Chowan River Basin
Lutfiah Alwahishi May 12, 2016
Population
61,548 (2010 US Census)
BASIC FACTS
Major Cites
- Edenton
- Jackson
- Gatesville
- Winton
- Rich Square
Counties
- Northampton
- Hertford
- Gates
- Bertie
- Chowan
Headwaters Located: Black-Water and NottoWay rivers meet
Emptys?: Out to the Atlantic Ocean.
791 total miles of rivers and streams
1,298 square miles is the overall size
Native Animal Species
Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
Triangle Floater (Alasmidonta undulata)
Grey Fox (Urocyon Cinereoargenteus)
Native Plant Species
Tupelo (Nyssa Sylvatica)
Red Maple (Acer Rubrum)
Bald Cypress (Taxodium Distichum)
Tourisim Attractions
- Bennett's Millpond Paddle Trail
- Chowan Swamp Game Land
- GatesVille Water Front Park
- Wiccacon River Trail
Water Quaility
The water quality of the Chowan Basin is much better today than it was in 1972. Then it was declared "dead" and was the site of the first large scale algae bloom in coastal North Carolina. The whole lower half of the river was swallowed in a thick green scum and dissolved oxygen levels were depleted.
Water Pollution
- Nutrients have been and continue to be a significant issue in the Chowan River basin.
- No producers were found to be adjusting commercial fertilizer application rates to account for the nutrient value of animal waste that was being applied.
- Each day, sewage treatment plants in the Chowan River/Dismal Swamp coastal watershed discharge a combined 4.7 million gallons of wastewater containing excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.
Prevent Polllution
Southside Virginia voters are willing to pay more to clean up the Chowan River
Fun Fact
Less than 1 percent of the states population live there, and only three percent is considered developed