Monitoring Coalition Program
The Monitoring Coalition Program is a voluntary, ambient monitoring program that provides an effective and efficient means for assessing water quality in a watershed context. A monitoring coalition is a group of stakeholders that combine resources and expertise, to collectively fund and perform an in-stream monitoring program. If any members of the monitoring coalitions are NPDES wastewater or drinking water permit holders, the monitoring performed by this Program can be done in lieu of the in-stream monitoring required by their individual permits.
By forming a coalition, members have a medium to gather more information about their watersheds, evaluate member-specific interests and collaborate on watershed specific issues. Coalition members work with DWR to develop a monitoring network that uses strategically selected, mutually agreeable sampling locations to evaluate water quality beyond the point-source outfall. The monitoring locations are coordinated with the State's existing ambient and biological monitoring networks, to provide a more comprehensive picture of watershed conditions without duplicating efforts.
Coalition data are summarized with DWR ambient data, by station, in the Basinwide Assessment Reports. Data summaries are available for each coalition at the links below.
Staff Contact
| Mark Vander Borgh Coalition Coordinator 919.743.8431 |
Station Locations
There are currently six monitoring coalitions in four of the state’s river basins. Collectively, they sample 270 stations monthly for a variety of physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters.
Current Coalitions and Stations
Since February 1996, the Lower Cape Fear River Program has monitored from Lock and Dam 1 down to Southport. Thirty-one stations are currently monitored on a monthly basis. Details of the current monitoring program can be found in the Memorandum of Agreement. The LCFRP has supported research at UNC-Wilmington in a variety of water quality studies. Currently the members are working with DWR on the development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Cape Fear Estuary.
LCFRP Stations
Station Map
LCFRP Member Facilities
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LCFRP and DWR
Data Summaries of LCFRP Stations (2006 - 2010)
LCFRP Website
The members of the Lower Neuse Basin Association have monitored the Neuse River basin downstream of Falls Lake since December 1994. Currently the LNBA monitors 55 stations monthly. Details of this monitoring program can be found in the Memorandum of Agreement. The association, in cooperation with the Neuse River Compliance Association (NRCA), has actively supported nutrient management within the basin through upgrades to nutrient removal systems at member wastewater treatment facilities, and has provided financial assistance to academic researcher on nutrient loading. The Association is working with DWR and academia, to evaluate the effectiveness of the TMDL in reducing the nitrogen load to the Neuse estuary.
LNBA Stations
Station Map
LNBA Facilities
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the LNBA and DWR
Data Summaries of LNBA Stations (2006 - 2010)
LNBA Website
Since July 1998, the Middle Cape Fear River Basin Association has monitored from the confluence of the Haw and Deep Rivers to Lock and Dam 1. Today the association monitors 36 stations monthly. Details of the monitoring plan can be found in the association's Memorandum of Agreement. The MCFRBA has helped expand water quality knowledge within the river basin, by supporting academic research and conducting studies on fecal coliform and low level metals.
MCFBA Stations
Station Map
MCFBA Member Facilities
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the MCFBA and DWR
Data Summaries of MCFBA Stations (2006 - 2010)
The Tar-Pamlico Basin Association has monitored the basin since March 2007. The Association currently collects monthly data at 37 stations. Details of the monitoring plan can be found in the Memorandum of Agreement. The TPBA has worked cooperatively with DWQ to comply with the Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Strategy and is preparing for Phase IV negotiations.
TPBA Stations
Station Map
TPBA Members
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the TPBA and DWR
The Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association has monitored the waters of the Cape Fear River Basin from the headwaters to the confluence of the Haw and Deep Rivers since April 2000. The group currently monitors 40 stations monthly. Details of the monitoring plan can be found in the Memorandum of Agreement. The association has worked with the US Geological Society (USGS) to study sediment and nutrients within the watershed. Members were also active in the development of the Jordan Lake TMDL.
UCFRBA Stations
Station Map
UCFRBA Member Facilities
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the UCFRBA and DWR
Data Summaries of UCFRBA Stations (2006 - 2010)
The Yadkin/Pee Dee River Basin Association has monitored the Yadkin basin from the headwaters to the South Carolina border, since June 1998. The association currently monitors 71 stations monthly. Details on the monitoring program can be found in the Memorandum of Agreement. Association members have also supported water quality improvement efforts within the basin through stream restoration projects and participation in watershed planning. Currently the association is working with DWR and other stakeholders in the development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for High Rock Lake.
YPDRBA Stations
Station Map
YPDRBA Member Facilities
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the YPDRBA and DWR
Data Summaries of YPDRBA Stations (2006 - 2010)
YPDRBA Website