Beech Mountain

1. System Information

Contact Information

Distribution System

Programs

Water Conservation

2. Water Use Information

Service Area

Water Use by Type

How much water was used for system processes (backwash, line cleaning, flushing, etc.)?   0.0300 MGD

3. Water Supply Sources

Monthly Withdrawals & Purchases

Ground Water Sources

Ground Water Sources (continued)

Surface Water Sources

* Qualifier: C=Contract Amount, SY20=20-year Safe Yield, SY50=50-year Safe Yield, F=20% of 7Q10 or other instream flow requirement, CUA=Capacity Use Area Permit

Surface Water Sources (continued)

Water Treatment Plants

4. Wastewater Information

Monthly Discharges

Wastewater Permits

5. Planning

Projections

Demand v/s Percent of Supply

The purpose of the above chart is to show a general indication of how the long-term per capita water demand changes over time. The per capita water demand may actually be different than indicated due to seasonal populations and the accuracy of data submitted. Water systems that have calculated long-term per capita water demand based on a methodology that produces different results may submit their information in the notes field.

Your long-term water demand is 177 gallons per capita per day. What demand management practices do you plan to implement to reduce the per capita water demand (i.e. conduct regular water audits, implement a plumbing retrofit program, employ practices such as rainwater harvesting or reclaimed water)? If these practices are covered elsewhere in your plan, indicate where the practices are discussed here.    The 196 gpcd is based on the current residential demand of 0.133 MGD divided by the year-round population of 679. A more realistic estimation of per
capita water demand would be to divide the maximum day demand in December (1.088 MGD less non-residential uses of 0.359 MGD) by the estimated seasonal peak population of 5,569. This yields 131 gpcd.

Are there other demand management practices you will implement to reduce your future supply needs?   Beech Mountain's system wide water loss is the primary reason for the high water demand. Virtually all of the substandard distribution water lines and service connections were installed by developers before the town was incorporated. As was done this year, the town plans to target and replace sections of the distribution system each year. Beech Mountain continues to operate with new accounting and billing practices in an effort to monitor and reduce water loss through digital meters and reading practices. The town continues to use leak detection equipment and practices to identify and repair water loss sources that are found.

What supplies other than the ones listed in future supplies are being considered to meet your future supply needs?   The Town of Beech Mountain has sought assistance through the legislative House Bill 609 process in order to identify the town's future water supply needs and the options to meet these needs. Per the recommendation in the State's report, the town continues to work toward a potential emergency water intake on the Watauga River. The Town is also pursuing other options including groundwater wells and has begun construction on the Pinnacle Ridge Well site. This well has indicated that .104 MGD is the expected supply volume upon completed construction in March 2024.
Lake Coffey expansion project is currently underway with engineering and finance proposals. The town has progressed forward with this project and the financing is currently underway with FEMA. This project is expected to be complete in 2028 providing additional water supply for the town.

How does the water system intend to implement the demand management and supply planning components above?   Beech Mountain has obtained a potential intake site on the Watauga River, which NC DWR has concurred is needed. Beech Mountain water lines and water taps are being systematically replaced over the course of several years. Beech Mountain water rates have been increased, and will need to continue to be increased.

Additional Information

Has this system participated in regional water supply or water use planning?  No

What major water supply reports or studies were used for planning?  own of Beech Mountain Water and Sewer Study by” Rothrock Engineering (P. Marion Rothrock,
P.E.date 2/28/2011).
Town of Beech Mountain -Buckeye Lake Yield Analysis by West Consultants dated February 7, 2014. Town of Beech Mountain Analysis of Future Water Supply Needs and Availability by the NC Division of Water Resources – Water Supply Planning Branch dated September 1, 2015. Beech Mountain Town Council Special Work Session Watauga Water Intake project Agenda Packet-February 25th 2020, 401 Water Quality Certification No. 1756 – November 2019.

Please describe any other needs or issues regarding your water supply sources, any water system deficiencies or needed improvements (storage, treatment, etc.) or your ability to meet present and future water needs. Include both quantity and quality considerations, as well as financial, technical, managerial, permitting, and compliance issues:   According to the February 2014 Buckeye Lake Yield Analysis document by West Consultants, the safe yield of Buckeye Lake is approximately 0.3 mgd; however, this value is only valid under specific qualifying conditions. The most important condition is that this value does not include the existing minimum release requirements set forth in the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Permit (i.e., Section 404 of the Clean Water Act) for construction of the Buckeye Lake dam. The permit, issued November 1984, requires a minimum flow release from the dam of 2.8 cfs (1.8 mgd)
through October, November and December, intended to provide needed flows during the native brook trout spawning period. The remainder of the year (i.e., January through September), the required minimum release is 1.5 cfs (0.97 mgd), intended to maintain the existing water quality of Buckeye Creek. The 2014 Yield Analysis report makes it clear that when including the required minimum releases, as dictated by the USACE permit, the safe yield should be considered zero under low flow conditions or in times o drought. It should also be noted that similar to the Buckeye Creek flow estimations, the safe yield calculations used USGS gage data from the Watauga and Elk Rivers. In light of recent DWR modelling difficulties regarding Buckeye Creek, use of these values should be considered questionable, even though this methodology is the only available means to make such estimations.
The 1984 minimum release requirements used in the 2014 Buckeye Lake Yield Analysis document by West Consultants were not achievable during droughts such as the town experienced in 2010. Therefore, the town requested a modification to the dam permit issued by US Army Corps of Engineers. On November 20th, 2019 The Town of Beech Mountain received approval of Individual 401 Water Quality Certification (Certification #1756)(USACE Action ID. No. SAW-2018-02144) which replaces the certification based on October 8th, 1984. The new minimums approved are still significant (up to 1.64 MGD) but are more achievable. Based on this new certification protocol, West Consultants has re-calculated the estimated yield of Buckeye Lake to be 0.240 MGD. However, yields shown are theoretical and based on the assumption that the Buckeye Lake watershed characteristics mimic the Watauga River watershed. Actual yields may be lower.
In 2019 Beech Mountain moved forward to aid this calculation process by partnering with the U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Geological Survey to install and maintain stream gage stations upstream and downstream of the Buckeye Lake Reservoir. This data will be used to provide accurate stream flow calculations into the future aiding the ability to accurately meet USACE permit requirements. This data will be used to build a historical database for more accurate stream flow calculations.