Neuse River Basin Restoration Priorities - N. C. Ecosystem ...

Please send comments on this DRAFT DOCUMENT to rob.breeding@ncdenr.gov by April 30, 2011.
Ellerbe Creek: 03020201050010
The Ellerbe Creek watershed is 37 square miles in area. It lies primarily in the Triassic Basin
ecoregion with rocky, well-drained soils. Five percent of soils are designated hydric type A and
12% hydric type B. There are 90 miles of streams here with 1.5% open water of the total HU
area. This open water cover exists where the HU boundary cuts across Falls Lake. Seventy-six
miles of the total 90 are designated Water Supply Watershed waters. Forty-two percent of
streams are unbuffered and 9% is 303(d)-listed. Forty-nine percent of the watershed is
developed with a total of 13% impervious surface. The impervious surface lies predominantly in
the City of Durham. Half the watershed is subject to Phase II stormwater regulations. Eleven
percent of the land is used for agriculture. Six square miles is designated conservation area
including over two square miles of SNHA. Nine miles of TIP projects are planned by DOT.
EEP developed a Local Watershed Plan (LWP) for Ellerbe Creek and is currently working of
Phase IV plan implementation. Highest priority projects for this watershed are described in the
LWP Project Atlas (Ellerbe Creek Project Atlas, 2009), including many preservation and nutrient
offset projects.
Neuse River Basin Restoration Priorities 2010 18