1. Presented at the 9 th Stakeholder Meeting Mike Herrmann, NCEEP Central Watershed Planner April 20th, 2010 Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) Intake Stessor Follow-up Study

2. Preliminary Findings (Phase I) High bacteria levels at Cherryville’s drinking water intake are concerning and potential sources for this contamination need to be identified

3. Key Preliminary Findings (Phase I) Other potential pollution water quality stressors

4. Study Goal The study is being conducted to better understand possible water quality stressors, and watersheds from which these stressors originate, to the drinking water intake at Cherryville. Intake Stressor Study Assessments

5. Study Methods Sampling parameters taken by NC DWQ. -Dissolved oxygen (DO)-Ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 ) -pH-Nitrite (NO 2 ) + nitrate (NO 3 ) -Specific conductance-Total phosphorus -Fecal coliform bacteria-Total suspended solids (TSS) -Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN)-Metals -Turbidity Capture 3 baseflow monitoring events and up to 2 stormflow events at 7 sites upstream of the Cherryville water intake.

6. Study Methods 2 8 4 5 3 9 6 7 Beam Farm Footprint (generalized) Mill Creek Indian Creek 1 (Intake Site)

7. Study Results Mill Creek (6%) Indian Creek (82%) UT Mill (8%) Mill Creek Beam Farm (16%) Drinking Water Intake Watershed Area 40 mi 2 Contributing Area 2 4 5 3 1

8. Study Results Indian Creek Mill Creek 2 4 5 3 1 (Intake Site) 2453 1 Select Parameter Results at baseflow

9. Study Discussion Indian Creek Mill Creek 2 4 5 3 1

10. In Summary… Indicators of stress vary in the watersheds Indian Creek (Sediment, Turbidity, NO 2 + NO 3 ) Mill Creek (Cattle, Nutrients) Mill Creek Stressors appear to be more directly related land use in the lower portion of its watershed Due to its greater size, Indian Creek is contributing a larger volume of nutrients and sediment to the intake Both Mill and Indian Creeks contribute to water quality stress at Cherryville’s drinking water intake. Improvement activities (e.g., stream and wetland restoration, ag BMPs,…etc.) are needed in both watersheds to reduce water quality stress at the intake.

11. Mill Creek - Stream Preservation Preservation Site P-43 on Mill Creek (Subwatershed I-11).