Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
84 <br /> solutions would be an allocation from Lake Jordan and construction of <br /> a new reservoir. The development of Seven Mile Creek reservoir is one <br /> which has been discussed for a long time with no definite commitment. <br /> The State would like to see Orange County make a definite commitment <br /> to providing a long term solution. <br /> OVERVIEW PRESENTED BY COUNTY MANAGER KEN THOMPSON <br /> Thompson reviewed the issue statement on Water Supply in Orange <br /> County. This material is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk' s Office. <br /> STATEMENT BY JOHN WRAY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF N.C. DIVISION OF WATER <br /> RESOURCES <br /> Wray introduced Meg Kerr, who writes the state permits for waste <br /> treatment facilities; Scott Van Horn, a fisheries biologist with the <br /> NC Wildlife Resources Commission (most knowledgable of the fish in the <br /> Eno River) ; and Sam Bland, Superintendent of the Eno River State Park. <br /> He noted these individuals are present to answer specific questions <br /> that may arise. <br /> Wray noted there seemed to be many ways to resolve the problems <br /> concerning water supply. He stated that NRCD has two main areas of <br /> responsibility: 1) to notify jurisdictions of an impending water <br /> shortage and 2) the stewardship of the state' s streams and reservoirs. <br /> Wray pointed out that the source of stream flow data for this <br /> area is the US Geological Survey Gauge which was in service from 1929 <br /> until 1971 and was started back into service a few months ago. He <br /> noted the gauge is located downstream of the dam at Lake Ben Johnson. <br /> Wray continued that the Eno River has a small drainage area. A <br /> 1977 North Carolina framework study noted future water supply problems <br /> if there was extensive growth. He reviewed water use dating back to <br /> the 1930s as depicted on charts. Water use began to increase rapidly <br /> during the 1960s. He added water use would continue to increase due <br /> to construction and completion of I-40. He continued that conse- <br /> rvation methods were only short range solutions for crisis situations <br /> and major long term decisions are needed to go beyond the crisis. <br /> Wray indicated that the State had done some analysis based on <br /> criteria provided by the County Manager. Yield with conservation and <br /> with stream flow was reviewed. Total yield with conservation could <br /> run to about 2 . 6 mgd with the existing facilities. With no stream <br /> flow at all, it would only go up to about 3 mgd. With and without <br /> stream flow, the difference is only about . 4 mgd. He noted the <br /> situation becomes more critical year after year with continued growth <br /> and there would have to be some outside source for water supply. Some <br /> long range decisions need to be made to get out of the crisis <br /> situation. <br /> Wray stated that North Carolina is a riparian state. There are a <br /> number of state policies and laws which deal with the riparian <br /> question. He noted since the construction of the OWASA pipeline in <br /> 1977, which was a response to a crisis, there has been a creeping <br /> "dewate ring" of the Eno River itself and in the future with upstream <br /> diversions, OWASA, Orange-Alamance System and Hillsborough itself <br />