Water Quality

Our Goal: Enhance Coastal Water Quality and Reduce Flooding

Intense rainstorms cause flooding and water quality degradation as the runoff funnels pollutants to our coastal waters. The impacts are magnified by the altered landscape that channels rain instead of absorbing it. Reducing the volume of stormwater runoff is key to minimizing flooding and restoring coastal waters. 

Clean coastal water is the foundation of our coastal economy and ecosystems and we depend on it for work and recreation. That’s why water quality will always be a priority for the Coastal Federation.

15,000 acres

of wetlands restored

billions

of gallons of stormwater runoff reduced

Stormwater Reduction Strategies

Nature-based stormwater strategies improve water quality and reduce flooding, resulting in cleaner & more productive coastal waters.

Intense rainstorms cause flooding and water quality degradation as the runoff funnels pollutants to our coastal waters. Impacts are magnified by the altered landscape that channels rain instead of absorbing it.

The Coastal Federation partners with numerous stakeholders to advance the use of nature-based stormwater strategies including strategic land acquisition and conservation easements, wetland restoration, urban stormwater retrofits, and other best management practices to reduce nutrient and bacteria loadings into coastal waterways and reduce flooding. 

Showcasing these projects helps advance nature-based strategies as standard practice and  provides valuable opportunities for developers, design professionals, contractors, elected and appointed officials, farmers, and landowners to better understand, utilize, and promote nature-based strategies. 

Action Plan for Nature-based Stormwater Strategies
Learn more about nature-based strategies for effective stormwater management in the North Carolina Action Plan.

Wetlands Restoration

Wetlands tie together land and water and are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world.

The United States has lost over half of the wetlands in the lower 48 states, and the losses continue at an estimate of over 60,000 acres per year.

However, North Carolina is at a crucial point: unlike some areas like the Chesapeake Bay or Louisiana, we still have a fair amount of coastal wetlands left and our water quality is still relatively healthy. This is important, because it is FAR less costly to protect something than to restore it.

Watershed Restoration Progress

The Federation has prioritized the restoration of the Stump Sound and Newport River watersheds and is actively finalizing formal plans to serve as the foundation for replicating and restoring their natural hydrology.  Make these plans top priority 

Featured Projects

Explore Watershed Restoration Plans

Lake Mattamuskeet
The Watershed Restoration Plan for Lake Mattamuskeet was developed through a partnership between the Hyde County Government, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The North Carolina Coastal Federation was retained to develop the plan for approval by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s 319 Program. The initial priority actions of this watershed restoration plan stem around establishing active water-level management capabilities on Lake Mattamuskeet and improve water management within the watershed.
Atlantic-Beach-Watershed-Restoration-Resiliency-Plan-Adopted-and-Approved
In 2021, the Atlantic Beach Town Council unanimously approved a Watershed Restoration and Stormwater Resiliency Plan created in partnership with the Town, LDSI Engineering, the Coastal Federation, and the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments.
Beaufort Watershed Restoration Plan
The Beaufort Stormwater Advisory Committee collaborated with the Coastal Federation, UNC Wilmington and Eastern Carolina Council to develop a watershed restoration plan to steer stormwater reduction efforts and lead implementation strategies to reduce polluted runoff and flooding in the town.
Pine Knoll Shores Watershed Plan
The North Carolina Coastal Federation teamed up with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores, University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Environmental Science Department and East Carolina Council (ECC) to create a watershed restoration plan for the small coastal community in Carteret County. The Plan sets a framework and strategy for targeting stormwater reduction techniques to reduce runoff and improve water quality. The primary goal of this plan is to improve water quality in Pine Knoll Shores and reduce permanent shellfish closures in Bogue Sound.
Cape Fear River
The Lower Cape Fear River Blueprint is a collaborative planning effort, led by the North Carolina Coastal Federation, to protect, manage and restore the important estuarine and riverine natural resources of the lower Cape Fear River.

Smart Yards

This guide includes simple Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Smart Yard projects to reduce stormwater and improve the health of our coastal waters.

Water Quality Resources

LID Project Map
| Maps
This map features sites along the North Carolina coast where stormwater projects have been completed and includes descriptions, photos, funding agencies and more.
large scale restoration
| Maps
View a map of all of our Large Scale Watershed Restoration Projects
Lake Mattamuskeet
The Watershed Restoration Plan for Lake Mattamuskeet was developed through a partnership between the Hyde County Government, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The North Carolina Coastal Federation was retained to develop the plan for approval by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s 319 Program. The initial priority actions of this watershed restoration plan stem around establishing active water-level management capabilities on Lake Mattamuskeet and improve water management within the watershed.
Stop, Check, Enjoy! A Guide to Safe Fish Consumption
Fish provide many dietary benefits as a source of lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients. However, some types of fish can also be sources of harmful contaminants.
Atlantic-Beach-Watershed-Restoration-Resiliency-Plan-Adopted-and-Approved
In 2021, the Atlantic Beach Town Council unanimously approved a Watershed Restoration and Stormwater Resiliency Plan created in partnership with the Town, LDSI Engineering, the Coastal Federation, and the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments.
This recording is part of the 2020 Forum on Emerging Contaminants in NC waters that took place on 10/22/2020.
Beaufort Watershed Restoration Plan
The Beaufort Stormwater Advisory Committee collaborated with the Coastal Federation, UNC Wilmington and Eastern Carolina Council to develop a watershed restoration plan to steer stormwater reduction efforts and lead implementation strategies to reduce polluted runoff and flooding in the town.
Pine Knoll Shores Watershed Plan
The North Carolina Coastal Federation teamed up with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores, University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Environmental Science Department and East Carolina Council (ECC) to create a watershed restoration plan for the small coastal community in Carteret County. The Plan sets a framework and strategy for targeting stormwater reduction techniques to reduce runoff and improve water quality. The primary goal of this plan is to improve water quality in Pine Knoll Shores and reduce permanent shellfish closures in Bogue Sound.
Wolly Goldenaster Photo © Alistar Glen
| Guidebooks
Low-impact development (LID) is an economical and effective strategy for protecting and restoring coastal water quality by preventing polluting stormwater runoff. We at the federation work to make it easy to use anywhere.
Action Plan for Nature-based Stormwater Strategies
Strategic and innovative nature-based stormwater strategies are increasingly important as North Carolina faces the need to plan for climate adaption and resiliency. The Action Plan now positions North Carolina to better prepare for, and respond to, future stormwater flooding and water quality degradation.

Protect Clean Water

You can protect and restore water for fishing, swimming and working.