4.5 River Basins
T ABLE 4.62 Water quality classifcation and rating information for the Little Tennessee River Basin
Percent (Basin Waters)
Percent (Basin Waters)
Classifcations
Freshwater Miles
Freshwater Acres
Total Basin Waters*
4,647
— 10
15,307
—
HQW ORW
442 302
1,389
9 5
7
756
Percent (Monitored Waters)
Percent (Monitored Waters)
Use Ratings
Freshwater Miles
Freshwater Acres
Total Named Waters
2,503
— 17
14,171 12,370
— 87
Supporting Impaired Not Rated
436
72 23
3
171
1
<1 79
—
— 12
No Data
1,973
1,630
* Total Basin Waters estimated from National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), April 2015 (EPA 2014b) .
Commission’s designated public Mountain Trout Waters, which is used to designate waters that are open to public trout fshing. Te 24 mile-long reach of the Little Tennessee River between Franklin and Fontana Reservoir supports the greatest diversity and abundance of native aquatic species in the region. Strong populations of Spotfn Chub, Sicklefn Redhorse, and many other priority species generally thrive in the high quality habitat conditions. However, some historically abundant mussels, including Appalachian Elktoe, have declined precipitously throughout the reach. Good habitat conditions and native aquatic communities, including many prior- ity species, also exist in the lower Tuckasegee River. 4.5.10.3 Aquatic Species Tere are 19 SGCN priority species in the basin: four crayfsh species, nine freshwater fsh species, and six freshwater mussel species. Appendix G provides a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge gaps or management concerns. Appendix H identifes SGCN associated with aquatic communities found in this river basin. Table 4.63 identifes SGCN found in the Little Tennessee River Basin. 4.5.10.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species Te major problems afecting species and habitats in the Little Tennessee River Basin are impoundments (dams) and their associated impacts, and excess erosion and stream sed- imentation. Of the entire 144 miles of the mainstem Little Tennessee River (in Georgia,
561
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online