skip to main content | skip to footer
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Soil & Water Conservation - NSW - Nutrient Sensitive Waters

Soil & Water Conservation

NSW - Nutrient Sensitive Waters

Environmental conditions in North Carolina’s rivers, estuaries and reservoirs are driven by complex interactions among rainfall, flows, temperatures, biological factors, and chemistry. Some of the waters of the state have a history of exceeding nutrient and chlorophyll a standards, and are deemed nutrient sensitive waters (NSW). Currently, the following watersheds have active nutrient sensitive waters strategies: Neuse River Basin, Tar-Pamlico River Basin and Jordan Lake Watershed. A draft strategy has been proposed for the Falls Lake Watershed, and a strategy will be developed for the High Rock Lake Watershed in the coming years. 

The Division and local soil and water conservation districts assist with the implementation of the agriculture rule. By working together, districts, oversight committees and local advisory committees can insure that the agricultural community affected is able to meet the reductions required by the rules. 

The current strategies for the Neuse River Basin, Tar-Pamlico River Basin and Jordan Lake Watershed provide flexibility at the local level for implementing site-specific practices. Farmers can achieve the reduction goal collectively, focusing on critical areas and conservation practices. In most cases, farmer sign on either with an advisory committee that develops a local strategy or they implement the standard best management practice option of the rules.


For more information, please select the individual strategy in the menu to the left.
38358 FEEDBACK

Your input is valuable to us. Please send us your feedback.

What type of feedback would you like to send?*

Ask a Question Report a Problem Have a Concern Make a Comment

(If you would like us to respond please include your phone or e-mail.)

Your Question has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Problem has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Concern has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

Your Comment has been sent. Thank you!

An internal server error prevented Your Question from being sent.
Please try again later, or call Toll-Free (877) 623-6748 for immediate assistance.

Please complete all highlighted items

*If you are a DENR employee with an I.T. issue, please submit a DOTS ticket.