Chapter 4 Habitats
Table 4.2.12-1. Climate change compared to other threats to natural lakes Threat Rank Order Comments
1 Point and non-point source pollution from residential and agriculture areas and other sources (e.g., 2-stroke watercraft engines) are prevalent, and non-point source pollution from agriculture and logging is possible for several sites. This pollution leads to algal blooms and low DO events. 1 Development destroys or disturbs shoreline vegetation, often extending well into the lake because of docks and boat activity associated with them. Shoreline construction creates impermeable surfaces that alter runoff into the lake, often involves artificial drainage or fill that further alters water flow, and is a source of pollution by nutrients, pathogens, and toxic chemicals. Most of these problems continue after construction, so past development remains an ongoing stress. 2 Invasive species are the greatest threat for some lakes. Phragmites invasion is already a problem and could increase. Herbivory and burrowing damage from Nutria are concerns because they eat a variety of wetland and agricultural plants, and their burrowing damages streambanks, impoundments, and drainage systems. If long-term average rainfall does not change, average lake levels will probably remain around the same, though increased
Pollution
Development
Invasive Species
evaporation might decrease water levels to some degree. Many lakes already have water control structures at their outlets and have water levels that are partly artificially manipulated. Artificial control of lake levels by dams, ditches, or water control structures could affect overall water elevations.
Impoundments
3
4 Non-point source pollution from agriculture and logging is possible for several sites and can lead to algal blooms and low DO events. 4 Several lakes, including Milltail Lake, Whipping Creek Lake, Swan Creek Lake, and Hidden Lake, lie near sea level and are connected to the sounds by creeks. Several of the more unique lakes of the central Pamlico Albemarle Peninsula are connected to the sounds by canals, increasing the risk of damage to them. The small lakes in Dare and Tyrrell counties will almost certainly be lost because of rising sea level. The large lakes of the Pamlico Albemarle Peninsula, such as Lake Mattamuskeet and Lake Phelps, lie at the highest elevations in the area, but may be affected if sea level rise is greater than the mid-level scenario. Saltwater from storm surges reach Lake Mattamuskeet, temporarily increasing salinity.
Logging/Exploitation
Climate Change – Sea Level Rise
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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