5
74
Site Photograph
Substrate 113oulder, cobble, sand, silt
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI Score NCIBI Ratinq
06/15/12
2012-64
14
44
Good -Fair
06/11 /07
2007-69
16
52
Good
06/17/02
2002-68
14
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Whitetail Shiner (n=71, 22%) Exotic Species IRedbreast Sunfish (n=36)
Gained -- none. Lost -- Blacknose Dace (n=29) and Creek Chub (n=3, only young -of -year in 2012)
Watershed -- drains northwestern Buncombe County; headwater tributaries drain the Southern Crystalline Ridges & Mtns. Level IV ecoregion; no
municipalities or NPDES dischargers located in the watershed; site is part of the NCWRC's Sandymush Gameland; tributary to Sandymush Creek.
Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 61 % forest and 32%
cultivation; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 80% to 61 % and cultivated land has increased from 18% to 32%. Habitat -- moderate quality
instream and riparian habitats; mid -channel pools; grasses hanging into the stream, shallow and deep riffles; side woody debris snags; blow-out on the
right bank near the beginning of the reach; old home site and pasture on the right bank; entrenched in places; wide riparian zones; Elodea and long,
flowing Podostemum were abundant; Total Habitat Score range 67-80. Water Quality -- specific conductance elevated during past three monitoring
cycles, range 88-97 pS/cm; water became very turbid from re -suspension of the silts when walking in the channel; water with a greenish cast; turbidity
seems to be a chronic problem in this watershed. 2012 -- decline in NCIBI score and rating attributed to fewer fish being collected (-2X more in 2007 than
2012, 647 vs. 319), fewer species overall, two fewer cyprinids, and a greater than expected percentage of tolerant fish (14%, Redbreast Sunfish and White
Sucker); as in previous cycles, there was a large biomass of Central Stoneroller, Whitetail Shiner, White Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker, Rock Bass,
Redbreast Sunfish, and Black Redhorse collected. 2002-2012 -- 17 species known from the site, including 8 species of cyprinids, but only 2 species of
darters and 2 intolerant species (Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass); dominant species is Bigeye Chub; another abundant species is the insectivorous
Whitetail Shiner which can become very abundant in other warm, slightly turbid, silty -bottom productive streams such as Newfound, Sandymush, Little Ivy,
Crabtree, and Reems creeks; diversity of darters and the number of intolerant species is consistently lower than expected compared to that at fish
community regional reference sites. Recommendation -- Asheville Regional Office staff should identify sediment source inputs in this watershed; based
upon all the data collected, Turkey Creek is a productive stream with Good -Fair to Good water quality; continue monitoring of this site to document any
impacts from future changing landuse practices.