Upper Rocky River Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan

Quickfacts: 

  • Develop a comprehensive watershed planning effort for the Rocky River Headwaters subwatershed through a WAP and EPA 9-key element watershed plan to identify critical/impaired areas for project implementation and land conservation/preservation.
  • Prioritize project implementation areas, especially as related to drinking water protection and Cape Fear shiner habitat protection and improvement.
  • Create a dynamic online WAP that allows public participation and contributions.
  • Work with our local project partners with water quality assessment and project implementation.

January 2025-June 2025

This 18-month project, which started in January 2024, and aims to finish in June of 2025, will develop a Watershed Action Plan and EPA 9-key element plan for the Rocky River headwaters. It will align with other watershed planning efforts in the upper Rocky River subwatersheds. The project aims to improve water quality and habitat, ultimately removing downstream waters and reservoirs from the impaired waters list and enhancing Cape Fear shiner habitat by reducing pollutant loading. Technical studies will identify areas for targeted conservation funding, focusing on BMP implementation, floodplain and wetland protection, and aquatic and riparian habitat preservation. Local partners will collaborate on this effort, addressing water quality concerns linked to industrial and urban development in the region.

Outputs will include a comprehensive watershed plan for the Rocky River Headwaters, identifying impaired areas for project implementation and land conservation; prioritization of areas for drinking water and Cape Fear shiner habitat protection; creation of an interactive online WAP for public input; and collaboration with local partners on water quality assessments and project execution.

Location: 

Headwaters Rocky River,  Cape Fear River Basin, Randolph (Liberty, Staley), Chatham and Alamance counties

Partners:

  • Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC)
  • The Conservation Fund (TCF)
  • Biocenosis, LLC
  • Randolph Co Soil and Water Conservation District

Funding:  $75,000

  • NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Resources, Section 205j Water Quality Planning Grant
  • Matching funds: awarded to The Conservation Fund via the NC Land & Water Trust Fund