2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan

Chapter 4 Habitats

Tr Waters (NCDEQ)

Units

TOTAL 48,596

HQW

ORW

NSW

Freshwater Acres Freshwater Miles

167 297

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167 588

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3,068

239

HQW/ORW Management Areas – Acres

71,337

50,151

21,186

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--

4.5.6.3 Aquatic Species Appendix 3 provides lists of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge gaps or management concerns. Appendix 3-18 identifies aquatic SGCN associated with aquatic communities found in this river basin. In addition to the crayfish, freshwater fish and mussels, and aquatic snails found in the basin, there are also species that have both aquatic and terrestrial stages to their life history. The following list of SGCN are also associated with the aquatic communities in the Catawba River Basin.

Federal Status

State Status

Common Name

Scientific Name

INSECTS - DRAGONFLIES American Emerald

Cordulia shurtleffii Aeshna tuberculifera

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--

Black-tipped Darner

--

--

At-Risk

Ophiogomphus edmundo

Edmund's Snaketail

--

Aeshna verticalis

Green-striped Darner

--

--

Phanogomphus descriptus

Harpoon Clubtail

--

--

At-Risk

Macromia margarita

Mountain River Cruiser

--

Boyeria grafiana

Ocellated Darner

--

--

Ophiogomphus howei Somatochlora elongata Sympetrum obtrusum

Pygmy Snaketail

--

--

--

--

Ski-tipped Emerald

--

--

White-faced Meadowhawk

4.5.6.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species Impoundment. According to the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory & Prioritization Tool (SARP 2024) , 773 dams and road-related barriers are in the Catawba River Basin. Impoundment is a major factor in the loss and degradation of habitat for priority aquatic species in the Catawba basin. All but the upper headwater reaches of the Catawba River (upstream from Lake James) are either impounded or regulated by hydropower projects (Duke Energy). Coldwater releases degrade the Lake James tailwater for many native species, and it is presently managed as a

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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan

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