4.5.18 Watauga River Basin
4.5.18.1 River Basin Description
The Watauga River watershed drains northwest into Tennessee where it flows into Watauga
Reservoir. The Watauga River is a tributary of the Holston River, which is a major tributary of
the Tennessee River. The basin is one of the smallest in North Carolina, encompassing only 205
square miles and approximately 270 stream miles, and is entirely within the Mountain
ecoregion. The Elk River is a major tributary.
Based on 2011 National Land Cover Dataset information (MRLC 2011; Jin et al. 2013), land use in the
basin is 79% forested, 10% agricultural, 10% developed or urban, 1% grassland, and less than
1% wetland (MRLC 2011; Jin et al. 2013). Most land ownership is private, with less than 10% public
lands (which includes portions of the Pisgah National Forest, Blue Ridge Parkway, Elk Knob
Game Land, and Grandfather Mountain State Park).
The basin encompasses parts of two counties (Avery and Watauga) and has six municipalities,
including Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Seven Devils, and Sugar Mountain. Figure 4.5.18.1
depicts the location of the basin.
Figure 4.5.18.1 Location of the Watauga River Basin.
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4.5.18.2 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 300 miles of
freshwater streams in the basin that have been classified by NCDWR for best uses (NCDWR 2015d).
Table 4.5.18.1 provides information on water quality classifications and use-support ratings in
the basin.
Table 4.5.18.1 Water quality classifications and use ratings in the Watauga River Basin.
Classifications
Total Basin Waters
Classified Waters
HQW
ORW
Use Ratings
Total Monitored
Supporting
Impaired
Not Rated
No Data
Freshwater
Miles
Percent
(Basin Waters)
650
309
51
21
48
8
3
Freshwater
Miles
Percent
(Monitored
Waters)
279
95
6
36
143
34
2
13
51
Freshwater
Acres
54
54
0
0
Freshwater
Acres
0
0
0
0
0
Percent
(Basin Waters)
100
0
0
Percent
(Monitored
Waters)
0
0
0
0
There are 171 miles of NCDWR-designated trout waters (Tr) in the basin. The mainstem
Watauga River is designated High-Quality Waters (HQW) and the Boone Fork and headwaters
are designated Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW)(NCDWR 2015d).There is one HQW Special
Management Strategy Area (SMSA) for the Watauga River (28,790 acres) and one ORW SMSA
for the Boone Fork Area (6,302 acres) in the basin (NCDWR 2015c). These areas require site-specific
provisions to protect resource values (no new discharges or expansion of existing discharges)
(NCAC).
4.5.18.3 Aquatic Species
There are five SGCN in the basin: one crayfish species, three freshwater fish species, and one
freshwater mussel 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 4.5.18.2 identifies the
priority species found in the Watauga River Basin.
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Table 4.5.18.2 SGCN in the Watauga River Basin.
Taxa Group
CRAYFISH
FISH
MUSSEL
Scientific Name
Cambarus eeseeohensis
Ameiurus platycephalus
Cottus carolinae
Salvelinus fontinalis
Lasmigona subviridis
Common Name
Grandfather Mountain Crayfish
Flat Bullhead
Banded Sculpin
Brook Trout (Native)
Green Floater
Federal/State
Listing Status*
- /T
- /E
*See Section 4.5.3.
4.5.18.4 Threats Affecting Aquatic Species
While water quality conditions are generally very good at present, past pollution events may
have had a profound effect on the extant aquatic fauna in the Watauga River Basin. A tannery
near Valle Crucis caused severe pollution in the early 20th century and may have led to the
extirpation of many native species. Apparently, no extensive surveys for aquatic species were
made prior to this period of degradation and the extent of species loss is unknown.
Presently, excessive erosion and sedimentation from nonpoint sources are the primary
problems affecting species and habitats. Most development and agricultural activities are
located in the valleys due to abundance of steep slopes within the watershed. Narrow riparian
corridors or total lack of riparian vegetation along portions of the Watauga River and many
tributaries have led to excessive stream bank erosion and loss of habitat due to sediment
deposition and over-widening of channels. Impacts from row-crop agriculture and poorly
managed livestock pasture (causing sedimentation from runoff and stream bank erosion) are
also significant.
The area appears to be experiencing an acceleration of development, and threats to water and
habitat quality are increasing. Development (primarily home construction) is rapidly increasing
on steeper slopes. As related development increases (e.g., golf courses, commercial),
stormwater runoff contributes more sedimentation and other nonpoint problems. Christmas
tree farming is also increasing in the basin. Relatively large amounts of herbicides and
pesticides are used in this form of silviculture, but the relative impacts of runoff from tree farms
is unclear. Impacts from nonnative species (e.g., Margined Madtom) are also unclear, but could
negatively affect native fish communities.
According to the NCDENR dam inventory (NCDEMLR 2014), there are 20 impoundments in the
basin. Most are small privately owned lakes used for recreation. There are no major
impoundments within the North Carolina portion of the basin. There is one run-of-river
hydroelectric facility on the Watauga River (Ward Mill Dam). There are several small
impoundments on tributaries, including Beech Mountain Reservoir on Buckeye Creek (drinking
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water reservoir) and Seven Devils Resort Lake on an unnamed tributary to the Watauga River
(recreation).
4.5.18.5 Recommendations
Conservation priorities that apply statewide to all river basins are presented in Section 4.5.3.3.
Priorities identified in the Watauga River Basin are shown in Figure 4.5.18.2 and are included in
Appendix J.
Figure 4.5.18.2 Location of priority watersheds in the Watauga River Basin.
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Basin Specific Recommendations
Distributional Surveys. While the general distribution of most species is known, surveys are still
needed to complete primary distributional status for some SGCN (see Table 4.5.18.1).


Snails – complete primary distribution inventories; determine potential habitats and
distribution surveys for hydrobiids.
Determine distribution of non-native 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. Baseline data and monitoring strategies have been
developed for most priority species and habitats in the basin. These efforts will inform species
and habitat management decisions. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing
monitoring programs where feasible.

Continue periodic monitoring of priority areas and species. The status of Green Floater,
petitioned for federal listing, is of particular interest.
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.



Investigate aquatic community response to restoration projects in priority areas.
Investigate potential for species reintroduction in the basin, particularly native mussels
in the Watauga River.
Obtain more information on impacts and mitigation of water withdrawals in headwater
systems.
In addition to the SGCN species found in the basin (see Table 4.5.18.2), a list of knowledge-gap
priority species is provided in Table 4.5.18.3.
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Table 4.5.18.3 Knowledge-gap priority species in the Watauga River Basin.
Taxa Group
FISH
MUSSEL
Scientific Name
Common Name
Chrosomus oreas
Etheostoma chlorobranchium
Notropis photogenis
Notropis telescopus
Percina aurantiaca
Pimephales notatus
Corbicula fluminea
Mountain Redbelly Dace
Greenfin Darter
Silver Shiner
Telescope Shiner
Tangerine Darter
Bluntnose Minnow
Asian Clam
Federal/State
Listing Status*
*See Section 4.5.3.
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. Specific issues
in this basin include secondary and cumulative impacts upon water quality, riparian vegetation
and stream bank restoration and conservation, mitigation of hydropower development
impacts, and species restoration opportunities.


Prioritize education and other measures to prevent the introduction or spread of
invasive nonnative species, particularly crayfishes.
Support stream and riparian area conservation and restoration throughout the basin,
particularly in priority areas.
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) and River Basin Restoration Priorities
(RBRP) developed by NCDMS for the Watauga River Basin (NCWRP 2002b; NCEEP 2009d).
Work together with Soil and Water Conservation District programs, such as the
Agriculture Cost Share Program, to conserve priority areas.
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