Chapter 4 Habitats
Federal Status
State Status
Common Name
Scientific Name
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Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis
Rusty Snaketail
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Somatochlora elongata Gomphurus lineatifrons
Ski-tipped Emerald
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Splendid Clubtail
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Lestes congener
Spotted Spreadwing
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Neurocordulia yamaskanensis
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Stygian Shadowdragon Sweetflag Spreadwing
Lestes forcipatus
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Sympetrum obtrusum
White-faced Meadowhawk
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Stylurus scudderi
Zebra Clubtail
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4.5.13.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species There are localized problems and general habitat degradation in many cool-and warmwater habitats for priority species throughout the basin. Development and land clearing, poorly managed livestock grazing (which causes runoff and stream bank degradation), unpaved rural roads along streams, and loss of riparian vegetation are some of the primary sources. Pollution. Water quality is generally good in the New River Basin. However, impaired waters within the basin include Naked Creek, Little Buffalo Creek (due to wastewater treatment plant discharge, nonpoint sources sedimentation), Peak Creek, Ore Knob Branch, and Little Peak Creek (due to acid mine drainage). Water Quality. There are eight permitted Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) for cattle in the basin with 11 waste lagoons associated with the facilities (NCDEQ 2024c) . Waste from these sites contains high levels of nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) in addition to fecal coliform bacteria and chemical compounds, such as antibiotics or hormone products used in commercial feeding operations (NCDWR 2015b) . Animal-waste lagoons and spray fields that discharge associated wastewater near aquatic environments are a source of contamination from runoff, percolation into groundwater, and volatilization of ammonia and the release of bacterial contamination. These sources can significantly degrade water quality and endanger human and animal health (Mallin 2003; Mallin and Cahoon 2003) . Land Use. Water quality is variously degraded by acid mine drainage, impacts from urban runoff, and wastewater treatment plant discharge. Erosion and sedimentation have widespread impacts on aquatic habitats. Impacts from sedimentation appear to be quite severe in some localized areas and generally degrade habitats in larger tributaries and in the mainstem New River. Habitats in the same reaches also appear to suffer from over-widened channels with more uniform depth and substrate coarseness. Increasing human population places greater demand on drinking water supplies. Increased water withdrawals from streams, primarily in the upper South Fork New River subbasin, are a potential trend.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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