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Combined Concurrence Points 1, 2 and 2A
Purpose and Need and Study Area
Detailed Study Alternative
Bridging and Alignment Review
US 321/US 421 Improvements
from US 321/ US 421 junction north of Vilas, to SR 1107 (NC 105 Bypass) west of Boone
Watauga County
STIP No. R-2615
May 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Structures Conference Room C, NCDOT Century Center Building A
1000 Birch Ridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
Prepared By
Simpson Engineers and Associates.
5640 Dillard Drive, Suite2300
Cary, NC 27518
919-852-0468
R-2615 – US 321/ US421 Improvements
May 2019 Merger Meeting
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
The purpose of the meeting is for the Merger Team to discuss issues pertaining to Concurrence
Points 1 (Purpose and Need and Study Area), 2 (Detailed Study Alternative) and 2A (Bridging
and Alignment Review), so that concurrence can be reached.
Project Description
The project proposes to improve US 321/US 421 from its junction near Vilas to SR 1107 (105
Bypass) just west of Boone, in Watauga County (Vicinity Map, attached). The project is included
in the NCDOT’s 2018-2027 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and is currently
scheduled for right-of-way acquisition in federal fiscal year (FY) 2022 and construction let in FY
2024.
US 321/US 421 is the primary route between Boone and the western portions of the county.
The route is currently a two-lane facility with a varying speed limit between 45 and 60 miles per
hour (mph). Currently, the facility has an AADT of approximately 15,200 vehicles per day (vpd)
and is projected to grow to 19,500 vpd in 2040. The roadway is classified as other principal
arterial according to the NCDOT functional classification system. The proposed improvements
include widening this section of US 321/US 421, which would include four travel lanes, the
addition of a median, and five-foot paved shoulders to accommodate bicycles.
Current land use along the project corridor is low density rural. The Watauga County
Comprehensive Transportation Plan (2013) envisions future mixed-used development with the
route to become an economic “Gateway” to Boone. The plan describes this corridor as “…vitally
important to the economic future of the community.”
Nearby STIP Projects
There are no adjoining STIP projects. Four other projects listed in the 2018-2027 STIP are
located within a 3-mile radius of the project area. They include:
R-2566B – SR 1136 (Clarks Creek Road) to SR 1107 (NC 105 Bypass) in Boone,
U-5715 – College Street intersection improvements,
U-5603 – US 321 (Blowing Rock Road) to NC 105 Bypass roadway upgrades, and
R-5872 – SR 1180 (Poplar Grove Connector) roundabout.
Project Status
General Schedule
Merger Coordination History
November 20, 2018 Project Scoping and Merger Screening – The project was introduced to
regulatory agencies and NCDOT staff for scoping. Due to the potential for
impacts to Waters of the U.S., the Merger Team decided to screen the
project into the Merger Process.
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May 2019 Merger Meeting
CONCURRENCE POINT 1 - PURPOSE & NEED and STUDY AREA
Purpose & Need Summary Statement
The need for the proposed improvements is the increasing traffic congestion along US 321/US
421. The primary purpose of the project is to provide additional capacity on US 321/US 421 and
to ensure that roadway improvements can support forecasted traffic growth. The project’s
primary objective is to achieve an overall LOS D or better for the corridor in design year 2045.
Another desirable outcome of the proposed action is to facilitate travel by bicycle along the US
421/US 321 project corridor. Lastly, the additional travel lanes should reduce the tendency for
rear-end and lane departure type accidents.
Project Need
US 321/US 421 is a two-lane highway that is the primary route between the Town of Boone and
the western portions Watauga County and eastern Tennessee. Boone is the home to
Appalachian State University, which is the town’s largest employer (DataUSA, 2019).
Appalachian State enrollment has grown steadily over the last 20 years (Appalachian State
University, 2019) increasing by roughly 7,500 students over that 20-year period. The
employment opportunities in Boone have expanded to handle the increased demand for
services needed by a larger university. As Boone and the University continue to experience
growth, traffic volumes on US 321/US 421 have also increased. Current traffic volumes (2018
AADT) range from 14,000 vpd to 15,100 vpd.
The Watauga County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CPT) (2013) notes that this section of
highway would have a LOS D capacity at 12,100 vpd. Previously, the 2002 Watauga County
Thoroughfare Plan also identified this section of US 321/US 421 as being over-capacity. Insert
stmt regarding the improvements to the corridor in local plans. The addition of
accommodations for bicycles along this corridor is also recommended in the CTP.
Of additional interest, a review of the 5-year crash data reveals a preponderance of rear-end
and lane departure crash types (45% and 24%, respectively, of the total crashes). These types of
crashes tend to be indicative of congested traffic flow, which in this case is also exacerbated by
left-turn movements.
Table 1: 5-year crash rate comparison: US 321/US 421 from SR 1107 (NC 105 Bypass)
to US 421
Statewide Average Critical Crash
Category Crashes Crash Rate
12
Crash Rate Rate
Total 267 229.72 183.55 205.64
Fatal 2 0.00 1.48 4.02
Non-Fatal Injury 98 77.94 56.35 69.37
Notes: Compared to Statewide Average Crash Rates for US Routes with 2 lanes (2015 ‐ 2017). The cross section
does vary in this section, but this is the prevailing cross section.
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May 2019 Merger Meeting
The crash rates for this section of US 321 /US 421 are above statewide average and critical
crash rates for total and non‐fatal injury categories for the time period analyzed. The crashes
are scattered throughout the corridor and as previously noted there is a preponderance of rear-
end and lane departure crash types (Crash Figure, attached). These types of crashes tend to be
indicative of congested traffic flow, which in this case is also exacerbated by left-turn
movements.
Development in Boone has led to overburdening US 321/US 421 capacity, leading to substantial
congestion during morning and evening peak hours. By 2045, the project’s design year, traffic
volumes will range from 18,200 to 19,600 AADT (Current Traffic and 2045 traffic figures,
attached). This volume of traffic continues to exceed the roadway’s capacity and causes
substantial delay and queuing at most signalized and unsignalized intersections. Traffic capacity
analysis results indicate that in a Future Year No-Build scenario, there is only one unsignalized
intersection anticipated to have all movements operate at LOS D or better in both peak periods
of the 2045 design year. The remaining five unsignalized intersections will operate at LOS E or F
during one or both weekday peak periods. To alleviate this congestion and accommodate the
increase in traffic, additional roadway capacity is needed.
Table 2: 2045 Future Year No-Build AM and PM Level of Service and Delay (sec/veh) -
Signalized
Signalized Intersection 2045 Base Year
No-Build
AM PM
LOS Delay LOS Delay
US 321/US 421/NC 194 and SR 1107 F 91.8 F 608.5
(NC 105 Bypass)
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Table 3: 2045 Future Year No-Build AM and PM Level of Service and Delay (sec/veh) –
Unsignalized
Unsignalized Intersection Movement 2045 Base Year
No-Build
AM PM
LOS Delay LOS Delay
EB Left-Turn
US 421 & US 321 F 91.8 F 608.5
EB Right- Turn F 184.1 B 12.7
NB Left-Turn B 11.4 B 10.2
US 321/US 421 and NC 194 EB Left/Right-Turn E 44.7 D 33.7
NB Thru/Left-Turn B 12.1 A 8.8
US 321/US 421/NC 194 and WB Left/Right-Turn F 72.5 F 56.9
SR 1311 (Linville Ck. Rd.
W.)
SB Thru/Left-Turn A 8.7 B 12.2
US 321/US 421/NC 194 and EB Thru/Left-Turn A 8.7 B 12.4
SR 1313 (Linville Ck. Rd. E.)
SB Left/Right-Turn F 131.4 F 68.8
US 321/US 421/NC194 and WB Thru/Left-Turn B 12.3 A 8.7
SR 1110 (Greer Lane)
NB Left/Right-Turn E 44.1 E 36.7
US 321/US 421/ NC 194 EB Thru/Left-Turn A 8.1 A 9.7
and SR 1104 (Old Bristol
Rd.)
SB Left/Right-Turn C 19.5 C 18.7
Logical Termini and Independent Utility
The northern project terminus is the junction of US 321 and US 421. US 321 enters the project
from the west. It crosses from Tennessee into North Carolina approximately 11 miles travel
distance from the project area. US 421 enters the project area from the north. It also enters the
state from Tennessee approximately 7.5 travel miles from the project area. Traffic estimates
indicate that the traffic load splits between the two highways roughly by one-third/two-thirds
at this junction.
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The southern project terminus is the intersection with SR 1107 (NC 105 Bypass). US 321/US 421
continues into downtown Boone at a 45-mph posted speed. The NC 105 Bypass takes traffic
around Boone to the south. Traffic estimates indicate that the traffic load at this terminus
roughly splits fifty-fifty between the two highways.
Study Area Boundary
The proposed study area boundary illustrated on the project’s Environmental Features Maps
(attached) includes logical termini and is of sufficient size to allow the development of one or
more alternatives that meet the Purpose and Need for the proposed project. The study area
extends along US 321/US 421 from the US 321 junction to SR 1107 (NC 1065 Bypass), generally
encompassing an area 250 feet on each side of the existing road centerline. The study area
includes sufficient area along y-lines, as appropriate, on the proposed project.
Concurrence for Purpose and Need (insert concurrence page)
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CONCURRENCE POINT 2 – ALTERNATIVES TO BE STUDIED
Build Alternative
Proposed Typical Section
The proposed typical-section for widening this section of US 321/US 421 includes four 12-foot
travel lanes, a 30-foot depressed median, and 5-foot paved shoulders to accommodate for
bicycles. The proposed design speed is 55 mph. (Typical section, attached)
Best Fit Alignment
Utilizing known environmental and community features, a preliminary best-fit alignment was
created (Best Fit Block Maps, attached).
No Build
The No-Build alternative consists only of routine maintenance along US 321/US 421 within the
project study area. This alternative does not include any pavement widening. This alternative
would not meet the Purpose and Need.
Alternative Modes of Transportation
AppleCart is the public transportation service provider for Watauga County. It currently
operates 11 bus routes in and surrounding the Town of Boone. Daily service is also provided to
Greensboro and Charlotte by Sunway Charters with twice daily round-trip regional service.
Regularly scheduled service along the project corridor is not provided and currently no service
is planned. This alternative would not meet the Purpose and Need.
Natural Environmental Considerations
Waters
The project corridor lies within the Watauga River basin (USGS Hydrologic Unit 06010103). The
study area is located within a watershed designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission (NCWRC) as a trout watershed. No Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), High
Quality Waters (HQW), or water supply watersheds (WS-I or WS-II) are located within the study
area or within 1.0 mile downstream of the study area.
A total of 33 streams, comprising 26,976 linear feet, were identified in the study area (Appendix
A, Table 1). They include Brushy Fork Creek, George Branch, Linville Creek and 30 connecting
unnamed tributaries. All are classified as Class C waters. No streams within the study area are
identified as impaired on the North Carolina Final 2016 303(d) list. The streams in the project
study area have been designated as coldwater streams for the purposes of stream mitigation.
The study area is not located within a basin to which N.C. river basin buffer rules apply;
therefore, no streams within the study area are subject to protection under these rules.
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Sixty jurisdictional wetlands were identified within the study area totaling 2.30 acres (Appendix
A, Table 2). They primarily consist of Headwater Forest and Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh.
Two surface waters were identified in the study area (Appendix A, Table 2).
Impacts to streams, wetlands, and surface waters were quantified using a preliminary project
footprint of slope stakes plus 40 feet for the Best-Fit Alignment and are presented in the table
below. Additionally, impacts for an East Widening Alignment and a West Widening Alignment
are presented for comparison. Calculations do not include impacts along Y-lines.
Table 4: Impacts to Waters
Resources Best-Fit East West
Streams (linear feet) 11,951.37 11,819.93 13,930.21
Wetlands (acres) 0.239 1.800 1.689
Surface waters (acres) 0.058 0.058 0.100
Federally Protected Species
As of June 27, 2018, the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) lists 11 federally protected
species, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Watauga County. For each species, a
discussion of the presence or absence of habitat is included below along with the Biological
Conclusion rendered based on survey results in the study area.
Table 5: Federally protected species listed for Watauga County
Scientific Name Common Name Federal Habitat Biological
Status Present Conclusion
Glyptemys muhlenbergii bog turtle T(S/A) No Not Required
Glaucomys sabrinus
E No No Effect
Carolina northern
coloratus
flying squirrel
Myotis grisescens gray bat E UndetermineUnresolved
d
Myotis septentrionalis T UndetermineUnresolved
northern long-eared bat
d
Corynorhinus townsendii
E UndetermineUnresolved
Virginia big-eared bat
virginianus
d
rusty-patched bumble
Bombus affinis* E No No Effect
bee
Microhexura montivaga spruce-fir moss spider E No No Effect
Solidago spithamaea Blue Ridge goldenrod T No No Effect
Liatris helleri Heller’s blazing star T No No Effect
Hedyotis purpurea var.
E No No Effect
Roan Mountain bluet
montana
Geum radiatum spreading avens E No No Effect
E - Endangered
T - Threatened
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T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance
* - Historic record (the species was last observed in the county more than 50 years ago)
Human Environment Considerations
Cultural Resources
Archaeological and Architectural Resources
NCDOT Cultural resources staff have completed preliminary screening of the study area for
both archaeological and architectural resources. It was determined that additional surveys
would be required. Surveys are ongoing.
Community Resources/Human Environment
The study area was surveyed for community resources. The following table enumerates the
resources identified in the study area. Also indicated are notable population demographics.
Environmental Justice
Describe 3 block groups – low income threshold
Utility Crossings
Describe – note none
GeoEnvironmental Hazards
Describe
UST and general local asbestos
Impacts to the Human Environment were quantified using a preliminary project footprint of
slope stakes plus 40 feet for the Best-Fit Alignment and are presented in the table below.
Additionally, impacts for an East Widening Alignment and a West Widening Alignment are
presented for comparison. Calculations do not include impacts along Y-lines.
Table 6: Impacts to the Human Environment
Resource Type Best-Fit East West
Hospitals -- -- --
Nursing Homes -- -- --
Churches 3 3 3
Cemeteries 0 0 0
Public Schools -- -- --
Private Schools/Daycare 0 0 0
Historic Sites 0 0 0
Public Parks -- -- --
Greenways -- -- --
Game Lands or LWCF -- -- --
Properties
Residential Properties 45 46 63
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Multi-Family Bldg. w 2 2 2
approx. 6 units each
Business Properties 24 25 25
Natural Gas Pipelines -- -- --
Power transmission lines -- -- --
Suspected/known 9 9 9
Hazardous Material Sites
FEMA Buyout Properties -- -- --
Note: “--" indicates that this resources is not found in the study area.
Concurrence for Design Option for Detailed Study (insert concurrence page)
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CONCURRENCE POINT 2A - BRIDGING
Describe preliminary hydro report.
FEMA area
Recommended Structures
The proposed project will impact seven major stream crossings along State maintained roads
within the project study boundaries (Hydraulic Site Map, attached). In addition, the project
study area includes twelve crossings along privately maintained roads and driveways which may
be impacted due to roadway widening and improvement activities.
The table below summarizes recommended structures for each major crossing along a State
route (Photos attached).
Table 7: Existing and Recommended Structures at Major Crossings
Site Stream Existing Structure Recommended Structure
1 George Branch 1@6'x5' RCBC (Buried 1') 1@6'x7' RCBC buried 1'
2 Brushy Fork 3@8'x9' RCBC 3@8'x13' buried 1'**
3 Brushy Fork 20'x5' RC Precast Crown Span 3@7'x11' RCBC buried 1'***
6 Brushy Fork 1@25' Timber Deck on I-Beams Retain existing 1@25’ bridge
7 Brushy Fork 2 @10'x5' RCBC 2@10’x6’ RCBC buried 1’
8 Brushy Fork 1@30' Timber Deck on I-beams 2@6'x8' RCBC buried 1'
9 UT to Brushy 1@5'x4' RCBC 1@6'x6' RCBC buried 1'
Fork
Note – Sites 4 and 5, as enumerated in the Preliminary Hydraulics report, are not considered major
crossings; therefore, they are not included in this table.
*FEMA
**Proposed structure analyzed utilizing FEMA effective model
***Structure preliminarily sized for hydraulic efficiency based on Hw/d of around 1.2 in the 100-yr
storm utilizing HDS-5. Due to constraints imposed to the model by the stream and floodplain
geometry, additional investigation during the design phase is needed to determine an adequate
structure for this situation.
Insert smaller crossings table (< 72 pipes) for a sites
Structure state of repair/replacement plans – waiting for info from Division.
Concurrence for Bridging Recommendations (insert concurrence page)
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APPENDIX A
WATERS OF THE US
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May 2019 Merger Meeting
Table 1: Streams in the Study Area
NCDWR Compensatory
Stream Name ID Index Classification Mitigation
Number Required
Brushy Fork Creek Brushy Fork
8-15-10 Perennial Yes
Creek
George Branch George Branch 8-15-10-2 Perennial Yes
Linville Creek Linville Creek 8-15-10-1 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SA 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SB 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to George Branch SC 8-15-10-2 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SD 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to George Branch SE 8-15-10-2 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SF 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SG 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SH 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SI 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SJ 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SK 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SL 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SM 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SN 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SO 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SP 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SQ 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SR 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SS 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek ST 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SU 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SV 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SW 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SX 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SY 8-15-10 Inter/Peren Undermined/Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SZ 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAA 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAB 8-15-10 Intermittent Undetermined
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAC 8-15-10 Inter/Peren Undermined/Yes
UT to Brushy Fork Creek SAD 8-15-10 Perennial Yes
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Table 2. Characteristics of jurisdictional wetlands in the study area
Area (ac.)
NCWAM Hydrologic
ID NCWAM Classification in Study
Rating Classification
Area
WA Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.18
WB Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01
WC Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01
WD Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01
WE Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01
WF Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.13
WG Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.10
WH Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.06
WI Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01
WJ Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01
WK Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.17
WL Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01
WM Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.13
WN Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01
WO Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.05
WP Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.02
WQ Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.02
WR Bottomland Hardwood Forest High Riparian 0.02
WS Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.03
WT Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.06
WU Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.03
WV Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.04
WW Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01
WX Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01
WY Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.03
WZ Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian <0.01
WAA Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Low Riparian 0.05
WAB Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.04
WAC Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02
WAD Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.02
WAE Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh Medium Riparian 0.01
WAF Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01
WAG Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.11
WAH Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.03
WAI Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01
WAJ Bottomland Hardwood Forest High Riparian 0.03
WAK Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01
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Area (ac.)
NCWAM Hydrologic
ID NCWAM Classification in Study
Rating Classification
Area
WAL Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh High Riparian 0.09
WAM Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.03
WAN Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.11
WAO Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.05
WAP Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01
WAQ Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.03
WAR Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.01
WAS Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.03
WAT Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.06
WAU Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.09
WAV Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02
WAW Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02
WAX Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01
WAY Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.06
WAZ Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.02
WBA Headwater Forest High Riparian 0.01
WBB Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.02
WBC Headwater Forest Low Riparian 0.04
WBD Headwater Forest High Riparian <0.01
WBE Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.01
WBF Headwater Forest Medium Riparian 0.07
WBG Headwater Forest Medium Riparian <0.01
WBH Seep High Riparian <0.01
Table 3. Surface waters in the study area
Area (ac) in
Surface Water Jurisdictional Map ID of Connection
Study Area
Pond A (PA) Yes Brushy Fork Creek 0.1
Tributary A (TA) Yes WAU/Brushy Fork Creek 0.0
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