Yadkin-Pee Dee River System
Affected Counties
Davidson, Montgomery, Rowan, Stanly
Affected Sites
- Badin Lake
- Falls Reservoir
- High Rock Lake
- Lake Tillery
Fish to avoid:
Blue Catfish
Bowfin (Blackfish)
Bullhead Catfishes
Chain Pickerel (Jackfish)
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Warmouth
White Catfish
Yellow Perch
Generally, choose these fish from the central part of the state:
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Bluegill Sunfish (Brim)
Redbreast Sunfish (Brim)
Redear Sunfish (Brim)
White Bass
White Perch
Pollutants
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Mercury
Advisories for Affected Sites
Badin Lake
Date issued: February 11, 2009
Affected counties: Montgomery, Stanly
Advisory: Elevated levels of chemicals called PCBs, along with mercury, may be found in catfish and largemouth bass in these waters. Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, and children under 15 should avoid eating catfish and largemouth bass from this lake due to high levels of mercury as well as PCBs. Other people should eat no more than one meal per week of catfish and largemouth bass from this lake. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish.
Falls Reservoir
Date issued: March 13, 2013
Affected counties: Montgomery, Stanly
Advisory: Levels of chemicals called PCBs were found above the state action level (0.05 mg/kg) in catfish species larger than 18 inches (450 mm) in Falls Reservoir. Prior studies of catfish in the state’s lakes and rivers have identified elevated levels of mercury south and east of U.S. Highway I-85. The recommended number of meals for catfish as a result of the mercury advisory is also protective of potential health effects associated with eating catfish contaminated with PCBs in this lake. The recommended mercury advisory for catfish in this area is: Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any catfish from this lake. Other people should not eat more than one meal a week. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish.
High Rock Lake
Date issued: March 13, 2013
Affected counties: Davidson, Rowan
Advisory: Levels of chemicals called PCBs were found above the state action level (0.05 mg/kg) in catfish species larger than 18 inches (450 mm) in High Rock Lake. Prior studies of catfish in the state’s lakes and rivers have identified elevated levels of mercury south and east of U.S. Highway I-85. The recommended number of meals for catfish as a result of the mercury advisory is also protective of potential health effects associated with eating catfish contaminated with PCBs in this lake. The recommended mercury advisory for catfish in this area is: Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any catfish from this lake. Other people should not eat more than one meal a week. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish.
Lake Tillery
Date issued: March 13, 2013
Affected counties: Montgomery, Stanly
Advisory: Levels of chemicals called PCBs were found above the state action level (0.05 mg/kg) in catfish species larger than 18 inches (450 mm) in Lake Tillery. Prior studies of catfish in the state’s lakes and rivers have identified elevated levels of mercury south and east of U.S. Highway I-85. The recommended number of meals for catfish as a result of the mercury advisory is also protective of potential health effects associated with eating catfish contaminated with PCBs in this lake. The recommended mercury advisory for catfish in this area is: Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any catfish from this lake. Other people should not eat more than one meal a week. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish.