Water quality in the State of North Carolina is regulated by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. All surface waters are assigned classifications that determine protected uses and set standards for water quality to support designated uses. The water within the lakes of the Yadkin Project is classified as Water Supply. Water quality within the lakes is generally considered to be good or fair. All of the reservoirs experience some degree of nutrient enrichment from runoff. High levels of nutrients contribute to algae production and reduction of dissolved oxygen necessary for fish.
The Yadkin Project Shoreline Management Plant sets forth a number of regulations to enhance or protect water quality in the lakes. The Yadkin-managed buffer prevents the disturbance of the shoreline to help control erosion and runoff and shoreline Conservation Zones seek to protect sensitive areas from development and overuse.
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When Alcoa-Yadkin receives a new long-term license, it will invest more than $200 million to upgrade its dams and improve water quality along the Yadkin River.
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