Chapter 4 Habitats
Water Quality. Habitat degradation resulting from nonpoint source pollution is the most widespread problem throughout the basin. Nutrient enrichment was identified as a greater problem in the French Broad River Basin than in any other interior basin drainage in the region (Hampson et al. 2000) . Highway construction and its associated indirect and secondary impacts are also significant concerns in many parts of the basin. There are 17 permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), primarily for cattle, in the basin with 14 waste lagoons associated with the facilities (NCDEQ 2024c) . Waste from these sites is a source of high levels of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus). 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) . Development. Population growth is often the largest driver of development. A projection of population growth in the French Broad River basin counties predicts population will grow between 14% and 40% in four counties in the basin and less than 10% in the remaining three counties (NCOSMB 2025) . Development is increasing throughout much of this basin, and erosion and sedimentation may also be on the rise. Development, urbanization, and agriculture are significant sources of nonpoint source pollution and sedimentation. Poorly managed development on steep slopes and within riparian areas along tributaries apparently contributes much of the sedimentation from development activities. Threats from hydrologic modifications resulting from increased urbanization (i.e., increased impervious surfaces, flood plain development and filling, stream channel alterations) seem to be increasing throughout the basin, with some areas experiencing greater impacts than others. Habitat for priority aquatic species in the French Broad River subbasin is affected by impacts related to development and urbanization, agriculture, and point sources. Sedimentation and turbidity are more or less chronic problems in most of the larger streams in the lower elevations of the Asheville watershed and surrounding area, including the mainstem French Broad River. Point source pollution, including both present problems and residual effects from much more severe pollution of the past, contributes significantly to habitat degradation and the extirpation of priority species. However, aquatic habitats overall have improved substantially over the past 40 years. Pollution. Habitat degradation from point sources of pollution, though not as widespread as nonpoint sources, is still a significant problem in portions of the basin. Compared to other basins in the region (e.g., Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, and Catawba), impacts from impoundments are relatively minor in the French Broad River Basin; however, these impacts are an issue for portions of the basin.
Very few high-quality habitats for cool and warmwater priority species in medium-to-large streams have remained intact through the 20th century. The mainstem French Broad River and
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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