A PRE-IMPOUNDMENT WATER QUALITY INVESTIGATION for the PROPOSED GATHRIGHT RESERVOIR JUNE 1973 Field Operations Branch Surveillance & Analysis Division Environmental Protection Agency Region III Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ------- ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 SUMMARY 2 CONCLUSIONS 4 DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA 6 Jackson Watershed 6 Gathright Reservoir 7 The Study Area 9 Water Supply and Waste Sources 11 STUDY METHODS 13 Sampling Stations 13 Sampling Schedule 18 STUDY FINDINGS 19 Previous Studies 19 Project Studies 19 Rainfall and Streamflow 20 Physical and Chemical Results 22 Temperatures 22 Color and Turbidity 23 pH and Conductivity 23 Total and Suspended Solids 24 Alkalinity and.Hardness 24 Nitrogen and Phosphorous 25 ------- Page TOC and COD 25 DO and BOD 26 Iron and Manganese 28 Sulfates 28 Biological Results 29 Bacteriological 29 Macroinvertebrates 30 AFPENDECES A. Virginia State Water Quality Control 32 Board - Wa.ter Quality Standards B. Jackson River Basin Water Quality 38 Station Descriptions C-G. Water Quality Data, by Stations, Jackson.River 39 above Covington, Virginia C-G. Bacteriological Data, Jackson River above 39 Covington, Va. H. Biological Data of Jackson River Biota above Covington, Virginia 44 FIGURES Figure 1 Location Map, Proposed Gathright Reservoir 8 Figure 2 Long-term Flow Data and Station Data 10 Figure 3 Schmatic Station Location 14 Figure 4a Station Location Detail, Station 1 15 Figure 4b Station Location Detail, Station 2 IS Figure 5a Station Location Detail, Station 3 16 Figure 5b Station Location Detail, Station 4 16 Figure 5c Station Location Detail, Station 5 16 ------- Page TABLES table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Wastewater Discharge Inventory Jackson River Antecedent Rainfall/Stream Flow Com- parisons at USGS Gage (Jackson River at Falling Spring) BOD5/do Ratio Values for Jackson River Stations above Covington, Virginia Chemical Quality Variation Range in Jackson River 12 21 27 30 ------- Preimpoundment Study of Gathright Reservoir, Virginia Introduction The Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, was requested by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Norfolk, Va. District) to conduct a pre- impoundment water quality study on the Jackson River for the proposed Gathright Reservoir Project. This correspondence, dated April 13, 1971, called for a water quality survey of the Jackson River above Covington, Virginia. Such a study is required by Section 5c of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (PL 84-660) as amended by PL 87-80, PL 89-234, PL 89-753, PL 91-224 and PL 92-500. The Gathright Dam and Reservoir project has been authorized since 1946 but the actual construction at. the site was not begun until 1965. The project is now approximately 30% complete, with a scheduled target date of 1974 for completion. Personnel from the E.P.A., Charlottesville (Va.) field laboratory conducted field investigations on a monthly basis beginning in November, 1971, and ending in November, 1972. Long-tterm sampling was considered preferable to short-term intensive survey work for this project because of the relative purity of the water, the need to determine seasonal changes, if any, and to monitor any sediment production from the damsite itself. ------- Summary The Gathright Reservoir impoundment will be located on the.Jackson River near the point where the stream crosses the Allegheny-Bath County (Va.) line. The location is in west-central Virginia, draining 344 square miles of agricultural and forest -land. Population densities are low and no industries or large municipalities are located within the boundaries of the drainage basin.' The reservoir will cover 2530 acres at the maximum conservation pool elevation of 1582 feet above mean sea level. The impoundment was de- signed by the Corps of Engineers to provide flood control, furnish flow augmentation, allow recreational development of the area and create a cold-water fishery zone downstream from the damsite. No previous water quality studies were made on that portion of the Jackson River above Covington, Virginia, because of the high water quality found in the upper reaches of the Jackson watershed. Physical and chemical characteristics of the Jackson River basin waters are summarized below: Physical Chemical Parameter Range Parameter Range Temperature Color Turbidity .Conductivity Hardness 3° - 23 C 5-50 cobalt color units 0.5 - 43 JTU 66 - 380 umhos/cm2 17 - 235 mg/1 as CaCOg PH Dissolved oxygen BOD,. 6.9 - 8.3 8.5 - 13.6 mg/1 0.8 - 4.5 mg/1 Total organic 1.-6 mg/1 carbon (T0C) Total phosphorus 0.007 - 0.15 mg/1 Orthophosphate 0-0.15 mg/1 (2) ------- Physical Parameter Range Chemical Parameter Range Alkalinity 22-172 mg/l as CaCO^ Total solids 38- 285 mg/l Suspended solids 0.4 - 59.6 mg/l Total iron 0.02-2.0 mg/l Total manganese 0-0.05 mg/l Sulfate 1-57 mg/l Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 0.3 - 54 mg/l Organic-N (TKN-NH3) 0.09-0.9 mg/l Inorganic-N (N02+ N03+NH3) 0.025-1.975 mg/l The biological characteristics are given below: Parameter Bacteria Total coliform Fecal coliform Fecal streptococci Macroinvertebrates Groups present clean water forms Stoneflies Mayflies Caddisflies Fishflies Dobsonflies Waterpennies Rifflebeetles 6 species 6 species 8 species 1 species 1 species 2 species 1 species Net-winged midges 1 species Gill-breathing snails 1 species Range 8 - 2900/100 ml 0 - 920/100 ml 0 - 640/100 ml (3) ------- Groups present Clams Damsel flies Dragon flies Midges Craneflies Snipeflies intermediate forms 1 species 3 species 3 species 8 species 1 species 1 species Groups present - pollution tolerant forms Air-breathing snails 2 species Bristle worms 1 family- Ill. Conclusions 1. Nutrient concentrations are not great enough to cause any eutro- phication problems upon impoundment. 2. Population trends are such that the region will remain essentially a minimum habitation area with no industry and only minor population concentrations to modify existing water quality levels. 3. Themal stratifcation will occur in the lake along with deoxygenation of bottom waters by virtue of the geometry (low width to depth ratio), which favors formation of a thermocline during summer months. Operation of the outflow is scheduled to be multi-outlet; hence, there will be^problem insofar as dissolved oxygen content below the dam is concerned. 4. Bacterial content is generally within, or close to, the.values given by NTAC (2) as "desirable" rather than the higher "permissible" (4) ------- levels listed for drinking water standards. Contact recreation will not be effected by the observed bacterial levels. (5) ------- V. Description of the Study Area A. Jackson Watershed The Jackson River rises in the Ridge and Valley physiographic pro- . vince of west-central Virginia in Highland County. The river then flows southwesterly and parallel to Back Creek until its confluence with Back Creek near the town of Bacova, Virginia, in Bath County. The stream then continues to flow south-west to Covington where it turns east to join the Cow pasture River near Clifton Forge, Virginia thus forming the James River. The area is characterized by parallel to sub-parallel, heavily wooded ridges and generally open valleys developed in less resistant, intensely folded sedimentary rock sequences. Relief is moderate, becoming more pronounced in the headwater areas and hillsides are quite steep. The underlying limestones have developed some characteristics of Karst topography with underground openings of modest size. There is little human habitation in the watershed above the impoundment site. How much actual population density for the Highland-Bath County area was given as 6 to 10 people/mi by 1970 census data. In spite of the low population density, the area lies within 200 airline.miles southwest of downtown Washington, D. C. The prime cause of the low population density has been a poor transportation system and periods of inclement winter weather. Movement of people and supplies into and out of the area has been historically to the southwest along river valley, .rather .than across the ridges to the east. (6) ------- Some farm activity is present in the area in the form of scattered sheep operations and a limited amount of crop agriculture is practiced, including those crops raised to furnish food for wildlife in the game management areas. Agriculture such as described in the previous sentence is limited to the fertile bottom lands as the hillsides are relatively un- fertile, as well as being excessively steep for efficient farm crop opera- tions. A total of 6,446 acres of private land are included in the 12,362 acres of land acquired for the project but no actual farm acreage to be included in the project is given in the draft report from the Corps of Engineers. B. Gathright Reservoir The actual damsite location, as shown in Figure 1, is some 43.4 miles above the Jackson-Cowpasture River confluence and lies in a narrow passage through Cole Mountain. This opening, known as Kincaid Gorge, is a fault - controlled breach in limestone and sandstone sequences. This site is ideally located with regard to maximum impoundment with minimum construction, save for one factor. The 257 foot high earth and rock fill structure will create an.impound- ment with 43.5 miles of shoreline. However, the precipitous slopes and the probability of drawn down under normal operating conditions will restrict the direct access areas into the project to the mouth of Hughes Creek and to the Bolar Mountain area near the mouth of Bolar Draft. The overall geometry of the reservoir is similar to western reservoirs, i.e., of limited surface area with a large depth/width ratio and quite deep as compared to the more general/reservoir situation in the eastern United States which is wide and shallow. At the latitudes of Virginia/stream reservoirs contain (7) ------- FIGURE I ------- water/quite warm (in summer). These conditions, and their potential effect upon impoundment water quality will be discussed under "Environ- mental Impacts of Impoundment". A total of 12,362 acres lie within the project area and some 9,832 acres will remain above the projected 1582 foot maximum conservation pool elevation. The principal water sources into the pool are the Jackson River and Back Creek. The long-term characteristics of stream flow in Back Creek and Jackson River, belcw the proposed damsite, are 166 cfs for 20 years of record (Back Creek near Mountain Grove) and 472 cfs for 46 years of record (Jackson River at Falling Spring) as shown in Figure 2. C. The Study Area The river bed in the project area is alternately flat with coarse sand and gravel overlying bedrock outcrops to steeper reaches containing gradients approaching 40 feet/mile. In these steeper areas, little, if any sediment buildup occurs. Stream flow velocities approach 2 feet/second and K2 (re-aeration) values are high. The stream flow vs time plot is extremely variable, a common condition in limestone terrains where soil cover is limited and bedrock porosities preclude large volumes of water being held in storage. The ground water which is present is confined to solution cavities and solution-enlarged joint planes. This condition results in very low flows during the dry summer months with a concommitant rise in water, temperature past the upper survival level threshold for trout. Outlet structures planned for inclusion into the proposed dam will allow a proper temperature/D.O. content of the release water to maintain a cold water fishery area for some 10 miles below the dam. (9) ------- Figure 2 - Long-term flow data and station data James River Basin Jackson River at Falling Spring, Va. Location.—Lat 37°52'36", long 79°58'39". Alleghany County, on right bank 20 ft. upstream from Smith Bridge, 0,8 mile south of town of Falling Spring, 1.6 miles downstream from Falling Spring Creek, and 5.5 miles north of Covington. Drainage Area.-- 411 sq. mi. Period of Record. —April 1925 to current year. Prior to October 1934, published as "at Barber." Gage,-- Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,333.49 ft. above mean seal level (levels by Corps of Engineers). Prior to Oct. 26, 1934. non- recording gage at same site and datum. Average Discharge.—46 years. 472 cfs (15.60 inches per year). James River Basin Back Creek Near Mountain Grove, Va. Location (revised).—Lat 38°04,10", long 79°53'50", Bath County, on left bank 0.3 mile downstream from Cummings Run. 0.8 mile downstream from bridge on State Highway 39, and 2.1 miles south of Mountain Grove. Drainage Area. —134 sq. mi. Period of Record.--October 1951 to current year. Gage.—Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1.701.45 ft. above mean sea level. Average Discharge.--20 years, 166 cfs (16.82 inches per year). Cooperation.—Records computed and furnished by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Economic Development. Division of Water Resources (10) ------- D. Water Supply and Waste Sources The Commonwealth of Virginia classifies the Jackson River and its tributaries above the reservoir site as Class IV A - Public Water Supply. Specific water quality criteria from the Commonwealth of Virginia are given in Appendix A. No industrial or municipal water supply withdrawals from the river occur above the proposed reservoir site, although the towns of Warm Springs and Hot Springs consume approximately 0.2 MGD from ground water sources. Private wells supply small amounts of water to domestic users, but locally may have objectionable levels of iron, sulphur, hardness (3) or corrosiveness. These conditions are a natural result of ground water being invaded by heated water rising from greater depths and appearing at the surface as "hot" or "warm" springs. Only very small discharges of municipal sewage occur above the reser- voir site as shown in Table 1. Population density, a direct reflection of the topography land use and distance from population centers, is very low. The lower portion of the watershed immediately above the damsite (Bath 2 County) has a population density just short of 10 persons/mi . The upper basin (Highland County) has an even lower population density of 6 persons/ 2 mi . These figures, from the 1970 census data, also show a general popu- lation. Pollution, therefore, from municipal or industrial sources is not a factor in pre-impoundment water quality studies of the upper Jackson River-Back Creek Watershed. VI. Study Methods A. Sampling Stations Five sampling stations were chosen in the sampling program as shown in Figure 3. One station was on Back Creek, the second station was on the (11) ------- TABLE 1. Wastewater Discharges in Project Area Jackson River (above dam site) Discharger Bacova Smiths Trailer Park Hot Springs Twin Terrace Motel Warm Springs Sanitary Commission Percent Treatment 60 80 80 35 Cedar Creek (below dam site) Ashwood-Healing Springs Sanitary District Comm. Hot Springs *Facility exceeding design flow. 85 60 Receiving Stream Unnamed tributary Unnamed tributary Rowan Run Warm Springs Run Flow, design MGD 0.060 Flow, actual MGD 0.050 0.020 0.003 0.028 Cascades Creek 0.080 Hot Springs Run 0.150 Total input flow below dam site Total input flow above dam site - 0.101 0.600* 0.680 ------- The lower portion of the watershed immediately above the damsite (Bath County) has a population density just short of 10 persons/mi . The upper basin (Highland County) has an even lower population density of 6 persons/ mi . These figures, from the 1970 census data, also show a general population decline in the area reflecting steady reduction in farm population. Pollution, therefore, from municipal or industrial sources is not a factor in pre-impoundment water quality studies of the upper .Jackson River-Back Creek Watershed. Study Methods A. Sampling Stations Five sampling stations were chosen in the sampling program as shown in Figure 3. One station was on Back Creek, the second station was on the Jackson River above the Back Creek confluence, a third station was located on the Jackson below the Back Creek confluence, but the above the proposed damsite, a fourth station was located on the Jackson below the proposed damsite and below the Cedar Creek confluence and the last station was located on Cedar Creek. Mid-channel samples or samples taken at mid-points of greatest iElow were utilized for sample analyses. A singel sample collected below the water surface was considered sufficient because of the relative homogeneity, clarity width, and shallowness of the streams at the sampling stations chosen in this study. The location of the sampling stations is shown schematically in Figure 3 and the detailed enlargements of the map segments showning station location is given in Figure 4a to 6. A station description for the sample network appears in Appendix B. (13) ------- ------- FIGURE 4a STATION I - JACKSON RIVER NEAR MOUNTAIN GROVE FIGURE 4b STATION 2 - JACKSON RIVER AT BOILING SPRINGS ROD a GUN CLUB NEAR O-ACOH A- ------- STATION 3 - JACKSON RIVER AT KELLY BRIDGE FIGURE 5b STATION 4 - JACKSON RIVER AT NATURAL WELLS FIGURE 5c STATION 5- CEDAR CREEK NEAR.. CALL I SON, VA. ------- FALLING SPRING fSMITt- ibridgS uses GAGESITE^ FIGURE 6 USGS GAGE STATION AT FALLING SPRINGS, VIRGINIA ------- Jackson River above the Back Creek confluence, a third station was located on the Jackson below the Back Creek confluence, but above the proposed damsite, a fourth station was located on the Jackson below the proposed damsite and below the Cedar Creek confluence and the last station was lo- cated on Cedar Creek. Mid-channel samples or samples taken at mid-points of greatest flow were utilized for sample analyses. A single sample collected below the water surface was considered sufficient because of the relative homogeneity, clarity width, and shallowness of the streams at the sampling stations chosen in this study. The location of the sampling stations is shown schematically in Figure 3 and the detailed enlargements of the map segments showing station location is given in Figure 4a to 6. A station description for the sample network appears in Appendix B. B. Sampling Schedule The sampling schedule was initiated on a monthly basis for twelve consecutive months following the initial sample pickup. Some difficulty was encountered in obtaining winter samples because of snow-clogged, im- passable secondary roads in the project area. However, the collection of December and February samples was deemed sufficient to delineate winter water quality conditions., even though the January and March samples proved impossible to obtain. Samples collected on the survey were returned to the Charlottesville Field Lab for processing on the same day as collected. All samples were field fixed or preserved on ice without being analyzed in the field. The (18a) ------- only parameters read in the field were temperature of the water, pH and stream flow where no gages existed. Water chemistry analyses were per- formed according to techniques outlined in Standard Methods (4). Biological and bacteriological samples were collected and processed according to existing recommended techniques. The report and evaluation of each section is given in Section E. (18b) ------- VII. Study Findings A. Previous Studies There are no prior detailed studies exclusively on the Jackson River above Covington, although studies exist for the James River Basin as a whole. Westvaco and the State of Virginia have taken water quality samples above Covington but no samples have been taken for at least the past ten years;hence, a.situation exists where, for all practical purposes, no water quality studies have been made. Because of the remoteness of the area, its lack of development and the terrain in the Jackson River above Covington, we have what is essentially a pollution free river segment which furnishes us a baseline for water quality investigations. B. Project Studies 1971 - 72 Data from the samples collected between July, 1971, and September, 1972, are presented in this section to illustrate the variation in water quality parameters with changing discharge and season. No statistical summation has been attempted because of the very low values encountered for some parameters. These low values have been reported as "less than" a certain value; hence, are not amenable to statistical manipulation. Raw data for the five stations is given in Appendiaes C to G. (19) ------- C. Rainfall and Stream Flow Summaries of the daily rainfall at Hot Springs, Virginia some 10 miles east of the proposed reservoir site can be found in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publication titled "Monthly Summarized Station and Divisional Data". The daily mean stream flow dis- charge for the Jackson watershed gaging stations may be found in the US Geological Survey publications titled "Water Resources Data for Virginia" in the appropriate year. Stream gage station descriptions are given in Figure 2. A comparison of the actual rainfall/stream flow data is given in Table 2. This table indicates a smaller total rainfall amount is needed to increase stream discharge during winter months than is the case in the summer period. Increased runoff during the winter is due to (1) higher soil moisture content (2) likelihood of frozen ground creating temporary imperviousness (3) lack of foliage to intercept part of the rainfall and (4) minimized evapotranspiration. Greater rainfall amounts are needed in the summer months to creat increased runoff for the reverse of the conditions stated above. Although not shown in any direct way, a very large discharge occurred in the Jackson watershed at the end of June 1972. This event was caused by Hurricane Agnes-induced rainfall and caused some temporary modification of water quality and stream biota. Conditions quickly returned to normal and stream conditions were nearly at equilibruim by the termination of sampling in September 1972. (20) ------- Table 2. Antecedent Rainfall and Stream Flow Conditions at USGS Gage (Jackson River at Falling Springs, Va.) Station 4 Rainfall at Hot Springs, Va. Jackson River at Falling Station 4 Rainfall at Hot Springs, Va. Jackson River at Falling Sp: Sample Date Date Amount, In, Springs, Va. Sample Date Date Amount, Inc. Va. Date Flow, Cfs Date F low 7/6/71 194 7/28/72 0.11 7/28/72 368 7/7/71 1. 12 7/7/71 198 7/29/72 1.38 7/29/72 2390 7/8/71 7/8/71 188 7/30/72 1.53 7/30/72 3300 7/31/72 0.22 7/31/72 1970 10/2/71 0,61 10/2/71 258 8/1/72 8/1/72 0.02 8/1/72 1150 10/3/71 0.02 10/3/71 246 10/4/71 223 9/4/72 0. 10 9/4/72 146 10/5/71 0.02 10/5/71 210 9/5/72 0.02 9/5/72 146 10/6/61 10/6/71 196 9/6/72 0.08 9/6/72 147 9/7/72 143 11/15/71 182 9/8/72 9/8/72 135 11/16/71 173 11/17/71 166 11/18/71 11/18/7.1 162 12/6/71 0.06 12/6/71 347 12/7/71 1.11 12/7/71 3110 lt/B/71 0.07 12/8/71 3490 12/9/71 1600 12/10/71 1100 12/11/71 843 12/12/71 658 12/J 3/71 12/13/71 0.03 12/13/71 567 2/20/72 58B 2/21/72 490 2/22/72 518 2/23/72 643 2/24/72 2/24/72 0.53 2/24/72 1150 4/3/72 334 4/4/72 0.07 4/4/72 319 4/5/72 317 4/6/72 4/6/72 291 5/1/72 501 5/2/72 0.30 5/2/72 462 5/3/72 1.30 5/3/72 641 5/4/72 5/4/72 0. 10 5/4/72 1410 (21) (cont'd.) ------- Table 2. (cont'd.) Antecedent Rainfall and Stream Flow Conditions at USGS Gage (Jackson River at Falling Springs, Va.) Station 4 Rainfall at Hot Springs, Va. Jackson River at Falling Station 4 Rainfall at Hot Springs, Va. Jackson River at Falling Springs, Sample Date Date Amount, Inc. Springs, Va. Sample Date Date Amount, Inc. Va. _ ' Date Flow, Cfs : Date . ¦ F^low, CFS 6/4/72 27 5 6/5/72 257 6/0/72 243 6/7/72 0.09 6/7/72 241 6/8/71 6/B/72 228 ------- D. Physical and Chemical Results 1. Temperatures The monthly average temperature maxima and minima for Hot Springs, Virginia, from N3AA records are given in Table 4. The average annual air temperature at this station is 50°F. This station is approximately 10 miles east of the project area but somewhat greater elevation (2200 feet vs. 1400 feet); hence, the temperature extremes at the project site would be slightly differ- ent. Given temperature extremes at Hot Springs from N0AA clima- tological records are shown as 20°F to +99°F (-28°C to +37°C). The observed range in water temperatures for the project site were +3°C to +23°C. The actual maxima and minima for water temperatures during the project were probably about +26°C and 0°C, the latter almost certainly occurring on several days during winter months. A combination of wide temperature variations and erratic stream flows (Section VII C) results in the exclusion of trout from what would otherwise be prime fishing area. The upper temperature limit for trout (LD50) is about 23 to 25°C for 133 hours. However, a physiological threshold lies at about 17.2°C (3) where trout are very sluggish and nearly unable to catch food minnows. Therefore, maintenance of a more stable flow of cooler, well oxy- genated water from an impoundment would greatly enhance the fish- ery potential of the Jackson River some distance downstream from the damsite location. (22) ------- 2. Color and Turbidity Color and turbidity were quite low and, with certain exceptions, well within the desired water quality limits required given by Virginia State Water Quality Standards. Color values ranged from a low of 5 color cobalt units in many samples to singe examples at 20 and 50 color cobalt units. The latter value was recorded during spring runoff in February of 1972 on Cedar Creek which joins the Jackson below the damsite location. Turbidity, a measure of sedimentary and organic colloid particles, ranged from a low of 0.5 to a high of 43. The latter value was observed in the same sample as the high color reading. Color and turbidity were both effected by variation in stream flow with turbidity being, as expected, more dependent upon flow than color. Higher color values in late winter to early spring samples reflect runoff from decaying leaf litter on the surrounding wooded hillsides. 3. pH and Conductivity The observed pH values (field determinations) varied from a low of 6.9 to a high of 8.6 with the majority of the readings- being between 7.0 and 8.0. These values are consistent with water draining land underlain by carbonate rocks and should be slighly higher during summer months under the influence of phytoplantonic photosynthesis. Conductivity, a measure of dissolved mineral content, ranged between 2 a low of 66 to a high of 380 umhos/cm . Values were controlled by flow with low flow periods having the greater conductivity. The conductivity values also increased downstream during the summer months, but remained essentially constant during winter months reflecting more stable flow conditions. (23) ------- 4. Total and Suspended Solids Total solids, a summation of dissolved and suspended solids, remained quite low throughout the sample period. Values ranged between a low of 38 on Back Creek in December, 1971, to a high of 285 mg/1 on Cedar Creek in June of 1972. Observed values fluctuated with stream flow but the correlation was not altogether predictable. Suspended solids, on the other hand, remained quite low during the sample period. Values ranged from a minima or 0.4 mg/l to a high of 59.6 mg/1. Most values fell between 1 and 10 g/l reflecting the general scarcity of suspended sediments being * produced from forest and uncultivated lands in the watershed. 5. Alkalinity and Hardness The desired concentration of alkalinity for drining water supplies is given by NTAC as between 30 and 500 mg/1. Analytical results for the Jackson waters show most values between 50 and 100 mg/1 with a few excursions below the 50 mg/1 threshold and a few values greater than 100mg/l on Cedar Creek. This fair buffering capacity reflects the extensive outcrops of limestone in the area. Most of the hardness observed in the Jackson waters appears to be carbonate hjkardness as shown by the general correlation between alkalinity and hardness values. However, some non-carbonate hardness was noted, especially in samples taken during low flow periods during fall months. Hardness values ranged between a low of 17 mg/1 on Back Creek in April, 1972, to a high of 235 mg/1 for the Sept. 8, 1972, at Cedar Creek. The general range of hardness values fell between 35 and 95 mg/1, which classifies the water as moderately hard during low flow periods and soft during high flows. Non-carbonate hardness appears at all stations during summer low flow periods. (24) ------- 6. Nitrogen and Phosphorous Concentrations of nitrate-nitrite as nitrogen varied from a low of less than 0.014 gm/1 at Station 4 on April 6, 1972, to a high value of 1.970 at Station 2 on August 1, 1972. The general range of values was from 0.1 to 0.4 mg/1. The samples taken on August 1, 1972, indicated greater than normal concentrations of both nitrogen and phosphorous. No specific reason for this increase can be stated with certainty, but the samples were taken during a high runoff period; hence, it is assumed these results are associated with the runoff. Phosphorous concentrations were quite low, mostly in the 0.01 to 0.05 mg/1 range with some samples exceeding the 0.05 mg/1 limit con- sidered allowable for waters entering a lake. Limiting values for pre- 6 venting excess algal growth is given by Maekenthun , on p. 133, as 0.1 mg/1 N and 0.009 Mg/1 P or less while concentrations of phosphorous above 0.05 mg/1 may lead to an uncontrolled algal growth known as a "Bloom". Concentrations of N and P which are less than 0.9 and 0.09, respectively, are less than optimal but necessarily limiting. Phos- phorus, generally present in lower concentrations than nitrogen, is usually the limiting factor in aquatic plant growth. 7. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) The purpose of these two tests is to determine the approximate amount of oxygen demanding organic material present in river water samples. Although tests tests may not include all of the organic compounds avail- able to the biota of the'stream and may also include some substances (25) ------- (principally cellulose) which are not generally available to the biota as an energy source, they are useful in that the results are (1) immediately available, and (2) the tests are not subject to toxic substance effects. The values of TOC ranged from a low of 1 mg/1 at Stations 2, 3 and 4 on July 8, 1971, to a high of 6 mg/1 at Stations 1 and 2 on April 5, 1972, at high flows. These values are well within reasonable limits needed for maintaining a balanced ecology in the stream en- vironment. COD values are seen to be greater, due principally to the heavy forest and grass cover which produces large amounts of cellulose materials. 8. Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand With the exception of the July 8, 1971 sample on Back Creek, the 5 day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5)/dissolved oxygen (D.O.) ratio remained close to a value of 0.15. These ratios, shown in Table 5, may serve as an indicator for general stream conditions with, regard to the health of the stream if monitored over a long term time span for trends. Those streams which are well aerated, contain little pollutant material and are freeflowing, seem to have B0D5/D0 ratios between 0.09 and 0.25. Percent saturation of the dissolved oxygen in the Jackson River waters ranged between 90 and 105 percent. The lower values reflect essentially natural background conditions free from pollutants. No trends were noted because of the near saturation levels for oxygen in water seen at all stations. The lowest O2 value recorded at Station 1 on June 8, 1972, was 8.5 mg/l. This value was still 92% of the satura- te) ------- Table 3 - BOD5/do Ratio for Jackson River Stations above Covington, Virginia Station Number 7/8/71 10/6/71 11/18/71 12/13/71 2/24/72 4/6/72 5/4/72 6/8/72 8/1/72 9/8/72 to 0.511 O.llO 0.096 0.073 0.089 0.103 0.118 0.105 0. 109 0.140 0.106 0.113 0. 127 0.081 0.109 0.103 0.042 0.103 0.137 0.225 0.255 0.073 O.081 0.108 O.114 O.105 0.110 0.097 0.104 0.106 0. 106 0.315 0.109 0.107 0.108 0.108 0.096 0.081 0.073 0.083 0.099 0.093 0.105 0.098 ------- tion value for the altitude (1400 feet) and water temperature (22°C). The highest O2 value recorded, 13.6 mg/1 was probably super-saturated, although 110 water temperature was recorded at the sample site. 9. Iron and Manganese The observed values for iron and manganese ranged from a low of 0.02 mg/1 (Fe) on July 8, 1971, at Stat ion 1, to a high of 2.0 mg/1 on February 24, 1972. Manganese vaJuos varied between zero concentra- tion at several stations on July 8, J971, to a high of 0.05 mg/1 on February 24, 1972. Manganese values varied between zero concentration at several stations on July 8, 1971 > to a high of 0.05 mg/1 at several stations in late 1971. The recommended limits for iron and manganese is given as 0.3 and 0.05 mg/1, respectively (ISTAC). Concentrations of iron and manganese were higher in the Jackson than in Back Creek and Cedar Creek. Such concentration probably reflects particulate material in sediments rather than a true solution value. This is especially true of the well-aerated, alkaline-pH waters of the upper Jackson watershed. The highest concentration levels of iron were associated with the highest discharges but no correlation was seen for manganese. 10. Sulfates Sulfate concentrations were extremely low, many values being less than 10 mg/1. The highest values recorded were 57 mg/1 on October 6 and November 18, 1971, at Station 5. The limit for sulfate concentra- tion in drinking water is given as 250 mg/1; hence, there is no po- tential problem posed by the sulfate concentration in the Jackson River system. (28) ------- E. Biological Results 1. Bacteriological The bacterial analyses indicate minor pollution from animal sources at certain periods of the year (Appendix C thru G). These periods appear to coincide with major flow events during warmer summer months. Coliform populations during winter months decreased to very modest levels. The desired bacterial concentrations for drinking water supplies are given as 100/100 ml for total coliforms and 20/100 ml for fecal streptococci organisms. Concentrations in the project samples ranged from a low of less than 4 total coliform organisms/100 ml in April of 1972 for Stations 2, 3 and 4, to a high of 2900/100 ml at Station 2 on February 24, 1972. Fecal coliforms ranged from a low of zero (no organ- isms cultured) at Stations 3 and 4 in April of 1972, to a high of 640/100 ml at Station 3 in November, 1971. The ratio between fecal and fecal streptococci populations is an indicator of the type of animal responsible for the pollution. A ratio of fecal coliforms to fecal strep organisms greater than 1:1 usually indicates human pollution, while values less than 1:1 usually indicate animal pollution present. Ratios observed during the Gathright project were mixed with decreasing ratios being noted downstream, especial- ly during high flow/runoff periods. Inasmuch as Station 4 is located below a higher than normal wild animal population area (wildlife game management preserve), the decrease in the FC/FS ratio probably can be accounted for in this fashion. . The correspondence concerning the bacteriological results is included <29) ------- in the Appendices. There is a slight amount of human waste being dis- charged into the stream above the impoundment, but the volume is very small in comparison with the total stream flow at the same lo- cation. 2. Macro-invertebrates. The macro-invertebrate population was indicative of very clean water with only six groups of intermediate organisms and two groups of pollution tolerance organisms (Appendix H). Small numbers of in- dividuals but many species is a mark of a heterogeneous, non-stressed environment. The remainder of the species recovered were pollution- sensitive forms which disappear rapidly in the presence of pollution. Quantitative results were not possible at some stations due to rocky bottoms which, although clean water is present, presents a generally unfavorable sub-strata for bottom-dwelling organism development thereby reducing the actual number of organisms present. A second sampling survey, made on October 9, 1972, recovered a smaller number of different species. This decrease is attributed to the scouring and flushing of organisms under the influence of Agnes-induced flood flows. The peak flow, at Station 2, from these hurricane-spawned intense rains was estimated to be approximately 7000 cfs., which is many times greater than the 600 cfs. maximum flow observed during the survey. (30) ------- Table 4 - Chemical & Bacteriological Quality Variations in Jackson River System above Covington, Va. Parameter NTAC* Permissible Criteria NTAC* Desirable Criteria Station 1 Low Hicih Station 2 Low Hiqh Station 3 Low High Station 4 Low High Station 5 Low Hiah Total coliforms 10,000/ioOml lOO/lOOral 8 720 4 2900 24 1800 4 1000 20 1500 Fecal coliforms 2,000/100[nl 20/100ml 1 200 2 920 0 660 0 600 1 480 Fecal Strep Not estab- lished Not estab- lished 2 220 2 300 0 640 0 420 6 510 nh3-n 0.5 0.01 0.005 0.05 0.005 0.22 0.005 0.55 0.005 0. OS 0.005 0 r 32 no3n+no2n 10 Virtually absent 0.043 1.55 0.015 1.970 0.015 1.690 0.014 1. 800 0. 123 1. 100 D.O. 4.0 Near satura- tion 8.5 11.4 9.2 12.3 8.8' 12.4 9.2 12.7 9.5 13.6 BOD Not estab- lished Not e st ab - lished 0.8 4.5 1 1.4 0.8 2.8 1 4 0.8 1.1 Total Solids SOO 200 38 133 84 176 57 167 67 171 172 285 Hardness Not estab- lished 300 17 60 33 114 30 100 26 119 47 '235 Total Phosphorus Not estab- lished Absent 0.01 0.035 0.015 0.145 0.01 0.05 0.007 0.04 0.05 0.15 so4 250 50 1 8 6 ' 18 4.2 16 4 28.3 13 57 Fe 0.3 Virtually absent 0.05 0.27 0.05 O.B 0.05 0.31 0.05 0.7 0.03 2.0 Mn O. 05 Absent 0 0.05 0 0.05 0 0.05 O 0.05 0.02 0.05 COD TOC Not estab- lished II Not estab- lished tt 0.6 2 26 6 1.7 1 11 6 1.6 1 8.6 5 1.3 1 8.6 5 0.3 2 54 5 ~National Technical Advisory Committee, FWCA, April, 1968. (31) ------- Appendix A 1.00 RULES WITH GENERAL STATE-WIDE APPLICATION 1.01 All waters within this State shall at all times be free from all substances attributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other wastes in concentrations or combinations which contravene estab- lished standards or interfere directly or indirectly with bene- ficial uses of such waters; except that limited zones will be permitted for the mixture of treated sewage, treated industrial wastes, and other waste effluents with receiving waters. The boundaries of mixing zones will be determined on a case by case basis. However, these zones shall generally occupy as small an area and length as possible, and shall not prevent free passage of fish or cause fish mortality. 1.02 Stream standards will apply whenever flows are equal to, or greater than, the minimum mean 7-consecutive day drought flow with a 10-year return frequency. 1.03 In lakes and impoundments the temperature of the epilimnion, in those areas where inportant organisms are most likely to be adversely affected, shall not be raised more than 3°F, above that which existed before the addition of heat of artificial origin. The increase is to be based on the monthly average of the maximum daily temperature. Unless a special study shows that a discharge of heated effluent into the hypolimnion (or pumping water from the hypolimnion for discharging back into the same water body) will not produce adverse effects, such practice shall not be approved. Maximum temperatures con- sistent with the standards established for waters immediately (32) ------- above and below the lake or impoundment will be established for these waters. 1.04 Any tributary stream which is not named in a specific section description, or otherwise, shall carry the same classification and standards of quality assigned to the stream or section to which it is tributary. 1.05 In addition to other standards established for the protection of public or municipal water supplies, the following standards will apply at the raw water intake point: Constituent Concentration Physical: Color (color units) 75 Inorganic Chemicals mg/1 Alkalinity 30-500 Arsenic 0.05 Bar ium 1.0 Boron 1*0 Cadmium 0.01 Chloride 250 Chromium, hexavalent 0.05 Copper 1.0 Flouride 1.7 Iron (filterable) 0.3 Lead 0.05 Manganese (filterable) 0.05 Nitrates plus nitrites 10 (as N) Selenium 0.01 (33) ------- Inorganic Chemicals (cont.) Silver Sulfate Total dissolved solids (filterable residue) Uranyl ion Organic Chemicals Carbon chloroform extract (CCE) Cyanide Methylene blue active substances Pesticides: Aldrin Chlordane DDT Dieldrin Endrin Heptachlor Heptachlor epoxide Lindane Methoxychlor Organic phosphates plus Carbamates Toxaphene Herbicides: 2, 4-D plus 2,4,5-T, plus 2, 4,5-TP Phenols mq/1 (cont.) 0.05 250 500 5 ma/l 0.15 0.20 0.5 0.017 0.003 0.042 0.017 0.001 0.018 0.018 0.056 0.035 0.1 0.005 0.1 0.001 (34) ------- Radioactivity: Gross beta Radium-226 Strontium-90 pc/1 1,000 3 10 (35) ------- 2.00 RULES WITH SPECIFIC APPLICATION BASED ON CLIMATE, GEOGRAPHICAL AREA. OR USES 2.01 Primary Classification of Waters Within the State MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL AREA CLASS or OTHER DESCRIPTION of WATERS DISSOLVED OXYGEN mg/1 Minimum Daily Average pH TEMPERATURE F Rise above Maximum Natural IV Mountainous Zone 4.0 5.0 6.0-8.5 87 UJ ------- 2.02 Subclasses to Complement Major Water Class Designations Subclass A Waters generally satisfactory for use as public or municipal water supply, secondary contact recreation, propagation of fish and aquatic life, and other beneficial uses. Coliform Organisms - Fecal coliforms (multiple-tube fermentation or MF count) not to exceed a log mean of 1000/100 ml. Not to equal or exceed 2000/100 ml. in more than 10% of samples. Monthly average value not more than 5000/100 ml. (MPN or MF count). Not more than 5000 MPN/100 ml. in more than 20% of samples in any month. Not more than 20,000/100 ml. in more than 5% of such samples. (37) ------- Appendix B Sample Station Descriptions Station Station Description RMI Latitude Longitude Number 1 Back Creek at Virginia State 5.7 N38°04'48" W79o53'50" Highway 39 bridge near Mt. Grove, Virginia Jackson River at Boiling Springs 397.0 N38°02,39" W79°52'48" Rod and Gun Club private bridge near Bacova, Virginia Jackson River at Allegheny (Va.) 386.7 N37°57'10" W79057'57" County Route 600 bridge (Kelly Bridge) near Allegheny- Bath County line Jackson River at Allegheny (Va.) 380.1 N37°55l03" W79°58'05" County 638 bridge at Natural Wells, Va. Cedar Creek at Allegheny (Va.) 2.3 N37O58'05" W79°55l10" County Route 605 bridge near Callison, Va. (38) ------- Appendix C Water Quality Data Summary Gathright Reservoir Project 1971 - 1972 . Station 1 - Back Creek near Mt. Grove, Va. 1971 1971 1971 1971 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 Date 7/8 10/6 11/18 12/13 2/24 4/6 5/4 6/8 8/1 9/8 T ime 1420 1145 1045 1240 1150 1210 0730 1440 1115 ¦ 1220 Tw°C 23 16 - 8 - - 11 22 18 20 Total colif. 92 TNTC* e 56 40 e 32 8 720 48 290 90 Fee.colif. - e 26** e 4 40 1 2 200 27 56 8 Fecal Strep. 220 180 280 e 13 e 4 2 95 42 44 36 FC/FS Ratio - 0.14 0.014 3.08 0.25 1:1 2. 10 0.64 1.27 0.22 Field pH 8.2 7.3 8.3 7.5 7.0 7.4 6.9 7.7 . 7.4 8.0 Alkalinity 50 48 43 36 22 33 26 49 27 51 Conductivity 110 81 93 66 - - - - - - Color _ 5 5 5 5 _ .. Turbidity 1.4 1 0.7 3 . 3 - - - 6 0.5 D.O. (field) 8. 8 9. 1 . 11.4 10.9 11.2 10.8 9.7 8.5 9.5 9.2 bod5 4.5 1 1.1 + 0.8 1 _ 1 1 1 1 TOC 2 2 2 3 - - 6 3 - - COD 1. 14 0.6 3.9 4 - 1.6 26 6.7 2.2 13 Solids - - 49 38 73 107 112 133 81 95 Sus.Sol. 9.5 1 7.2 0.8 2.4 1 7.5 2.0 8.4 1.2 Hardness 57 48 43 26 21 ' 17 44 37 18 60 Phos. 0.02 0.02 0.010 0.02 0.020 0.02 0.013 0.013 0.035 0.01 Ortho.Phos. O 0.02 0.003 0.007 0.006 0.01 0.022 0.005 0.035 0.01 TKN 0.01 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.93 0.04 0.04 0.04 NH3-N 0.01 0.01 O.Ol 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.005 O.OO; NO3-N 0.1 0.04 0.04 0.35 ' 0. 165 0.05 0. 195 O. 145 1.547 0.14: NO2-N 0.01 0.003 0.005 0.006 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.005 0.003 O.OO: SO4 5 7 6 7 6 8 8 4 1 8 F c 0.02 0. 1 0.1 0.2 0. 17 0.05 0.10 0. 10 0. 27 0.05 Mn O 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Flow)cf s 40 42 35 178 346 77 590 44 316 44 Lab analyses at Charlottesville, Va. Project Officer: Melvin + 6-day BOD value * indicates plate overgrown with colonies merging ** estimated count; less than 20 counts per plate (34) ------- Appendix J5 Water Quality Data Summary Gathright Reservoir Project 1971 - 1972 Station 2 - Jackson River near Bacova, Va. 1971 1971 1971 1971 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 Date 7/8 10/6 11/18 12/13 2/24 4/6 5/4 6/8 8/1 9/8 Time 1420 1145 1045 1240 1150 1210 0730 1440 1115 1220 Tw°C 23 16 - 8 _ - 11 22 18 20 Total Colif. 92 TNTC* e 56 40 e 32 8 720 48 290 90 Fee. Co 1 i f.. - e 26 3 4 40 1 2 200 27 56 8 Fecal Strep. 220 180 280 e 13 e 4 2 95 42 44 36 FC/FS Ratio > - O. 192 0.13 0.947 2.83 1: 1' 3.07 0.45 0. 526 O. 408 Field pH 8.3 7.6 8.0 7.9 7.4 8.2 7.4 7.9 7.4 8. 1 Alkalinity 86 92 86 73 54 74 47 90 68 91 Conductivi ty 180 160 ' 180 140 - - - - - - Color _ 5 10 10 20 - - - - - Turbidity 3.1 2 1.4 5 13 - - - 8 1.2 D.O.(field) 9.3 9.4 11.5 11.0 12.3 11.8 . 9.2 9.7 9.3 9.7 bod5 1.3 1 1.3 + 1.4 1 - - 1 1 1 TOC 1 2 3 3 - - 6 4 - - COD 5.0 1.7 4.4 5 - 2.8 10 4.5 4. 1 11 Solids - - 110 84 130 160 172 176 137 140 Sus.Sol. 12.5 1 7.2 2.8 19.2 1 30 1.6 14.4 3.6 Hardness 103 95 79 50 44 40 33 47 36 114 Phos. 0.02 0.02 0.017 0.04 0.033 0.O2 0.050 0.023 0. 145 0.015 Ortho Phos O.Ol O.Ol 0.001 0.03 0.018 0.01 0.042 0.005 0.042 0.01 TKN 0.01 0.28 0.04 0.04 0.04 0. 83 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 nh3-n 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.22 0.04 0.10 0.04 0.005 0.005 NO3-N 0. 1 0.08 0.02 0.41 0.246 0.01 0. 194 0. 160 1.966 O. 150 N02-N 0.01 0.003 0.005 0.006 0.004 0.005 0.006 0.005 0.004 0.001 SO4 16 9 15 9 8 12 11 11 6 18 Fe 0.07 O. 1 0. 1 0.2 0.80 0.08 0.20 0. 14 0.37 0.05 Mn 0 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Flow(cfs) 46 51 29 200 340 92 600 62 305 45 Lab analyses at Charlottesvilie, Va. Project Officer: Melvin + 6 day BOD value * indicates plate overgrown with colonies merging ** estimated count; less than 20 counts per plate (40) ------- Appendix E Water Quality Data Summary Gathright Reservoir Project 1971 - 1972 Station 3 - Jackson 1 River at Kelly Bridge 1971 1971 1971 1971 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 Date 7/8 10/6 11/18 12/13 2/24 4/6 5/4 6/8 8/1 . 9/8 Time 1245 1015 0900 1115 1015 1050 0850 1000 1000 1100 TW°C 23 16 - 8 3 - 13 17 17 18 Total Colif. 24 TNTC* e 170 130 308 4 1800 52 970 140 Fec.Colif. - e 36** e 4 38 27 0 660 8 IOO 18 Fecal Strep 130 160 640 44 e 8 0 410 12 140 90 FC/FS Ratio - 0.225 0.006 0.863 3.37 - 1.609 0.67 0.714 0.20 Field pH 8.1 7.8 7.8 7.7 7.2 7.6 7.3 8.0 7.4 8.0 Alkalinity 74 77 73 56 40 58 42 76 47 83 Conductivity 160 150 160 105 - - - - - - Color 5 5 8 5 - - - - - Turbidity 1.8 2 1.0 4 4 - - - 7 1.0 D.O.(field) 9.5 8.9 11.0 11.0 12.4 10.9 9.3 8.8 9.5 9. 1 0. 137 0.225 0.255 0.073 0.081 - 0.108 0. 114 0. 105 0.110 bod5 1.3 2 2.8 + 0.8 1 - 1 1 1 1 TOC 1 2 2 2 - - 5 5 - - COD 3.5 1.7 4.2 6 - 1.6 7.4 1.9 8.6 2. 1 Solids _ - 90 56 119 120 167 157 126 114 Sus.Sol. 11.5 1 13 1.2 1.2 1 21.5 2.4 13.6 1.2 Hardness 86 96 70 36 32 30 31 74 27 100 Phos. 0.01 0.01 0.010 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.025 0.025 0.01 Ortho Phos. 0 0.01 0.001 0.04 0.01 0,01 0.022 . 0.005 0.020 0.01 TKN 0.01 0.39 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.52 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 nh3 -n O.Ol O.Ol 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.55 0.04 0.005 0.005 NO3-N 0.1 0.03 0.01 0.38 0.175!' 0.01 0. 143 0. 103 1.687 0. 110 no2~n 0.01 0.003 0.005 0.006- 0.003 0.005 0.007 0.005 0.003 0.002 SO4 9.6 10 12 8 8 11 8 8 4.2 16 Fe 0.05 0. 1 0. 1 0.2 0.31 0.07 0.14 0.11 0.29 0.05 Mn 0 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Flow(cfs) Lab analyses at Charlottesville, Va. Project Officer: Melvin + 6 day BOD value * indicates plate overgrown with colonies merging ** estimated count; less than 20 counts per plate (41) ------- Appendix F Water Quality Data Summary Gathright Reservoir Project 1971 - 1972 Station 4 - Jackson River at Natural Wells, Va. 1971 1971 1971 1971 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 Date 7/8 10/16 11/18 12/13 2/24 4/6 5/4 6/8 8/1 9/8 Time 1200 0950 0845 1050 0945 1020 0930 0900 0940 0845 Tw°C 23 17 - 8 3 - 14 17 17 18 Total Colif. 40 TNTC* e 200 100 360 4 1000 76 830 130 Fee. Colif. - e 30** 34 e 19 e 14 0 600 38 150 18 Fecal Strep. 160 240 40 e 35 3 14 0 420 8 150 98 FC/FS Ratio _ O. 125 0.85 0.54 1: 1 - 1.43 4.75 1: 1 0. 183 Field pH 8.3 6.9 7.9 7.7 7. 1 7.8 7.4 8.0 7.6 8.1 Alkalinity 85 71 82 50 43 64 44" 84 49 93 Conductivity 220 160 180 110 - - - - - - Color - 5 10 7 5 - - - - - Turbidity 3.3 2 1.4 4 5 - - - 8 1.2 D.O(field) 10. 3 9.6 11.3 11.3 12.7 12.2 9.2 9.4 9.3 9.3 bod5 1.0 1 1.2 + 1.2 4 - 1 1 1 1 TOC 1 2 2 3 - - 3 5 - - COD 4.3 2.3 2.8 6 - 2.0 8.5 8.6 4.5 1.3 Solids - - 100 67 105 126 169 171 126 138 Sus.So 1. 13.0 1 6.0 1.2 1.2 1 17 0.4 12.8 2. 8 Hardness 42 96 81 42 35 35 37 74 26 119 Phos. 0.02 O.Ol 0.007 0.02 0.020 0.02 O. 025 0.023 0,04 0.01 Ortho Phos. 0.01 0.01 0.003 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.025 0.005 0.030 0.01 TKN 0.0L 0. 11 O. 04 0.04 0.04 0.40 0. 04 0.04 0.04 0.04 nh3-n O.Ol 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.005 0.006 NO3-N 0.1 0.04 0.02 0.37 0.220 0.01 0. 105 0. 103 1. 797 0. 100 N02"n 0.01 0.003 0.005 O.002 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.005 0.003 0.001 S04 28.3 15 15 8 14 12 11 8 4 19 Fe 0.05 0. 1 0. 1 0.2 0,3 0.7 0. 13 0.09 0.46 0.05 Mn 0 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Flow(cfs) 176 184 151 533 667 272 1291 215 1115 137 Lab analyses at Charlottesville, Va. Project Officer: Melvin + 6 day BOD value * indicates plate overgrown with colonies merging ** estimated count; less than 20 counts per plate (42) ------- Appendix G Water Duality Data Summary Gathright Reservoir Project 1971 - 1972 Station 5 - Cedar Creek near Callison, Va. 1971 1971 1971 1971 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 Date 7/8 10/6 11/18 12/13 2/24 4/6 5/4 • 6/8 8/1 9/8 Time - 1305 1130 0930 1250 0930 1010 1250 0845 1010 Tw°C - 17 - 9 - - 13 18 15 10 Total Colif. TNTC* e 120** 360 1300 20 1500 88 1500 720 Fee.Colif. e 14 e 1 31 TNTC 8 480 17 110 130 Fecal Strep - 130 58 e 39 360 6 510 38 170 34 FC/FS Ratio - 0.107 0.017 0. 794 _ 1.33 0.941 0.447 0.647 3.82 Field pH - 8.2 8.6 8.2 7.6 8.2 7.8 8.5 8. 1 8.4 Alkalinity - 150 150 128 58 134 61 157 97 173 Conductivity - 320 380 240 - - - - - - Color - 5 5 6 50 - _ - _ - Turbidity - 2 1.1 3 43 - - - - 9 1.4 D.O. (field) - 10.4 13.6 11.0 12. 1 12.4 10.1 10.7 9.5 10.2 bod5 - 1 1. 1 + 0.8 1 - 1 1 1 1 TOC - 2 5 3 - - 4 4 - - COD - 0.3 8.0 4 - 1.6 8. 1 54 3.0 3. 1 Solids - - 220 172 202 247 198 285 193 284 Sus.Sol. - 2 7.2 3.6 59.6 2 18 2.4 20.6 2.8 Hardness - 180 190 100 52 81 49 158 47 235 Phos. - 0. 15 0. 120 0. 11 0.07 0.08 0.050 0.105 0.07 0. 130 Ortho Phos. - 0. 15 0. 110 0.09 0.032 0.06 0.050 0. 103 0.070 0. 130 TKN - 0.62 0.04 0.22 0.04 0.68 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 NH3-N" - O.Ol 0.01 0.01 0. 12 0.04 0.32 0.04 0.005 0. 104 N03-N - 0. 12 0.21 0.53 0.210 0.24 0.347 0.328 1.097 0.3OO no2-n - 0.003 0.005 0.002 0.012 0.004 0.007 0.005 0.003 0.001 SO4 - 57 57 34 13 43 19 38 17 17 Fe - O. 1 0. 1 0.2 2.0 0.06 . 0.18 0.03 0.28 0.05 Mn - 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Flow(cfs) - 15.3 12.0 44.6 104.2 24.8 137.4 10.3 85.5 8.0 Lab analyses at Charlottesville, Virginia Project Officer: Melvin + 6 day BOD * indicates plate overgrown with colonies merging ~~estimated count; less than 20 counts per plate (43) ------- APPENDIX H PRELIMINARY BIOLOGICAL SYNOPSIS OF THE GATHRIGHT PREIMPOUNDMENT STUDIES OF NOVEMBER 11, 1971, and OCTOBER 9, 1972 Station #1 - This station was located on Back Creek at the Virginia Route 39 Bridge, west of Warm Springs, Virginia. This station was originally sampled on November 11, 1971, and high water quality was indicated by twenty genera of bottom organisms. Clean water associated forms consisted of stoneflies (3 genera), mayflies (3 genera), caddisflies (5 genera) riffle beetles (2 genera) and a gill breathing snail. There were 139 bottom organisms per square foot dominated by the following groups: midge larvae (41), mayflies (31), caddisflies (28), and riffle beetles (19). Station #2 - This station was located on the Jackson River upstream from Back Creek at the U.S.G.S. Staff Gage. The water was very clear and fish, including trout and suckers, were observed. High water quality was indicated by the sixteen genera of bottom organisms which included such clean water associ- ated forms as stoneflies, mayflies (3 genera) caddisflies (3 genera), hellgrammites, and riffle beetles. The square foot sample was only 32 organisms per square foot, but this is believed to be mainly due to the substrate which wasprimarily bedrock and the small amount of vegetation which did not allow a large population to develop at this station. The quantitative sample was dominated by caddisflies (19) and may- flies (4). Station #4 - This station was located on the Jackson River downstream at Kelly Bridge. The water was quite clear and numerous minnows were observed. Sun- fish, darters (related to yellow perch and walleyes) and tadpoles were also present. Elodea was the dominant aquatic vegetation. Very high water quality was indicated by the 29 genera which included such clean water associated forms as stoneflies (2), mayflies (3), caddisflies (5), fishflies, hellgrammites, and riffle beetles (3). (45) ------- There were 361 organisms in the square foot sample which were dom- inated by caddisflies (102), air breathing snails (74) riffle beetles (50), mayflies (45), and midges (45). Station #5 - This station was located on Cedar Creek, a tributary to the Jackson River. The water at this station was extremely clear and numerous minnows were observed. In addition, smallmouth bass and sunfish were present. High water quality was indicated by the twenty-three genera of bottom organisms which included clean water associated stoneflies (2 genera), mayflies (4 genera), caddisflies (3 genera), fishflies, and riffle beetles (3 genera). The square foot sample contained 1,143 bottom organisms. The dominant forms were caddisflies (436), mayflies (204), craneflies (179), midge larvae (176), and riffle beetles, (108). An indication of the high water quality was the presence of 19 stoneflies, a very unusu- ally high number for this very sensitive form. (46) ------- REFERENCES Gathright Lake Design Memorandum No. 14 Public Use Plan and Master Plan U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Norfolk District, Va.) Water Quality Criteria, Report of The National Technical Advisory Committee, FWPCA, April, 1968 Water Supply and Water Quality Control Study - James River Basin, Virginia, Dept. HEW, PHS Region III, Charlottesville, Va., 1965 Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater APHA 13th ed. Industrial Waste Guide on Thermal Pollution USDI, FWPCA Northwest Region Pacific Northwest Water Lab, Corvallis, Ore., Sept. 1968 MacKenthum, Kenneth M & W. M. Ingram, Biological Associated Problems in Freshwater Environments, FWPCA, 1967, 287 p. (47) ------- 1140 River Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 OPttfipttL POflM NQk tt MAT I t«i XZMTKN Q8A WPMft (« cm) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Memorandum Charlottesville Field Office to : Norman Melvin date: September 27, 1972 from : A1 Bouldln Charlottesville Field Office subject: Gathright Pre-inrpouudmeirt Study - Bacterial Assessment The water quality in the Gathright Pre-impcundment area, from a bacteriological point of view, is quite good. At most of the stations in most of the sampling periods, the water easily meets Virginia State Water Quality Standards for water supply and primary contact recreation. The only time when fecal colifonn counts were a little elevated was at the May sampling. This might easily "be attributed to increased spring run-off. Weather reports should he checked to confirm this. The only source of pollution suggested by most of the accumulated data is animal in nature, which could be expected by a visual survey of the area. This is supported by the fecal eolifocrm/fecal strep- tococcus ratio (FC/FS) at the stations. This ratio is most reliable when the fecal collfoxa and fecal strep counts are attributable to a pollution source not more than 24 hours flow upstream from the sampling location. This time period may not be definitely established for the prescribed sampling locations, nevertheless, the ratios still should be indicative of animal pollution primarily. It does not appear than an impoundment would have an adverse effect on the water quality of this area. There does not appear to be any definite continuous source of pollution emptying into this watershed that would cause elevated counts if contained. As long as there are no human sources of pollution discharging into the impoundment, the water quality should remain acceptable for primary contact recreation, water supply, etc. One suggestion far the filling period would be monitoring for fecal coliform and fecal strep counts during periods of elevated run-off, especially if there are to be beach and primary contact areas in the impoundment. ' \A1 Bouldin Attachments (48) Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan ------- Sheet 1 of 3 GATHRIGHT PREIMPOUNDMENT BIOLOGICAL STUDY 11-17-71 Station Stoneflies Acroneuria sp. Arcynopteryx sp. Isoperla sp. Neooerla sp. Paragnetlna sp. Pteronarcvs sp. Mayflies Caenia sp. Etthemeralla sp. Heptagenda sp. Iron sp. Isonvchla sp. Stenonema sp. Caddisflles Brachycentrus sp. Chlmarra sp. Helloopsyche sp. Hydropsvche sp. Neophvlax sp. Polycentroras sp. Ritraoorihila sp. Fishflies Chaullodes sp. Dobsonflies Corydalue sp. Illffle Beetles Eotopria sp. Psepherius sp. Stenelmis sp. 12 4 5 Intolerant or Pollution Sensitive Organisms (to decomposable organic wastes) 2 3 17 5 9 17 7 x z 4 2 1 x 10 9 1 x 8 24 13 5 1 3 33 13 6 1 2 1 24 26 15 4 x 1 89 12 102 1 75 1 71 36 ------- Sheet 2 of 3 Station 12 4 5 Intolerant or Pollution Sensitive Organisms (to decomposable organic wastes) Gill Breathing Snails Vlviparue sp. 1 Midges Brillia sp. 34 20 Dlamesa sp. 31 117 Metrlocnemus sp. - - - 5 Micropsectra sp. - - 9 - Pseudochironomus sp. - - - 16 Subtotal (per sq. ft.) 118 20 191 568 Subtotal Kinds (genera) 15 9 17 17 Facultative or Intermediate Organisms (to decomposable wastes) Fingernail Clams Sphaerium sp. -12- Caddisflies Cheumatonsvche sp. - 8 60 360 Net-Winged Midges Blerharocera sp. 8 - 9 - Damselflies Agrlon sp. x Argia sp. 1 - 1 - Chrcanagnlon sp. x x Dragonflies Baslaeschna sp. x Onamoecantihus sp, - - 1 Orthemis sp. x ------- Sheet 3 of 3 Station 12 4 5 Facultative or Intermediate Organisms (to decomposable wastes) Midges Hydrobaeninae Procladiua Bp. Craneflies Antocha sp. Snipeflies Atherix en. Airbreathing Snails Goniobasls sp. Spirodon sp. Subtotal (per sq. ft.) Subtotal Kinds (genera) 19 4 1 12 7 15 69 165 11 18 179 17 mm 575 6 Bloodworms Chlroncmufi sp. Bristleworms Lumbriculidae Pollution Tolerant Organisms (to decomposable organic wastes) Subtotal (per sq. ft.) 2 Subtotal Kinds (genera) 1 Grand Total (per sq. ft.) 139 No. of Kinds 20 32 16 5 1 361 29 1,143 23 ------- Sheet 1 of 4 TABLE I Gathright Preimpoundment Biological Study - October 9, 1972 Intolerant or Pollution Sensitive Organisms (to decomposable organic wastes) Station 1 2 4 5 Stoneflies Neophasganophora sp. x Mayflies Amelet.us sp. 2 Baetis sp. 4 Caenis sp. 3 Ephemera sp. 2 Eohernerella sp. 1 Siphlomrrus sp. 2 Siuhloplecton sp. 1 Stenonema sp. 4 x 8 11 Caddisflies Brachycenturus sp. x x Hydropsyche sp. 5 7 39 Diplectrona sp. 6 Neotrichia sp. x Parasvche sp. 1 Phylocentropus sp. 1 Ps.vchomia sp. 3 Rhyacophila sp. x Coeridae x Limnephilidae x Riffle Beetles Narpus sp. 9 ]_]_ Psephenus sp. x 2 4 Phanocerus sp. x Stenelmis sp. x 1 ------- Sheet. 2 of 4 TABLE I Station 12 4-5 Aquatic Beetles Ochthebius s p. x Fishflies Chauliodes sp. 2 Gillbreathing Snail Valvata sp. x Subtotal (per square foot) 11 - 40 78 Subtotal Kinds (Genera) 7 3 12 12 Facultative or Intermediate Organisms (to decomposable organic wastes) Caddi sflies Cheumatopsyche sp. 6 38 Dragonflies Basiaeschna sp. x Eoicordulia sp. x Gonipiius sp. x Ladona sp. x Damselflies Aprion sp. x Enallagma sp. x Leaf Beetles Galerucella sp. x Midges Prccladius sp. 1 ------- Sheet 3 of 4 TABLE I Station 12 4 5 Craneflies Tipulidae 1 Aritocha sp. 3 Snipeflies Atherix sp. Gillbreathing Snail Pleurocera sp. x x 8 Pleurocerca acuta x 5 Crayfish Cambarus sp. x Flatworms Dugesia sp. 1 Planaria sp. x. Subtotal (per square foot) - - 13 50 Subtotal Kinds (Genera) 1 2 12 4 Pollution Tolerant Organisms (to decomposable organic wastes) Waterscavenger Beetles Berosus sp. 1 Whirligig Beetles Oyrinus sp, x Sludgeworms Tubifex sp. 23 ------- Station Airoreathinft Snails Heli osoma sp. TABLE I. 2 SUBTOTAL (Per square foot) SUBTOTAL KINDS (Genera) 24 4 Sheet 4 of 4 GRAND TOTAL (tier square foot) 11 NO. OF KINDS " 8 77 28 128 16 x = Present but not collected in quantitative sample ------- GATHRIGHT FREmPOUNDbENT SURVEY - OCTOBER 9, 1972 TABLE II - Breakdown of Benthic Organisms by percentage into Tolerant, Facultative (Intermediate) and Intolerant (Sensitive) categories based on the tolerance of various macroinvertebrate taxa to decomposable organic v/astes. Station Tolerant Facultative Intolerant n - - 100# #2 - K0% 60 % #4 3l£ Y?% 52% #5 - 39% 61% ------- |