High Rock Lake Nutrient Management Strategy
High Rock Lake is experiencing water quality issues due to algal blooms which may produce harmful toxins and can cause illness if ingested by humans and pets. The Department of Environmental Quality is currently drafting new state requirements (called “Rules”) to address the increased nutrients in this watershed causing the blooms. These rules are expected to impact a wide range of nutrient sources, including but not limited to impervious surfaces, stormwater runoff, agriculture, wastewater, and riparian buffers. A Steering Committee has been selected with membership spanning a diverse cross-section of individuals and groups from across the watershed and representing various interests and perspectives, and technical advisory groups (TAGs) are being convened to investigate different control strategies for nutrient sources in the area that drains to High Rock Lake. Planning meetings are being scheduled through 2023 and the public is invited to participate. Please contact Joey Hester (919-707-3675, joey.hester@ncdenr.gov) if you have questions or for more information about how you can participate.
High Rock Lake is presently impaired for several water quality parameters including chlorophyll a, turbidity, and pH. Because High Rock is among North Carolina’s largest and most eutrophic lakes, it has long been the subject of focused studies designed to support an anticipated nutrient strategy.
DWR concluded its modeling efforts with support from a technical advisory committee in 2016. High Rock Lake is also presently the focus of a plan to revisit North Carolina’s nutrient-related water quality criteria. Nutrient strategy development is ongoing with the consultation of watershed stakeholders, and a Steering Committee is currently in the process of developing and drafting formal rule proposals for the consideration by DWR.
High Rock Lake Rulemaking Charter
Subscribe to the High Rock Lake listserv to receive updates about the High Rock Lake nutrient strategy.
September 27, 2023 - Steering Committee
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
September 26, 2023 - Stormwater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, UNRBA IAIA
August 25, 2023 - Riparian Buffer Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
August 17, 2023 - Wastewater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
July 28, 2023 - Steering Committee
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, Septic Systems, Atmospheric Deposition
June 21, 2023 - Riparian Buffer Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, Buffer Rules Brochure, Jordan Lake Hearing Officer's Report Excerpts
June 7, 2023 - Stormwater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, Post-Construction Tiers Concept
May 31, 2023 - All Stakeholders (Salisbury)
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, Recording Part 1, Recording Part 2, Attendees
May 8, 2023 - Agriculture Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
May 4, 2023 - Wastewater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
April 27, 2023 - Riparian Buffer Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, 2015 ERC Report, 2016 EMC Report by Dr. Mike Burchell, NCCN Riparian Buffer Scientific Review
April 26, 2023 - Steering Committee
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, TAG Proposal & Data Update
April 18, 2023 - Stormwater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
March 29, 2023 - All Stakeholders (virtual)
Agenda
Materials: DWR Presentation, Recording
March 15, 2023 - Wastewater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
March 10, 2023 - Agriculture Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
March 1, 2023 - Stormwater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
February 28, 2023 - Steering Committee
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, Agriculture TAG Report, Wastewater TAG Report, Revised Charge Document
February 27, 2023 - Riparian Buffer Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation 1, DWR Presentation 2
February 8, 2023 - Wastewater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
January 26, 2023 - Stormwater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation HRL Post-Construction Stormwater Control Map
January 25, 2023 - Agricultural Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
December 13, 2022 - Agricultural Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DRW Presentation
December 12, 2022 - Wastewater Technical Advisory Group
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation
December 1, 2022 - Steering Committee
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, SC+TAG Charge Document
November 17, 2022
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, Draft Curve Memo
September 29, 2022 - All Stakeholders (Yadkinville)
Agenda
Summary
Materials: DWR Presentation, Facilitator Presentation, Attendee List, Recording 1, Recording 2
Joey Hester
joey.hester@deq.nc.gov
(919) 707-3675
Nonpoint Source Planning Branch Chief
Rich Gannon
rich.gannon@deq.nc.gov
(919) 707-3673