White Oak Watershed

Dams and Reservoirs, Populations, River and major tributaries, economic activities.

White Oak Watershed

Dominant economic activities

The White Oak has more than 20 hiking trails and around 12 biking trails scattered throughout the basin. The White oak also offers many opportunities for paddling creeks, ponds, streams, lakes and estuaries.

Stream and River

River and its tributaries

Most of the surface water resources in the basin are saltwater, but there are limited freshwater streams. with only 277 streams miles of freshwater streams, this basin has the second lowest number of stream miles in the state.

This basin is used for both agricultural and recreational purposes. the outstanding number of waterways draw coneist, recreational boaters, anglers, and shell fisherman. Many rely on the nutrient-rich soil to help produce crops to live on or make a profit from selling them.

Populations

the river basin runs through 4 counties, 14 cities. Some of the major cities include Jacksonville, Beaufort, Newport, and Morehead City. 2.9 % of the population, or 197,802 people, live in the White Oak river basin.

Tributaries

The White Oak river basin encompasses a 1,264-square-mile watershed area, which includes the drainages of four separate river systems: the New River and its tributaries in the southwestern section; the White Oak river and its tributaries; the Newport River and its tributaries; and the North River in the eastern section.

Water Quality

Annual Average Discharge

Only 4% of the freshwater streams are impaired, while 10 % of the saltwater resources are impaired. Much of the impairment is caused by elevated fecal coliform bacteria levels. the fecals coliform comes from urban stormwater runoff, failing septic systems,a nd agricultural activities. In addition, sediment is a problem which comes from urban stormwater runoff and forestry and agricultural activities.

Environmental Concerns

Physical Characteristics

The average annual discharge is approximately 1200 cubic ft/s.

Agricultural is causing pollution caused by runoff contaminated with fertilizers and chemicals that pollute the waterways and harm livestock and already endangered species. Recreation also caused a decrease in the wildlife population.

Water Quality, Environmental Concerns, and Solutions

Solutions

Length and Topography

The White Oak River is a blackwater river, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) long, on the coastal plain of southeast of North Carolina that empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The topography can relatively flat with elevation that can range from 16ft to 55ft.

Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides because runoff could lead to rivers and harm the organisms living in it. Stop polluted runoff and eroded soil from getting into the water. Some shrubs can reduce the harmful chemicals in rivers, so people can help by preserving buffers of trees and shrubs along the edge of waterfront property.