Chapter 4 Habitats
The Chowan River Basin is part of the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine system, the second largest estuarine system in the United States. The basin is composed of two major drainages: the Chowan River and the Meherrin River. Major tributaries to the Chowan River include the Meherrin River, Potecasi Creek, Wiccacon River, Bennetts Creek, Indian Creek, and Rockyhock Creek. The headwaters of the Chowan River begin in the Coastal Plain ecoregion of Virginia, where 75% of the basin is located. The basin enters North Carolina in the northeastern portion of the state. Along with the Roanoke River, the Chowan supplies most of the freshwater supply to the Albemarle Sound. Fishes move between the Chowan, Roanoke and Pasquotank River basins freely as a result of the common connection with the sound (NCDWQ 2025d) . Land use in the basin is 36% forested, 29% agricultural, 20% wetland, 6% grassland, and 4% urban or developed (NCDWR 2021) . Land in this area is very flat, and the geology consists of alternating layers of sand, silt, clay, and limestone. Low flow over the warmest months of the year limits the ability of streams to maintain high DO levels (NCDWQ 2021) . The region has slow natural drainage. Many streams are swamp systems, and many man-made ditches have been installed to accommodate drainage for agriculture (NCDWQ 2011, 2025d) . Stream swamp systems periodically have no visible flow or low flow, usually during the summer, but flowing water should be present in swamp streams during the winter. 4.5.7.2 Aquatic Resource Conditions Approximately 55,772 acres within the Chowan River Basin are considered Significant Natural Heritage Area by the NCNHP (NCNHP 2025) . The Chowan River receives this designation because of the diversity of its freshwater mussel populations, many of which are rare and vulnerable. Surface waters of the state are assigned a classification that carries standards for protecting the best intended uses of that water. Classification categories include aquatic life, recreation, fish consumption, and water supply. The Chowan River Basin was the first waterbody in the state to be designated Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW). This designation protects areas with water quality problems associated with excessive plant growth resulting from nutrient enrichment, likely from nonpoint sources (fertilizer in runoff from agriculture and waste from confined animal operations), and nuisance algae blooms associated with excess nutrient loads. There are about 370 freshwater miles classified as NSW in the basin (NCDEQ 2025f, g) . Over the past few decades, the entire area of the Albemarle Sound has periodically been rated impaired (i.e., exceeding criteria) due to a number of water quality issues. The NCDHHS has issued a statewide fish consumption advisory for certain species due to high levels of mercury contamination (NCDHHS 2025) . The NCDEQ maintains water quality monitoring stations around the Albemarle Sound and has frequently issued swimming advisories due to poor water quality ( NCDHHS 2014, NCDEQ 2025f,g) . Factors that contribute to impaired ratings include high fecal coliform
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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