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SECTION 4 – DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT IN PLANNING AREA
4-17
Within the Cape Fear River basin, the major tributary is Kit Creek (Table 4-5 and Figure 4-1).
Kit Creek drains to Northeast Creek before it enters Jordan Lake, which is the Town’s water
supply and a highly used recreational area. The headwaters of Kit Creek are just within the
Planning Area, and are classified as Class C waters. Outside the Planning Area, near NC 55
the stream changes to WS-IV (water supply) classification. WS-IV designated areas have
development density limits, mandates related to best management practices (BMPs), and
landfill construction limitations. Approximately one percent of the Town’s Planning Area
lies within a water supply watershed (WSW) (NCDENR, 2012a).
In 2013, the Town had an assessment performed for Kit Creek watershed. Streams, buffers,
and outfalls were evaluated , in order to determine potential mitigation opportunities. The
stream assessment found that in general streams were in stable condition with low bank
erosion, but some reaches are incised with indications of sediment deposition and poor
water quality and aquatic habitat. The buffer assessment indicated that a majority of the
buffers were 50 feet wide. In general, ivasive species were observed in upland utility line
right of ways. Twelve of the 38 outfalls evaluated were classified as being in poord
condition due to active erosion, unstable chanel conditions, headcutting and undercut outlet
structures (Stantec, 2013).
Within the Neuse River Basin, benthic macroinvertebrate communities are sampled to
analyze water quality and habitat conditions at one site within the Planning Area. Crabtree
Creek is sampled at NC 54 near the border of the Planning Area with Cary. At this site, the
benthic macroinvertebrate community rating was “Poor” in 1995, 2000, and 2005. The low
rating resulted from many factors affecting habitat, including sediment loading and
siltation, low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, and high conductivity (NCDENR, 2012b). In
addition, the North Carolina Department of Water Resources (NCDWR) may perform
biological monitoring at other locations periodically, within the Town's Planning Area on
the basin rotation schedule.
No benthic macroinvertebrate community sampling locations are present within the Cape
Fear River basin in Wake County (NCDENR, 2004). Also, there are no fish community
sampling sites in the Planning Area (NCDENR, 2005 and 2012b).
4.10.1.1 303 (d) Listed Streams
Section 303(d) of the CWA requires that states develop a list of waters not meeting water
quality standards or that have impaired uses. The State must prioritize these water bodies
and prepare a management strategy or total maximum daily load (TMDL).
TABLE 4-5
Planning Area Watersheds
River Basin
Watershed
EMC
Subbasin
EMC Water Quality
Classification
Watershed Description
Neuse River
Crabtree
Creek
03-04-02
C NSW
Tributaries include Coles
Branch and Stirrup Iron Creek.
Cape Fear
River
Kit Creek
03-06-05
C NSW; WS-IV NSW
Kit Creek discharges to
Northeast Creek before it enters
Jordan Lake.
Source: NCDENR, 2012a; Secondary Recreation