Evaluation of Metals in Fish from Virginia Watersheds in 2017

Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments VIRGINIA

Letter Health Consultation

May 10, 2019

Virginia Department of Health Division of Environmental Epidemiology 109 Governor Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA Department of Health – Office of Epidemiology

M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA PO BOX 2448 TTY 7-1-1 OR STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER RICHMOND, VA 1-800-828-1120

May 10, 2019

Gabriel Darkwah Lab Data Coordinator Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 1111 E. Main Street Suite 1400 Richmond, VA 23219

Dear Mr. Darkwah,

Thank you for providing metals fish tissue concentrations results for fish collected from Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments in 2017. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has finished reviewing the results for public health implications as requested.

BACKGROUND AND RESULTS

In October 2000, pursuant to § 32.1-248.01 of the Code of Virginia, VDH published guidelines for issuance of fish consumption advisories due to contamination of fish, including metals. In 2012, VDH updated the guidelines for establishing a fish consumption advisory. These 1 guidelines are available at Virginia Regulatory Town Hall.

The current fish consumption guidelines for mercury are as follows:

• Average fish tissue concentrations ranging from non-detectable to below 0.5 ppm will not warrant issuance of a fish-eating advisory.

• When the average concentrations in fish range from 0.5 to below 1.0 ppm, VDH recommends limiting consumption of contaminated fish to two, 8-oz. meals per month.

• When the average concentrations in fish range from 1.0 ppm to below 2.0 ppm, VDH recommends limiting consumption of contaminated fish to one, 8-oz. meal per month.

1 https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title32.1/chapter6/section32.1-248.01/

• When the average concentrations in fish exceed 2.0 ppm, VDH recommends that contaminated fish should not be consumed.

In 2017, the VA Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) collected fish from watersheds of the upper portions of the James River, three tributaries of the Chowan River, Lake Anna, two impoundments: Lake Gordonsville and Motts Run Reservoir, and embayments along the Potomac River. A total of 143 fish tissue samples (either individual fillets or composites) were analyzed for 17 different metal analytes including: aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), thallium (Tl), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg). A summary of the data, including only fish samples that exceeded VDH’s screening value (SV) for inorganic arsenic or VDH’s lower level of concern for mercury, are located in Table 1. The complete mercury and arsenic concentrations reported in fish from the waterways sampled are in Appendix A. Other fish tissue metal concentrations reported are not presented or discussed in this document. VDH’s current advisories for the watersheds included in this sampling data are in Appendix B.

The following summarizes the sampling results, organized by river, for sampling locations where the current fish tissue concentrations of mercury reported exceeded 0.5 parts per million (ppm) or VDH’s SV for inorganic arsenic (0.09 mg/kg for cancer effects, 1.59 mg/kg for non- cancer effects).2

Summary of fish with mercury exceeding VDH’s lower level of concern

All fish samples collected from Hardware Creek were below VDH’s lower level of concern for mercury except for one American eel (0.66 ppm). There is a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) consumption advisory for this waterway that includes American eel.

One flathead catfish (0.77 ppm) and a composite sample of six largemouth bass (0.70 ppm) from the Maury River exceeded VDH’s lower level of concern for mercury. There is a PCB consumption advisory for this river, however, it does not include flathead catfish or largemouth bass.

All of the fish collected from the Meherrin River were below VDH’s lower level of concern for mercury except one largemouth bass (0.57 ppm). There is a mercury consumption advisory for this waterway that includes largemouth bass.

Fish samples collected from the Nottoway River that exceeded VDH’s lower level of concern for mercury include two blue catfish (0.60 and 1.09 ppm), a composite sample of four bowfin (1.32 ppm), and a composite sample of five largemouth bass (0.61 ppm). There is a mercury consumption advisory for the Nottoway River that includes largemouth bass and bowfin.

Samples collected from Motts Run Reservoir, Lake Gordonsville, Emporia Reservoir, and the

2 Dwight D. Flammia, Rebecca LePrell, Matthew F. Skiljo, Egbe Egiebor. Metal Concentration in Fish Tissue: Implications for Public Health Following Coal Ash Release to Dan River. Presented at the 2014 National Fish Forum on Contaminants in Fish. Alexandria, VA. September 2014.

3 Blackwater River exceeded VDH’s lower level of concern for mercury. These water ways have fish consumption advisories for mercury that include fish species that exceeded VDH’s lower level of concern.

Table 1: Fish samples with mercury or arsenic concentrations greater than VDH screening values. Site Waterbody Fish Species # Fish in Length Weight (g) Hg # Sample (cm) (ppm) 5 Hardware Creek American Eel 2 51.2 - 51.5 245 - 259 0.66 7 Maury River Largemouth Bass 6 40.4 - 51.9 1045 - 2268 0.70 9 Maury River Flathead Catfish 1 86.1 7000 0.77 20 Motts Run Reservoir Largemouth Bass 1 32.7 465 0.54 20 Motts Run Reservoir Largemouth Bass 3 30.0 - 31.6 353 - 390 0.57 21 Lake Gordonsville Largemouth Bass 1 33.1 479 0.54 27 Emporia Reservoir Largemouth Bass 1 44.2 1107 0.80 28 Meherrin River Largemouth Bass 1 38.7 715 0.57 29 Nottoway River Bowfin 4 56.1 - 59.5 1602 - 1855 0.90 30 Nottoway River Bowfin 3 45.5 - 60.8 904 - 2168 0.63 30 Nottoway River Largemouth Bass 5 40.7 - 45.5 998 - 1219 1.00 31 Nottoway River Bowfin 3 50.9 - 60.9 1238 - 1896 0.80 31 Nottoway River Chain Pickerel 5 38.7 - 48.8 361 - 965 0.51 31 Nottoway River Golden Redhorse 8 48.2 - 56.4 1215 - 1974 0.65 Sucker 31 Nottoway River Largemouth Bass 4 34.3 - 43.6 563 - 1247 0.74 31 Nottoway River Redear Sunfish 7 26.3 - 31.6 379 - 625 0.50 32 Blackwater River Bowfin 4 51.5 - 55.2 1395 - 2405 0.64 32 Blackwater River Chain Pickerel 2 39.6 - 46.6 395 - 711 0.50 32 Blackwater River Largemouth Bass 4 39.7 - 46.1 855 - 1781 0.89 33 Blackwater River Bowfin 4 55.7 - 62.6 1670 - 2185 0.95 33 Blackwater River Largemouth Bass 5 33.0 - 37.0 484 - 761 0.94 33 Blackwater River Largemouth Bass 2 50.0 - 54.3 1851 - 2701 1.48 33 Blackwater River Redear Sunfish 7 24.1 - 29.3 299 - 523 0.59 34 Blackwater River Bowfin* 3 56.8 - 62.9 1837 - 2153 2.06 34 Blackwater River Chain Pickerel 4 43.4 - 52.6 481 - 823 1.15 34 Blackwater River Largemouth Bass 3 31.4 - 38.5 460 - 864 0.73 34 Blackwater River Redear Sunfish 9 21.6 - 28.1 190 - 478 0.54 35 Blackwater River Bowfin 5 52.3 - 67.5 1418 - 2905 0.90 35 Blackwater River Chain Pickerel 3 37.3 - 44.5 311 - 484 0.63 35 Blackwater River Largemouth Bass 3 34.3 - 43.2 417 - 1314 1.14 35 Blackwater River Redear Sunfish 7 25.3 - 28.4 320 - 506 0.54 36 Nottoway River Blue Catfish* 1 92.0 15300 1.09 36 Nottoway River Blue Catfish* 1 73.7 5646 0.60 36 Nottoway River Bowfin 4 55.0 - 60.9 1613 - 1924 1.32 36 Nottoway River Largemouth Bass 5 33.5 - 40.3 480 - 1120 0.61 *Indicate fish sample that exceeded screening value for inorganic arsenic (inorganic arsenic is 20% of total arsenic reported in Appendix A. See appendix for total arsenic results). ppm = parts per million. cm = centimeters. g = grams.

Summary of inorganic arsenic in fish from Chowan River basin

Arsenic in fish is predominantly the less toxic organic arsenic. The remaining arsenic is the more toxic inorganic arsenic. Inorganic arsenic may be 5-15% of total arsenic, however, in abundance of caution VDH considers inorganic arsenic to account for 20% of total arsenic reported. VDH

4 calculates the inorganic arsenic in the two blue catfish from the Nottoway River to be 0.11 and 0.098 ppm, or 20% of total arsenic, 0.55 and 0.49 ppm, respectively. This exceeds VDH’s cancer SV for inorganic arsenic (0.09 ppm). The calculated inorganic arsenic (0.12 ppm) in a composite sample of three bowfin fish collected in the Blackwater River exceeded VDH’s cancer SV for inorganic arsenic

Assessing the need for changes to the fish consumption advisories

When assessing the fish tissue mercury and arsenic concentrations for the waterways sampled, VDH considers the abundance of the fish species in the waterway, their size, and the average concentration of contaminant in at least 12 fish of edible size before issuing a fish consumption advisory. VDH also seeks input from DEQ and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF). VDH met with DEQ to discuss the mercury and arsenic concentration in fish from these waterway in March 2019. Subsequently, VDH, DEQ, and DGIF discussed concerns and guidance when issuing a fish consumption advisory in April 2019. Data from future sampling events may support changing the current advisories for these waterways, but at this time there is insufficient data to support the change in the current fish consumption advisories. The current fish consumption advisories for the waterways sampled are attached.

CONCLUSION

VDH concludes that the current fish consumption advisories for waterways sampled in 2017 for metals are protective of health.

RECOMMENDATION

VDH recommends that the current fish consumption advisories remain in effect.

For any additional questions please contact Rachel Ellick at [email protected] or at (804) 864-8194, or Dwight Flammia, Ph.D., at [email protected] or at (804)-864-8127.

Sincerely,

Rachel Ellick, Health Assessor Virginia Department of Health 109 Governor Street Richmond, VA 23219 Office: 804-864-8194

Dwight Flammia, Ph.D. State Public Health Toxicologist Virginia Department of Health Richmond, VA 23219

This publication was made possible by Grant Number NU61TS000271 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, or the Department of Health and Human Services.

6 Appendix A: Data Table

Table 2. 2017 fish sampling results for segments of the Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments.

DEQ # fish Length Total As Station name/location/description Fish Species Name Weight (g) Hg (ppm) Site # analyzed (cm) (ppm)* Upper James River Watershed 1 Torrent Sucker 12 12.3 - 16.9 24 - 51 0.10 0.21 Lewis Creek Bridge Street bridge White Sucker 7 20.5 - 26.2 89 - 194 0.05 0.04 White Sucker 4 20.3 - 23.7 80 - 139 0.08 0.02 2 Lewis Creek near Rt. 931 bridge White Sucker 10 14.6 - 19.4 27 - 72 0.04 0.05 3 Lewis Creek below Sewage Disposal Discharge White Sucker 17 14.1 - 17.3 29 - 52 0.04 0.02 Bluehead Chub 10 14.5 - 19.6 37 - 92 0.06 0.00 Redbreast Sunfish 10 14.2 - 17.7 59 - 105 0.08 0.00 4 Middle River second meander after Lewis Creek confluence Rockbass 7 12.6 - 16.4 37 - 86 0.13 0.02 White Sucker 5 39.2 - 46.5 662 - 1125 0.11 0.03 White Sucker 5 32.2 - 33.6 364 - 400 0.05 0.03 American Eel 2 51.2 - 51.5 245 - 259 0.66 0.00 5 Hardware Creek below confluence with Dobby Creek Rockbass 12 11.2 - 14.8 24 - 64 0.09 0.00

6 Hardware Creek near Rt. 6, above confluence with Dobby Creek Bluegill Sunfish 6 13.0 - 17.1 42 - 103 0.08 0.00

Carp 3 71.6 - 75.6 5635 - 6077 0.19 0.09 Largemouth Bass 6 40.4 - 51.9 1045 - 2268 0.70 0.00 7 Maury River near Rt. 60 at DGIF Boat Ramp Rockbass 7 17.2 - 22.6 88 - 167 0.20 0.02 Smallmouth Bass 2 32.4 - 37.1 335 - 593 0.38 0.03 White Sucker 6 36.3 - 44.6 570 - 1020 0.12 0.01 Redbreast Sunfish 10 15.0 - 19.5 70 - 168 0.08 0.01 Rockbass 12 17.0 - 19.4 81 - 130 0.10 0.02 8 Maury River near Rt. 745, (Glen Maury Park) Buena Vista Rockbass 15 14.5 - 16.8 56 - 98 0.09 0.02 Smallmouth Bass 5 28.7 - 35.8 254 - 617 0.22 0.01 *Arsenic results are reported as total arsenic in the fish tissue. VDH considers 20% of the total arsenic for public health implications. Bold face are fish results that exceeded one or more of the Virginia Department of health’s screening values.

7 Table 2. 2017 fish sampling results for segments of the Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments, continued.

DEQ # fish Length Weight Hg Total As Station name/location/description Fish Species Name Site # analyzed (cm) (g) (ppm) (ppm) Upper James River Watershed Flathead Catfish 1 86.1 7000 0.77 0.00 9 Maury River near Rt. 130 bridge, Glasgow Rockbass 14 14.9 - 18.5 66 - 124 0.08 0.02

Rockbass 15 14.1 - 17.8 55 - 112 0.11 0.02 Carp 3 70.9 - 77.6 5100 - 7500 0.42 0.03 Channel Catfish 3 55.5 - 60.4 1723 - 2205 0.17 0.02 10 James River near Reed Creek Landing below Big Island Rockbass 4 17.2 - 23.2 123 - 284 0.18 0.02

Smallmouth Bass 7 29.2 - 39.0 310 - 800 0.32 0.02

Carp 3 74.6 - 80.0 5600 - 8400 0.22 0.12 James River near Alpine Landing above Natural Bridge Carp 3 77.3 - 79.5 6100 - 7800 0.27 0.09 11 Station Flathead Catfish 1 96.0 11100 0.36 0.00 Smallmouth Bass 6 32.3 - 41.2 390 - 991 0.26 0.04 Northern Hogsucker 6 37.0 - 39.9 635 - 818 0.07 0.10 Redbreast Sunfish 8 15.6 - 17.3 87 - 116 0.07 0.03 12 James River near Rt. 11 bridge, Buchanan Rockbass 10 17.3 - 20.5 103 - 187 0.14 0.03 Rockbass 10 17.9 - 20.3 107 - 167 0.12 0.04 Smallmouth Bass 6 38.1 - 47.6 738 - 1203 0.31 0.06 Flathead Catfish 3 46.8 - 55.0 994 - 1776 0.24 0.01

13 James River near Rt. 43 at Horseshoe Bend Boat Ramp Northern Hogsucker 5 37.6 - 44.0 683 - 1109 0.08 0.06 Rockbass 10 15.5 - 21.5 84 - 216 0.14 0.03 Smallmouth Bass 10 25.5 - 34.1 179 - 418 0.26 0.08 Northern Hogsucker 6 32.5 - 37.9 455 - 662 0.05 0.06 Rockbass 10 18.2 - 21.4 124 - 225 0.12 0.02 14 James River near Rt. 43 bridge, Eagle Rock Rockbass 11 17.6 -19.6 125 - 168 0.12 0.04 Smallmouth Bass 1 36.3 533 0.31 0.06 Smallmouth Bass 6 22.8 - 24.7 153 - 200 0.16 0.07 *Arsenic results are reported as total arsenic in the fish tissue. VDH considers 20% of the total arsenic for public health implications. Bold face are fish results that exceeded one or more of the Virginia Department of health’s screening values.

8 Table 2. 2017 fish sampling results for segments of the Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments, continued. DEQ Fish Species # fish Length Weight Hg Total As Station name/location/description Site # Name analyzed (cm) (g) (ppm) (ppm) Upper James River Watershed Northern Hogsucker 10 33.9 - 41.2 478 - 893 0.06 0.08 15 James River near Rt. 220 - 1st bridge below Cowpasture River Rockbass 11 16.1 - 19.6 78 - 149 0.11 0.03 Smallmouth Bass 3 32.7 - 41.8 411 - 1037 0.27 0.06 Redbreast Sunfish 10 13.8 - 18.5 50 - 112 0.22 0.03 16 Cowpasture River near Rt. 633 bridge, East of Iron Gate Rockbass 11 14.0 - 18.8 55 - 134 0.21 0.06 Jackson River low water bridge near Dabney Lancaster Community Rockbass 7 19.0 - 21.0 90 - 210 0.10 0.02 18 College Smallmouth Bass 6 21.0 - 27.5 100 - 250 0.28 0.04 Carp 2 70.0 - 71.0 5210 - 6340 0.07 0.08 Carp 3 56.0 - 66.0 2500 - 5430 0.06 0.08 Largemouth Bass 3 31.0 - 40.0 444 - 1227 0.22 0.02 19 Jackson River near City Park at Covington Gage Rainbow Trout 2 35.0 - 35.0 502 - 526 0.01 0.00 Rockbass 8 13.5 - 17.0 60 - 114 0.03 0.03 White Sucker 6 40.0 - 56.0 759 - 2010 0.06 0.02 Motts Run Reservoir American Eel 2 57.0 - 60.8 331 - 475 0.09 0.01 Bluegill Sunfish 10 15.5 - 21.7 71 - 183 0.44 0.03 Channel Catfish 7 34.2 - 43.5 275 - 625 0.20 0.01 Largemouth Bass 1 38.7 882 0.42 0.00 20 Motts Run Reservoir above Dam Largemouth Bass 1 34.5 567 0.48 0.00 Largemouth Bass 1 32.7 465 0.54 0.00 Largemouth Bass 3 30.0 - 31.6 353 - 390 0.57 0.02 Redear Sunfish 6 18.5 - 22.7 104 - 201 0.10 0.02 Largemouth Bass 1 42.7 1030 0.32 0.01 Largemouth Bass 1 33.1 479 0.54 0.00 21 Lake Gordonsville near Spillway Largemouth Bass 1 32.2 454 0.38 0.00 Largemouth Bass 3 27.3 - 30.8 244 - 380 0.45 0.02 *Arsenic results are reported as total arsenic in the fish tissue. VDH considers 20% of the total arsenic for public health implications. Bold face are fish results that exceeded one or more of the Virginia Department of health’s screening values.

9 Table 2. 2017 fish sampling results for segments of the Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments, continued.

DEQ # fish Length Weight Hg Total As Station name/location/description Fish Species Name Site # analyzed (cm) (g) (ppm) (ppm) Potomac River Occoquan River near Rt. 123 (Gordon Blvd) (upper 1PR Northern Snakehead 3 71.9 - 72.8 3103 - 3316 0.21 0.01 embayment) 3PR Dogue Creek (mid embayment) Northern Snakehead 3 75.1 - 80.5 3503 - 5000 0.09 0.02 Lake Anna Carp 3 68.0 - 71.5 3509 - 5115 0.07 0.14 Channel Catfish 10 34.9 - 38.2 322 - 410 0.05 0.02 Lake Anna (Main) above Dam Gizzard Shad 10 28.2 - 35.4 208 - 444 0.01 0.04 Hybrid Bass (White/Striped) 4 48.0 - 55.2 1222 - 1998 0.20 0.08 22 Largemouth Bass 1 53.0 2743 0.43 0.01 Lake Anna Lower Lake Largemouth Bass 1 52.5 2252 0.33 0.11 Largemouth Bass 4 26.3 - 32.1 220 - 433 0.10 0.07 Lake Anna (Main) above Dam Redear Sunfish 4 22.0 - 27.8 176 - 338 0.06 0.06 Lake Anna Lower Lake Striped Bass 3 51.6 - 63.0 1417 - 2498 0.34 0.05 Bluegill Sunfish 5 14.5 - 18.8 50 - 128 0.02 0.08 Carp 3 64.2 - 77.6 3600 - 6500 0.18 0.06 Gizzard Shad 8 26.5 - 33.5 144 - 329 0.02 0.03 Hybrid BassWhite/Striped) 3 49.6 - 51.5 1379 - 1860 0.21 0.11 23 Lake Anna - near Power Plant Hybrid Bass (White/Striped) 5 50.7 - 54.0 1436 - 2039 0.18 0.10 Largemouth Bass 5 34.2 - 44.5 612 - 1475 0.28 0.10 Redbreast Sunfish 8 16.8 - 21.6 102 - 188 0.04 0.11 Striped Bass 2 59.7 - 60.4 2114 - 2216 0.36 0.07 Bluegill Sunfish 15 16.0 - 17.6 65 - 91 0.04 0.02 Carp 4 63.3 - 65.6 2902 - 3735 0.16 0.04 Lake Anna - North Anna River near Rt. 522 Channel Catfish 3 38.1 - 48.8 458 - 978 0.06 0.00 24 Gizzard Shad 10 28.2 - 35.9 166 - 323 0.02 0.04 Largemouth Bass 6 33.5 - 43.2 529 - 1134 0.17 0.05 Lake Anna North Upper Arm Striped Bass 3 53.0 - 60.3 1542 - 2247 0.25 0.11 *Arsenic results are reported as total arsenic in the fish tissue. VDH considers 20% of the total arsenic for public health implications. Bold face are fish results that exceeded one or more of the Virginia Department of health’s screening values.

10 Table 2. 2017 fish sampling results for segments of the Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments, continued. DEQ # fish Length Hg Total As Station name/location/description Fish Species Name Weight (g) Site # analyzed (cm) (ppm) (ppm) Lake Anna continued Bluegill Sunfish 15 15.7 - 17.3 60 - 88 0.02 0.01 Carp 3 65.0 - 73.2 3102 - 4338 0.11 0.03 Channel Catfish 5 32.9 - 38.5 248 - 485 0.03 0.00 25 Terry's Run arm Lake Anna near Rt. 719 (Days bridge) Largemouth Bass 1 37.2 824 0.06 0.04 Largemouth Bass 1 36.3 751 0.13 0.02 Largemouth Bass 5 27.2 - 36.0 283 - 729 0.08 0.06 White Catfish 7 22.6 - 28.4 130 - 251 0.04 0.00 Carp 3 65.2 - 71.5 3507 - 5226 0.22 0.06 Green Sunfish 11 13.0 - 18.3 34 - 120 0.04 0.02 Pamunkey Creek arm Lake Anna - downstream Rt. 612 Hybrid Bass (White/Striped) 2 51.4 - 51.6 1702 - 1716 0.13 0.08 bridge Largemouth Bass 5 43.5 - 46.7 1062 - 1515 0.20 0.05 26 Largemouth Bass 6 33.9 - 38.2 660 - 848 0.18 0.05 Striped Bass 3 64.3 - 69.0 2710 - 3550 0.23 0.08 Lake Anna both Upper Arms Striped Bass 3 58.2- 61.3 1889 - 2509 0.21 0.07 Pamunkey Creek arm - downstream Rt. 612 bridge Striped Bass 2 54.6 - 56.2 1714 - 1785 0.29 0.06 Chowan River Watershed Bluegill Sunfish 10 13.9 - 16.9 46 - 97 0.12 0.01 Golden Redhorse Sucker 10 43.9 - 54.5 847 - 1758 0.28 0.02 27 Emporia Reservoir near dam Largemouth Bass 1 44.2 1107 0.80 0.00 Largemouth Bass 5 27.5 - 34.5 243 - 528 0.35 0.02 Redear Sunfish 10 18.0 - 25.4 104 - 311 0.15 0.01 Bluegill Sunfish 5 16.9 - 20.6 109 - 216 0.10 -0.01 Channel Catfish 7 39.1 - 51.7 481 - 1439 0.24 0.41 Gizzard Shad 10 32.4 - 39.7 285 - 600 0.06 0.03 28 Meherrin River near Rt. 301 below the city of Emporia Gizzard Shad 9 31.7 - 39.0 333 - 538 0.08 0.06 Golden Redhorse Sucker 8 40.9 - 49.6 795 - 1501 0.37 0.03 Largemouth Bass 1 38.7 715 0.57 0.01 *Arsenic results are reported as total arsenic in the fish tissue. VDH considers 20% of the total arsenic for public health implications. Bold face are fish results that exceeded one or more of the Virginia Department of health’s screening values.

11 Table 2. 2017 fish sampling results for segments of the Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments, continued.

DEQ # fish Length Weight Hg Total As Station name/location/description Fish Species Name Site # analyzed (cm) (g) (ppm) (ppm) Chowan River Watershed, continued Bowfin 4 56.1 - 59.5 1602 - 1855 0.90 0.21 Carp 3 68.9 - 73.5 4064 - 5030 0.37 0.02 Channel Catfish 5 50.2 - 55.2 1103 - 1420 0.32 0.05 29 Nottoway River near Rt. 631 Peters bridge Golden Redhorse Sucker 10 47.1 - 56.4 1089 - 2110 0.41 0.01 Largemouth Bass 6 23.5 - 26.5 172 - 268 0.44 0.04 Redbreast Sunfish 7 18.1 - 19.6 118 - 169 0.20 0.02 Smallmouth Bass 3 23.0 - 28.0 151 - 259 0.38 0.12 Bluegill Sunfish 7 16.6 - 18.4 102 - 141 0.15 0.04 Bowfin 3 45.5 - 60.8 904 - 2168 0.63 0.41 Channel Catfish 6 49.0 - 53.5 910 - 1375 0.34 0.09 30 Nottoway River near Rt. 653 Careys bridge Golden Redhorse Sucker 10 45.4 - 58.0 936 - 2166 0.49 0.03 Largemouth Bass 4 31.7 - 34.3 459 - 569 0.39 0.03 Largemouth Bass 5 40.7 - 45.5 998 - 1219 1.00 0.01 Redear Sunfish 7 24.3 - 28.1 330 - 531 0.36 0.11 Bluegill Sunfish 4 17.5 - 20.1 105 - 179 0.22 0.04 Bowfin 3 50.9 - 60.9 1238 - 1896 0.80 0.30 Chain Pickerel 5 38.7 - 48.8 361 - 965 0.51 0.16 31 Nottoway River near Rt. 671 Golden Redhorse Sucker 8 48.2 - 56.4 1215 - 1974 0.65 0.02 Largemouth Bass 4 34.3 - 43.6 563 - 1247 0.74 0.01 Redear Sunfish 7 26.3 - 31.6 379 - 625 0.50 0.04 Bowfin 4 51.5 - 55.2 1395 - 2405 0.64 0.39 Bowfin 5 51.2 - 59.4 1068 - 1929 0.45 0.36 Chain Pickerel 2 39.6 - 46.6 395 - 711 0.50 0.05 32 Blackwater River near state line Largemouth Bass 4 39.7 - 46.1 855 - 1781 0.89 0.06 Redear Sunfish 7 23.6 - 27.5 247 - 499 0.33 0.04 Warmouth 6 16.8 - 20.3 117 - 191 0.31 0.02 *Arsenic results are reported as total arsenic in the fish tissue. VDH considers 20% of the total arsenic for public health implications. Bold face are fish results that exceeded one or more of the Virginia Department of health’s screening values.

12 Table 2. 2017 fish sampling results for segments of the Chowan and James Rivers, Lake Anna, Lake Gordonsville, Motts Run Reservoir, and Potomac River Embayments, continued. DEQ # fish Length Hg Total As Station name/location/description Fish Species Name Weight (g) Site # analyzed (cm) (ppm) (ppm)

Chowan River Watershed, continued Bluegill Sunfish 7 19.2 - 21.1 131 - 194 0.39 0.08 Bowfin 4 55.7 - 62.6 1670 - 2185 0.95 0.29 Carp 3 73.6 - 81.0 6700 - 8400 0.44 0.06 33 Blackwater River near Rt. 603 Channel Catfish 4 35.7 - 49.2 341 - 1136 0.25 0.02 Largemouth Bass 5 33.0 - 37.0 484 - 761 0.94 0.02 Largemouth Bass 2 50.0 - 54.3 1851 - 2701 1.48 0.01 Redear Sunfish 7 24.1 - 29.3 299 - 523 0.59 0.06 Bluegill Sunfish 7 18.1 - 19.9 111 - 156 0.34 0.04 Bowfin 3 56.8 - 62.9 1837 - 2153 2.06 0.59 34 Blackwater River near Rt. 611 bridge Chain Pickerel 4 43.4 - 52.6 481 - 823 1.15 0.24 Largemouth Bass 3 31.4 - 38.5 460 - 864 0.73 0.00 Redear Sunfish 9 21.6 - 28.1 190 - 478 0.54 0.03 Bluegill Sunfish 8 18.3 - 21.3 117 - 194 0.47 0.04 Bowfin 5 52.3 - 67.5 1418 - 2905 0.90 0.32 35 Blackwater River near Rt. 258 Chain Pickerel 3 37.3 - 44.5 311 - 484 0.63 0.05 Largemouth Bass 3 34.3 - 43.2 417 - 1314 1.14 0.03 Redear Sunfish 7 25.3 - 28.4 320 - 506 0.54 0.02 Blue Catfish 3 52.4 - 56.9 1586 - 2312 0.29 0.06 Blue Catfish 4 41.3 - 49.7 679 - 1322 0.18 0.03 Blue Catfish 1 92.0 15300 1.09 0.55 Blue Catfish 1 73.7 5646 0.60 0.49 36 Nottoway River near Rt. 258 bridge Bowfin 4 55.0 - 60.9 1613 - 1924 1.32 0.30 Bowfin 4 51.3 - 54.7 1289 - 1709 0.36 0.18 Largemouth Bass 5 33.5 - 40.3 480 - 1120 0.61 0.02 Redear Sunfish 6 22.0 - 25.3 208 - 323 0.28 0.02 Warmouth 6 16.8 - 20.3 116 - 214 0.39 0.00 *Arsenic results are reported as total arsenic in the fish tissue. VDH considers 20% of the total arsenic for public health implications. Bold face are fish results that exceeded one or more of the Virginia Department of health’s screening values.

13 Appendix B: Current Fish Consumption Advisories

CHOWAN AND DISMAL SWAMP RIVER BASIN

WATERBODY AND AFFECTED CONTAMINANT SPECIES ADVISORIES/RESTRICTIONS AFFECTED LOCALITIES BOUNDARIES Meherrin River (from Gizzard Shad below Emporia Dam Greensville Co., PCBs, Mercury No more than two meals/ month downstream ~28 miles to Southampton Co. the Rt. 730 bridge).

Largemouth Bass Mercury

Sunfish species (all) Mercury Blackwater River Surry Co., Southampton (from the Virginia-North Co., Isle of Wight Co., Carolina state line Franklin City, Suffolk Bowfin upstream to its headwaters City, Sussex Co., Mercury No more than two meals/ month near Petersburg including Prince George Co., all its tributaries. The main Petersburg City stem Blackwater Swamp Chain Pickerel and Blackwater River Mercury segments comprise ~100 miles).

White Catfish Mercury

Redhorse Sucker Mercury

Longnose Gar Mercury

Great Dismal Swamp Bowfin Canal Mercury (from Deep Creek Locks No more than two meals/ month south to the Virginia-North Chesapeake City, Carolina state line Suffolk City including Lake Drummond Chain Pickerel and Feeder Ditch. Mercury These river segments comprise ~18 miles).

20 Largemouth Bass Mercury

Smallmouth Bass Nottoway River (from the Mercury confluence with Blackwater River at the

Virginia-North Carolina Bowfin state line upstream to State Mercury Route 619 near Purdy Dinwiddie Co., including its tributary Greensville Co., Sussex No more than two meals/ month

Assamoosick Swamp, Co., Southampton Co. Three Creek up to I- 95, Redhorse Sucker Rowanty Creek and its Mercury tributaries Hatcher Run up to I-85 and Arthur Swamp up to I-85. This main stem Longnose Gar Mercury Nottoway River segment is ~92 miles). Channel Catfish Mercury

Chain Pickerel Mercury

Sunfish Species (all) Mercury

Emporia Reservoir (on Largemouth Bass the Meherrin River) Greensville Co. Mercury No more than two meals/ month (entire reservoir, ~ 210 acres)

Meherrin River Largemouth Bass (below Emporia Reservoir Mercury Dam to the state line Greensville Co., No more than two meals/ month including its tributaries Southampton Co.

Fontaine Creek up to I-95 Bowfin bridge crossing and Mill Mercury crossing

*A meal is considered to be an eight-ounce (half-pound) serving of fish.

This fish consumption advisory provides meal recommendations on eating certain fish species caught from specified waterbodies. It is recommended to follow the guidance presented on this advisory to reduce your total exposure to fish contaminants. For further information regarding waterbodies sampled or the fish tissue sampling process, contact the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. For questions about human health risks from exposure to fish contaminants, contact the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Environmental Epidemiology at 804-864-8182.

YORK RIVER BASIN

WATERBODY ADVISORIES/ AND AFFECTED AFFECTED CONTAMINANT SPECIES RESTRICTIONS BOUNDARIES LOCALITIES Croaker York River from West PCBs Point (downstream to the King William Co., mouth near Tue Point New Kent Co., Gizzard Shad and tidal portion of the King and Queen following tributaries: No more than two Co., PCBs King Creek, Queen meals/month Creek and Wormley James City Co., Gloucester Co., Spot Creek. These river segments comprise ~50 York Co. PCBs miles). Blue Crab DO NOT EAT crab’s (Hepatopancreas only) hepatopancreas (“mustard,” green gland, or tomalley). This advisory applies only to King Creek avoiding eating the crab’s (a tidal tributary of York York Co. PCBs hepatopancreas or “mustard.” River~3.5 miles) Crab meat is not subject to this advisory).

Gizzard Shad

PCBs DO NOT EAT

Carp PCBs

Largemouth Bass Lake Anna (entire lake, ~12,895 PCBs Orange Co., acres) including its Louisa Co., tributaries Terry’s Run, Spotsylvania Co. Striped Bass Goldmine Creek and Contrary Creek) PCBs

o more than two White Perch meals/month PCBs

PCBs White Catfish

22 Channel Catfish PCBs

Bluegill Sunfish PCBs

Anadromous (coastal) Striped PCBs Bass

White perch Mattaponi River (from Rt. 628 near gaging PCBs station downstream ~55 King William Co., No more than two miles to the confluence with meals/month King and Queen Co Gizzard Shad Pamunkey River near West Point) PCBs

Largemouth Bass Mercury

Lake Gordonsville Largemouth Bass Mercury No more than two (also known as Bowlers Mill Louisa Co. Lake, for the entire lake). meals/month (~75 acres)

Pamunkey River Mercury Blue Catfish (from Nelson Bridge Road Hanover Co., King (Route 615 bridge) No more than two William Co., New downstream ~ 72 miles to the meals/month confluence Kent Co. with Mattaponi River near PCBs Gizzard Shad West Point) Bluegill Sunfish Mercury Herring Creek (from the Route 628 No more than two bridge (Dorrell Road) ~7 King William Co. Yellow Bullhead Catfish meals/month miles to the confluence of Mercury Mattaponi River)

Redbreast Sunfish Reedy Creek Mercury (from Rt. 301 No more than two downstream ~4 miles to Caroline Co. Yellow Bullhead Catfish meals/month the confluence with Mattaponi River) Mercury

*A meal is considered to be an eight-ounce (half-pound) serving of fish.