LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER BASINWIDE WATER QUALITY PLAN April 2002 Prepared by: NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Water Quality Section 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 (919) 733-5083 ext. 583 This document was approved and endorsed by the NC Environmental Management Commission on April 11, 2002 to be used as a guide by the NC Division of Water Quality in carrying out its Water Quality Program duties and responsibilities in the Little Tennessee River basin. This plan is the first five-year update to the Little Tennessee River Basinwide Water Quality Management Plan approved by the NC Environmental Management Commission in May 1997. TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ x Section A – General Basinwide Information ................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1 – Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning................................................... 2 1.1 What is Basinwide Water Quality Planning?................................................. 2 1.2 Goals of Basinwide Water Quality Planning ................................................. 2 1.3 Major Components of the Basinwide Plan..................................................... 4 1.4 Benefits of Basinwide Water Quality Planning ............................................. 4 1.5 How to Get Involved...................................................................................... 5 1.6 Other References............................................................................................ 5 1.7 Division of Water Quality Functions and Locations...................................... 6 Chapter 2 – Basin Overview.......................................................................................................... 8 2.1 General Overview .......................................................................................... 8 2.2 Local Governments and Planning Jurisdictions in the Basin....................... 11 2.3 Surface Water Hydrology............................................................................. 11 2.4 Land Cover................................................................................................... 13 2.5 Population and Growth Trends .................................................................... 16 2.6 Natural Resources ........................................................................................ 19 2.6.1 Significant Natural Heritage Areas in the Little Tennessee River Basin .............................................................................................. 19 2.6.2 Rare Aquatic and Wetland-Dwelling Species ............................... 24 2.6.3 Public Lands in the Little Tennessee River Basin ......................... 26 2.7 Permitted Wastewater and Stormwater Discharge Facilities ....................... 27 2.7.1 Wastewater Discharges in the Little Tennessee River Basin......... 27 2.7.2 Stormwater Discharges in the Little Tennessee River Basin......... 30 2.8 Animal Operations ....................................................................................... 31 2.9 Water Quantity Issues .................................................................................. 31 2.9.1 Local Water Supply Planning........................................................ 31 2.9.2 Water Withdrawals ........................................................................ 33 2.9.3 Interbasin Transfers ....................................................................... 34 2.9.4 Minimum Streamflow.................................................................... 35 2.10 Physical Impacts to Wetlands and Streams.................................................. 36 Table of Contents i Chapter 3 – Summary of Water Quality Information for the Little Tennessee River Basin ....... 38 3.1 General Sources of Pollution ....................................................................... 38 3.2 Description of Surface Water Classifications and Standards....................... 39 3.3 DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Little Tennessee River Basin............................................................................................................. 44 3.3.1 Benthic Macroinvertebrates........................................................... 44 3.3.2 Fish Assessments........................................................................... 46 3.3.3 Aquatic Toxicity Monitoring......................................................... 46 3.3.4 Lake Assessment ........................................................................... 47 3.3.5 Ambient Monitoring System Program........................................... 48 3.4 Other Water Quality Research ..................................................................... 50 3.5 Use Support Summary ................................................................................. 51 3.5.1 Introduction to Use Support........................................................... 51 3.5.2 Comparison of Use Support Ratings to Streams on the 303(d) List ................................................................................................. 52 3.5.3 Use Support Ratings for the Little Tennessee River Basin ........... 53 Chapter 4 – Water Quality Issues Related to the Entire Little Tennessee River Basin............... 59 4.1 Overview...................................................................................................... 59 4.2 Habitat Degradation ..................................................................................... 59 4.2.1 Sedimentation ................................................................................ 60 4.2.2 Loss of Riparian Vegetation .......................................................... 63 4.2.3 Loss of Instream Organic Microhabitats ....................................... 64 4.2.4 Channelization ............................................................................... 64 4.2.5 Recommendations for Reducing Habitat Degradation .................. 65 4.3 Urban Runoff ............................................................................................... 67 4.3.1 Rural Development........................................................................ 67 4.3.2 Urbanization .................................................................................. 67 4.3.3 Stormwater Regulations................................................................. 68 4.3.4 Recommendations.......................................................................... 68 4.4 Protecting Headwaters ................................................................................. 69 4.5 Impact of Dams............................................................................................ 70 4.6 Golf Course Impacts .................................................................................... 71 4.7 Trout Production Facilities........................................................................... 72 4.8 Priority Issues for the Next Five Years ........................................................ 74 4.8.1 Strategies for Restoring and Protecting Impaired Waters ............. 74 4.8.2 Addressing Waters on the State’s 303(d) List ............................... 75 4.8.3 Strategies for Addressing Notable Water Quality Concerns in Unimpaired Waters........................................................................ 75 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents ii Section B – Water Quality Data and Information by Subbasin................................................... 76 Chapter 1 – Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-01 Includes the Little Tennessee and Cullasaja River Watersheds............................... 77 1.1 Water Quality Overview .............................................................................. 77 1.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters................... 81 1.2.1 Cullasaja River Mill Creek...................................................................................... 82 1.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters ......................... 84 1.3.1 Little Tennessee River ................................................................... 84 1.4 303(d) Listed Waters.................................................................................... 85 1.5 Other Water Quality Concerns and Recommendations ............................... 85 1.5.1 Crawford Branch............................................................................ 85 1.6 Additional Issues within this Subbasin ........................................................ 86 1.6.1 Projected Population Growth......................................................... 86 Chapter 2 – Little Tennessee River Subbasin 04-04-02 Includes Fontana Lake and the Tuckasegee River Watershed................................. 88 2.1 Water Quality Overview .............................................................................. 88 2.2 Status and Recommendations for Previously Impaired Waters................... 92 2.3 Status and Recommendations for Newly Impaired Waters ......................... 92 2.3.1 Beech Flats Prong.......................................................................... 92 2.4 303(d) Listed Waters...................................................................................