Monitoring water-quality and geomorphology in the French Broad River during I-26 construction
Water-quality and discharge monitoring equipment at Hominey Creek
The I-26 bridge over the French Broad River near Bent Creek, NC.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess water-quality impacts resulting from the I-26 construction projects in western North Carolina. Streamflow, precipitation, and water-quality monitoring data will support the NCDOT construction-site inspections by allowing adaptive responses to potential construction impacts and provide the public with readily accessible, objective information regarding conditions in the French Broad River corridor.
Introduction:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun a series of transportation improvement projects (I-26 Connector and I-26 Widening) in western North Carolina. The I-26 Widening project widens a 22-mile stretch of interstate from Hendersonville to Asheville. The I-26 Connector project redesigns a 7-mile stretch of interstate freeway from southwest to northwest Asheville. Construction of the I-26 Connector and I-26 Widening projects will occur within the French Broad River corridor, an area of environmental and cultural significance. The environmental impact assessment identified two endangered species, the Appalachian Elktoe and the Gray Bat, with a possible presence within the bounds of these projects. Construction will also take place in recreational areas that provide opportunities for kayaking, rafting, and fishing. The NCDOT has committed to minimizing environmental impacts resulting from the I-26 Connector and Widening projects and aims to become a steward of the French Broad River corridor.
Water-quality monitoring:
Six continuous water-quality monitoring stations were installed in summer 2019 to collect turbidity, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. Locations were selected based on their proximity to construction areas in an effort to capture upstream-downstream differences in water-quality. Find water-quality data online through the USGS National Water Information System:
- 03447687 - French Broad River near Fletcher, NC
- 0344878100 - Hominy Creek near West Asheville, NC
- 03451200 - French Broad at Haywood Rd near Asheville, NC
- 03451500 - French Broad at Asheville, NC
Additional monitoring:
Streamflow monitoring is occurring at the following four stations:
- 03447687 - French Broad River near Fletcher, NC
- 03451500 - French Broad at Asheville, NC
- 0344878100 - Hominy Creek near West Asheville, NC
- 0344632850 - Mud Creek at Secondary Road 1503 near Balfour, NC
Precipitation monitoring is occurring at the following three stations:
- 351901082271345 - Raingage Mud Creek Williams St near Hendersonville
- 352536082333245 - Raingage @ French Broad near Fletcher
- 353044082343845 - Raingage @ French Broad below I-26 near Bent Creek
River WebCams stream live video and are located at stations 03448050 and 03451500.
- River WebCam at 03448050 (French Broad River below I-26 near Bent Creek, NC)
- River WebCam at 03451500 (French Broad River at Asheville, NC)
- South Atlantic Water Science Center WebCams
Release Date: 3/19/2020
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess water-quality impacts resulting from the I-26 construction projects in western North Carolina. Streamflow, precipitation, and water-quality monitoring data will support the NCDOT construction-site inspections by allowing adaptive responses to potential construction impacts and provide the public with readily accessible, objective information regarding conditions in the French Broad River corridor.
Introduction:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun a series of transportation improvement projects (I-26 Connector and I-26 Widening) in western North Carolina. The I-26 Widening project widens a 22-mile stretch of interstate from Hendersonville to Asheville. The I-26 Connector project redesigns a 7-mile stretch of interstate freeway from southwest to northwest Asheville. Construction of the I-26 Connector and I-26 Widening projects will occur within the French Broad River corridor, an area of environmental and cultural significance. The environmental impact assessment identified two endangered species, the Appalachian Elktoe and the Gray Bat, with a possible presence within the bounds of these projects. Construction will also take place in recreational areas that provide opportunities for kayaking, rafting, and fishing. The NCDOT has committed to minimizing environmental impacts resulting from the I-26 Connector and Widening projects and aims to become a steward of the French Broad River corridor.
Water-quality monitoring:
Six continuous water-quality monitoring stations were installed in summer 2019 to collect turbidity, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. Locations were selected based on their proximity to construction areas in an effort to capture upstream-downstream differences in water-quality. Find water-quality data online through the USGS National Water Information System:
- 03447687 - French Broad River near Fletcher, NC
- 0344878100 - Hominy Creek near West Asheville, NC
- 03451200 - French Broad at Haywood Rd near Asheville, NC
- 03451500 - French Broad at Asheville, NC
Additional monitoring:
Streamflow monitoring is occurring at the following four stations:
- 03447687 - French Broad River near Fletcher, NC
- 03451500 - French Broad at Asheville, NC
- 0344878100 - Hominy Creek near West Asheville, NC
- 0344632850 - Mud Creek at Secondary Road 1503 near Balfour, NC
Precipitation monitoring is occurring at the following three stations:
- 351901082271345 - Raingage Mud Creek Williams St near Hendersonville
- 352536082333245 - Raingage @ French Broad near Fletcher
- 353044082343845 - Raingage @ French Broad below I-26 near Bent Creek
River WebCams stream live video and are located at stations 03448050 and 03451500.
- River WebCam at 03448050 (French Broad River below I-26 near Bent Creek, NC)
- River WebCam at 03451500 (French Broad River at Asheville, NC)
- South Atlantic Water Science Center WebCams
Release Date: 3/19/2020