Mixed results flow through Watauga River Basin study

By Scott Nicholson

nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

A water quality study conducted by the state shows that the Watauga River Basin is in “generally good” shape, though six waterways show the impacts of development and growth and one creek is rated as “impaired.”

The N.C. Division of Water Quality is seeking public comment on the basin’s water quality plan, covering an area in western Watauga and Avery counties. The river itself runs through Foscoe and Valle Crucis to Tennessee, where it flows into a reservoir and eventually connects with the Tennessee River.

The watershed, which is the second smallest in the state, includes Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, Seven Devils and Sugar Mountain, with elevations ranging from 5,900 feet at Grandfather Mountain’s Calloway Peak to under 3,000 feet near the Tennessee border. About 87 percent of the land is forested, but a DWQ press release said growth is putting some strain on the watershed.

“Both Watauga and Avery counties are experiencing population growth in this area, and cropland and pastureland are giving way to urbanized development,” said a release announcing the public comment period. “Forested slopes are being rapidly developed with seasonal or second homes and recreational areas. Growing populations not only require more water but also lead to the discharge and runoff of greater quantities of waste and pollutants to the state’s streams and groundwater.

“Based on monitoring data, nonpoint source runoff appears to have impacts on some segments of the Watauga River, Elk River, Beaverdam Creek, Cove Creek, Laurel Fork and Laurel Creek.”

Beaverdam Creek, a tributary of about six miles that runs from the northwest corner of Watauga County into the river, is the only waterway rated as “impaired” based on collected data.

The health of a waterway can be measured by aquatic life, fish population and total number and diversity of species. Beaverdam had the lowest levels of any waterway in the basin. Development isn’t the primary cause of the impacts, though, as the area is primarily agricultural and pasture land.

Richard DeMott, a member of the Seven Devils Town Council who is involved with Watauga River Conservation Partners, said current studies conducted by the town and N.C. Rural Development suggest that underground water in the basin flows through fractures in rock layers, not via underground streams or lakes. DeMott said since the geology is similar across the basin, water usage in one area could affect the supply in other areas. The study is monitoring test wells in several areas for both quanity and quality. “The question is, if you draw it down, how quickly will it recover? DeMott said.

“And if you draw it down too far, will it stay at a low level forever? And what impact does population have on it?”

DeMott said there was little scientific data on water supply and its effects, and also said water quality in the rivers was directly connected to the amount of water being drawn out.

“What’s pumped out gets pumped back in,” he said.

DWQ plans to work with local agencies to encourage storm-water control measures such as protecting riparian buffers around waterways and reducing storm runoff, since sediment is the leading cause of waterway damage.

The report added that the basin overall has a diverse aquatic insect population, signifying a healthy ecosystem. The basin has a number of pristine waters and several areas are designated as High Quality Waters, Outstanding Resource Waters or Trout Waters.

The draft of the water quality plan is available at www.ncwaterquality.org/basinwide, and comments can be made in writing to Michelle Raquet, Basinwide Planning Unit, Division of Water Quality, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1617 or via email to Michelle.Raquet@ncmail.net. Deadline for comments is Nov. 10.