Co. North Carolina is an Environmental Protection Agency 319 National Nonpoint Source Monitoring Project.
Long Creek is a perennial stream that serves as the primary water source for Bessemer City.
It is extremely important that this water source be in good quality. However, agricultural activities related to crop and dairy production are believed to be nonpoint sources of pollutants. In the upper third of the watershed sediment from eroding crop fields is a major problem. Best management practices have been used along the study area ranging from contour farming, exclusion of cattle from streams, riparian vegetation and stream restoration since 1996.