Rocky River Watershed Conservation Assessment
The Rocky River is 37 miles of beautiful pools and riffles resembling a mountain stream. Its headwaters in Alamance and Randolph counties flow southeast across Chatham County and empty into the Deep River at Triangle Land Conservancy’s White Pines Nature Preserve. The river is the spine for an approximately 150,000-acre watershed which covers about a third of Chatham County. Over 88 percent of the watershed is in Chatham County and the area is home to many well-known tributaries including Bear, Love’s, Tick, Harlands and Landrum creeks.
This assessment discusses the key features of the Rocky River Watershed. Looking at location, geology, topography, soil, land cover change, water quality, flora and fauna, and cultural features, it describes the watershed and identifies key features of each of these components.
The Rocky River Watershed remains relatively undeveloped with only 2 percent of its land classified as developed according to the 2001 land cover data. Consequently it is one of the most undeveloped watersheds in the Triangle region. Home to several rare and threatened species, such as the Cape Fear shiner, and five state-listed mussels, the area is a harbor for aquatic species. In fact, the Nature Conservancy identified the watershed as one of top 327 watersheds to be protected across the country to support freshwater species, ranking it within the top 15 percent in the country. In addition, the watershed is home to 10 significant natural habitat areas identified by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Copyright © 2006-2010, Triangle Land Conservancy
Last updated on
04/22/2010. | |
