Chapter 4 Habitats
Most water quality problems that result in impaired ratings due to failure to meet water quality standards can be attributed to nonpoint source pollution. These ratings are published in the most recent 303(d) impaired waterbodies list; there are 14.6 stream miles and 252 reservoir acres reported as exceeding standards for fecal coliform in the Broad River Basin (NCDEQ 2025h) . There are five permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in the basin with eight waste lagoons associated with the facilities. Animal-waste lagoons and sprayfields that discharge nutrients and bacteria contamination near or into aquatic environments through runoff, percolation into groundwater, and volatilization of ammonia and the release of bacterial contamination can significantly degrade water quality and endanger health (Mallin 2003, Mallin and Cahoon 2003, NCDEQ 2024c) . Pollution. Water quality problems are attributable to both point and nonpoint sources. Point sources are primarily wastewater treatment plants and industrial discharges. Both municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial sources discharge colored effluents to streams in the basin, especially in the Second Broad River watershed. The impacts of these effluents at permitted levels are generally regarded as minimal, but effects on native aquatic communities from other solutes in these and other discharges are unclear. Problems with meeting permitted discharge limits have occurred at several wastewater treatment plants in the basin (NCDEQ 2025h) . Sedimentation is the main water quality issue, and stream sedimentation is severe across the Piedmont portion of the basin. Standards have been exceeded for turbidity in several stream segments in the basin (NCDEQ 2025h) . Other sources of nonpoint pollution include lawns, golf courses, and impervious surfaces. Land Use. Poorly managed pasture lands contribute substantially to overall soil and streambank erosion. Often, riparian vegetation is minimal or nonexistent and cattle have unlimited direct access to streams, which contributes to habitat degradation. Overall lack of riparian vegetation is a widespread problem throughout the basin. Major causes of sedimentation in the basin are land clearing activities (e.g., construction, row crop agriculture, timber harvest, and mining), streambank erosion, and runoff from unpaved rural roads and eroding road grades (NCDEQ 2025e) . Water Use. Hydraulic and hydrologic alterations to streams, through accelerated streambank erosion and channel instability, contribute both directly and indirectly to habitat degradation. Streams have been channelized in both rural and developed areas in the basin. Development and urbanization also increase impervious surfaces and often produce drainage patterns and structures that speed the runoff of rainwater and alter hydrograph curves. Property along the Broad River and Lake Lure is being developed for second homes, vacation lodges, and recreational facilities such as golf courses and horse farms. Hydrologic alteration can cause flash flooding that further accelerates streambank erosion and channel degradation. Impoundments. There are significant impacts to native aquatic communities in the Broad River Basin from impoundments; however, they are not as widespread as in some of the other basins
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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