TAR 2013 Fish Community Templates

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
BEAR SWP
I NC 561
106/20/121
OF2
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
HALIFAX 4
1 03020102 1 36.27793121
-77.8841524 28-79-25-7
Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;NSW 1
42.8 1 200
1 7
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 1 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q,, MGD)
None I ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
25.7
4.0
110
6.1
Temperature (°C)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid; greenish
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
18
4
7
8
7
6
8
5
5
73
Substrate I Gravel, sand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/20/12
2012-66
20
46
Good
05/07/07
2007-40
25
52
Good
04/11/02
2002-10
20
52
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Exotic Species None, only 3 fish (Green Sunfish) have been
Redbreast Sunfish (n=93, 44%) collected out of 722 fish at this site.
Gained -- Bowfin and Largemouth Bass (n=1 each, first collections ever) and Bluegill (n=1). Lost -- Pinewoods
Shiner (n=13), V-lip Redhorse (n=2), Northern Hog Sucker (n=3), Redfin Pickerel (n=4), Flier (n=1), Green
Sunfish (n=3), and Chainback Darter (n=2).
Watershed -- drains the west-southwest corner of Halifax County; the Town of Littleton is located within the extreme headwaters; borders the Rolling
Coastal Plain; Town of Littleton's WWTP (NC0025691, Qw = 0.28) is located — 11 miles upstream on Butterwood Creek a tributary to Bear Swamp; Bear
Swamp is a tributary to Little Fishing Creek, site is located — 1.8 miles upstream from the creek's confluence with Little Fishing Creek. Landuse 2006 (from
USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 64% forest, 16% cultivation, and 7%
grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 79 to 64% and developed land has increased from 1 to 4%. Habitat -- Coastal Plain -
like; snags; several species of aquatic plants; submerged deadfalls and coarse woody debris; right riparian zone logged within last five years. Water Quality
-- very low flow in 2012, dissolved oxygen at 49% of saturation; specific conductance was greatest ever recorded at this site, previous range was 64-83
pS/cm. 2012 -- not as abundant (fewest fish of any site in the Tar River basin in 2012) and diverse as expected (total diversity and diversity of major groups)
and with a moderately high percentage of tolerant fish (47%); two intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner and Chainback Darter) present in 2007 were not
collected in 2012; only one intolerant fish and species collected (Roanoke Darter). 2002-2012 -- high species diversity; 31 species known from the site
including 4 darters, 6 suckers, 7 cyprinids, 6 sunfish, and 3 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species
is the tolerant Redbreast Sunfish which has increased in percent abundance form 13 to 15 to 44% since 2002, while the intermediate Highfin Shiner has
declined from 41 to 11 to 2% during the same time period; NCIBI rating has declined from a high Good (52) to a low Good (46). Recommendation --
although still rated Good, continued basinwide assessment of this site in 2017 is warranted because the community maybe undergoing a species and
tolerance shift due to changing natural flow regimes, changing water quality, or landuse practices. Overall, water quality rating for the Bear Creek watershed
is stable.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
CEDAR CR SR 1109 104/17/121 OF7 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
FRANKLIN 1 03020101 36.06-78.35388889 28-29-(2)b Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;NSW 40.2 220 1 7 1 0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 95 5 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Qw, MGD)
Town of Franklin's WWTP, — 4.1 miles upstream NCO069311 3.0
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
R6.4
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)
Sample Date
5
14
3
7
8
5
6
8
5
5
66
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate ISand
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/17/12
2012-05
18
42
Good -Fair
06/10/04
2004-80 @ SR 1105
20
56
Excellent
04/10/02
2002-09
21
54
Excellent
04/16/97
97-26
17
50
Good
04/08/92
92-08
18
48
Good
Satinfin Shiner and Eastern Mosquitofish
Most Abundant Species, 2012 (n=97 and 90, 22% and 21 %, Exotic Species Green Sunfish (n=6)
respectively).
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Yellow Bullhead (n=1) and Green Sunfish (n=6). Lost -- Golden Shiner (n=1), Creek Chubsucker
(2002) (n=1), Redfin Pickerel (n=18), Pirate Perch (n=1), and Redear Sunfish (n=2).
uaca
Watershed -- drains southwest Franklin County, including the towns of Franklin and Youngsville and the US 1 corridor; tributary to the Tar River. Landuse
2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 52% forest, 25% cultivation,
10% developed, and 7% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 68 to 52% and developed land has increased from 3 to
10%. Habitat -- moderate quality habitats including sand bars and sandy runs, coarse woody debris riffles, snags, wide riparian zones, and an open
canopy at the new bridge. Water Quality -- low flow in 2012, but still plenty of water filling the channel; based upon the USGS gage (Tar River at US 401
at Louisburg) flows from July -October 2011 were the lowest on record for the period January 01, 2008-April 21, 2012 and Cedar Creek may have become
intermittent; specific conductance was the greatest ever recorded at the site, previous range was 74-180 pS/cm; instream waste concentration of the
WWTP is 74%. 2012 -- an abundant (most fish ever collected at the site, n = 432) and diverse community but with a very high percentage of tolerant fish
(52%, Satinfin Shiner, Eastern Mosquitofish, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead, the greatest percentage ever recorded at the site)
and a very skewed trophic structure due to an absence of piscivores and a very low percentage of omnivores (5%); decline in rating is substantial. 1992-
2012 -- moderate species diversity; 24 species known from the site including 4 darters, 4 suckers, 6 cyprinids, 5 sunfish, and 3 intolerant species
(Pinewoods Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species is the Satinfin Shiner; the percentage of tolerant fish has increased from
13% in 1992 to 30% in 1997-2004 to 52% in 2012 due to increased abundance and dominance by Satinfin Shiner and Eastern Mosquitofish. Although
permitted flow of the WWTP is 3 MGD, the actual flow has been trending upward from 0.4 to 0.6 MGD and the specific conductance of the effluent has also
been trending upward. The combination of prolonged low flow periods, the WWTP effluent, and changing landuse practices likely all factored into the
decline in the NCIBI rating and water quality. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this site in 2017 to document impacts from WWTP
discharge and future urban growth in the watershed and to determine if the decline in the rating is real. Overall, a decline in the water quality in the Cedar
Creek watershed was noted.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
COON CR SR 1609 104/16/121 OF11 I Good -Fair
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GRANVILLE 1 03020101 1 6,26805556-78.56777778 28-11-5 Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;NSW 1 25.2 1 350 1 6 1 0.3 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 95 1 0 1 0 5
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„,, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
19.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
106
pH (s.u.)
6.5
Water Clarity Clear, greenish black in pools
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
10
3
3
8
5
6
8
5
5
58
Substrate Sand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/16/12
2012-03
11
42
Good -Fair
05/18/06
2006-51
20
46
Good
04/08/02
2002-03
18
54
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Eastern Mosquitofish (n=87, 29%) Exotic Species JGreen Sunfish (n=7)
Gained -- none. Lost -- Satinfin Shiner (n=11), White Sucker (n=8), Redfin Pickerel (n=3), Pumpkinseed
(n=6), Bluegill (n=58), Redear Sunfish (n=2), Largemouth Bass (n=1), Glassy Darter (n=4), and Roanoke
Darter (n=9).
Watershed -- drains east -central Granville County, including portions of the Town of Oxford; no NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to Fishing
Creek; site is — 1.7 miles upstream from the the creek's confluence with Fishing Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 51 % forest, 20% cultivation, 15% developed, and
9% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 65 to 51 % and developed land has increased from 10 to 15%. Habitat -- low
quality and minimal instream habitats including infrequent, short and shallow gravel riffles, gravel bars, sandy runs, and side snags; wide forested riparian
zones. Water Quality -- very low flow in 2012, dissolved oxygen at 80% of saturation; specific conductance lower than previously recorded, range 115-125
pS/cm. 2012 -- lower than expected total species diversity (fewest species of any site in the Tar River basin in 2012) and diversity of major groups with a
moderately high percentage of tolerant fish (46%, Eastern Mosquitofish, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, and Creek Chub); piscivores absent; Bluegill
which was abundant in 2006 (14% of all fish collected) was unexpectedly absent; lowest total species diversity ever recorded at the site; only one intolerant
species (Pinewoods Shiner) collected; only site in the basin in 2012 where only one species of darter was collected; all of these declines may be attributed
to the persistent low flow conditions and loss of habitats. 2002-2012 -- moderate species diversity; 22 species known from the site including 4 darters, 2
suckers, 5 cyprinids, 7 sunfish, and 3 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species are the
intermediate Swallowtail Shiner and intermediate Johnny Darter; percentage of tolerant fish has increased from 5 to 30 to 46% due to increase in
dominance by the Eastern Mosquitofish (0 to 3 to 29%); community has declined over the past 10 years, perhaps due to chronic low flows; the mean
annual discharge (ft3/sec) for the USGS gage site on the Tar River near Tar River were 126.4 in 2002, 72.4 in 2007, and 39.8 in 2012; since 2009 the
means have decreased from 188.2 to 95.2 to 41.7 to 39.8 ft3/sec. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this site in 2017 to document
impacts from potential future town growth. Overall, the water quality in the Coon Creek watershed has declined from Excellent in 2002 to Good -Fair in
2012.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
FISHING CR
I SR 1609
06/20/12
1 OF76
I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
WARREN 4
1 03020102 1 36.3390671
-78.128844 28-79-(1)
Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C,NSW 1
75.8 1 215
1 11
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 1 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q,, MGD)
Town of Warrenton's WWTP NCO020834 2.0
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
20.8
5.8
134
6.7
Temperature (°C)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid; greenish
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
10
2
0
10
6
7
10
5
5
60
Substrate Isand, silt, clay
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/20/12
2012-65
24
54
Excellent
05/07/07
2007-39 @ SR 1600
21
58
Excellent
05/24/99
99-36 @ SR 1600
24
54
Excellent
04/16/97
97-28 @ SR 1600
24
60
Excellent
02/04/93
93-04 @ SR 1600
26
48
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Redbreast Sunfish and Pinewoods Shiner
(n=58 and 55, 18% and 17%, Exotic Species None, only 1 fish (a single Green Sunfish) has
respectively). been collected out of 1,371 fish at this site.
Gained -- Bull Chub (n=2), Mimic Shiner (n=19), White Sucker (n=1), Notchlip Redhorse (n=2), Redfin Pickerel
(n=2), Bluegill (n=1), and Mud Sunfish (n=1). Lost -- Northern Hog Sucker (n=7), Yellow Bullhead (n=1), Green
Sunfish (n=1), and Glassy Darter (n=11).
Site was moved one bridge (2.7 miles) downstream due to beaverdam at the SR 1600 site; difference in the drainage area was 17.4 mi`; no significant
difference in landuse percentages. Watershed -- large tributary to the Tar River; drains north -central Vance and central Warren counties; small
municipalities in the watershed include the towns of Norlina and Warrenton. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 59% forest, 16% cultivation, 8% developed, and
10% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 73 to 59% and developed land has increased from 3.5 to 8.4%. Habitat -- old mill
site; coarse woody debris and large snags; no riffles at low flow conditions; wide forested riparian zones; slick substrate. Water Quality -- low flow in 2012,
dissolved oxygen at 65% of saturation; specific conductance was the greatest ever recorded from this stream, previous range was 56-107 pS/cm. 2012 --
abundant and diverse community with more species collected than at any other site in the Tar River basin in 2012 including five species of suckers; slightly
lower than expected percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and species with multiple age classes; 19 specimens of Mimic Shiner (Notropis volucellus, a state
Significantly Rare species) were collected. 1993-2012 -- very high species diversity; 36 species known from the site including 4 darters, 6 suckers, 10
cyprinids, 8 sunfish, and 4 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species are the intolerant
Pinewoods Shiner and intermediate Tessellated Darter; Least Brook Lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera, a state Threatened species) has not been collected
from this stream since May 1999; has consistently rated Excellent for past 15 years, even in 2012 during a low flow period. Recommendation -- continued
basinwide assessment of this site in 2017. Overall no change in water quality in the Fishing Creek watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
FISHING CR
I SR 1643
104/18/121
OF17
I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude
Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
GRANVILLE 1 1
1 03020101 1 36.22311
-78.5756 28-11e
Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m)
Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;NSW 1
44.1 1 305
1 16 1
0.5 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 1 0 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q,, MGD)
Oxford Waste Water Treatment Plant (-6 miles upstream) NCO025054 3.5
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 18.1
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 330
pH (s.u.) 6.7
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
14
10
7
7
8
5
5
91
Site Photograph
Substrate lBoulder, cobble, gravel, sand
Sample Date SamDle ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/18/12
2012-08
23
56
Excellent
05/18/06
2006-52
22
56
Excellent
04/08/02
2002-02
20
50
Good
04/14/97
97-22
17
52
Good
04/07/92
92-06
1 18
1 42
1 Good -Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 lWhite Shiner (n=194, 27%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=10)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Mimic Shiner (n=4) and Notchlip Redhorse (n=1) (first collections ever). Lost -- Northern Hog Sucker
1(n=3) and Bluegill (n=5).
Data Analysis
ng the Town
— 5.8
WWTP discharge and — 3.5 miles above the creek's confluence with the river. The WWTP upgrade and expansion (from 2.17 to 3.5 MGD) was completed
in 2007 with mechanical bar screen and grit removal, new influent pumps and pump station, zone oxidation ditches with biological nutrient removal capability,
an activated sludge return pump station, three secondary clarifiers, a traveling bridge tertiary filter, UV disinfection, and post aeration. Landuse 2006 (from
USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 49% forest, 21 % cultivation, 18%
developed, and 9% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 the forested land has decreased from 62 to 49% and the developed land has increased from 12 to
18%. Habitat -- typical high quality Carolina Slate Belt -type stream; shallow and deep rocky pools; shallow long riffles and rocky runs; no habitat changes
since last cycle. Water Quality -- low flow in 2012; specific conductance was the greatest ever measured at the site, previous range was 132-186 pS/cm.
2012 -- a diverse and very abundant community (n=23 species and n=723 fish, most ever collected at this site); only metric not scoring a "5" (the maximum
value) was the Percentage of Piscivores; one specimen of the Roanoke Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) and four specimens of Mimic Shiner (Notropis
volucellus) (both state Significantly Rare species) were collected. 1992-2012 -- despite the WWTP discharge (which provides persistent flows during low
flow periods), the instream and riparian habitats are consistently of very high quality, and the community has rated Good or Excellent since 1997, even in
2012 during a low flow period; moderate -high species diversity; 29 species known from the site including 4 darters, 5 suckers, 11 cyprinids, 6 sunfish, and 4
intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species is the omnivorous Bluehead Chub.
Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this site in 2017 to document impacts WWTP and from potential future town growth. Overall, no
change in water quality since 2006 in the Fishing Creek watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
LYNCH CR SR 1235 104/17/121 OF27 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
FRANKLIN 1 03020101 1 6,14861111-78.34166667 28-21-(0.7) Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV;NSW 1 23.9 1 210 1 5 1 0.4 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 65 1 0 35 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„,, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
21.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
6.2
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
88
pH (s.u.)
6.0
Water Clarity Clear/tannic; 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
18
2
3
8
7
7
9
5
5
69
Substrate Sand, silt, clay
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/17/12
2012-06
20
50
Good
04/10/07
2007-11
25
50
Good
05/24/99
99-35
19
46
Good
04/15/97
97-25
24
48
Good
06/18/92
92-20
15
1 38
1 Fair
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Exotic Species None, only 3 fish (Green Sunfish) have been
Satinfin Shiner (n=131, 28%) collected out of 1,406 fish at this site.
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Gained -- Pirate Perch (n=3). Lost -- Bull Chub (n=3), Notchlip Redhorse (n=1), V-lip Redhorse (n=1), Chain
Pickerel (n=1), Bluespotted Sunfish (n=11), Green Sunfish (n=1), Bluegill (n=4), and Largemouth Bass (n=4).
Watershed -- drains northwest Franklin and southeast Vance counties; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Tar
River; site is located - 1.1 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) -- 54% forest, 24% cultivation, 6% developed, and
8% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 69 to 54% and developed land has increased from 1 to 6%. Habitat -- Coastal
Plain -like; several species of aquatic plants; coarse woody debris; stick riffles; primarily runs; snags; wide riparian flood plain forest and wetlands. Water
Quality -- low flow in 2012, dissolved oxygen at 70% of saturation; specific conductance was near the range previously measured, 73-82 pS/cm. 2012 --
abundant (most fish ever collected at this site, n = 472) and diverse community, but with a low diversity of sunfish (only Redbreast Sunfish and Warmouth
present) and a moderately high percentage of tolerant fish (41 % which has not changed since 1999, so a moderately high percentage for this metric might
be natural for this stream). 1992-2012 -- very high species diversity; 31 species known from the site including 4 darters, 5 suckers, 8 cyprinids, 7 sunfish,
and 3 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species is the Satinfin Shiner; community has consistently
rated Good since April 1997, even in 2012 during a low flow period. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this site in 2017. Overall,
no change in water quality in the Lynch Creek watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
MIDDLE CR SR 1203 104/17/121 OF28 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
FRANKLIN 1 03020101 1 6,17194444-78.4875 28-15 Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;NSW 1 8.8 1 215 1 4 1 0.2 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 100 1 0 1 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„,, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.7
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 98
pH (s.u.) 6.1
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
10
3
5
6
5
6
10
5
5
60
Substrate Sand, It, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/17/12
2012-04
22
54
Excellent
04/09/07
2007-09
25
56
Excellent
04/08/02
2002-01
19
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
White Shiner (n=331, 29%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=14)
Gained -- Mountain Redbelly Dace (n=1), Notchlip Redhorse (n=2), and V-Lip Redhorse (n=3) (first collections
ever), Rosyside Dace (n=14), Yellow Bullhead (n=1), and Eastern Mosquitofish (n=12). Lost -- Eastern Silvery
Minnow (n=2), Golden Shiner (n=1), White Sucker (n=3), Northern Hog Sucker (n=2), Blacktip Jumprock (n=1),
Redfin Pickerel (n=1), Pumpkinseed (n=2), Warmouth (n=2), and Largemouth Bass (n=1) (1-3 fish/species).
Watershed -- drains northwest Franklin County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; small tributary to the Tar River; site is — 0.3
miles upstream from the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only
landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 72% forest, 13% cultivation, and 8% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 90 to
72% and developed land has increased from < 0.1 to 4%. Habitat -- lower quality and minimal instream habitats including shallow sandy runs, undercuts
and snags, gravel riffles and chutes; wide forested riparian zones; periphyton abundant atop the sand; a very sinuous channel. Water Quality -- very low
flow in 2012, specific conductance was the greatest ever recorded at the site, previous range 80-83 pS/cm. 2012 -- a very diverse and extremely abundant
community (n=1,161, most fish of any site in the basin in 2012) comprised primarily of Age 1 fish of White Shiner, Bluehead Chub, Swallowtail Shiner, and
Satinfin Shiner (n = 959, 83%) which indicates that Middle Creek is an important nursery stream for the Tar River; piscivores absent due to the lack of
deeper pools and downstream dams (barrier to the piscivorous American Eel). 2002-2012 -- very high species diversity for a stream of its size; 31 species
known from the site including 4 darters, 6 suckers, 10 cyprinids, 6 sunfish, and 3 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback
Darter); dominant species is the intermediate White Shiner; proximity to river may influence transient nature of some species; community has rated
Excellent during the past two cycles, even in 2012 during a low flow period. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this important
tributary nursery site in 2017. Overall, no change in water quality in the Middle Creek watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
F77-k—FK TAR R
I SR 1151
104/16/121
OF60
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
GRANVILLE 1 1
1 03020101 1 36.2995791 -78.7007895 28-5
Carolina Slate Belt
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV;NSW
21.2 380
6
0.3 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Agriculture
Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 85 5
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
10 0
NPDES Number Volume (Q„,, MGD)
None
---
---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.0
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.0
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 116
pH (s.u.) 6.3
Water Clarity I Clear
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
11
4
3
4
3
6
10
5
5
56
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate Isand, gravel
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/16/12
2012-01
18
50
Good
04/09/07
2007-08
18
58
Excellent
10/14/99
99-64 @ US 158
15
46
Good
06/24/99
99-54 @ US 158
20
48
Good
04/06/99
99-02 @ US 158
18
48
Good
04/14/97
97-21 @ US 158
23
1
54
Excellent
04/07/92
92-05 @ US 158
16
1
46
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Bluehead Chub and White Shiner (n= 78 Exotic Species Green Sunfish (n=16)
and 74, 23 /° and 22 /°, respectively.
Gained -- Golden Shiner (n=5), Pirate Perch (n=1), Warmouth (n=6), and Black Crappie (n=1). Lost -- Highfin
Shiner (n=1), Pinewoods Shiner (n=9), White Sucker (n=2), Northern Hog Sucker (n=2), Chain Pickerel (n=3),
sunfish hybrid (n=1), Roanoke Bass (n=3), and Largemouth Bass (n=1).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains north -central Granville County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Tar River; site is — 1.2 miles
upstream from the creek's confluence with the river; watershed includes the Northern Outer Piedmont and the Carolina Slate Belt ecoregions. Landuse
2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 59% forest, 27% cultivation, 5%
developed, and 9% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 69 to 55% and developed land has increased from 0.8 to 5.5%.
Habitat -- shallow pools, snags, and small gravel riffles; deeply entrenched with sloughing banks with moderate erosion. Water Quality -- low flow,
dissolved oxygen at 62% of saturation; specific conductance was the greatest ever recorded at the site, previous range was 78-94 pS/cm. 2012 -- slight
decrease in the diversity of suckers and intolerant species, low percentage of piscivores, and a moderately high percentage of Bluegill with popeye disease
(caused by a parasitic nematode which seems to preferentially infect Bluegill) resulted in the rating decline from Excellent to Good; rating decline was related
to low flow conditions resulting in habitats loss and crowding of fish. 1992-2012 -- very high species diversity; 34 species known from the site including 3
darters, 5 suckers, 10 cyprinids, 9 sunfish, and 3 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species is the
omnivorous Bluehead Chub; ratings have varied from a low Good to a high Excellent depending upon the flow; the mean annual discharge (ft3/sec) for the
USGS gage site on the Tar River near Tar River was 72.4 in 2007 and 39.8 in 2012; since 2009 the means have decreased from 188.2 to 95.2 to 41.7 to
39.8 ft3/sec. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this site in 2017. Overall, a decline in fish community rating was likely due to
low flow conditions.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
RED BUD CR SR 1407 104/19/121 OF33 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
NASH 2 O3020101 36,11611111 78.02111111 28-78-1-17 Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;NSW:+ 1 18.9 1 170 7 0.3 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 100 1 0 1 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„,, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) R6.4
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)Specific Conductance (pS/cm)pH (s.u.)
Water Clarity I Clear/tannic, very dark
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
7
8
7
6
7
5
3
78
Site Photograph
Substrate lBedrock, cobble, dark red -brown silt
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/19/12
2012-09
22
58
Excellent
04/11 /07
2007-13
22
50
Good
04/09/02
2002-06
16
50
Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Bluehead Chub (n=74, 26%) Exotic Species JGreen Sunfish (n=4)
Gained -- Creek Chub (n=1) (first collection ever). Lost -- Flat Bullhead (n=1).
-- a tributary to Sandy Creek and ultimately Swift Creek; drains northeastern Franklin and northwestern Nash counties; no municipalities or
NPDES dischargers in the watershed; adjacent to the Rolling Coastal Plain Level IV ecoregion. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 61 % forest and 23% cultivation; since 1992
forested land has decreased from 71 to 61 % and developed land has increased from 0.4 to 4.2%. Habitat -- straight, but not channelized; numerous
bedrock vein shelves and riffles; undercuts; right riparian zone logged with past five years. Water Quality -- low flow in 2012, dissolved oxygen at 63% of
saturation; specific conductance was the greatest ever recorded at the site, previous range was 66-80 pS/cm. 2012 -- diverse, abundant, and trophically
balanced community; only metric not scoring a "5" (the maximum score) was the Number of Species of Suckers; improvement in rating was due to a more
balanced trophic structure in 2012 than in 2007. 2002-2012 -- moderate species diversity; 24 species known from the site including 3 darters, 3 suckers, 7
cyprinids, 6 sunfish, and 3 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species are the intolerant Pinewoods
Shiner and intermediate White Shiner; similar to other streams in the transitional zone between the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain, the trophic structure in
2002 and 2007 was skewed with a very low percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores and a high percentage of insectivores and piscivores which resulted in a
medium -high Good rating. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this regional reference site in 2017. Overall, an improvement in
water quality in the Red Bud Creek watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
ROCKY SWP SR 1002 106/20/121 OF35 I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
HALIFAX 4 1 03020102 1 36.226388891 -77.80916667 28-79-28-(0.7) Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV;NSW 19.5 1 145 1 5 1 0.3 1 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 1 80 1 0 1 20 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q,, MGD)
None --- ---
Water Quality Parameters Site Photograph
Temperature (°C)
23.8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
5.6
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
108
pH (s.u.)
6.7
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
5
16
4
3
10
5
6
7
5
5
66
Substrate ISand
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
06/20/12
2012-67
19
50
Good
05/07/07
2007-41
19
48
Good
04/12/02
2002-13
19
50
Good
04/03/97
97-11
14
42
Not Rated
02/03/93
93-01
14
42
Not Rated
Most Abundant Species, 2012 Exotic Species None, only 2 fish (Green Sunfish) have been
Swallowtail Shiner (n=53, 20%) collected out of 1,074 fish at this site.
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Gained -- Golden Shiner (n=2), Flier (n=4), and Sawcheek Darter (n=1) (first collections ever), Redfin Pickerel
(n=5), and sunfish hybrid (n=1). Lost -- Bluehead Chub (n=1), Satinfin Shiner, Pinewoods Shiner (n=13), Mud
Sunfish (n=2), and Green Sunfish (n=1).
Watershed -- drains rural north -central Warren County; no municipalities or NPDES dischargers in the watershed; within a transitional area between the
Northern Outer Piedmont and the Rolling Coastal Plain; tributary to Fishing Creek. Landuse 2006 (from USGS,
http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 60% forest, 18% cultivation, and 6%
grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 70 to 60% and developed land has increased from 0.3 to 4.2%. Habitat -- sun -lit areas
with abundant aquatic plants and Spirogyra; undercut banks; shallow stick and gravel riffles only at the beginning and end of the reach; variety of pool sizes
for a shallow stream. Water Quality -- very low flow in 2012, dissolved oxygen at 66% of saturation; specific conductance was slightly greater than the
normal range previously measured at the site, range 58-97 pS/cm. 2012 -- diverse and abundant community, but similar to other streams in the transitional
zone between the Northern Outer Piedmont and the Rolling Coastal Plain, the trophic structure was skewed with a very low percentage of
Omnivores+Herbivores and a high percentage of piscivores; diversity of darters, suckers, and intolerant species lower than expected; most species of
sunfish (n=6) collected at any Tar River basin site in 2012, but only one intolerant fish and species (Sawcheek Darter). 1993-2012 -- high species diversity;
30 species known from the site including 4 darters, 1 sucker, 7 cyprinids, 9 sunfish, and 3 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Sawcheek Darter, and
Chainback Darter); dominant species is the Swallowtail Shiner; Least Brook Lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera , a state Threatened species), Bowfin, and
Chainback Darter have not been collected since 1993; when there is sufficient flow, the community has rated Good since 2002, even in 2012 during a low
flow period. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this transitional regional reference site in 2017. Overall, no change in the water
quality in the Rocky Swamp watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
SHELTON CR US 158 104/16/121 OF38 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GRANVILLE 1 03020101 36,31297 78.72116 28-4 Carolina Slate Belt
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV;NSW 1 23.8 1 405 9 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 60 1 5 35 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„,, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.2
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 6.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 96
pH (s.u.) 6.2
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
15
11
3
10
6
7
7
5
5
74
Substrate Cobble, gravel, sand
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Rating
04/16/12
2012-02
18
54
Excellent
05/17/06
2006-49
18
50
Good
04/06/99
99-01
19
56
Excellent
04/14/97
97-20
24
58
Excellent
04/07/92
92-04
19
1 54
1 Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012 lWhite Shiner (n=24, 22%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=8)
Species Change Since Last Cycle Gained -- Golden Shiner and Brown Bullhead. Lost -- Creek Chub, Northern Hog Sucker, Pirate Perch, and
Pumpkinseed. All species gained or lost were represented by 1 or 2 fish/species.
uaca Anaiysis
Watershed -- drains west -central Granville County; no municipalities or NDPES dischargers in the watershed; tributary to the Tar River; site is — 2.9 miles
upstream from the creek's confluence with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse
categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 64% forest, 19% cultivation, and 9% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 80 to 64% and
developed land has increased from 0.4 to 2.9%. Habitat -- infrequent, shallow and short riffles; primarily pools of various sizes and depths; beaver activity;
NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program conservation area along the east bank. Water Quality -- low flow in 2012, dissolved oxygen at 67% of saturation;
specific conductance was the greatest ever recorded at the site, previous range was 66-73 pS/cm. 2012 -- abundant and diverse community which was
trophically balanced; improvements in trophic ratings (lower percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores, primarily Bluehead Chub, White Sucker, and Creek
Chub) led to slight increases in NCIBI score and rating from Good to Excellent. 1992-2012 -- moderate -high species diversity; 29 species known from the
site including 3 darters, 4 suckers, 8 cyprinids, 7 sunfish, and 4 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback
Darter); dominant species is the Bluehead Chub; Mimic Shiner (Notropis volucellus, a Significantly Rare species) has not been collected from this site
since April 1997; except for May 2006 when rated Good, community has rated Excellent, even in 2012, during a low flow period. Recommendation --
continued basinwide assessment of this regional reference site in 2017. Overall, no long-term change in water quality in the Shelton Creek watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody
Location
Date Station ID
Bioclassification
TABBS CR
SR 1100
104/19/121
OF41
I Good
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number
Level IV Ecoregion
VANCE 1
03020101 1 36.182222221 -78,45583333 28-17-(0.5)b
Northern Outer Piedmont
Stream Classification
Drainage Area (mi) Elevation (ft)
Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
C;NSW
70.8 225
11
0.4 1 No
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential
Visible Landuse (%) 1 75 25
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile)
Agriculture Other (describe)
0 0
NPDES Number Volume (QH,, MGD)
None
i ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C)
16.9
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
7.4
Specific Conductance (pS/cm)
138
pH (s.u.)
6.4
Water Clarity I Slightly turbid
Habitat Assessment Scores (max)
Channel Modification (5)
Instream Habitat (20)
Bottom Substrate (15)
Riffle Habitat (16)
Pool Variety (10)
Erosion (7)
Bank Vegetation (7)
Light Penetration (10)
Left Riparian Score (5)
Right Riparian Score (5)
Total Habitat Score (100)
Sample Date
5
12
4
3
10
5
7
10
5
5
66
Sample ID
Site Photograph
Substrate lGravel, sand
Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/19/12
2012-10
22
46
Good
04/10/07
2007-10
20
48
Good
10/14/99
99-65
21
46
Good
06/24/99
99-55
21
48
Good
04/09/99
99-05
21
50
Good
04/15/97
1
97-23
25
56
Excellent
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
ISwallowtail Shiner (n=100, 34%) Exotic Species lGreen Sunfish (n=12)
Gained -- Bluehead Chub (n=1), Mimic Shiner (n=1), Pirate Perch (n=4), Eastern Mosquitofish (n=33),
Warmouth (n=7), and sunfish hybrid (n=1). Lost -- Yellow Bullhead (n=1), Largemouth Bass (n=5), and Glassy
Darter (n=14).
Data Analysis
Watershed -- drains southwest Vance, southern Henderson (including the southwest portion of the Town of Henderson), and western Granville counties,
and the 1-85 and US 1 corridors; two small NPDES dischargers (NC0029131 and NC 0048631, Qw total = 0.032 MGD) located — 3.9 miles upstream on Long
Creek -a tributary to Tabbs Creek; Tabbs Creek is a large, low gradient tributary to the Tar River; site is — 1.7 miles upstream from the creek's confluence
with the river. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.htmi, only landuse categories >_ 5% are reported) -- 59%
forest, 16% cultivation, 12% developed, and 9% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from from 77% to 59% and developed land
has increased from 6% to 12%. Habitat -- snags along the sides across the channel; gravelly runs; riffles rare; Sparganium bed at the beginning along the
left bank. Water Quality -- low flow in 2012, specific conductance was the greatest ever recorded at the site, range is 82-138 pS/cm. 2012 -- abundant and
diverse community with five species of suckers collected; skewed trophic structure due to a very low percentage of Omnivores+Herbivores (Bluehead Chub,
White Sucker, and Creek Chub); one specimen of Mimic Shiner (Notropis volucellus, a state Significantly Rare species) was collected. 1997-2012 -- very
high species diversity; 36 species known from the site including 4 darters, 6 suckers, 10 cyprinids, 8 sunfish, and 5 intolerant species (Pinewoods Shiner,
Mimic Shiner, Carolina Madtom, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species is the tolerant Redbreast Sunfish; Carolina Madtom (Noturus
furiosus, a state Threatened species) and Roanoke Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons, a state Significantly Rare species) have not been collected from this site
since June 1999; typically with a skewed trophic structure which may be natural and in response to the low gradient nature of this eastern Piedmont stream;
has consistently rated Good since 1999, even in 2012 during a low flow period. Recommendation -- continued basinwide assessment of this site in 2017 to
document impacts from future growth within the watershed. Overall, no change in water quality in the Tabbs Creek watershed.

FISH COMMUNITY SAMPLE
Waterbody Location Date Station ID Bioclassification
TAR R US 158 104/18/121 OF44 I Excellent
County Subbasin 8 digit HUC Latitude Longitude AU Number Level IV Ecoregion
GRANVILLE 1 03020101 36,33333333-78.76833333 28-(1) Carolina Slate Belt
Stream Classification Drainage Area (mil) Elevation (ft) Stream Width (m) Average Depth (m) Reference Site
WS-IV;NSW 1 26 1 435 1 11 1 0.4 Yes
Forested/Wetland Rural Residential Agriculture Other (describe)
Visible Landuse (%) 75 1 25 0 0
Upstream NPDES Dischargers (> 1MGD or <1 MGD and within 1 mile) NPDES Number Volume (Q„,, MGD)
None I --- ---
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature (°C) 17.6
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 7.3
Specific Conductance (pS/cm) 83
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
18
12
9
10
7
6
8
5
4
84
Substrate lBoulder, cobble, gravel
Site Photograph
Sample Date Sample ID Species Total NCIBI NCIBI Ratinq
04/18/12
2012-07
22
56
Excellent
04/09/07
2007-07
16
46
Good
10/14/99
99-63
18
54
Excellent
06/24/99
99-53
18
54
Excellent
04/27/99
99-25
17
1 52
1 Good
Most Abundant Species, 2012
Species Change Since Last Cycle
Data Analysis
Johnny Darter, Redbreast Sunfish, and
Highfin Shiner, (n=139, 130, and 124, Exotic Species Green Sunfish (n=41)
18%, 17%, and 16%, respectively).
Gained -- Redfin Pickerel (n=2) and Warmouth (n=2) (first collections ever), White Sucker (n=1), Eastern
Mosquitofish (n=22), Pumpkinseed (n=1), and Chainback Darter (n=1). Lost -- none.
Watershed -- the extreme headwaters of the Tar River basin; drains the eastern edge of Person and part of Granville counties; no municipalities or
NPDES dischargers in the watershed. Landuse 2006 (from USGS, http://water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/north_carolina.html, only landuse categories >_
5% are reported) -- 55% forest, 24% cultivation, and 12% grassland/herbaceous; since 1992 forested land has decreased from 77 to 55%, grassland
herbaceous has increased from 7 to 12%, and developed land has increased from <0.3 to 3.1 %. Habitat -- high quality Carolina Slate Belt -type stream;
shallow and deep pools; shallow riffles and rocky runs; no habitat changes since last cycle. Water Quality -- very low flow in 2012, specific conductance
was near the normal range for the site, previous range 69-81 pS/cm. 2012 -- diverse (most species ever collected at this site) and very abundant (n=779)
community; one specimen of the Carolina Darter (Etheostoma collis, a state Special Concern species) and five specimens of Mimic Shiner (Notropis
volucellus, a state Significantly Rare species) were collected; improvement in rating was due to a more balanced trophic structure in 2012 than in 2007.
2002-2012 -- moderate -high species diversity; 28 species known from the site including 4 darters, 4 suckers, 6 cyprinids, 7 sunfish, and 4 intolerant
species (Pinewoods Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Roanoke Darter, and Chainback Darter); dominant species is the intermediate Swallowtail Shiner; Roanoke
Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons, a state Significantly Rare species) has not been collected since October 1999; Mimic Shiner is consistently collected; since
1999 site has rated Good to Excellent, even in 2012 during a low flow period the site rated Excellent. Recommendation -- continued basinwide
assessment of this regional reference site in 2017. Overall, no long-term change in water quality in the upper Tar River watershed.