The Association has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) to conduct the upstream and downstream monitoring required by its members' NPDES permits. Instream monitoring required under this MOA began in July 1998 and will continue indefinitely. The monitoring program required by the MOA for the Middle Cape Fear River includes 25 stations, which were established by the NCDWQ to monitor water quality near point source discharges. Water quality samples are analyzed on a regular basis for a range of parameters, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, total phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, TKN, and a range of metals.

The cost of conducting the required sampling under the MOA was $54,036 during Fiscal Year 1999. The FY 2000 monitoring program cost is $57,038.

In addition to the MOA sampling program, the MCFRBA has established five other water quality sampling stations at strategic locations in the Middle Cape Fear River Basin. The purpose of these stations is to gather water quality data that is more comprehensive in nature, and that increases understanding of non-point source contributions to water quality conditions. Sampling frequencies and parametric coverage for those 5 stations is similar to that for the 25 stations covered under the MOA.

The cost of conducting the additional comprehensive sampling was $7,722 in FY 1999. The FY 2000 monitoring cost is $8,151. The Cape Fear River Assembly provides the funding support for all water quality monitoring at the MCFRBA's 5 comprehensive sampling stations.

All water quality monitoring data collected under the MCFRBA's program is made available to all MCFRBA members, the NCDWQ, and the Cape Fear River Assembly in a standard spreadsheet format, and in an electronic format. Aqua Tech Environmental Laboratories conducts all of the MCFRBA's ambient water quality sampling and analytical services.

The MCFRBA's water quality sampling station locations are generally shown on this map. A summary of the location, sampling frequency, and monitoring parameters for each station can be viewed by simply clicking on the site locations (red dot) on the map.

Clean Metals Investigation

The MCFRBA has initiated a Clean Metals Analysis project to compare the results of traditional metals analysis techniques with the results of metals analyses using newly developing "clean" metals analytical techniques. The project will also be important in more accurately quantifying metals concentrations. Metals samples taken at 5 different sites are split for analysis by two different laboratories. The results of this special one year investigation will be summarized in a report to be issued later this year.

Funding for this project has been provided by the Cape Fear River Assembly using funds from the Assembly's $1.5 million appropriation by the State.

Study of the Influence of Lock and Dam Structures on Water Quality

With funding support from the Cape Fear River Assembly, the MCFRBA has contracted for a study of the influence of the Lock and Dam system on water quality in the Cape Fear River. The overall goal of the project is to assess the impact that each lock and dam has on downstream river water quality as a function of the seasonal hydraulic residence time. This project will provide accurate data for inclusion in future water quality modeling efforts relating to the Cape Fear River.

The project research team will conduct extensive investigations concerning phytoplankton primary production and standing crop (chlorophyll a), nutrient concentrations upstream of each lock and dam. They will also assess the amount and storage rate of nutrients and metals in sediments, and relate current nutrient and metal water column concentrations to recent sediment storage rates. This information will be used to develop a nutrient gradient model for the Cape Fear River.

Continuous Monitoring Station

With funding support from the Cape Fear River Assembly and the U.S. Geological Survey, the MCFRBA is proceeding to install, operate and maintain a continuous water quality monitoring station at Lock and Dam #3 on the Cape Fear River. The station will monitor for dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, temperature, and turbidity. A flow gage already exists at this site. This project will allow the evaluation of water quality data during base flow conditions, storm events and other conditions, including spill events.

Data for this station is available real-time via the USGS website. To view this information, click here.

The USGS provided $18,000 of cost-share assistance for installation of the station. The Cape Fear River Assembly provided a total of $68,000 of funding support for the remaining capital costs ($18,000), and for two years of station operation and maintenance expenses.

Adopt-A-Watershed Teacher Training Program

The Cape Fear River Assembly has approved a $2,000 grant to support the Fayetteville Watershed Action Team's (WAT) efforts to promote the Adopt-A-Watershed program through teacher training. The WAT will conduct the teacher training workshop in April, 2000. Fayetteville PWC and Intercoastal Diving are also providing funding and in-kind support for this project.

To request additional information about the monitoring and research projects of the Middle Cape Fear River Basin Association or to offer comments and suggestions, you may email Chad Ham.

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