River basins

From Water Wiki

River basins in North Carolina are defined at least two different ways (map showing comparison here). For purposes of regulating interbasin transfers, river basins are as defined in G.S. 143-215.22G. A map is shown below. This map is under revision as of January 2008.

The major river basins, and their sub-basins created by major tributaries, as defined in G.S. 143-215.22G (2008), are:

• Broad River

• Cape Fear River
  • Haw River
  • Deep River
  • South River
  • Northeast Cape Fear River
  • New River

• Catawba River
  • South Fork Catawba River

• Chowan River
  • Meherrin River

• French Broad River
  • Nolichucky River
  • Pigeon River

• Hiwasee River

• Little Tennessee River
  • Tuckasegee River

• Savannah River

• Lumber River
  • Big Shoe Heel Creek
  • Waccamaw River
  • Shallotte River

• Neuse River
  • Contentnea Creek
  • Trent River

• New River

• Albemarle Sound

• Ocoee River

• Roanoke River

• Tar River
  • Fishing Creek
  • Pamlico River and Sound

• Watauga River

• White Oak River

• Yadkin River
  • South Yadkin River
  • Uwharrie River
  • Rocky River

The North Carolina General Assembly identifies 17 major river basins in NC in G.S. 143-215.8B, for purposes of basinwide water quality management plans, and the Division of Water Quality provides maps illustrating their boundaries at [1]. The river basins are listed as follows: Broad, Cape Fear, Catawba, Chowan, French Broad, Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, Lumber, Neuse, New, Pasquotank, Roanoke, Savannah, Tar-Pamlico, Watauga, White Oak and Yadkin-Pee Dee. These are the "major" river basins.

In contrast, the NC General Assembly indentified 38 river basins in NC in G.S. 143-215.22G; these include sub-basins formed by some major tributaries. The river basins listed in the water withdrawal statute are: Broad, Haw, Deep, Cape Fear, South, Northeast Cape Fear, New, Catawba, South Fork Catawba, Chowan, Meherrin, Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Hiwassee, Little Tennesse, Tuckaseegee, Savannah, Lumber, Big Shoe Heel Creek, Waccamaw, Shalotte, Neuse, Contentnea Creek, Trent, New, Albemarle Sound, Ocoee, Roanoke, Tar, Fishing Creek, Pamlico River and Sound, Watauga, White Oak, Yadkin-Pee Dee, South Yadkin, Uwharrie and Rocky.