Download 4.5.19 White Oak River Basin - North Carolina Wildlife Resources

4.5.19 White Oak River Basin
4.5.19.1 River Basin Description
The White Oak River Basin lies entirely within the Coastal Plain, and is composed of four small
river systems (New River, White Oak River, Newport River, and North River), which all drain
south directly into the Atlantic Ocean and associated sounds. The White Oak River is
approximately 40 miles long and is a blackwater river. This basin encompasses 1,382 square
miles, making it the smallest basin contained entirely within the state. There are 1,571 stream
miles, 3,777 acres of freshwater lakes and impoundments, and 1,641 miles of coastline in the
basin (NCDWR 2015). Due to the location and size of this basin, there is a relatively small amount of
freshwater habitat available, but what is available has the characteristics typical of Coastal Plain
streams: meandering waters associated with swamps, hardwood bottomlands, and wetland
communities (NCDWQ 2003).
Land use in the basin is 25% forested, 32% wetland, 12% urban or developed, 3% grassland, and
11% agricultural (MRLC 2011). Public lands make up a large portion of this basin and include all or
portions of the Croatan National Forest, Hoffman State Forest, Rocky Run, Stones Creek,
Carteret County and White Oak River Game Lands, and Camp Lejeune. The estimated 2010
human population was 336,209, which represents an increase of more than 40% since 1990 and
significantly exceeds predicted increases published in the 2005 WAP (USCB 2012; NCDWR 2015).
The boundaries include Onslow County and the southern portions of Jones, Craven, and
Carteret counties. All or parts of 16 municipalities are located in the basin, including
Jacksonville, Newport, Morehead City, and Beaufort. Figure 4.5.19.1 depicts the geographic
location of the basin.
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Figure 4.5.19.1 Location of the White Oak River Basin.
4.5.19.2 Aquatic Resource Conditions
There are a number of impaired streams in this drainage, totaling 169.3 miles (NCDWR 2014a).
There are 68 water bodies (stream reaches, intracoastal waterways, sounds, bays) that have an
Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) classification and 187 water bodies that have a HighQuality Waters (HQW) classification, because they either have excellent water quality or they
are a significant resource to humans and/or wildlife (NCDWQ 2010). It is important to note that all
waters in the state are rated as impaired based on a state-wide fish consumption advisory for
mercury contamination.
The southernmost sections of the New, White Oak, and Newport rivers, and the entirety of the
North River drainage, have supplemental classifications as HQW or ORW. There are ORW
Special Management Strategy Areas (SMSAs) in the basin for Western Bogue Sound and Bear
Island Area (19,859 acres); Roosevelt Natural Areas (561 acres); and Stump Sound Area (4,355
acres) (NCDWR 2015c). These areas require site-specific provisions to protect resource values (no
new discharges or expansion of existing discharges) (NCAC).
DRAFT, 4-144
Table 4.5.19.1 provides information on water quality classifications and use support ratings in
the basin.
Table 4.5.19.1 Water quality classifications and use ratings in the White Oak River Basin.
Percent
Classifications
Freshwater
Miles
(Basin
Waters)
Percent
Freshwater
Acres
(Basin
Waters)
Percent
Coastal
Acres
Percent
(Basin
Waters)
Coastal
Miles
(Basin
Waters)
Total Basin
Waters
1,571
-
3,777
-
140,104
-
1,641
-
Classified Waters
2,630
100
3,807
100
156,225
100
132
8
HQW
3
<1
0
0
90,651
65
0
0
ORW
0
0
110
3
65,574
47
0
0
Percent
Use Ratings
Total Monitored
Freshwater
Miles
(Monitored
Waters)
Percent
Freshwater
Acres
(Monitored
Waters)
Percent
(Monitored
Coastal Acres Waters)
Percent
Coastal
Miles
(Monitored
Waters)
320
-
3,865
-
140,616
-
132
-
38
12
0
0
39,734
28
132
100
Impaired
0
0
0
0
90,789
65
0
0
Not Rated
48
15
3,755
97
0
0
0
0
234
73
110
3
10,093
7
0
0
Supporting
No Data
4.5.19.3 Aquatic Species
There are four SGCN in the basin; all are fishes. Table 4.5.19.2 identifies the SGCN found in the
White Oak River Basin. Appendix# provides a statewide list of all species identified by the Taxa
Teams as priority species.
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Table 4.5.19.2 SGCN priority species in the White Oak River Basin.
Federal/State
Taxa Group
Scientific Name
Common Name
Listing Status*
Acipenser oxyrinchus
Atlantic Sturgeon
E/E
Enneacanthus chaetodon
Blackbanded Sunfish
-/-
Enneacanthus obesus
Banded Sunfish
-/-
Notropis chalybaeus
Ironcolor Shiner
-/-
FISH
*See Section 4.5.3.
4.5.19.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species
Impacts affecting species and their habitats within the White Oak River Basin include nonpoint
sources of pollution resulting from inadequate management practices related to agriculture,
forestry, construction, and stormwater discharges. Sedimentation due to erosion is one of the
most significant causes of habitat loss in this and all other North Carolina river basins.
There are 46 permitted Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in the White Oak
River Basin, with 63 associated waste lagoons. Most are located in the northwestern portion of
the basin along the New and White Oak rivers. Waste from these sites contains high levels of
nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) in addition to fecal coliform bacteria and any
chemical compounds, such as antibiotics or hormone products used in commercial feeding
operations (NCDWR 2015b). Animal-waste lagoons and spray fields that discharge 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 human and animal health (Mallin 2003; Mallin and Cahoon 2003).
Other point sources of water pollution include industrial and municipal discharges that
contribute toxic compounds and elements such as ammonia, chlorine, and mercury. In the
White Oak River Basin there are 50 permitted discharges, four of which are major discharges
with more than 1 million gallons per day (NCDWQ 2001).
According to an NCDENR dam inventory (NCDEMLR 2014), there are relatively few man-made
impoundments in the basin. Those present can physically alter instream habitat, change flow
regimes, and often reduce DO levels. Water withdrawals for irrigation and similar uses further
change flow patterns and reduce the quality and quantity of habitat available for aquatic
species (NCDWQ 2002).
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Invasive species (e.g., Flathead Catfish and Red Swamp Crayfish) are established in the White
Oak River Basin and continue to negatively impact native species populations (Fuller et al. 1999;
Cooper 2005) via predation and competition.
4.5.19.5 Recommendations
Priority areas for conservation and restoration measures in the White Oak River Basin are
represented by 12-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) watershed boundaries and are highlighted
in Figure 4.5.19.2. A statewide list of all 12-digit HUC priorities is available in Appendix#.
Figure 4.5.19.2 Location of priority watersheds in the White Oak River Basin (NCWRC 2015).
DRAFT, 4-147
Basin Specific Recommendations
Surveys. Priorities for distribution and status surveys should focus on aquatic snails, crayfish,
mussels, and fish believed to be declining or dependent on at-risk or sensitive communities (see
Table 4.5.19.2).

Basin-specific priorities include the Ironcolor Shiner and the Banded Sunfish.
Monitoring. Long-term monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over
time and gauging the resilience of organisms to continued impacts to state waters. Studies
include identification of population trends, as well as assessment of conservation or
development activities. These efforts will inform species and habitat management decisions.

Monitor the presence and distribution of exotic species in the basin.
Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use
and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding,
competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps
determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying
possibilities for improved management and conservation. All studies should provide
recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative
undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxonomic status are needed.



Determine vulnerability of species across all taxa groups to emerging threats such as
endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and other compounds that are present, as well as
the prevalence of these compounds in this unique watershed, in the waterways of the
White Oak River Basin.
Support research on the effects of climate change, particularly changes in temperature
regimes, sea level rise, and extreme weather patterns, on aquatic communities in the
basin.
Support research investigating drivers behind the apparent decline in the Ironcolor
Shiner.
In addition to the SGCN found in the basin (see Table 4.5.19.2), a list of knowledge-gap priority
species is provided in Table 4.5.19.3.
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Table 4.5.19.3 Knowledge-gap priority species in the White Oak River Basin (NCWRC).
Federal/State
Taxa Group
Scientific Name
Common Name
Listing Status*
CRAYFISH
Procambarus plumimanus
Croatan Crayfish
-/-
Fundulus diaphanus
Banded Killifish
-/-
Lepisosteus osseus
Longnose Gar
-/-
Corbicula fluminea
Asian Clam
-/-
FISH
MUSSEL
*See Table 4.5.19.2
Management Practices. Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergistically
with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources.
Particular needs include preserving biodiversity, protecting native populations and their
habitats, and improving degraded habitats. In addition, education about, and regulation and
prevention of the introduction and spread of exotic or invasive species are vital.




Promote programs to upgrade/increase compliance at wastewater treatment facilities
and animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
Provide support for land protection, particularly in riparian areas (acquisition,
easements).
Continue to identify areas critical to aquatic ecosystem health for conservation or
restoration.
Coordinate and provide management guidance on managed properties, such as military
bases and national forests, to maximize effective conservation and restoration activities
on these public lands.
Conservation Programs and Partnerships. Conservation programs, incentives, and partnerships
should be utilized to the fullest extent in order to preserve high-quality resources and protect
important natural communities. Protective measures that utilize existing regulatory frameworks
to protect habitats and species should be incorporated where applicable. Land conservation or
preservation can serve numerous purposes in the face of anticipated climate change, but above
all, it promotes ecosystem resilience.



Guide academic research projects to help achieve specific conservation goals and
objectives.
Support the development and application of an aquatic nuisance species management
plan with other agencies and groups.
Address secondary and cumulative impacts upon water quality (buffer ordinances,
water supply watershed protection, headwaters protection) (NCDWQ 2000a; NCWRC 2002).
DRAFT, 4-149


Work with and promote existing programs that help farmers reduce
sedimentation/erosion (e.g., install fences to keep livestock out of streams) as well as
reduce pesticide and herbicide use.
Support programs providing education and guidance about protecting aquatic habitats
and water quality to landowners, developers, and municipal planners.
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