4.2 Aquatic Communities
Mirror Shiner, Warpaint Shiner, Northern Hog Sucker, Fantail Darter, Greenside Darter, and Greenfn Darter. Tis list is not inclusive and provides general guidance on aquatic community structure. Riverine aquatic communities, which are identifed in the 2005 WAP as a priority aquatic habitat, are a component of this habitat type (see Chapter 5) (NCWRC 2005) . Bogs and associ- ated wetlands and foodplain forests are two WAP priority habitats that also may be associ- ated with coolwater stream communities; they provide habitat for wildlife that use adjacent terrestrial habitats. 4.2.4.2 Location of Habitat Coolwater aquatic communities can be found in the upper Yadkin, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, Savannah, French Broad, Watauga, New, Catawba, and Broad River basins. A review of US Geological Survey (USGS) real-time stream gauge data for water tempera- tures shows that Cheoah River (near Tapoco, NC), Hyco River (near McGehees Mill, NC), Wolf Island Creek (near Reidsville, NC), Candy Creek (near Monticello, NC), and Deep Creek (near Moriah, NC) historically have cool waters during the summer (USGS 2014a). Other examples include the Valley River, Hiwassee River (below Mission Lake Dam), Little Tennessee River, Pigeon River (below the confuence of the East and West Forks Pigeon River), French Broad River (below Nicholson Creek and Davidson River), Nolichucky River, New River, and Johns River. Te 2005 WAP includes riverine aquatic communities, which contain coolwater streams, as a priority habitat (see Chapter 5) (NCWRC 2005) . 4.2.4.3 Problems Affecting Habitats Water Quality. As with coldwater streams, erosion and the resultant sedimentation are the largest sources of nonpoint source pollution in this system. Sources of erosion include disturbance from development activities and agriculture. Residential development, partic- ularly in steep-slope areas, is of particular concern because of increased erosion. Livestock access to streams contributes heavily to bank erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient input. Timber harvests and poorly constructed and maintained timber roads are additional sources of erosion if proper controls are not used and maintained. Many of the water quality and water quantity impacts resulting from climate change are analogous to impacts from economic development and population growth in North Carolina. Climate change is predicted to decrease rainfall and therefore limit water supply; however, growth and development have increased and continue to increase water supply demands. Historical stream fow patterns are projected to be altered due to climate change impacts, but these are already being altered due to rapid urbanization.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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