Download 4.5.16 Savannah River Basin - North Carolina Wildlife Resources

4.5.16 Savannah River Basin
4.5.16.1 River Basin Description
The headwaters of the Savannah River Basin begin along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge
Mountains and flow south through Georgia and South Carolina to empty into the Atlantic
Ocean. Only 2% of the total Savannah River Basin is within North Carolina. The basin
encompasses 172 square miles, making it the smallest of the state’s river basins. The North
Carolina portion has approximately 176 miles of streams and 1,366 reservoir acres.
Streams in the North Carolina portion of the basin are part of the Tugaloo River and Seneca
River subbasins; however, both of these named rivers begin outside the state. Major tributaries
of the Tugaloo in North Carolina are the Overflow and Big creeks, and the Chattooga River.
Major tributaries of the Seneca River in North Carolina include the Toxaway, Horsepasture,
Thompson, and Whitewater rivers.
Land use in the basin is 91% forested, 1% agricultural, 7% urban or developed, and less than 1%
grassland and wetland (MRLC 2011; Jin et al. 2013). A significant portion of the basin is publicly owned
land, primarily Nantahala National Forest (189,060 acres), Pisgah National Forest (107,111
acres), NCWRC game lands (nearly 3,000 acres), and Gorges State Park (7,640 acres).
The basin encompasses all or part of four counties (Clay, Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania) and
has one sizable municipality (Highlands). Figure 4.5.16.1 depicts the location of the basin.
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Figure 4.5.16.1 Location of the Savannah River Basin.
4.5.16.2 Aquatic Resource Conditions
Water quality is generally good for areas where data are available; however, there are
problems in parts of the basin (described below), and the lack of data for nearly half the basin
provides an unclear assessment of overall water quality. There are more than 320 miles of
freshwater streams in the basin that have been classified by NCDWR for best uses (NCDWQ 2012g,
2015d,h).
Water quality in the Savannah River Basin is excellent in major streams and most small
headwater streams. There are 211 miles and 619 acres of NCDWR designated Trout waters (Tr)
in the basin. Most of the Tugaloo River tributaries in North Carolina and four miles of the
Horsepasture River are designated Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), and portions of
Bearwallow Creek and Whitewater River are designated High-Quality Waters (HQW). The
requirements for classification as ORW are more stringent than those for HQW and in some
circumstances, the unique characteristics of the resources require that a specialized
management strategy be developed (NCDWQ 2015d).
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Table 4.5.16.1 provides information on water quality classifications and use-support ratings in
the basin.
Table 4.5.16.1 Water quality classifications and use ratings in the Savannah River Basin.
Classifications
Total Basin Waters
Classified Waters
HQW
ORW
Use Ratings
Total Monitored
Supporting
Impaired
Not Rated
No Data
Freshwater
Miles
323
260
21
41
Freshwater
Miles
195
52
1
3
139
Percent
(Basin Waters)
81
7
13
Percent
(Monitored
Waters)
27
<1
<1
71
Freshwater
Acres
875
638
0
24
Freshwater
Acres
691
0
0
0
691
Percent
(Basin Waters)
73
0
3
Percent
(Monitored
Waters)
0
0
0
100
There are several small reservoirs, including Cashiers Reservoir, Fairfield Reservoir, and
Toxaway Reservoir, and many smaller ponds associated with golf courses and second home
developments in the Cashiers/Highlands area.
4.5.16.3 Aquatic Species
There are nine SGCN in the basin: two crayfish species and seven freshwater fish species.
Appendix G provides a list of SGCN and other priority species for which there are knowledge
gaps or management concerns. Appendix H identifies SGCN associated with aquatic
communities found in this river basin.Table 4.5.16.2 identifies the priority species found in the
Savannah River Basin.
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Table 4.5.16.2 SGCN in the Savannah River Basin.
Taxa Group
CRAYFISH
FISH
Scientific Name
Cambarus chaugaensis
Cambarus reburrus
Ameiurus brunneus
Ameiurus platycephalus
Etheostoma inscriptum
Hybopsis rubifrons
Notropis lutipinnis
Percina nigrofasciata
Salvelinus fontinalis
Common Name
Chauga Crayfish
French Broad River Crayfish
Snail Bullhead
Flat Bullhead
Turquoise Darter
Rosyface Chub
Yellowfin Shiner
Blackbanded Darter
Brook Trout (Native)
Federal/State
Listing Status*
- /SC
- /T
- /T
- /SC
- /T
*See Section 4.5.3.
4.5.16.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species
While much of the North Carolina portion of the basin is in national forest and state-owned
lands, development is increasing on private lands. Nonpoint source problems (primarily erosion
and sedimentation) from land clearing, removal of riparian vegetation, and rural roads are
potential problems. Nutrient enrichment may also be a problem (NCDWQ 2012g).
According to an NCDENR dam inventory (NCDEMLR 2014), there are 49 impoundments in the basin.
Most are small privately owned lakes used for recreation, and these small impoundments
fragment headwater habitats, contribute to temperature pollution, and can be a source of
nonnative introductions. All of the major tributaries in North Carolina are upstream from major
impoundments in Georgia and South Carolina that isolate them from the rest of the basin.
Short reaches of the Horsepasture and Toxoway rivers are impounded just inside the North
Carolina border (Lake Jocassee, Duke Energy).
Little is known of the extent to which nonnative aquatic species have become established in the
Savannah River Basin in North Carolina. Nonnative vegetation can also negatively impact native
aquatic animal communities. This includes both aquatic and riparian plant species and
nonnative plant pathogens that can alter riparian vegetation and affect aquatic habitats (e.g.,
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid).
4.5.16.5 Recommendations
Conservation priorities that apply statewide to all river basins are presented in Section 4.5.3.3.
Priorities identified in the Savannah River Basin are shown in Figure 4.5.16.2 and are included in
Appendix J.
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Figure 4.5.16.2 Location of priority HUC12 watersheds in the Savannah River Basin.
Basin Specific Recommendations
Distributional Surveys. General surveys are still needed to complete primary distributional
status for SGCN and other priority species (see Table 4.5.16.2).


Snails – complete primary distribution inventories; determine potential habitats and
distribution surveys for hydrobiids.
Determine distribution of nonnative species.
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
should include identification of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from
conservation or development activities. These efforts will inform species and habitat
management decisions. Long-term monitoring sites need to be identified and monitoring
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protocols developed for all priority species. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other
existing monitoring programs where feasible.

Continue periodic monitoring of priority areas and species.
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.


Resolve taxonomic problems with crayfishes.
Investigate impacts of fragmentation on priority species.
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.



Support conservation and restoration of streams and riparian zones in priority areas.
Incorporate management goals for aquatic community conservation and enhancement
planning for Gorges State Park and Toxaway Game Lands.
Prioritize education and other measures to prevent the introduction or spread of
invasive nonnative species, particularly crayfishes.
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.


Support the Watershed Restoration Plan (WRP) developed by NCDMS for the Savannah
River Basin (NCWRP 2001d).
Cooperate with NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR), the US Forest Service
(USFS), and NCWRC, who manage much of the basin in North Carolina.
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