20160216 Ver 1_Year 2 Monitoring Report_20190709

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MOGENSEN MITIGATION INC.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING

Environmental Field Studies ■ Wetland & Stream Delineation ■ 404-401 Permits ■ Mitigation Plans & Banking
10 July 2019

Ms. Chonticha McDaniel
NC Division of Water Resources
401 Wetlands & Buffer Permitting
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617

Subject: Hope Mills Dam Wetland Monitoring, Cumberland County NC, MY-2 Report
USACE Action ID # SAW-2010-01336 DWR Project # 16-0216

Dear Ms. McDaniel,

This report summarizes wetland forest monitoring data collected in July 2019, 18 months after Hope
Mills Lake was refilled following eight years of non-impoundment due to dam failure. This is the
second of four annual monitoring reports (2018 through 2021) required as a special condition on the
Section 404-401 permit for repair of the dam and refilling of the lake.

The re-impounded lake level (104 ft normal pool elevation) is slightly lower than the level at which
these swamp forests grew during the past century (1924 to 2003), and is one foot higher than the
normal pool elevation during the subsequent impoundment period (2008 to 2010) prior to the 2010
dam failure. In consideration of the eight-year period that these forests spent with non-flooded soils,
and the physiological and structural adaptations that wetland trees develop in flooded versus non-
flooded soils, NC-DWR expressed concern during the Section 404-401 permit review that re-flooding
might adversely affect the forests.

METHODS: During January 2018, two weeks before Hope Mills Lake was refilled, Mogensen
Mitigation Inc (MMI) biologists established four wetland monitoring transects through the forested
areas in the upper half of the lake that would be re-flooded, and collected pre-impoundment baseline
data, in accordance with a DWR-approved monitoring plan.

Selected trees and large shrubs greater than one inch diameter at breast height (dbh) along each
transect line were marked with numbered tags, identified, and their diameter measured in January
2018. A plastic tag was nailed or tied to each tree approximately 6.0 ft above ground level, so that
depth of inundation after re-impoundment could be measured relative to the tag. The bottoms of all
trees were well above the existing water elevation (drained lake bed) during baseline setup. Health
(vigor) of each marked tree was assessed visually on a 0 to 5 scale based on trunk condition, branch
spread, proportion of live and dead branches, evidence of current year’s growth, and, for evergreen
species, leaf abundance and color were also used. Vigor rating criteria are described below:

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V-0 Mostly dead; few live branches
V-1 Poor; > 60% dead branches and/or extensive trunk damage
V-2 Fair: 40-60% dead branches and/or moderate-extensive trunk damage
V-3 Average: 20-40% dead branches and/or moderate trunk damage
V-4 Good: 10-20% dead branches and/or minor trunk damage
V-5 Excellent: healthy spreading branches & trunk

The surrounding understory and groundcover plant community including saplings and shrubs, woody
vines, and groundcover plants were identified and recorded at three selected points along each
transect, photographed, and coverage of each species estimated within a 20-ft radius, following the
USACE 4-strata method for wetland delineation data forms (Table 1).

Tree = Woody stems 3 inch or greater diameter at breast height (dbh)
Sapling / Shrub = Woody stems less than 3" dbh; greater than 1 m tall
Woody Vine = Climbing woody vines greater than 1 meter tall
Groundcover = All non-woody plants & woody plants less than 1 m tall

The MY-1 and MY-2 post-impoundment data were collected in July 2018 and July 2019, when new
twig growth is mostly complete and leaf density is highest. Tree tag heights above the water surface
were measured and the depth of flooding at each tree was calculated. Current vigor ratings for each
tree were assigned by the same biologist who assigned the baseline vigor ratings in January. Damaged
or faded tags were replaced or re-marked. Understory and groundcover plant community data were
recorded and sample areas photographed as done in the baseline report. See the May 2018 MY-0
report and Aug 2018 MY-1 report for discussion of pre-impoundment and MY-1 conditions.

WETLAND MONITORING TRANSECT SUMMARY:

Transect A: Northeast (Left) shore of Hope Mills Lake, 1200 ft east of railroad bridge
Upper End Lat/Lon: 34.9804, -78.9412; Lower End Lat/Lon: 34.9805, -78.9425.
Tagged trees: n = 54; ave dbh = 8.2 in

Transect B: Northeast (Left) shore of Hope Mills Lake, 800 ft east of railroad bridge
Upper End Lat/Lon: 34.9828, -78.9425; Lower End Lat/Lon: 34.9821, -78.9434.
Tagged trees: n = 49; ave dbh = 10.5 in

Transect C: Northeast (Left) shore of Hope Mills Lake, 2000 ft west of railroad bridge
Upper End Lat/Lon: 34.9851, -78.9521; Lower End Lat/Lon: 34.9845, -78.9521.
Tagged trees: n = 36; ave dbh = 9.0 in

Transect D: Northeast (Left) shore of Hope Mills Lake, 2800 ft west of railroad bridge
Upper End Lat/Lon: 34.9852, -78.9557; Lower End Lat/Lon: 34.9847, -78.9549.
Tagged trees: n = 43; ave dbh = 11.1 in

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Transects A and B are accessed from Treasure Cove, north of Lakeshore Drive. Transects C and D are
accessed from Morrozoff Drive, southeast of Camden Rd. All four transects extend from the lower
limit of trees (adjacent to open water) landward to a point approximately 2 feet above the lake pool
elevation. A total of 182 trees and large shrubs were marked along the four transects.

POST-IMPOUNDMENT MY-2 CONDITIONS, JULY 2019:

From April to early July 2019, the Hope Mills Dam drain gate was kept open to lower the lake level
about 6 feet for construction of a kayak launch and bulkhead in the swimming area on the western
shore of the lake. Consequently, the wetland transects were not submerged during most of the early
growing season, except for a few days in June when high flows exceeded the drain gate capacity and
the lake refilled.

Of the 182 tagged trees and shrubs along the four transects, 32 stems (17%) showed an increase in
vigor rating of +1 (Table 2). Most of these stems with increased vigor were Nyssa and Taxodium, which
commonly persist in permanent saturation or standing water, plus two Acer and one Kalmia that are at
or above the 104 ft normal pool level. Nyssa in particular appears to have responded well to re-
inundation, with most Nyssa trees exhibiting profuse new growth in 2018 and 2019. A rating change
of +/- 1 may also represent observational variability, but bias was minimized by having the same
person (G. Pottern) assign all of the vigor ratings during each monitoring visit.

13 stems (7%) showed a decline in vigor rating, including 9 that died during the past year. Five of these
dead trees are Liquidambar or Sapium that were inundated between 2 to 4 feet at normal pool
elevation, and either drowned or were cut down by beavers. Three of the dead trees are Nyssa that
had low vigor in January 2018 prior to lake refilling. Only one flood-tolerant tree with high vigor
(Nyssa, tree A46, vigor = 4) died this year. The four trees that declined in vigor but were alive in 2019
include one Chamaecyparis, two Nyssa, and one Acer; these all are smaller trees (2 to 6 inch dbh) and
are shaded by surrounding canopy trees.

The understory and groundcover communities along the four sampling transects are generally similar
to the July 2018 data, except that certain groundcover species absent in July 2018 (submerged) were
growing again due to 2019 lake drawdown, especially Campsis, Cephalanthus, Microstegium,
Persicaria, Pilea, and Carex. Certain non-flood-tolerant shrubs that persisted in July 2018 in the
flooded lower reaches of the transects are dead in 2019, including Callicarpa, Sambucus, and Rubus.
Table 3 summarizes the vegetation community data in January 2018, July 2018, and July 2019 at three
community sample points along each of the four transects.

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If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Gerald Pottern
Mogensen Mitigation, Inc
919-556-8845 [e-mail]

Attachments:
1) List of plants species recorded along transects
2) Table of marked trees and health (vigor) ratings
3) Table of vegetation community sample plots
4) Photos of vegetation community sample plots

CC:
Don Sisko, Hope Mills Public Works, Deputy Director
Emily Greer, US-ACE Wilmington Regulatory Field Office

Table 1. Plant species recorded along Hope Mills Lake
swamp forest monitoring transects, Jan 2018 -July 2019.
Tree & Shrub Species
Acer rubrum Red Maple
Alnus serrulata Tag Alder
Callicarpa americana American Beautyberry
Carpinus caroliniana Musclewood
Celtis laevigata Sugarberry
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush
Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic White Cedar
Clethra alnifolia Coastal Sweet-pepperbush
Cyrilla racemiflora Titi, Leatherleaf
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash
Ilex coriacea Gallberry Holly
Ilex opaca American Holly
Ilex verticillata Winterberry Holly
Itea virginica Virginia Sweetspire
Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel
Leucothoe axillaris Coastal Doghobble
Ligustrum sinense Chinese Privet (exotic)
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum
Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree
Lyonia lucida Shining Fetterbush
Magnolia grandiflora Southern Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia
Morella cerifera Southern Bayberry
Nyssa biflora Swamp Tupelo
Taxodium spp Bald & Pond Cypress
Persea palustris Swamp Redbay
Prunus serotina Black Cherry
Pinus taeda Loblolly Pine
Sapium sebiferum Tallowtree
Styrax americana Snowbell, Storax
Symplocos tinctoria Horse-sugar, Sweetleaf
Quercus michauxi Swamp Chestnut Oak
Quercus nigra Water Oak
Quercus phellos Willow Oak
Rhus copallina Winged Sumac
Sambucus canadensis Common Elderberry
Styrax americana Snowbell, Storax
Symplocos tinctoria Horse Sugar, Sweetleaf
Ulmus americana American Elm
Vaccinium formosum Highbush Blueberry
Viburnum dentatum Southern Arrowwood
Viburnum nudum Possumhaw Viburnum

Vines & Groundcover Species
Arundinaria tecta River Cane
Bignonia capreolata Crossvine
Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle
Campsis radicans Trumpet Creeper
Carex spp Sedge species
Gelsemium sempervirens Yellow Jessamine
Impatiens capensis Common Jewelweed
Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle (exot)
Microstegium vimineum Japanese Stilt-grass (exotic)
Osmunda cinnamomeum Cinnamon Fern
Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper
Peltandra vigrinica Arrow-arum
Persicaria punctata Dotted smartweed
Pilea pumila Clearweed
Rubus spp Blackberry species
Smilax glauca Whiteleaf Greenbrier
Smilax laurifolia Laurel-leaf Greenbrier
Smilax rotundifolia Common Greenbrier
Sphagnum spp Sphagnum mosses
Toxicodendron radicans Poison Ivy
Vaccinium spp Blueberry species
Vitis rotundifolia Muscadine Grape
Woodwardia areolata Netted Chain-fern
Table 2: Transects A and B. Trees marked along the Hope Mills Lake forested wetland monitoring transects, Pre-
impoundment baseline (Jan 2018) and annual monitoring data. Green fill = increased vigor; tan fill = decreased vigor.
Δv = change in vigor rating.

Table 2. Trees marked along the Hope Mills Lake forested wetland monitoring transects, Pre-impoundment baseline and annual monitoring data.
A #Species DBH "Flood B #Species DBH "Flood
dep ft 01.18 07.18 Δv 07.19 Δv 07.20 07.21 dep ft 01.18 07.18 Δ v 07.19 Δv 07.20 07.21
1 Cham thyo 13.6 0.0 5 5 0 5 0 1 Nyss biflo 6.7 0.9 5 5 0 5 0
2 Nyss biflo 6.3 0.0 3 4 1 4 0 2 Taxo dist 9.4 0.2 5 5 0 5 0
3 Kalm lati 1.5 0.0 4 4 0 5 1 3 Nyss biflo 5.5 0.4 4 3 -1 4 1
4 Nyss biflo 8.0 0.0 3 4 1 4 0 4 Nyss biflo 7.3 0.0 5 5 0 5 0
5 Cham thyo 9.5 0.0 4 4 0 4 0 5 Nyss biflo 5.0 xx 2 xx -2 xx
6 Nyss biflo 2.4 0.0 1 0 -1 0 0 6 Nyss biflo 4.5 0.1 3 3 0 3 0
7 Vibu nudu 1.1 0.0 2 3 1 3 0 7 Nyss biflo 5.5 0.4 4 4 0 5 1
8 Nyss biflo 2.4 0.0 3 3 0 4 1 8 Nyss biflo 5.1 0.7 3 3 0 4 1
9 Nyss biflo 4.7 0.0 3 3 0 3 0 9 Nyss biflo 5.3 0.5 3 4 1 4 0
10 Nyss biflo 3.6 0.0 2 2 0 3 1 10 Taxo dist 8.6 1.2 4 3 -1 3 0
11 Nyss biflo 8.0 0.0 3 3 0 4 1 11 Nyss biflo 10.3 0.8 4 4 0 4 0
12 Nyss biflo 6.8 0.0 3 4 1 4 0 12 Taxo dist 10.4 0.5 3 3 0 3 0
13 Cham thyo 11.1 0.0 5 5 0 5 0 13 Taxo dist 12.8 0.4 4 4 0 4 0
14 Vibu nudu 1.1 0.0 4 4 0 4 0 14 Taxo dist 9.7 0.5 4 4 0 4 0
15 Nyss biflo 4.6 0.0 3 3 0 3 0 15 Nyss biflo 5.0 0.8 3 4 1 4 0
16 Magn virg 0.9 0.0 2 2 0 2 0 16 Taxo dist 10.1 0.7 3 3 0 3 0
17 Cham thyo 3.9 0.0 3 2 -1 1 -1 17 Taxo dist 11.8 1.1 4 4 0 4 0
18 Taxo dist 20.5 0.0 5 5 0 5 0 18 Taxo dist 8.5 1.6 4 3 -1 4 1
19 Pinu taed 11.5 0.0 4 4 0 4 0 19 Nyss biflo 3.2 1.7 2 2 0 3 1
20 Nyss biflo 4.7 0.0 3 3 0 3 0 20 Nyss biflo 6.8 1.4 3 3 0 3 0
21 Acer rubr 2.2 0.0 3 3 0 4 1 21 Acer rubr 1.2 2.4 4 4 0 3 -1
22 Nyss biflo 6.1 0.0 4 4 0 5 1 22 Nyss biflo 6.0 1.2 3 3 0 4 1
23 Nyss biflo 3.6 0.0 3 3 0 3 0 23 Taxo dist 22.0 0.7 5 5 0 5 0
24 Cyri race 2.9 0.0 4 4 0 4 0 24 Liqu styr 3.8 2.2 4 4 0 4 0
25 Taxo dist 9.2 0.0 4 3 -1 3 0 25 Nyss biflo 6.6 0.3 3 3 0 3 0
26 Nyss biflo 5.0 0.0 4 4 0 4 0 26 Nyss biflo 8.4 1.1 3 3 0 4 1
27 Cyri race 1.0 0.0 2 3 1 3 0 27 Nyss biflo 8.2 0.7 2 3 1 3 0
28 Nyss biflo 9.8 0.0 5 5 0 5 0 28 Taxo dist 12.9 0.0 5 5 0 4 -1
29 Taxo dist 9.8 0.0 3 3 0 3 0 29 Nyss biflo 9.3 0.6 4 4 0 5 1
30 Nyss biflo 11.6 0.0 5 5 0 5 0 30 Nyss biflo 6.7 0.0 3 3 0 3 0
31 Nyss biflo 6.4 0.0 2 2 0 3 1 31 Nyss biflo 9.2 0.2 4 4 0 4 0
32 Nyss biflo 9.7 0.0 3 3 0 3 0 32 Nyss biflo 8.6 3.4 3 3 0 3 0
33 Nyss biflo 18.6 0.7 4 4 0 5 1 33 Nyss biflo 13.0 3.5 3 3 0 3 0
34 Taxo dist 18.9 0.3 5 5 0 5 0 34 Taxo dist 14.5 2.4 4 3 -1 3 0
35 Nyss biflo 9.6 0.8 3 3 0 3 0 35 Taxo dist 19.0 3.0 4 4 0 4 0
36 Lirio tuli 0.9 xx 4 xx -4 xx 36 Taxo dist 22.8 4.0 4 4 0 4 0
37 Nyss biflo 7.4 1.9 2 2 0 0 -2 37 Taxo dist 30.0 3.2 4 3 -1 4 1
38 Nyss biflo 8.5 2.0 3 3 0 4 1 38 Liqu styr 2.6 4.5 4 3 -1 0 -3
39 Nyss biflo 13.6 2.1 4 4 0 4 0 39 Taxo dist 8.3 4.3 1 0 -1 0 0
40 Taxo dist 12.3 0.4 5 5 0 5 0 40 Taxo dist 19.0 3.0 4 4 0 5 1
41 Nyss biflo 2.6 0.6 4 4 0 4 0 41 Liqu styr 2.6 3.4 4 4 0 0 -4
42 Samb cana 0.8 1.8 3 0 -3 0 0 42 Rhus copa 1.4 3.1 3 0 -3 0 0
43 Nyss biflo 7.3 1.6 4 4 0 5 1 43 Taxo dist 33.8 3.3 5 4 -1 4 0
44 Taxo dist 10.0 0.9 4 4 0 4 0 44 Taxo dist 8.4 3.9 0 0 0 0 0
45 Taxo dist 12.4 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 45 Taxo dist 22.3 4.6 3 3 0 3 0
46 Nyss biflo 1.2 2.0 4 4 0 0 -4 46 Sapi sebi 3.4 4.5 5 4 -1 0 -4
47 Taxo dist 13.7 1.7 3 3 0 3 0 47 Taxo dist 24.2 4.4 3 4 1 4 0
48 Acer rubr 6.9 1.7 4 4 0 4 0 48 Taxo dist 33.4 4.3 5 5 0 5 0
49 Liqu styr 3.9 2.0 4 4 0 1 -3 49 Taxo dist 2.5 5.5 5 5 0 5 0
50 Taxo dist 18.5 1.9 3 3 0 3 0
51 Taxo dist 19.0 2.3 4 4 0 4 0 B1 = upland, B49 = lake edge
52 Liqu styr 6.7 2.5 5 4 -1 0 -4
53 Taxo dist 27.5 2.9 3 0 -3 0 0
54 Taxo dist 19.8 4.8 2 0 -2 0 0
A1 = upland, A54 = lake edge
Tree Vigor Ratings Tree Vigor Ratings
Transect A: North of Treasure Ct, 1300 ft ESE of railroad bridge Transect B: North of Treasure Ct, 800 ft east of railroad bridge
Upper End: 34.9804, -78.9412; Lower End : 34.9805, -78.9425 Upper End: 34.9828, -78.9425; Lower End : 34.9821, -78.9434
Table 2, continued: Transects C and D. Trees marked along the Hope Mills Lake forested wetland monitoring transects,
Pre-impoundment baseline (Jan 2018) and annual monitoring data. Green fill = increased vigor; tan fill = decreased
vigor. Δv = change in vigor rating.
C #Species DBH "Flood D #Species DBH "Flood
dep ft 01.18 07.18 Δv 07.19 Δv 07.20 07.21 dep ft 01.18 07.18 Δv 07.19 Δv 07.20 07.21
1 Taxo dist 3.0 4.1 4 4 0 4 0 1 Nyss biflo 9.2 1.7 4 4 0 4 0
2 Taxo dist 9.4 0.0 3 3 0 3 0 2 Taxo dist 21.5 1.2 5 5 0 5 0
3 Acer rubr 8.3 0.0 4 4 0 5 1 3 Taxo dist 11.6 1.9 4 4 0 4 0
4 Acer rubr 4.9 0.0 4 4 0 5 1 4 Taxo dist 17.9 1.4 5 5 0 5 0
5 Taxo dist 15.7 2.0 5 5 0 5 0 5 Nyss biflo 8.1 0.4 4 4 0 5 1
6 Taxo dist 26.0 2.4 4 4 0 5 1 6 Taxo dist 23.1 1.2 5 5 0 5 0
7 Nyss biflo 4.5 0.9 2 2 0 2 0 7 Taxo dist 19.6 0.0 5 5 0 5 0
8 Taxo dist 13.1 1.6 4 4 0 4 0 8 Nyss biflo 5.7 0.9 3 3 0 3 0
9 Taxo dist 14.8 2.0 4 4 0 4 0 9 Nyss biflo 10.1 0.6 3 4 1 4 0
10 Taxo dist 16.8 1.5 5 5 0 5 0 10 Nyss biflo 11.9 1.9 1 2 1 2 0
11 Taxo dist 18.3 0.5 3 3 0 4 1 11 Taxo dist 11.8 1.6 2 1 -1 1 0
12 Celt laev 1.4 xx 3 xx -3 xx 12 Nyss biflo 8.0 0.0 3 4 1 4 0
13 Taxo dist 13.5 1.4 5 5 0 5 0 13 Prun sero 0.6 xx 5 xx -5 xx
14 Taxo dist 14.0 1.2 4 4 0 4 0 14 Taxo dist 12.1 0.0 4 4 0 5 1
15 Nyss biflo 9.7 0.8 1 2 1 2 0 15 Taxo dist 16.1 0.0 5 5 0 5 0
16 Taxo dist 16.0 2.0 5 5 0 5 0 16 Prun sero 0.7 0.0 5 0 -5 xx
17 Taxo dist 17.0 1.3 5 5 0 5 0 17 Nyss biflo 5.8 0.0 2 2 0 2 0
18 Nyss biflo 5.0 0.9 3 4 1 4 0 18 Nyss biflo 7.9 0.0 3 3 0 4 1
19 Nyss biflo 5.6 0.9 2 2 0 3 1 19 Taxo dist 11.2 0.0 4 4 0 4 0
20 Nyss biflo 6.1 0.3 2 2 0 0 -2 20 Nyss biflo 5.6 0.0 2 3 1 3 0
21 Nyss biflo 4.2 0.8 2 3 1 3 0 21 Nyss biflo 3.7 0.0 1 2 1 2 0
22 Taxo dist 16.8 0.8 4 4 0 4 0 22 Nyss biflo 8.7 0.0 4 4 0 4 0
23 Nyss biflo 7.5 1.2 3 3 0 3 0 23 Taxo dist 20.0 2.1 4 4 0 4 0
24 Nyss biflo 5.9 1.3 2 2 0 3 1 24 Taxo dist 23.0 2.7 5 5 0 5 0
25 Nyss biflo 4.7 1.3 2 3 1 3 0 25 Taxo dist 9.4 2.6 3 3 0 3 0
26 Nyss biflo 3.0 1.2 2 2 0 0 -2 26 Taxo dist 25.4 1.9 5 5 0 5 0
27 Nyss biflo 7.3 1.1 4 4 0 4 0 27 Nyss biflo 6.8 1.6 3 4 1 4 0
28 Nyss biflo 3.2 1.3 3 3 0 4 1 28 Nyss biflo 6.5 1.0 4 4 0 3 -1
29 Nyss biflo 5.5 0.7 4 0 -4 0 0 29 Taxo dist 15.6 1.3 1 0 -1 0 0
30 Nyss biflo 5.1 0.5 4 4 0 4 0 30 Nyss biflo 3.3 0.7 2 2 0 3 1
31 Nyss biflo 5.2 0.2 4 4 0 4 0 31 Nyss biflo 9.1 0.4 4 4 0 4 0
32 Nyss biflo 4.5 0.0 3 4 1 4 0 32 Nyss biflo 4.2 xx 1 xx -1 xx
33 Taxo dist 10.3 0.0 5 5 0 5 0 33 Nyss biflo 5.8 2.0 3 3 0 3 0
34 Cyri race 2.2 0.0 4 4 0 4 0 34 Taxo dist 17.7 2.4 4 4 0 4 0
35 Nyss biflo 6.3 0.0 5 5 0 5 0 35 Nyss biflo 7.4 1.4 5 5 0 5 0
36 Taxo dist 10.8 0.0 4 4 0 4 0 36 Nyss biflo 8.5 1.0 3 3 0 4 1
37 Taxo dist 12.0 0.6 5 4 -1 4 0
C1 = lake edge, C36 = upland 38 Taxo dist 10.2 0.9 3 3 0 3 0
39 Nyss biflo 5.7 0.5 2 2 0 2 0
40 Taxo dist 24.5 2.8 4 4 0 4 0
41 Nyss biflo 6.7 1.8 2 3 1 2 -1
42 Taxo dist 12.7 0.0 4 4 0 4 0
43 Nyss biflo 10.2 0.0 4 4 0 4 0
D1 = lake edge, D43 = upland
Tree Vigor Ratings Tree Vigor Ratings
Transect C: East of Morrozoff Dr, 2000 ft NW of railroad bridge Transect D: South of Morrozoff Dr, 2800 ft WNW of railroad bridge
Upper End: 34.9851, -78.9521; Lower End : 34.9845, -78.9521 Upper End: 34.9852, -78.9557; Lower End : 34.9847, -78.9549
Table 3. Vegetation community samples within a 20-ft radius of selected points along the Hope Mills Lake forested wetland
monitoring transects, January 2018 (Pre-impoundment Baseline) to July 2019. Percent absolute cover by stratum, US-ACE 4-strata
wetland vegetation sampling method.

Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SA1 Cham thyo 40 Ilex cori 15 Smil laur 5 Wood areo 5
trees A1-3 Nyss biflo 20 Kalm lati 5 Bign capr 5 Sphagnum 5
Jan.2018 Frax penn 10 Pers palu 5 Vaccin spp 5
Taxo dist 10 Lyon luci 10
Quer nigr 5
Magn gran 2
July.2018 Cham thyo 30 Ilex cori 20 Smil laur 5 Wood areo 15
Nyss biflo 20 Kalm lati 5 Bign capr 10 Sphagnum 20
Frax penn 10 Pers palu 5 Vaccin spp 5
Taxo dist 20 Lyon luci 10 Osmu cinn 5
Acer rubr 10 Quer nigr 5
July.2019 Cham thyo 25 Ilex cori 20 Smil laur 5 Wood areo 15
Nyss biflo 20 Kalm lati 5 Bign capr 5 Sphagnum 15
Frax penn 10 Pers palu 5 Parth Quin 5 Vaccin spp 5
Taxo dist 20 Lyon luci 5 Osmu cinn 5
Acer rubr 10 Quer nigr 5 Peltan virg 5
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SA2 Cham thyo 10 Ilex cori 10 Smil laur 5 Wood areo 5
trees A19-20 Nyss biflo 30 Cyril race 10 Bign capr 2 Lyon luci 10
Jan.2018 Taxo dist 20 Pers palu 5 Smil glau 2 Arun tect 5
Lyon luci 10
Quer nigr 5
Ilex opac 5
Itea virg 5
Morel ceri 5
Vibu nudu 2
July.2018 Cham thyo 10 Cyril race 10 Smil laur 5 Micro vimin 15
Nyss biflo 30 Pers palu 5 Parth quin 10 Wood areo 10
Magn virg 5 Cleth alni 10 Rubus spp 5
Taxo dist 20 Quer nigr 10
Acer rubr 15 Ilex cori 5
Itea virg 10
Vibu nudu 5
Liqu styr 5
July.2019 Cham thyo 10 Cyril race 10 Smil laur 10 Micro vimin 10
Nyss biflo 30 Pers palu 5 Parth quin 10 Wood areo 5
Magn virg 5 Cleth alni 10 Vitis rotu 5 Rubus spp 5
Taxo dist 20 Quer nigr 10 Camp radi 5
Acer rubr 10 Ilex cori 5
Itea virg 10
Liqu styr 5
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SA3 Acer rubr 10 Rhus copa 5 Vitis rotu 2 Gels semp 5
trees A50-52 Nyss biflo 10 Liqu styr 5 Gels semp 2 Quer nigr 2
Jan.2018 Taxo dist 30 Pers palu 10
Liqu styr 15 Samb cana 5
Pinu taed 5 Quer nigr 5
Acer rubr 5
July.2018 Liqu styr 15 Liqu styr 10 Vitis rotu 5 Gels semp 10
Nyss biflo 10 Pers palu 10
Taxo dist 15 Samb cana 10
Acer rubr 15
July.2019 Liqu styr 10 Liqu styr 10 Camp radic 5 Gels semp 10
Nyss biflo 15 Ceph occid 10 Camp radi 5
Taxo dist 20
Acer rubr 10

Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SB1 Nyss biflo 40 Itea virg 10 Smil laur 2 Gels semp 10
trees B2-5 Taxo dist 30 Cyril race 10 Gels semp 2 Cyril race 5
Jan.2018 Pers palu 5 Bign capr 2 Wood areo 5
Liqu styr 5 Itea virg 5
Acer rubr 5
Cham thyo 5
Carp caro 5
July.2018 Nyss biflo 60 Itea virg 30 Smil laur 2 none
Taxo dist 20 Cyril race 10 Gels semp 2
Styr amer 5
Liqu styr 5
Acer rubr 5
July.2019 Nyss biflo 60 Itea virg 30 Smil laur 2 Cyril race 5
Taxo dist 20 Cyril race 10 Gels semp 2 Itea virg 5
Styr amer 5
Liqu styr 5
Acer rubr 5
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SB2 Nyss biflo 20 Itea virg 10 Gels semp 2 Gels semp 10
trees B18-20 Taxo dist 40 Cyril race 10 Carex spp 5
Jan.2018 Liqu styr 10 Pers palu 5 Wood areo 5
Liqu styr 5 Symp tinc 5
Nyss biflo 5 Quer nigr 5
Ilex opac 2
July.2018 Nyss biflo 30 Itea virg 20 Gels semp 2 none
Taxo dist 30 Cyril race 10
Liqu styr 10 Acer rubr 5
Liqu styr 5
Sapi sebi 5
July.2019 Nyss biflo 30 Itea virg 20 Gels semp 2 Persi punc 3
Taxo dist 30 Cyril race 10
Liqu styr 10 Acer rubr 5
Liqu styr 5
Sapi sebi 5
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SB3 Nyss biflo 15 Cyril race 10 Gels semp 5 Gels semp 5
trees B44-46 Taxo dist 50 Calli amer 5 Micr vimi 70
Jan.2018 Liqu styr 10 Rubus spp 5 Wood areo 5
Pinu taed 5 Pinu taed 5 Carex spp 5
Acer rubr 5 Boeh cylin 5
Liqu styr 5
July.2018 Nyss biflo 10 Cyril race 10 Gels semp 5 none
Taxo dist 60 Calli amer 5 Camp radi 5
Liqu styr 10 Liqu styr 5
Sapi sebi 2 Acer rubr 5
July.2019 Nyss biflo 10 Cyril race 10 Gels semp 5 Camp radi 5
Taxo dist 60 Calli amer 5 Camp radi 5 Ceph occi 2
Liqu styr 10 Liqu styr 5
Ceph occi 5

Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SC1 Nyss biflo 25 Cyril race 5 none Loni japo 30
trees C4-6 Taxo dist 40 Samb cana 30 Carex spp 5
Jan.2018 Acer rubr 10 Rubus spp 10
Ilex opac 5
Calli amer 10
Ligu sine 5
July.2018 Nyss biflo 20 Itea virg 5 none Loni japo 5
Taxo dist 40 Samb cana 5 Rubus spp 5
Acer rubr 15 Acer rubr 5 Micro vimi 5
Nyss biflo 10 Itea virg 5
Calli amer 5
Ligu sine 5
July.2019 Nyss biflo 20 Itea virg 5 none Camp radi 2
Taxo dist 40 Nyss biflo 5 Persi punc 2
Acer rubr 15 Micro vimi 2
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SC2 Nyss biflo 60 Pinus taed 2 none Carex spp 5
trees C23-26 Taxo dist 25 Samb cana 5 Itea virg 5
Jan.2018 Pers palu 5 Rubus spp 8
Acer rubr 2
Ligu sine 25
Ulmu amer 5
July.2018 Nyss biflo 60 Itea virg 20 none none
Taxo dist 25 Styr amer 5
Acer rubr 5
Ligu sine 10
July.2019 Nyss biflo 60 Itea virg 10 none Micro vimi 5
Taxo dist 25 Styr amer 5 Carex spp 3
Acer rubr 5
Ligu sine 5
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SC3 Nyss biflo 40 Cyril race 20 Loni japo 5 Loni japo 25
trees C34-36 Taxo dist 30 Acer rubr 5 Vaccin spp 2
Jan.2018 Symp tinc 5
Ilex opac 5
Quer nigr 5
July.2018 Nyss biflo 50 Cyril race 20 Loni japo 5 Loni japo 10
Taxo dist 30 Acer rubr 5 Toxi radi 5 Toxi radi 15
Symp tinc 5 Gels semp 5 Gels semp 5
Ilex opac 5 Bign capr 5
Quer nigr 5 Carex spp 5
July.2019 Nyss biflo 50 Cyril race 15 Loni japo 5 Loni japo 10
Taxo dist 30 Acer rubr 5 Toxi radi 5 Toxi radi 10
Liqu styr 5 Gels semp 5 Gels semp 5
Ilex opac 5 Bign capr 5
Quer nigr 5 Carex spp 5
Itea virg 5 Micro vimi 10

Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SD1 Nyss biflo 20 Ligu sine 10 none Carex spp 5
trees D3-6 Taxo dist 70 Calli amer 2 Vaccin spp 2
Jan.2018 Quer nigr 2
Acer rubr 5
Ilex opac 2
July.2018 Nyss biflo 30 Ligu sine 10 Part quin 5 Itea virg 10
Taxo dist 50 Calli amer 5 Camp radi 5 Micro vimi 5
Itea virg 10 Vitis rotu 5 Smil glau 5
Acer rubr 5
July.2019 Nyss biflo 30 Ligu sine 10 Part quin 5 Persi punc 10
Taxo dist 50 Calli amer 5 Camp radi 5 Micro vimi 5
Itea virg 10 Vitis rotu 5 Camp radi 5
Acer rubr 5
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SD2 Nyss biflo 10 Ligu sine 10 Gels semp 2 Carex spp 5
trees D33-35 Taxo dist 70 Calli amer 2
Jan.2018 Acer rubr 10 Rubus spp 10
Samb cana 5
Nyss biflo 5
July.2018 Nyss biflo 10 Ligu sine 5 Gels semp 2 none
Taxo dist 70 Itea virg 10 Camp radi 5
Acer rubr 10 Ceph occi 5
Samb cana 5
Nyss biflo 5
July.2019 Nyss biflo 10 Ligu sine 5 Gels semp 2 Persi punc 10
Taxo dist 70 Itea virg 10 Camp radi 5 Camp radi 5
Acer rubr 10 Ceph occi 5 Carex spp 5
Samb cana 5 Micro vim 5
Nyss biflo 5
Station Trees %Sapling-Shrub %Woody Vine %Groundcover %
SD3 Nyss biflo 10 Ligu sine 10 none Arun tect 5
trees D40-43 Taxo dist 70 Ulmu amer 5 Ligu sine 5
Jan.2018 Rubus spp 5 Wood areo 5
Pers palu 5
July.2018 Nyss biflo 30 Ligu sine 10 Part quin 2 Arun tect 5
Taxo dist 50 Itea virg 10 Camp radi 5 Micr vimi 5
Acer rubr 5 Wood areo 3
Quer nigr 5 Carex spp 5
Impa cape 2
July.2019 Nyss biflo 30 Ligu sine 10 Parth quin 2 Arun tect 5
Taxo dist 50 Itea virg 10 Camp radi 5 Micr vimi 5
Acer rubr 5 Gels semp 5 Wood areo 3
Quer nigr 5 Persi punc 5
Carex spp 5
Pilea pumi 5

ABOVE: Approximate swamp forest fringe areas (red). BELOW: Locations of four wetland monitoring transects (red).

Hope Mills Lake Swamp Forest Monitoring Transects A and B. Tree tag numbers = Green. Vegetation community sample plot numbers = Red.

Hope Mills Lake Swamp Forest Monitoring Transects C and D. Tree tag numbers = Green. Vegetation community sample plot numbers = Red.

ABOVE 2 Photos: Transect A sample SA1 near Trees A1-A3: July 2019. BELOW 2 Photos: Transect A sample SA2 near Trees A24-A26: July 2019.

ABOVE 2 Photos: Transect A sample SA3 near Trees A50-A52: July 2019. BELOW 2 Photos: Transect B sample SB1 near Trees B2-5: July 2019.

ABOVE 2 Photos: Transect B sample SB2 near Trees B18-B20: July 2019. BELOW 2 Photos: Transect B sample SB3 near Trees B44-B46: July 2019.

ABOVE 2 Photos: Transect C sample SC3 near Trees C34-C36: July 2019. BELOW 2 Photos: Transect C sample SC2 near Trees C23-26: July 2019.

ABOVE 2 Photos: Transect C sample SC1 near Trees C4-C6: July 2019. BELOW 2 Photos: Transect D sample SD3 near Trees D40-D43: July 2019.

ABOVE 2 Photos: Transect D sample SD2 near Trees D33-D35: July 2019. BELOW 2 Photos: Transect D sample SD1 near Trees D3-D6: July 2019.