2018 State of the Lake James Watershed

Acknowledgements

Chemical Analysis of Water Quality

Summary Acknowledgements Nutrients Conductivity Acidity/Alkalinity Chlorophyll a Fecal Coliform Other Considerations Conclusions, Areas of Concern, and Next Steps

Biological Survey

Summary Acknowledgements Why Monitor Macroinvertebrates? Stream Habitat Assessment LJEA Field Assessment Procedures Macroinvertebrate Data and Biotic Index Scores Other Biological Surveys in the Watershed Habitat Data and Scores Conclusions, Areas of Concern, and Next Steps

Erosion and Sedimentation

Summary Acknowledgements Importance of Erosion and Sedimentation to Water Quality River and Lake Sediment and Turbidity Monitoring in the Lake James Watershed LJEA Stream Assessments Lake James Shoreline Erosion Lake James Sedimentation Mapping Related Materials

Land Cover Analysis

Summary Acknowledgements Land Use / Land Cover and Water Quality Methods used in the LJEA 2018 Land Cover Analysis Land Cover changes for each Hydrologic Unit Land Cover changes in the riparian zone for each Hydrologic Unit Conclusions, Areas of Concern and Next Steps

Trash Assessment

Summary Acknowledgements Background Conclusions

State of the Fishery

Summary Acknowledgements About the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Lake James Watershed State Fish Hatcheries Trout Program Watershed Trends and Threats Actions

2017 Survey of Public Opinion

Other Lake James Watershed Organizations

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Acknowledgements

Lake James Environmental Association gratefully acknowledges the guidance and direct assistance provided by the following individuals without whose efforts this assessment would not have been completed:

David Penrose (Professor, UNC-Asheville)

Chris Tomsic (Ecosystems Services, LLC)

David Gillette (Professor, UNC-Asheville)

Levi Reece (Student, UNC-Asheville)

Shea Tuberty (Professor, Appalachian State University)

Katrina Vona (Student, Appalachian State University)

Naomi Ruchugo (Student, Appalachian State University)

Justin Witke (Student, Appalachian State University)

The members of LJEA who put in hundreds of hours of volunteer time, paid for equipment, supplies, laboratory expenses, and drove their cars and boats many hundreds of miles to monitor our streams and lake. Their commitment to the protection, preservation, and restoration of the Lake James watershed is an investment in our communities’ futures.