4.5 River Basins
Te Neuse River Estuary is made up of the Pamlico Sound, upper Core Sound, West Bay, and their embayments and tributaries. Tese waters are all classifed as nutrient-sensitive waters (NSW). Tis classifcation is intended for waters that need additional nutrient man- agement due to greater vulnerability to excessive aquatic vegetation growth (NCDWR 2015d) . Table 4.68 provides information on water quality classifcations and use support ratings in the basin. 4.5.12.3 Aquatic Species Tere are 26 priority species in the basin identifed as SGCN: 1 is an aquatic snail, 1 is a crayfsh, 13 are freshwater fshes, and 11 are freshwater mussels. 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 4.69 identifes the SGCN found in the Neuse River Basin. 4.5.12.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species It is important to note that all waters in the state are rated as impaired based on a statewide fsh consumption advisory for mercury contamination. In the Wake County portion of the basin, Brier Creek, Little Brier Creek, Crabtree Creek, Lake Crabtree, Rocky Branch, Walnut Creek, and the Neuse River (from Crabtree Creek to Auburn-Knightdale Road) all carry
T ABLE 4.68 Water quality classifcation and rating information for the Neuse River Basin
Percent (Basin Waters)
Percent (Basin Waters)
Percent (Basin Waters)
Freshwater Miles
Freshwater Acres
Coastal Acres
Classifcations
Total Basin Waters*
12,703
—
43,232
—
371,531 270,415 65,513
— 72 18
HQW ORW
279
2
989 944
2 2
23
<1
Percent (Monitored Waters)
Percent (Monitored Waters)
Percent (Monitored Waters)
Freshwater Miles
Freshwater Acres
Coastal Acres
Use Ratings
Total Named Waters
3,410
— 29 13
18,323 10,950
— 60 39 —
371,531 324,952 41,934
— 87 11 —
Supporting Impaired Not Rated
993 441 147
7,113
4
—
—
No Data
1,829
54
260
1
4,645
1
* Total Basin Waters estimated from National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), April 2015 (EPA 2014b) .
578
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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