Hiwassee River Basin
Request Approval of the 2012
Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, & Savannah River Basinwide Water Quality Plans
Regions
Hiwassee River Basin
Hiwassee River Basin Biological Sites
Hiwassee River Basin Impairments
Hiwassee Watershed Coalition Restoration Activities • Valley River Restoration – Since 2003 ~ $2 million spent • >2.5 stream miles restored • Increased floodplain & improved pasture • 25 acres of riparian easement
• Brasstown Creek Watershed – Since 1999, ~$2 million spent • • • •
5.5 stream miles restored 45 acres buffers restored/created Pasture improvements 32 landowners involved
• Lake Chatuge – Focus on Nutrients • Grant from GA to develop Watershed Action Plan • Future work - Ag BMPs, repairing failing septic systems, installing rain gardens & bioretention areas.
Ecosystem Enhancement Program Peachtree-Martins Local Watershed Plan covering 39 sq. miles The project team performed intensive water quality, habitat, and channel assessment and landowner outreach activities 18 square miles (about 45%) of the area has seen significant deterioration in ecological condition and is functioning at a low level or worse.
Stressors • • • •
Lack of riparian vegetation Channel modification Excess nutrients and sediments Fecal bacterial contamination
Little Tennessee River Basin
Little Tennessee River Basin Biological Sites
Little Tennessee River Basin Impairments
EEP- Franklin to Fontana Watershed Plan Stressors Identified • Lack of riparian buffers • Channelization • Sedimentation • Nutrients • Bacteria • Stormwater runoff • Tomato pesticides • Fish passage barriers
Recommendations •County steep slope ordinance •Stormwater management ordinance •Buffers •Environmental Education
Watershed Association for the Tuckasegee River
dogs
Gray water discharge?
3500
2005
Scotts Creek at mouth
3200
(Rafting put-in)
Fecal Coliform values reported in FCU's (fecal colonies per unit)
3000
2500
2000
2000 1800 1600
1500
1500
Fecal sources located & removed 1000
1000
2007 500 200 0
2008
2009
570
510
360
320 350 200 38
84 60
170 120 140
490
440 310
2010 2011
230
200 84 88 80
280 120 110
160 180
220
The Little Tennessee Watershed Association/ Land Trust for the Little Tennessee • Collect WQ data – Maintain database – Produce stream health report cards
• • • •
Write Watershed Plans Implement restoration Land Acquisition State of the Stream Report
Savannah River Basin
Savannah River Basin
Recommendations / Needs • Support Regional Erosion and Sediment Control Initiative • Support locally developed Watershed Plans and coordinate with watershed groups •Encourage adoption of Universal Stormwater Program •Bacteria- Identify resources to eliminate sources •Continue collaboration with Trout Farms
Request to Proceed to EMC in July for Final Approval
Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, & Savannah River Basinwide Water Quality Plans
Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, & Savannah River Basinwide Water Quality Plans
Regions
Hiwassee River Basin
Hiwassee River Basin Biological Sites
Hiwassee River Basin Impairments
Hiwassee Watershed Coalition Restoration Activities • Valley River Restoration – Since 2003 ~ $2 million spent • >2.5 stream miles restored • Increased floodplain & improved pasture • 25 acres of riparian easement
• Brasstown Creek Watershed – Since 1999, ~$2 million spent • • • •
5.5 stream miles restored 45 acres buffers restored/created Pasture improvements 32 landowners involved
• Lake Chatuge – Focus on Nutrients • Grant from GA to develop Watershed Action Plan • Future work - Ag BMPs, repairing failing septic systems, installing rain gardens & bioretention areas.
Ecosystem Enhancement Program Peachtree-Martins Local Watershed Plan covering 39 sq. miles The project team performed intensive water quality, habitat, and channel assessment and landowner outreach activities 18 square miles (about 45%) of the area has seen significant deterioration in ecological condition and is functioning at a low level or worse.
Stressors • • • •
Lack of riparian vegetation Channel modification Excess nutrients and sediments Fecal bacterial contamination
Little Tennessee River Basin
Little Tennessee River Basin Biological Sites
Little Tennessee River Basin Impairments
EEP- Franklin to Fontana Watershed Plan Stressors Identified • Lack of riparian buffers • Channelization • Sedimentation • Nutrients • Bacteria • Stormwater runoff • Tomato pesticides • Fish passage barriers
Recommendations •County steep slope ordinance •Stormwater management ordinance •Buffers •Environmental Education
Watershed Association for the Tuckasegee River
dogs
Gray water discharge?
3500
2005
Scotts Creek at mouth
3200
(Rafting put-in)
Fecal Coliform values reported in FCU's (fecal colonies per unit)
3000
2500
2000
2000 1800 1600
1500
1500
Fecal sources located & removed 1000
1000
2007 500 200 0
2008
2009
570
510
360
320 350 200 38
84 60
170 120 140
490
440 310
2010 2011
230
200 84 88 80
280 120 110
160 180
220
The Little Tennessee Watershed Association/ Land Trust for the Little Tennessee • Collect WQ data – Maintain database – Produce stream health report cards
• • • •
Write Watershed Plans Implement restoration Land Acquisition State of the Stream Report
Savannah River Basin
Savannah River Basin
Recommendations / Needs • Support Regional Erosion and Sediment Control Initiative • Support locally developed Watershed Plans and coordinate with watershed groups •Encourage adoption of Universal Stormwater Program •Bacteria- Identify resources to eliminate sources •Continue collaboration with Trout Farms
Request to Proceed to EMC in July for Final Approval
Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, & Savannah River Basinwide Water Quality Plans
