However, South Ellerbe is surrounded by various auto and muffler shops, large surface parking lots, a plumbing shop, funeral home, photo studio, small apartment complex, a chemical storage facility, Southern Railroad, Business Hwy 70, a Duke warehouse, and an old gas station. Many of these sites have direct run-off into the creek. The dye pond remains from the Erwin textile mill. Potential risks associated with these pollution sources include possible residues in the water or leaching into the surrounding soil and creek bed. At its peaceful confluence with Ellerbe Creek, one could almost forget the troubled history of these waters.
Few stretches remain that can still be protected.
So, any new development would require stronger buffers.