Land Use Plan – 2002 - Stanly County, North Carolina

STANLY COUNTY
Flood-prone areas typically follow the major creeks, rivers, and reservoirs of Stanly County. In
western Stanly County the larger creeks that have flood hazard areas include Rock Hole Creek,
Island Creek, Pole Bridge Creek, Running Creek, Little Creek, and Big Bear Creek. In the
central part of the county the flood hazard areas include Long Creek, Town Creek, Little Long
Creek, and Mountain Creek. In the eastern area the flood hazard areas are adjacent to Narrows
Reservoir, the Yadkin River, the Pee Dee River, and Tillery Reservoir. The Rocky River along
the southern portion of the County also has flood hazard areas along it as well.
Stanly County has created a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance in order to limit potential
damage and injury from flooding. Within the ordinance limitations are set on building in flood
areas along with requiring a Development Permit in all special flood hazard areas (Stanly
County, 2000).
When new development occurs in the county there is the increased potential for flooding.
Development increases the amount of impervious surface in the form of roadways, sidewalks,
parking areas, thus increasing the volume and rate of surface water runoff. As the county
develops, measures will need to be considered to mitigate the potential for flooding.
Watershed Management Areas
Steep Slopes
Stanly County has two watershed protection areas within its boundaries. These areas are
protected by the Stanly County Watershed Protection Ordinance and contain both Critical and
Protected Areas. Certain land uses are prohibited within the Critical areas because of their
potential for contamination of drinking water in the Yadkin-Pee Dee basin. Critical areas in the
northeast follow the Yadkin and Pee Dee Rivers and extend 500 feet from the center of the river.
The Protected areas extend further out from the Critical areas. From the Pee Dee River in the
east the Protected area extends to the eastern part of Albemarle. And in the north the Protected
area covers the Town of Richfield and the northern part of New London.
The topography of Stanly County consists of gently rolling hills giving way to the Uwharrie
Mountains in the eastern third of the county. Areas with steep slopes are more difficult to farm
and develop for more-intensive activities such as residential development, and the construction
of commercial and industrial areas. Soil types also can affect what land uses can be
accommodated in an area. A slope analysis using U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic
information indicates that most of Stanly County has slopes with grades less than ten percent.
Small areas with steep slopes greater than ten percent are scattered around the county, but are
mostly concentrated in the vicinity of Morrow Mountain State Park and along the Yadkin and Pee
Dee Rivers as illustrated in Figure 3-4.
Scenic Byways
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has designated 44 Scenic Byways
throughout the state to provide motorists with an opportunity to experience North Carolina’s
history, geography, and culture while raising awareness for the protection and preservation of
these corridors (NCDOT web site). Sixteen Scenic Byways have been identified in the Piedmont
area including four routes within Stanly County. Figure 3-5 illustrates the location of each of the
byways within Stanly County.
Land Use Plan 3-8 6/02