Watersheds/Maps
Watersheds and Maps
NC 303(d) List
The NC 303(d) list contains information on the State's impaired waters. The City uses this list to determine what areas to watch and focus certain monitoring efforts on in its Impaired Streams Program, which you can read about below. To find more information out about the NC 303(d) List, and the Statewide program, please click on the links below.
Impaired Streams Program
Stormwater developed an Impaired Streams Program to monitor streams that have been classified as impaired within the City limits in 2014. In many cases, it is possible that an impaired stream could progress negatively over time, and may have a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) assigned to them to improve their water quality. In order to be proactive, Stormwater has developed this program on a voluntary basis to monitor impaired streams and make necessary adjustments to improve their water quality prior to the potential issuance of a TMDL.
This program will allow Stormwater to assess the effect pollutants may have on streams, as well as determine how the streams are impacted by their surrounding environments. Stormwater uses several methods to analyze the health of a stream, such as analytical laboratory sampling, field sampling, site inspections, and walking the stream. The Stormwater Division samples for 20 to 32 parameters at each sample site depending on what related issues are found during the inspection. These methods allow staff to assess both the chemical and biological conditions of a stream. Information obtained through sampling and inspection is then recorded on an Excel Spreadsheet. Using the spreadsheet, staff will be able to analyze the results over time to determine patterns and possible pollution issues within a stream.
The Stormwater Division identified the sample sites based on stream segments that the state has deemed as impaired, along with input from the PWC Watersheds Group, to ensure that there is no duplication of sample sites. From these efforts, 20 sample sites were identified. This program allows Stormwater to understand the characteristics of our impaired streams.
Previously, Stormwater staff developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for inspecting and collecting sampling data from our designated impaired stream segments. The document outlines the City’s efforts to monitor and reduce pollutants in local streams classified as impaired by NCDEQ. The written document is also highly effective in showing procedural consistency and the process when audited by DENR and EPA. While there are no TMDLs currently assigned to the City, the collected data, and a validated process will be great tools and provide historical information to hopefully avoid or at least delay future TMDLs in the local area.