ANALYSIS OF WATER QUALITY DEGRADATION IN STREAMS THAT ORIGINATE IN BLUE RIDGE VS. PIEDMONT WATERSHEDS

The Blue Ridge and Piedmont provinces in the southern Appalachian Mountains were traditionally rural regions with low population densities. Rapid increases in human development in some parts of these regions have contributed to a decline in surface water quality. This investigation compares characteristics between relatively adjacent Piedmont and Blue Ridge watersheds to determine which factors exert the strongest influence on the degradation of water quality.

We hypothesize that streams originating in the Blue Ridge which originate primarily on National Forest lands are less adversely impacted by development activities than those that originate in the Piedmont on mainly private lands. This hypothesis also includes the assumption that the Blue Ridge streams would retain higher water quality further from their sources. Preliminary testing supports this hypothesis, as we found significantly higher E. coli bacteria concentrations in Piedmont streams than in Blue Ridge streams.

Rivers and streams selected for testing within the upstate of South Carolina and nearby North Carolina are considered “representative” of the region. Specific locations to be sampled were determined based on potential contributions from side streams and road crossings. At each site, in-situ measurements of temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity were collected using a YSI multiparameter sonde. Water samples were also collected and tested in the lab for nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, copper, and iron concentrations. Coliform and E. Coli abundance were assessed using a quantitative method.

Our first round of sample collection occurred in early December of 2023 to capture the influence of water quality from the extended fall drought and low groundwater levels. Our next sampling event will occur after the first week of February after river and groundwater levels have returned to more typical levels from the heavy winter rains. Comparison of those sampling events will be presented. GIS based watershed delineation and land cover assessments will be correlated with stream reaches that exhibit elevated contaminations. We will focus future sampling to determine which land use practices have the greatest impact on water quality by using higher density sampling of specific stream reaches.