Monitoring water-quality and geomorphology in the French Broad River during I-26 construction Active

Introduction:

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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
• 03447890 - French Broad River at Blue Ridge Pkwy near Bent Creek, NC
• 03448050 - French Broad River below I-26 near Bent Creek, NC
• 0344878100 - Hominy Creek near West Asheville, NC
• 03451200 - French Broad at Haywood Rd near Asheville, NC
• 03451500 - French Broad at Asheville, NC

Geomorphologic monitoring:

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Two reaches of the French Broad River will be surveyed throughout construction to monitor sediment erosion and/or deposition resulting from bridge construction. Bathymetric surveys will be conducted approximately twice per year to map the river bed and calculate changes to bed form between surveys. LiDAR surveys of the river banks will be conducted approximately once per year to identify potential areas of bank erosion or instability.

Bathymetric and Topographic Surveys of the French Broad River at Highway Construction Sites near Asheville, NC - ScienceBase-Catalog 

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

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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

A River WebCam located at station 03448050 is posting photos of the French Broad River and is refreshed every 5 minutes. A second River WebCam will be located at 03451500 (near future). See the viewing area for 03448050 below, or explore all River WebCams in the South Atlantic Water Science Center.

• River WebCam at 03448050 (French Broad River below I-26 near Bent Creek, NC)
• River WebCam at 03451500 (French Broad River at Asheville, NC)

Data Releases:

Bathymetric and Topographic Surveys of the French Broad River at Highway Construction Sites near Asheville, NC

Release Date: 3/19/2020