Chapter 4 Habitats
levels and enterroccus bacteria contamination from confined animal operations and agricultural activities (NCDEQ 2025h) . 4.5.7.3 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 is also associated with the aquatic communities in the Chowan River Basin.
Federal Status
State Status
Common Name
Scientific Name
REPTILES Rainbow Snake
Farancia erytrogramma
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4.5.7.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species There are no major reservoirs in the North Carolina portion of the basin but the NCDEQ dam inventory Online GIS map services show 25 millpond and small impoundment dams in the basin (NCDEMLR 2025). According to the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory & Prioritization Tool (SARP 2024) , 23 impoundments are in the Chowan River Basin and all but one are privately owned and used for mill ponds and lakes. A few are reported as being breached. Given this low number and small drainage areas affected, impoundments are not likely to present significant impacts to aquatic species. Pollution. In the Chowan River Basin, elevated mercury levels have been measured in long-lived piscivorous (fish-eating) predator fish. The NCDHHS Division of Public Health has posted a fish consumption advisory for the Chowan River Basin that includes all Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Catfish, Chain Pickerel, and Warmouth; Yellow Perch, and Bowfin (or Blackfish) caught east of I-85; and Black Crappie caught south and east of I-95 for mercury contamination (NCDHHS 2025) . Fish consumption advisories in the basin include an advisory for dioxin contamination for catfish and carp caught in the Albemarle Sound (NCDHHS 2025) ; however, the advisory for the Chowan River was lifted in 2000 (NCOEE 2025) . Historically, dioxin—a by-product of paper mill bleaching practices—degraded water quality and negatively affected aquatic biota. However, new bleaching technologies have reduced contamination from paper plant wastewater that enter the basin (NCOEE 2015) . Contaminants of emerging concern include microplastics like PFAs and PSFAs and industrial chemicals GenX and 1,4-dioxane.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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