Chowan

In March 2021, the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) approved the fourth Chowan River Basin Water Resources Management Plan (basin plan). The basin plan includes eight chapters and several appendices that explore water quality and water quantity issues in the basin. It also includes a Story Map. The Story Map includes an interactive component and provides a better view of monitoring locations, permitted facilities, and waterbodies in the basin.  

Executive Summary 

Chapter 1: Overview 

Provides basic information about land use and population, nonpoint source pollution (agriculture, forestry, stormwater) and basin characteristic (aquatic habitat, wetland functions, etc.)

Chapter 2: Monitoring Data and Water Quality

Reviews how chemical, physical and biological parameters are used to assess water quality in North Carolina and overall results for the Chowan River basin.

Chapters 3, 4 and 5: Watershed Chapters and Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW) Summary

Provides detailed information at the watershed scale. Individual stream assessments, special studies, information related to water use and specific projects in the watersheds are included.

• Chapter 3: Meherrin HUC 03010204
  • Appendix III
• Chapter 4: Chowan HUC 03010203
  • Appendix IV
• Chapter 5: Chowan NSW History and Current Nutrient Conditions
  • Appendix V-I: Integrated Reports & Permit Tables
  • Appendix V-II: Algal Blooms & Press Release Information
  • Appendix V-III: USDA Census Animal Inventory Graphics

Chapter 6: Water Quality Initiatives and Funding

Explores various options for protecting water resources and includes information as it relates to local initiatives, watershed planning and funding opportunities. 

Chapter 7: Permitted and Registered Activities in the Chowan River Basin

Contains general information about existing programs that protect water resources. Examples include National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and non-discharge wastewater management, stormwater programs, public water supply systems, and animal feeding operations.

Chapter 8: Water Use and Availability in the Chowan River Basin 

• Appendix VIII - 7Q10 Flow Trends

Provides a summary of water use in the basin and includes information publicly available through the Local Water Supply Plans (LWSP), the Water Withdrawal and Transfer Registration (WWATR) database, and the Ground Water Management Branch (GWMB). It also includes information about agriculture water use as reported in the 2018 Agricultural Water Use Survey published by NCDA&CS.  

More information

• Integrated Report Files (Modeling & Assessment Branch)
• Nutrient Criteria Development Plan (NCDP)
• Statewide Interactive Map (AGOL)
• Public Comments Recieved and Responses

2007 Chowan River Basinwide Water Quality Plan

Entire Plan

Plan By Chapter

• Table of Contents

• Executive Summary

• Introduction

Water Quality Data & Information by Subbasin

• Chapter 1 - Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-01 (Including:  Chowan River (Upper), Wiccacon River, Ahoskie Creek and Bennetts Creek (Merchants Millpond))
• Chapter 2 - Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-02 (Including:  Meherrin River, Cutawhiskie Swamp and Potecasi Creek)
• Chapter 3 - Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-03 (Including:  Chowan River (Middle))
• Chapter 4 - Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-04 (Including: Chowan River (Lower), Eastmost Swamp and Albemarle Sound)

General Basinwide Information

• Chapter 5 - North Carolina Water Quality Classifications and Standards

• Chapter 6 - Water Quality Stressors and Sources of Impairment in the Chowan River Basin

• Chapter 7 - Stormwater and Wastewater Management for Improved Water Quality

• Chapter 8 - Population and Natural Resources in the Chowan River Basin

• Chapter 9 - Agriculture and Water Quality

• Chapter 10 - Water Quality Management Strategies

• Chapter 11 - North Carolina’s Impaired Waters List

References

Appendices

• Appendix I - DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs in the Chowan River Basin

• Appendix II - Use Support Methodology and Use Support Ratings

• Appendix III - NPDES Discharge, Non-Discharge and Individual Stormwater Permits

• Appendix IV - Chowan River Basin Nonpoint Source Program Description and Contacts

• Appendix V - Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

2002 Chowan River Basinwide Water Quality Plan

Entire Document

Plan By Chapter

• Table of Content
• Executive Summary

Section A - General Basin Information

• CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 
• CHAPTER 2: Chowan River Basin Overview 
• CHAPTER 3: Summary of Water Quality Information for the Chowan  River Basin 
• CHAPTER 4: Water Quality Issues Related to the Chowan  River Basin 

Section B: Water Quality Data and Information by Subbasin

• Chapter 1 – Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-01
• Chapter 2 – Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-02
• Chapter 3 – Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-03
• Chapter 4 – Chowan River Subbasin 03-01-04

Section C - Current & Future Water Quality Initiatives

• Chapter 1 – Current Water Quality Initiatives
• Chapter 2 – Future Water Quality Initiatives

References

Appendices

• Appendix I - NPDES Dischargers and Individual Stormwater Permits in the Chowan River Basin
• Appendix II - Water Quality Data Collected by DWQ (Benthic Macroinvertebrate Collections &Fish Community Assessments)
• Appendix III - Use Support Methodology and Use Support Ratings
• Appendix IV - 303(d) Listing and Reporting Methodology
• Appendix V - Chowan River Basin Workshop Summaries
• Appendix VI - Chowan River Basin Nonpoint Source Program Description and Contacts
• Appendix VII - Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

1997 Chowan River Basinwide Water Quality Plan

Entire Plan

Plan By Chapter

• Table of Content
• Executive Summary
• CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Basinwide Water Quality Planning 
• CHAPTER 2: Chowan River Basin General Description 
• CHAPTER 3: Cause of Impairment and Sources of Water Pollution in the Chowan River Basin 
• CHAPTER 4: Water Quality and Use Support Ratings in the Chowan River Basin 
• CHAPTER 5: Existing Water Quality Programs and Program Initiatives in the Basin
• CHAPTER 6: Major Basinwide Water Quality Concerns and Recommended Management Strategies
• CHAPTER 7: Future Initiatives

Appendices

• APPENDIX I: Summary of NC's Water Quality Classifications and Standards; Antidegradation Policy; Nutrient Sensitive Water Rules; High Quality Waters; and Outstanding Resource Waters
• APPENDIX II: DWQ Water Quality Monitoring Programs: Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling; Fisheries Studies; Lake Assessment; Effluent Toxicity Testing
• APPENDIX III: Modeling Information
• APPENDIX IV: Status of Implemention of the Water Quality Recommendations Contained in the Comprehensive Conservation and Manangement Plan
• APPENDIX V: List of Best Management Practices (BMPs) For: Agriculture; Urban Runoff; Erosion and Sediment Control; Onsite Wastewater Disposal; Solid Waste Disposal; Forestry; Mining; and Hydrologic Modification
• APPENDIX VI: Existing Point and Nonpoint Source Water Quality Programs
• APPENDIX VII: Estimation of Nutrient Loads for Watersheds in the Chowan Basin
• APPENDIX VIII: List of 303(d) Waters in the Chowan River Basin
• APPENDIX IX: List of NPDES Discharges in the Basin
• APPENDIX X: Summary of Comments Received at Public Workshop
• APPENDIX XI: Glossary