Chapter 4 Habitats
tributaries from the confluence of the Davidson River downstream to the Tennessee border have lost a substantial portion of their aquatic species. Habitat continues to remain unsuitable for some of these species; however, recovery of some species may be possible. The Upper French Broad River, Little River, Mills River, and Ivy River have been the primary refuges for most of the priority species that are still extant in this subbasin. However, increased development and chance events are ever-present threats in such fragmented refugia. High-quality habitat for priority mussels in the Little River is limited to a short reach between Cascade Lake and the confluence of Crab Creek, where sedimentation from agriculture and development in the watershed degrades habitat. Runoff from large-scale agriculture and development, and riparian degradation and bank erosion threaten the lower Mills River. Historically, sedimentation and pollution from several mining operations throughout the Nolichucky River subbasin (primarily in the North Toe watershed) significantly degraded cool- and warmwater habitats. Encouragingly, improvements that began in the 1970s have helped reduce these impacts. Habitat in the North Toe River between Spruce Pine and the South Toe River confluence continues to be degraded, apparently from discharges and runoff from mining operations and the town of Spruce Pine. Floodplain gravel mining in the Cane River watershed poses a potential threat to long-term channel stability and habitat quality. The failure of the Burnsville wastewater treatment plant in 2008 had serious impacts on the Cane River, with most of the Appalachian Elktoe population eliminated; however, major renovations and improvements at the treatment plant have restored water quality conditions. Impoundments. The National Aquatic Barrier Inventory & Prioritization Tool lists 380 various type and size of dams in the basin (SARP 2024) . Dams on the mainstem French Broad River are run-of-river and appear to have fewer negative impacts than peaking operation and reservoir impoundment. Barrier effects and population fragmentation (or at least the isolation of upstream populations) impact extant riverine fishes (especially potamodromous species) and the potential for restoration of extirpated species (e.g., Lake Sturgeon, Sauger). The Pigeon River has experienced significant degradation from point source pollution and impoundment, as well as nonpoint sources. A paper mill at Canton (Blue Ridge Paper Products, formerly Champion Paper) discharged toxic waste directly into the Pigeon River for several decades. Many priority species were eliminated from the mainstem Pigeon River by this pollution. Improvements in wastewater treatment that began in the early 1990s greatly improved habitat conditions. The paper mill shut down in 2023, and prospects for recovery of many native species are good. The most significant impacts from impoundment in the French Broad River Basin are at the Walters Dam (Duke Energy) and bypass reach on the Pigeon River. Approximately 5 miles of the river is impounded in Walters Reservoir, and the river 12 miles downstream from Walters Dam is dewatered (except for some leakage at the dam and tributary inflow) by bypassing water
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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