On This Page
- North Carolina Assessment Summary
- Water Quality by Waterbody Type
- Causes of Impairment
- Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
- TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment
- Previously 303(d)-Listed Waters Now Attaining All Applicable Water Quality Standards
- Causes of Impairment for 303(d) Listed Waters
- Cumulative TMDLs by Pollutant
- Cumulative Number of TMDLs
Data are also available for these cycles:
2002
2004
2006
2008
Waterbody Changes from Prior Cycle
For More Information:
North Carolina Assessment Report
State Water Quality Program
North Carolina Water Quality Assessment Report
Features
- About This Database (Integrated Report)
- Assessing Water Quality (Questions and Answers)
- Integrated Reporting Guidance
- Previous National Water Quality Reports
- EnviroMapper for Water
- AskWATERS
- EPA WATERS Homepage
- Exchange Network
- Assessment Database
- Statewide Statistical Surveys
- How's My Waterway Local Search tool
- Pollution Categories Summary Document
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Summary Results
North Carolina (2010)
Description of this table| Size of Water | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
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| Good Waters | 8,288.5 | 55,753.9 | 2,078.5 | ||||||||||||
| Previously impaired waters now attaining all uses |
391.6 | 5,005.1 | |||||||||||||
| Threatened Waters | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | |||||||||||||||
| Impaired Waters | 3,791.1 | 120,711.7 | 853.9 | 329.2 | |||||||||||
| TMDL completed | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | .5 | ||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | 3,790.5 | 120,711.7 | 853.9 | 329.2 | |||||||||||
| New TMDLs completed | 94.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | |||||||||||
| Remaining TMDLs needed | 3,696.5 | 120,711.7 | 853.9 | 329.2 | |||||||||||
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| Total Assessed Waters | 12,079.6 | 176,465.5 | 2,932.4 | 329.2 | |||||||||||
| Total Waters | 37,662.0 | 311,236.0 | 3,121.0 | Unavailable | |||||||||||
| Percent of Waters Assessed | 32.1 | 56.7 | 94.0 | Unavailable | |||||||||||
Summary of Water Quality Assessments for Each Waterbody Type
for Reporting Year 2010
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
North Carolina Rivers and Streams 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
North Carolina Rivers and Streams 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Life Propagation And Survival | 11,680.0 | 76.0 | .0 | 24.0 | |
| Drinking Water Supply | 746.2 | 99.1 | .0 | .9 | |
| Fishing | 968.5 | .0 | .0 | 100.0 | |
| Future Waters Supply | 746.2 | 99.1 | .0 | .9 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 3,648.6 | 88.7 | .0 | 11.3 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 3,648.6 | 88.7 | .0 | 11.3 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
North Carolina Rivers and Streams 2010
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Ecological/Biological Integrity Benthos | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | |
| Mercury in Fish Tissue | Mercury | |
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | |
| Ecological/Biological Integrity Fishcom | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| Zinc | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | |
| Dioxin (Including 2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Dioxins | |
| pH, Low | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | |
| Chlorophyll-A | Algal Growth | |
| Cadmium | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Ammonia, Un-ionized | Ammonia | |
| Lead | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Aquatic Weeds | Noxious Aquatic Plants | |
| Legacy Sediment Listing No Water Quality Standard | Sediment | |
| Nitrates | Nutrients | |
| Nickel | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| pH | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | |
| Legacy Nutrient Listing No Water Quality Standard | Nutrients | |
| Chloride | Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | |
| Toxic Impacts | Total Toxics |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
North Carolina Rivers and Streams 2010
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
North Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
North Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Acres Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Life Propagation And Survival | 122,286.5 | 39.2 | .0 | 60.8 | |
| Drinking Water Supply | 105,548.4 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Fishing | 47,558.4 | .0 | .0 | 100.0 | |
| Future Waters Supply | 105,548.4 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 112,768.9 | 99.8 | .0 | .2 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 112,768.9 | 99.8 | .0 | .2 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
North Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll-A | Algal Growth | |
| pH | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | |
| Mercury in Fish Tissue | Mercury | |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | |
| Dioxin (Including 2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Dioxins | |
| Aquatic Weeds | Noxious Aquatic Plants | |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| pH, Low | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | |
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | |
| Legacy Nutrient Listing No Water Quality Standard | Nutrients |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
North Carolina Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
North Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
North Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Square Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Life Propagation And Survival | 824.3 | 11.1 | .0 | 88.9 | |
| Fishing | 110.8 | .0 | .0 | 100.0 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 910.2 | 99.5 | .0 | .5 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 910.2 | 99.5 | .0 | .5 | |
| Shellfishing For Market Purposes | 2,241.2 | 94.8 | .0 | 5.2 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
North Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2010
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Square Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Chlorophyll-A | Algal Growth | |
| Dioxin (Including 2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Dioxins | |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | |
| Shellfish Growing Area-Conditionally Approved Closed | Pathogens | |
| Shellfish Growing Area-Prohibited | Pathogens | |
| pH | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | |
| Nickel | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| pH, Low | pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | |
| Shellfish Growing Area-Conditionally Approved Open | Pathogens | |
| Enterococcus Bacteria | Pathogens | |
| Arsenic | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Mercury in Fish Tissue | Mercury | |
| Recreation Advisory Postings | Other Cause | |
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | |
| Ecological/Biological Integrity Benthos | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
North Carolina Bays and Estuaries 2010
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
North Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
North Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing | 329.2 | .0 | .0 | 100.0 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 310.6 | 93.4 | .0 | 6.6 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 310.6 | 93.4 | .0 | 6.6 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
North Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2010
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury in Fish Tissue | Mercury | |
| Enterococcus Bacteria | Pathogens | |
| Recreation Advisory Postings | Other Cause |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
North Carolina Coastal Shoreline 2010
No probable sources of impairments reported.
North Carolina Causes of Impairment for Reporting Year 2010
Description of this table
North Carolina Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
for Reporting Year 2010
No probable sources reported.
North Carolina TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment 2010
No TMDL Alternatives reported.
North Carolina Previously 303(d)-Listed Waters Now Attaining All Applicable Water Quality Standards
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of Waters Attaining" value for a detailed list of those previously 303(d)-listed waters now attaining all applicable water quality standards. | ||
| Year Attaining | Number of Waters Attaining | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 58 | |
| 2010 | 70 | |
North Carolina Causes of Impairment for 303(d) Listed Waters
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on a cause of impairment (e.g. pathogens) to see the specific state-reported causes that are grouped to make up this category. Click on the "Number of Causes of Impairment Reported" to see a list of waters with that cause of impairment. | |
| Cause of Impairment Group Name | Number of Causes of Impairment Reported |
|---|---|
| Pathogens | |
| Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Turbidity | |
| Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Mercury | |
| Algal Growth | |
| Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| pH/Acidity/Caustic Conditions | |
| Other Cause | |
| Dioxins | |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | |
| Noxious Aquatic Plants | |
| Nutrients | |
| Ammonia | |
| Sediment | |
| Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | |
| Total Toxics | |
Total: 1,566 Causes of Impairment
North Carolina Cumulative TMDLs by Pollutant
This chart includes TMDLs since October 1, 1995.
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Pollutant" value to see associated listed waters for which a TMDL was developed. Click on the underlined "Number of TMDLs" value to see a listing of those TMDLs for the pollutant. | ||
| Pollutant | Number of TMDLs | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | 123 | |
| Mercury | 36 | |
| Fecal | 15 | |
| Phosphorus, Total | 11 | |
| Nitrogen, Total | 10 | |
| Total Suspended Solids (TSS) | 16 | |
| Aquatic Weeds | 5 | |
| Dioxin | 5 | |
| Turbidity | 5 | |
| Biological Integrity | 4 | |
| Pollutants in Urban Stormwater | 3 | |
| Alkalinity | 2 | |
| Nitrogen | 2 | |
| Copper | 1 | |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 1 | |
Total: 232 TMDLs; 240 Causes of Impairment Addressed
North Carolina Cumulative Number of TMDLs
EPA Fiscal Year starts October 1 and ends September 30.
Description of this table
| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of TMDLs Completed" value for a detailed list of the TMDLs for the fiscal year. | ||
| Fiscal Year | Number of TMDLs | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 | |
| 1997 | 5 | |
| 1999 | 2 | |
| 2000 | 35 | |
| 2002 | 16 | |
| 2003 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 16 | |
| 2005 | 12 | |
| 2006 | 7 | |
| 2007 | 24 | |
| 2008 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 20 | |
| 2010 | 32 | |
| 2011 | 28 | |
| 2012 | 21 | |
| 2013 | 13 | |
Total: 232 TMDLs; 240 Causes of Impairment Addressed
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