Stream Flow Analysis:

Ivy River

By Nolan McMillen
Mars Hill University
Outline

Objectives

Background Information

Methodology

Data Analysis

Conclusion

Sources
 This study addresses the following
two questions:
• How does the historical analysis of
minimum flow within the Ivy River reveal

Objectives the impact of low cubic feet per second

(cfs) measurements on sustainability and
water availability?
• What are the potential consequences if
the minimum flow curve of the river
intersects with the Fully Reliable Yield
curve?
Background Information
Town of Weaverville Water
Treatment Plant Expansion

• Double current water treatment plant

size
- 1.5 MGD to 3.0 MGD (million gallons per
day)
• Increasing population, increasing water
demand
• Exploring options to ensure drinking
water availability in the future

Weaverville Water Treatment Plant

Background Information
Ivy River

• Watershed covers 161 square miles

• Serves as tributary to French Broad
• On impaired or impacted stream list
until 2006 and again in 2014
• Investments have been made in water
quality
Background Information
Stream Flow

• Determinant of health and

sustainability
• Measured in cubic feet per second (cfs)
• Monitoring flow is essential for effective
water resource management
• Rainfall effect on stream flow

Intersection of Little Ivy and Ivy Creek

Methodology

• Derived data from USGS website

• 1953 - 1996 contains estimated minimum flow values
• 1974 – 1997 contains gaps in data
• 1997 – 2023 contains daily minimum values and mean values
• Looking at data within 1953 – 2017 timeframe
• Using Minimum Flow curve and Fully Reliable Yield curve
Chart 1
Chart 2
Chart 3
Chart 4
Chart 5
Takeaways

• Prolonged periods with minimal rainfall have significant effects on river

• Minimum flow does reach and intersect the Fully Reliable Curve
• Inaccuracy/incomplete data from USGS
• Data is obtained by USGS near where the Ivy feeds into the French Broad
• Upstream areas from the USGS could be affected more by the doubling of
the water treatment plant