The State of Our Streams: 2010

A Report on Water Quality to the Citizens of Durham

Stormwater Services is making lots of changes because of new State requirements, like the recently adopted Falls and Jordan Lake Rules. Help Stop Stormwater Pollution! Rules directed at reducing the amount of algae in Call 560-SWIM to report anything in creeks or Falls Lake were adopted by the State in storm drains that is not water! November 2010. They became effective in January 2011. Jordan Lake rules have been in place since 2009.

Because of these rules, new shopping centers, office buildings, neighborhoods, and other construction will have to take more nutrients out of stormwater that runs off their property. This way stormwater from hard surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, and roof tops continues to be treated far into the future. This will affect whoever has to maintain the stormwater treatment controls, such as homeowners associations and business property managers.

The new stormwater rules cover not only new buildings, but also land that is already developed. Man-made Stormwater Wetland at Hillandale Golf This includes historic buildings, schools, older Course to treat polluted water neighborhoods, business districts, and roads. Treating runoff will be challenging in these boxes filter stormwater runoff from public neighborhoods because of a lack of space, costs, roads. and the required maintenance. One way the City is trying to overcome this challenge is through a You can also expect other changes to City grant funded program that designs and installs stormwater programs and reports as the State rain gardens. This is done in partnership with changes how it implements the Clean Water Act. homeowners living south and west of the This will lead to changes in water quality Durham Freeway. (For more information or to monitoring and the water quality index scores volunteer, contact Robert Louque at 560-4326.) provided in the State of Our Streams report. The Another new method the City is using to treat future is always changing and so are we at runoff is street side filter boxes. In several recent Stormwater Services. projects, including the upgrade to City Hall Plaza,

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information The State of Our Streams: 2010

Explanation of Watershed Attachments Watershed Information: This section briefly describes the watershed such as location, In order to provide further information to landuse, or any other notable characteristics of residents, a water quality report is available for the watershed. These can all influence water each of the major watersheds in the City of quality and are important to know. Durham. Sections included in each report are as follows: Pollution Sources: Stormwater Services staff conduct investigations when City staff or Durham Water Quality Index (WQI): Federal regulations residents report a water quality concern. They require the City of Durham to monitor water also conduct investigations when routine tests quality in local streams. Stormwater Services indicate a problem. Investigations help find staff collects water samples from streams anything other than rain water getting into the throughout the city. These samples are then storm drain system, streams, or lakes. These are tested for biochemical oxygen demand, nutrients known as illicit discharges, and are a major (nitrogen/phosphorus), bacteria, clarity, and source of pollution in urban areas. Examples of metals. These tests allow City and State staff to illicit discharges include: pouring oil into storm determine potential risks to people, drinking drains, disposing of pet wastes in storm drains, water supplies, and wildlife. and leaking or overflowing sanitary sewer pipes. Pollutions sources found during investigations The results from these chemical tests are are included in each watershed’s report. combined into one score to provide a broad picture of the health of our streams. The WQI is The City has limited staff and resources to provided for each monitoring site where enough improve water quality. Therefore, it is essential chemical test results are available. that residents become involved and provide extra eyes, ears, and noses to help find and get rid of The WQI can be thought of as a school test grade, sources of pollution. Call 560-SWIM to report numbers close to 100 are an “A” and numbers water pollution. less than 60 are an “F”. Looking at this grade from year to year can show how water quality is changing in area streams.

All urban streams usually fail to meet at least one federal or state water quality standard. However, the water quality index allows residents and Stormwater Services to locate areas with the most serious pollution issues. These areas can be targeted for improvement plans or investigations to find pollution sources.

In 2010, Stormwater Services Staff tested water quality at 48 spots in local streams.

Sanitary Sewer Crossing: Ellerbe Creek at Stadium Dr

City of Durham Stormwater Services page 2 of 3 The State of Our Streams: 2010

At the end of individual reports, a table is provided that indicates watershed health in terms of:

Clarity: Dirt washed into streams can cause the water to appear cloudy or muddy. One way to at 919-560-7800. measure this is called turbidity. Turbidity measures how bits of dirt scatter light in the Aquatic Life: In addition to chemical tests, water. Turbidity is tested on site in streams. Stormwater Services staff also collects aquatic There is a North Carolina water quality standard life to learn about water quality. Aquatic of 50 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) for organisms, or benthic macroinvertebrates, live in turbidity. Ratings are as follows: the water on roots, under rocks, and under Good: meets state standard leaves. Since these organisms are exposed to Poor: does not meet standard pollution in the stream, the variety found by staff is a good indication of water quality. When Recreation: Many people like to know that their organisms that are sensitive to pollution are streams are safe for fishing and swimming. These present and there are fewer pollution tolerant uses are impacted by bacteria and viruses. When organisms, the overall rating increases. The found, fecal coliform bacteria suggest there is aquatic life rating is often a better indicator of raw sewage (poop!) in a stream. This is a concern overall water quality than the water quality because sewage contains viruses, bacteria, and index. other pathogens that make people and pets sick. Fecal coliform bacteria is measured regularly by Reference Site: A common method to compare Stormwater Services. Fecal coliform bacteria are water quality of impacted urban streams is using measured in water samples collected from information from an unpolluted or reference streams and have two North Carolina water stream. A reference stream can be defined as a quality standards. They are a geometric mean of relatively undisturbed stream that supports the 200 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 milliliters intended use of water for recreation or as water (mL) and the number of exceedances of 400 supply. A reference site typically has good water cfu/100mL. Ratings are as follows: quality that either meets or exceeds state standards. Stormwater Services maintains three Good: meets both state standards such reference sites,- Flat River, Little River, and Fair: meets the geometric mean standard New Hope Creek. Poor: does not meet either standard

Stormwater Services staff receives many questions about harmful bacteria. Because of this, the State of Our Streams report provides the recreation indicator as a service to residents of What can I do to protect water quality? Durham. Stormwater Services cannot issue public (Tip #1) health warnings regarding the safe use of area Keep trees and shrubs growing along streams and rivers. If you have any questions or stream banks as buffer zones to filter soil concerns about area streams or rivers please and pollution from entering waterways. contact the Durham County Health Department

City of Durham Stormwater Services page 3 of 3 This Page intentionally left blank The State of Our Streams: 2010 City of Durham

2010 Water Quality Index, City of Durham: 8080 some pollution, and light orange through dark orange indicates increasing pollution. This section is an attachment to the State of Our Results for fecal coliform bacteria are Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of summarized on page 4. A similar color range Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is shows how polluted each area is with bacteria. available at: http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ Pollution sources stormwater_water_quality.cfm. Stormwater Services staff found 138 pollution

sources during investigations from October 2009- The City of Durham is situated along a high point September 2010. A variety of pollution sources between two major river basins, the Cape Fear were identified and are shown below. and the Neuse. Waters from the south and west of the Durham Freeway (NC 147) generally flow Number of Water Quality Investigations to Jordan Lake, the Cape Fear River, and finally Identifying Pollutant Sources, 2004—2010 the Cape Fear Estuary. Waters north and east of the Durham Freeway flow to Falls Lake, to the Neuse River, and ultimately to Albemarle-Pamlico Sound. Stirrup Iron Creek, also east of NC 147 flows into Crabtree Creek and then to the Neuse River.

Colored areas in the map (page 2) around a stream show the stream's watershed. A watershed is the land area that drains water and the pollution it carries to a stream.

Most Durham streams originate within the city. Sources and Types of Pollution Found Because of this, activities in the City play an in 2010 important role in these streams water quality. Urban areas and industrial activities can lower water quality if not managed properly.

2010 Water Quality Index Results

The water quality index results for 2010 are shown by watershed area on page 3. Areas with poor water quality are red. Dark green shows areas with the best ratings. Yellow indicates

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information The State of Our Streams: 2010

City of Durham Stormwater Services page 2 of 4 The State of Our Streams: 2010

City of Durham Stormwater Services page 3 of 4 The State of Our Streams: 2010

City of Durham Stormwater Services page 4 of 4 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Ellerbe Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Ellerbe Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 7878 This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at: http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm.

The Ellerbe Creek watershed includes the downtown area north of Highway 147. City Hall is located in this watershed, as well as neighborhoods such as Trinity Park and Old Five Points. Commercial areas include North Pointe, Sewer Crossing, South Ellerbe Creek at Glendale Ave Northgate Mall and Ninth Street. Partnerships exhibited poorest water quality between May- with other agencies and non-profit groups (e.g., September. Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association) have The Ellerbe Creek watershed management resulted in several stream restoration projects improvement plan (WMIP) was completed in along Ellerbe Creek. May 2010. This has helped identify projects that Water from Ellerbe Creek flows to Falls Lake, will improve water quality. Implementation is the Neuse River, and the Albemarle-Pamlico dependent on funding availability. A copy of the Sound before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. WMIP is available at: http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ The overall water quality in this watershed stormwater_ellerbe.cfm improved slightly in 2010. Bacteria, turbidity (a Pollution sources measure of water clarity), and copper levels are better than 2009. Both nitrogen and phosphorus Stormwater Services staff conducted became worse in 2010. Investigations that identified 57 pollution sources in the Ellerbe Creek watershed during 2009-2010, Ellerbe Creek nitrogen and phosphorus loads at an increase compared to the previous two years. Glenn Road are 14.4 and 1.87 pounds per The sources of pollution identified include public watershed acre, respectively. These loads include and private sanitary sewer discharges, illicit the effluent from the North Durham Water mobile car washing wastewater, spilled/dumped Reclamation Facility, which discharges upstream petroleum products, and erosion. of Glenn Road. Number of pollution sources found: 57 South Ellerbe Creek at Glendale Ave continues to Number of sanitary sewer overflows: 15 have high bacteria and nutrients. The creek Number of illicit mobile car washing discharges: 9

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Ellerbe Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Life WQ Clarity Recreation Index Ellerbe Creek at Glenn Rd (EL1.9EC) 82 Good Poor Fair Ellerbe Creek at Midland Terr (EL5.6EC) 81 Good Poor — Ellerbe Creek at Murray Ave (EL7.9EC) 86 Good Fair — Ellerbe Creek at Stadium Dr (EL8.2EC) — Good — Fair Ellerbe Creek at Bellevue Ave (EL10.7EC) 80 Good Poor — Goose Creek at Camden Ave (EL5.5GC) 81 Good Poor — Goose Creek at Holloway St (EL8.1GC) 75 Good Poor —

South Ellerbe Creek at Glendale Ave (EL7.1SEC) 62 Good Poor —

South Ellerbe Creek (EL7.6SECT) — Good Poor —

South Ellerbe Creek (EL8.5SEC) — Good Poor —

South Ellerbe Creek (EL8.6SECUT) — Good Poor —

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Ellerbe Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Eno River Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Eno River Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 8989

This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at: http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm

The Eno River watershed extends from the Town of Hillsborough through Orange County before reaching the City of Durham. Much of the northern portion of the City of Durham is located Eno River at Roxboro Road in the Eno River Watershed. Landuse in the area includes typical suburban development as well as commercial and industrial areas. A significant Help Stop Stormwater Pollution! portion of the land around the Eno River is Call 560-SWIM to report anything in creeks or protected in parks, including the Penny’s Bend storm drains that is not water! Nature Preserve and West Point on the Eno Park.

Water from the Eno River flows to Falls Lake, the Neuse River, and the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

Compared to 2009, overall water quality in the Pollution sources Eno River has improved. Water clarity/turbidity and bacteria levels have shown improvement. Stormwater Services investigations of potential sources of water pollution in the Eno River Crooked Run Creek and Warren Creek continue watershed during 2009-2010 found problems 11 to have poor bacteria levels. Both nitrogen and times. The sources of pollution identified during phosphorus loads at Roxboro Road are higher these investigations were sewer overflows/leaks, than 2009 levels at 2.81 and 0.23 pounds per petroleum discharges, and yard waste. watershed acre, respectively.

Number of pollution sources found: 11 Number of sanitary sewer overflows: 3 Number of petroleum releases: 4

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Eno River Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Index Clarity Recreation Life Eno River at Snow Hill Rd — Good Good Good (EN4.9ER) Eno River at Roxboro Rd 93 Good Good Good-Fair (EN8.9ER) Eno River at Cole Mill Rd 91 Good Good — (EN13.3ER) Crooked Run Creek at Latta Rd — Poor Poor — (EN9.6CRC) Warren/Wildcat Creek at Horton Rd 82 Good Poor — (EN10.3WC)

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Eno River Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Lick Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Lick Creek Watershed N/A 2010 Water Quality Index: This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm

The Lick Creek watershed lies on the southeastern side of the city limits, next to the densely developed Brier Creek area in Wake County. The watershed includes the area north of US Highway 70 to Falls Lake. A large portion of this watershed Lick Creek at Southview Road is outside of the City of Durham within Durham County (although much of the area is within the City’s urban growth boundary). Help Stop Stormwater Pollution! Call 560-SWIM to report dumping or draining when it’s not raining! Water from Lick Creek flows to Falls Lake, the Neuse River, and the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

Pollution sources In Lick Creek, nutrients (nitrogen and During the October 2009—September 2010 time phosphorus), water clarity, and bacteria are period, Stormwater Services identified no similar to 2009 levels. Water quality in Rocky pollution sources in this watershed. Branch Creek became worse in 2010 with poor bacteria and water clarity/turbidity. Nutrients For more information, visit our website at http:// and metals were not monitored this year. Thus, www.durhamnc.gov/stormwater or call an individual water quality index for Rocky Stormwater Services at 560-4326. Branch has not been calculated.

Number of pollution sources found: 0

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Lick Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Index Clarity Recreation Life

Rocky Branch Creek at Kemp Rd — Poor Poor — (LC2.0RBC) Lick Creek at Southview Rd 83 Good Poor Good-Fair (LC1.1LC)

What can I do to protect water quality? (Tip #2) Properly dispose of paints, cleaners, and solvents at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (1900 E. Club Blvd., 560-4381).

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Lick Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Little Lick Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Little Lick Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 7373 This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm

The Little Lick Creek watershed includes areas east of the city limits between US Highway 70 and Falls Lake. North Carolina Highway 98 and US Highway 70 are prominent features of this Little Lick Creek at Mineral Springs Road watershed. In 2009, copper levels in the watershed did not Stormwater Services added two new monitoring meet EPA standards. Monitoring results from stations to the Little Lick Creek watershed in 2010 show that copper levels are in compliance 2009. One of the stations on Chunky Pipe Creek with EPA criteria. was removed in 2010 because the stream had little to no flow most of the year. Stormwater Services will continue to evaluate the Water from Little Lick Creek flows to Falls water quality at monitoring stations on Mineral Springs Road and the tributaries at Stallings Road Lake, the Neuse River, and the Albemarle- and Lynn Road. Pamlico Sound before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Overall water quality became worse when Pollution sources compared to 2008 and 2009. Bacteria levels are Stormwater Services staff investigated and found slightly better than last year but both nitrogen 12 pollution sources in the Little Lick Creek and phosphorus have worsened. The nutrient watershed during 2010. The sources of pollution loads at Mineral Springs Road were calculated to identified include sanitary sewer overflows be 2.38 and 0.30 pounds per watershed acre for (public), private sewer discharges, and other nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. sources of pollution.

Poor water clarity/turbidity was observed downstream of construction activities in 2009. Number of pollution sources found: 12 The results from 2010 show an improvement in Number of sanitary sewer overflows: 6 clarity. Number of private sewer discharges: 2

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Little Lick Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Life Index Clarity Recreation Tributary to Little Lick Creek at Stallings Rd — Good Fair — (LL2.3LLUT) Tributary to Little Lick Creek at Lynn Rd 76 Poor Poor — (LL4.6LLT2) Little Lick Creek at Mineral Springs Rd 71 Poor Poor — (LL3.4LLC)

What can I do to protect water quality? (Tip #3) Pick up pet waste and dispose it of with the trash.

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Little Lick Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Little River Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Little River Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 8383 This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm

Small portions of the City of Durham lie within the Little River watershed. This includes Treyburn and other northern communities. The two monitoring stations in the Little River Watershed lie outside city limits. Both the reference station Little River Reference Site at Johnson Mill Road at Johnson Mill Road and the station at Cabin previous station downstream of the wetland. Branch Creek continued to be monitored in 2010. Due to the difference in locations, a comparison Water from the Little River, flows to Falls of results from the monitoring stations of 2009 Lake, the Neuse River, and the Albemarle- and 2010 is not appropriate and does not indi- Pamlico Sound before reaching the Atlantic cate any trend in water quality. However, it does Ocean. indicate that the wetland is effectively removing pollutants.

Cabin Branch Creek joins Little River downstream A water quality index score of 89 at the reference of the Little River reservoir. Primary landuse in site on Johnson Mill Road appears to have recov- the Cabin Branch Creek watershed is residential ered close to 2008 levels. with some rural areas.

Last year, the monitoring station on Cabin Branch Creek was immediately downstream of a wet- Pollution sources land. Wetlands are an effective means of reducing pollutants from surface water. In 2010 this Stormwater Services did not find any pollution station was moved about two miles upstream of sources in the Little River watershed during the October 2009 to September 2010 period. this wetland to obtain a more realistic picture of water quality. Number of pollution sources found: 0 A lower water quality index in 2010 was expected due to this move. This location had worse dissolved oxygen and nitrogen levels compared to

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Little River Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Index Clarity Recreation Life

Cabin Branch Creek at Snow Hill Rd 78 Good Fair — (LR4.4CBC) Little River at Johnson Mill Rd (LR9.6LR)** 89 Good Good Good ** Reference site

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Little River Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Panther Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Panther Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 7474

This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm

The Panther Creek watershed is located in the northeastern part of Durham, south of Geer Street. The Panther Creek watershed remains relatively less developed, although this is rapidly Algal growth in Panther Creek changing as new commercial and residential construction projects have begun south of Because of its small size and tendency to dry up, Interstate-85. Panther Creek is heavily influenced by seasons and weather. Stormwater Services examined the Water from Panther Creek flows to Falls water quality patterns during different times of Lake, the Neuse River, and the Albemarle- year in this watershed and found that summer Pamlico Sound before reaching the Atlantic months had the lowest water quality.

Ocean. The unusually poor water quality in October and in the summer months skewed the water quality The overall water quality in Panther Creek index towards a lower score. continues to get worse with the index dropping continuously since 2008. However, the index value should be interpreted and used with caution in this watershed.

This is a comparatively small watershed and the stream frequently goes dry. For example, in the Pollution sources months of August and September no samples could be collected. The October sampling event Stormwater Services investigations did not find occurred during a rainfall, which captured surface any pollution sources in the Panther Creek runoff and stream with high flow carrying watershed during the October 2009 to sediment and pollutants. September 2010 period.

Number of pollution sources found: 0

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Panther Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Index Clarity Recreation Life

Panther Creek at Burton Rd 74 Poor Poor Fair (PN2.4PN)

What can I do to protect water quality? (Tip #4) Do not leave grass clippings or yard waste along curbs or ditches. Compost or use yard waste carts.

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Panther Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Stirrup Iron Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Stirrup Iron Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 6969

The Stirrup Iron Creek watershed lies east of Miami Boulevard in Research Triangle Park, and continues north to US Highway 70. A portion of the watershed lies within Durham County. The station at Chin Page Road continues to be Stirrup Iron Creek Upstream of Chin Page Road monitored. and trickle over rocks and has less chance to mix oxygen into the water. The water quality index over the last five years indicates that the overall quality of Stirrup Iron Creek is relatively stable.

Water from Stirrup Iron Creek flows to Lake Crabtree, Crabtree Creek, the Neuse River, and the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Pollution sources Copper levels continue to be higher than what EPA recommends, however, they are better than Stormwater Services identified two pollution in 2009. There is an industrial air emission of sources during investigations in the Stirrup Iron copper in this watershed that appears to be a Creek watershed during 2010. The sources contributing source. included an illicit mobile car washing operation and grease discharged from a restaurant into Fish also need oxygen to breath. Low or poor the storm drain. dissolved oxygen level continues to be a problem in Stirrup Iron Creek. Both the watershed and Number of pollution sources found: 2 streambed are relatively flat creating slower Number of illicit mobile car washing dis- currents. This means the stream does not bubble charges: 1 Number of illicit grease discharges: 1

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Stirrup Iron Creek Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Life Index Clarity Recreation

Stirrup Iron Creek at Chin Page Rd 69 Poor Fair — (SI1.6SIC)

What can I do to protect water quality? (Tip #5) Take vehicles to a commercial car wash where the wash water is treated and/or recycled.

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Stirrup Iron Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Crooked Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

Crooked Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: NANA

The Crooked Creek watershed is in the southern portion of the City, somewhat bounded by Fayetteville Street to the west and north, Barbee Road to the east, and Herndon Road to the south. Crooked Creek is also known as Southwest Crooked Creek at Massey Chapel Road Creek. Similar to Panther Creek, Crooked Creek is one of the smaller watersheds in the City of At Massey Chapel Road, the dissolved oxygen Durham. continues to be worse than the state standards from May through September. Water clarity was better than 2009. Water from Crooked Creek flows to Jordan Lake and the Cape Fear River before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

Monitoring at Crooked Creek continued at Scott Pollution sources King Road and Massey Chapel Road. These Stormwater Services staff investigations found 1 stations are located downstream of the pollution source in the Crooked Creek watershed Southpoint development. during 2010. The pollution source identified was a sanitary sewer overflow. At Scott King Road, bacteria and water clarity are better than last year. The dissolved oxygen level For more information on City stormwater in water did not meet the state water quality activities, visit our website at http:// standard in about 25% of the samples. Fish and www.durhamnc.gov/stormwater or call other aquatic animals need oxygen to survive. All Stormwater Services at 560-4326. violations occurred during the dryer summer months. It is common for high temperatures and Number of pollution sources found: 1 less water flowing in the stream to cause Number of sanitary sewer overflows: 1 decreased oxygen levels.

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Crooked Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Index Clarity Recreation Life

Crooked Creek at Scott King Rd — Good Good — (CC2.5CC) Crooked Creek at Massey Chapel Rd — Good Poor — (CC4.2CC)

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Crooked Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 New Hope Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

New Hope Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 8484

Most of the New Hope Creek watershed lies within Orange County and includes the Town of Chapel Hill. A portion of the Duke University campus and commercial areas such as South Square are in this part of Durham. The watershed Sandy Creek at Garrett Road also covers the southwestern part of Durham County. are some of the worst in the City. Water from New Hope Creek flows to Jordan Lake and the Cape Fear River before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

The average water quality index score of 84 shows good water quality in this watershed. In 2010, Erwin Road station showed the best water quality in this watershed followed by the refer- Pollution sources ence site at Turkey Farm Road. Stormwater Services staff identified 21 pollution One particular site, the Sandy Creek Tributary at sources in the New Hope Creek watershed during Ivy Creek Boulevard, both bacteria and nutrient 2010 investigations. levels indicate poor water quality. This site is The sources of pollution identified during these downstream of a shopping center and cemetery investigations include sanitary sewer breaks and with repeated sewer overflow complaints. As overflows, erosion and sediment control violations, noted in other watersheds, dry summer months and petroleum spills/discharges. had reduced water quality index scores.

Sandy Creek nitrogen and phosphorus loads at Number of pollution sources found: 21 Cornwallis Road are 6.39 and 0.45 pounds per Number of sanitary sewer overflows: 9 watershed acre respectively. These nutrient loads Number of illicit mobile car washing discharges: 6

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information New Hope Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Index Clarity Recreation Life

New Hope Creek at Chapel Hill Rd (NH0.0NHC) 82 Good Poor — New Hope Creek at Erwin Rd (NH3.0NHC) 95 Good Good — New Hope Creek at Turkey Farm Rd 93 Good Good Good (NH8.8NHC)** Mud Creek at Pickett Rd (NH2.3MC) 86 Good Poor Good-Fair Sandy Creek at Garrett Rd (NH1.0SC) 84 Good Poor Poor Sandy Creek or Cornwallis Rd (NH3.3SC) 82 Good Poor — Sandy Creek Tributary A at Ivy Creek Blvd 64 Good Poor — (NH1.7SCTA) Sandy Creek Tributary D at Duke University Rd — Good Poor — (NH4.8SCTDT) Sandy Creek Tributary D at Anderson St — Good Poor — (NH5.0SCTD) ** Reference site

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: New Hope Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Northeast Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

Northeast Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 7474 This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm

The Northeast Creek watershed is located in the southeastern portion of the city. The watershed includes a large portion of Research Triangle Park’s industrial areas. The lower watershed contains large areas of protected lands, including the game lands associated with Jordan Lake. North Prong at Meridian Parkway Water from Northeast Creek flows to Stormwater Services also plans to install 20 Jordan Lake and the Cape Fear River residential raingardens in the watershed during before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. the summer of 2011.

Overall water quality in the watershed is similar A copy of the WMIP and water quality recovery to last year. Across the watershed, bacteria levels plan is available at: were better than in 2009. http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ northeast_creek_project.cfm The water quality index score of the North Prong at Meridian Parkway improved to 2008 levels. Dissolved oxygen continues to get worse at Pollution sources Sedwick Road and North Carolina Highway 54. Stormwater Services staff investigations found 5 Low levels of dissolved oxygen means reduced pollution sources in the Northeast Creek oxygen for fish and other aquatic life. watershed during 2010. The sources of pollution identified during these investigations include Stormwater Services began to develop a sanitary sewer overflows, petroleum products, Watershed Management Implementation Plan and yard wastes. (WMIP) for Northeast and Crooked Creek in early 2011. The field work is scheduled to start during the summer of 2011. Number of pollution sources found: 5 Number of sanitary sewer overflows: 1 Number of private sewer discharges: 1

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Northeast Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Life Index Clarity Recreation Northeast Creek at Sedwick Rd 72 Good Good Poor (NE0.0NE) Northeast Creek at Highway 54 — Good Good — (NE1.2NE) North Prong at Meridian Pkwy 77 Poor Poor — (NE2.2NP) North Prong at Odyssey Dr — Poor Fair — (NE3.3NP)

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Northeast Creek Watershed page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Third Fork Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

Third Fork Creek Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 7171 This section is an attachment to the State of Our Streams 2010 Report prepared by the City of Durham Stormwater Services. The entire report is available at http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ stormwater_water_quality.cfm

The Third Fork Creek watershed drains the area south of the Durham Freeway. The watershed includes headwaters near Forest Hills and NC Central University and continues southeasterly Third Fork Creek at Highway 54, Looking upstream through Hope Valley to Woodcroft. The watershed is entirely within the City of Durham.

Stormwater Services plans to install 20 Water from Third Fork Creek flows to Jordan residential raingardens in the watershed during Lake and the Cape Fear River before reaching the summer of 2012. the Atlantic Ocean. A copy of the watershed plan is available at: The monitoring station at Highway 54 was moved http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/ downstream because steep banks were making stormwater_thirdfork.cfm monitoring unsafe.

The water quality index score in this watershed is lower than last year’s score of 73. Both nitrogen Pollution Sources and phosphorus became worse, while, bacteria Stormwater Services staff investigations found numbers have improved since last year. Third 25 pollution sources in the Third Fork Creek Fork Creek at Martin Luther King Parkway and watershed during 2009-2010. The sources of Hope Valley Road had worst water quality across pollution identified during these investigations the watershed. included sanitary sewer overflows, illicit mobile

car washing discharges, and other sources. The watershed plan started in 2009 continues to progress. Most of the field work is completed. The watershed management plan and Number of pollution sources: 25 implementation strategy are scheduled to be Number of sanitary sewer overflows: 4 completed in Spring 2012. This will help identify Number of illicit mobile car washing projects for water quality improvement. discharges: 4

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Third Fork Creek Watershed (Cape Fear River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Index Clarity Recreation Life Third Fork Creek at Highway 54 78 Poor Good Poor (TF0.0TC) Third Fork Creek at Woodcroft Pkwy — — — Poor (TF1.2TC) Third Fork Creek at Martin Luther King Pkwy 66 Good Poor — (TF3.4TC) Third Fork Creek at Weaver St — Good Poor — (TF4.4TC) Third Fork Creek at University Dr — Good Poor — (TF5.6TC) Third Fork Creek Tributary C at Hope Valley Rd 68 Good Fair — (TF2.0TCTC) Rock Creek at Elmira St — Good Poor — (TF5.1RC) Tributary to Rock Creek at Sima Ave — Good Poor — (TF6.5RCUT)

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Third Fork Creek Watershed Page 2 of 2 The State of Our Streams: 2010 Reference Site: Flat River Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Flat River Watershed 2010 Water Quality Index: 9292

Stormwater Services maintains three reference monitoring sites that are located well outside city limits. One of the these is located in the Flat River watershed. (The other two are in Little River and New Hope Creek watersheds.) Information and Flat River Reference Site at State Forest Road data from the reference sites can be compared to Overall, the watershed’s water quality index sites within the City to determine if conditions score is better than in 2009. Both water clarity/ are unusually different from a rural stream site, turbidity and bacteria levels are better than which typically have better water quality. those of 2009. No water quality standard violations were identified in 2010.

Water from the Flat River flows to Lake Michie, Falls Lake, the Neuse River and the Help Stop Stormwater Pollution! Albemarle-Pamlico Sound before reaching Call 560-SWIM to report dumping or the Atlantic Ocean. draining when it’s not raining!

The Flat River monitoring site is located upstream of Lake Michie, the primary drinking water source for the City of Durham. Not only is the Flat River Pollution sources monitoring site a good reference site, but this Stormwater Services does not conduct investigations site allows the City to monitor the quality of of pollution sources in the Flat River watershed as the water entering Lake Michie. entire watershed is outside of the City limits.

At State Forest Road, the Flat River drains approximately 149 square miles of land in Person, Orange, and Durham counties.

City of Durham Stormwater Services—(919) 560-4326 www.DurhamNC.gov/stormwater Design/Plan Review—Drainage/Flooding Concerns—Floodplain Information Reference Site: Flat River Watershed (Neuse River Basin)

Waterbody 2010 WQ Turbidity/ Bacteria/ Aquatic Life Index Clarity Recreation

Flat River at State Forest Rd 92 Good Good Good (FR13.0FR)**

** Reference site

City of Durham 2010 State of our Streams Report: Flat River Watershed 2 of 2