Research & Water Quality
Water sampling, field investigations, aerial observations, mapping, laboratory partnerships, and applied research help identify pollution concerns and fill information gaps.
White Oak River Basin · Coastal North Carolina
Protecting the quality of water and quality of life in coastal North Carolina.
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch combines field monitoring, applied research, community engagement, watershed planning, and advocacy to protect the rivers, estuaries, fisheries, habitats, and communities of the White Oak River Basin.
Local water. Local knowledge. Practical action.
320miles of rivers and streams
140,104acres of estuaries
129miles of coastline
4major river systems
The waters we serve
One coastal basin. Connected rivers, communities, and economies.
The White Oak River Basin encompasses portions of Onslow, Jones, and Carteret counties and includes river, estuarine, wetland, and coastal systems that support fisheries, recreation, tourism, agriculture, wildlife, local businesses, and communities. What happens upstream can shape water quality far downstream.
- White Oak River
- New River
- Newport River
- North River
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch / White Oak Waterkeeper service area.
How we protect clean water
Science, community, and advocacy belong together.
CCRW works from the watershed to the policy table—documenting conditions, building research partnerships, translating information, listening to local knowledge, and helping move practical solutions forward.
Community Engagement & Education
Residents, fishermen, farmers, students, volunteers, researchers, and local leaders help shape work that reflects the people and places connected to these waters.
Advocacy, Planning & Restoration
Research and community priorities inform public comments, agency engagement, watershed plans, restoration concepts, and policy recommendations for stronger water protection.
Current work
Research and action underway now.
Current CCRW projects connect water quality, fisheries, agriculture, submerged aquatic vegetation, habitat, community science, pollution prevention, and watershed restoration.
Flagship program
Water quality + agriculture
Community science
Fisheries + habitat
Watershed restoration
Policy + accountability
Water Quality for Fisheries
Research, outreach, policy, and infrastructure work organized around water-quality priorities identified with coastal fishing communities.
Explore the program →
Water quality + agriculture
Pure Farms, Pure Waters
Monitoring, microbial source tracking, field and aerial investigations, farmer outreach, community education, and advocacy in the New River watershed and beyond.
Explore Pure Farms, Pure Waters →
Community science
NC SAV Watchers
CCRW and UNCW are testing how trained community scientists can contribute reliable submerged aquatic vegetation and water-quality observations.
Explore NC SAV Watchers →
Fisheries + habitat
Blue Crabs & SAV Research
Research with NC State collaborators examines blue crab health, Hematodinium, nursery habitat, water quality, and environmental conditions.
Follow the research →
Watershed restoration
Upper & Lower New River Plans
Watershed planning identifies restoration, stormwater, wastewater, flooding, and resilience projects and helps communities position projects for future implementation funding.
Explore watershed planning →
Policy + accountability
Advocacy & Emerging Issues
CCRW tracks and responds to water-quality threats through research, public comment, policy engagement, community concerns, and documented field conditions.
Explore advocacy →
From information to participation
Research matters most when people can use it.
CCRW translates technical work into community education, volunteer opportunities, public meetings, newsletters, field experiences, and practical resources. That connection helps local knowledge inform research—and helps research inform action.
- Hands-on water-quality and watershed education
- Volunteer monitoring and community science
- Research translation for residents and decision-makers
- Internships and student partnerships
January 28–29, 2027 · Jacksonville, North Carolina
Water Quality for Fisheries Symposium
A collaborative forum connecting research, fisheries, infrastructure, policy, restoration, resilience, and advocacy around the water-quality issues affecting coastal North Carolina.
Take part
Stay connected to the work.
Volunteer
Join fieldwork, community outreach, education, advocacy, and other projects supporting the White Oak River Basin.
Stay Informed
Receive project updates, advocacy alerts, research news, events, and volunteer opportunities.
Report a Water Concern
Observed unusual water color, odor, runoff, discharge, pollution, or another concern in the basin?
Support & collaboration
Strong local work is built on strong relationships.
CCRW combines local field presence with philanthropic support and research partnerships across universities, agencies, nonprofits, and technical organizations.
Major Supporters
These major supporters help sustain CCRW’s ongoing water-quality monitoring, research coordination, community outreach, watershed planning, and advocacy.
Fred & Alice Stanback
Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Roaring Brook Family Foundation
Coins for Conservation
Research, Academic & Technical Partners
CCRW works with partners across water quality, fisheries, coastal science, public policy, mapping, community science, aerial monitoring, and student research.
UNC Institute of Marine Sciences
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Duke University / Duke Marine Lab / Nicholas School
NC State University / CMAST
RTI International
North Carolina Central University
UNC-Chapel Hill Public Policy
North Carolina Sea Grant
NC Division of Marine Fisheries
NC Department of Environmental Quality
NC C-CAPE
SouthWings
East Carolina University Center for Survey Research
Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP)
NC Stream Watch
Duke Environmental Law & Policy Clinic
Plastic Ocean Project
Why give to CCRW?
Local support keeps clean-water work moving.
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch serves 320 miles of rivers and streams, 140,104 acres of estuaries, and 129 miles of coastline. Donations help sustain the core work that connects field monitoring, independent research, watershed planning, community education, and advocacy across the White Oak River Basin.
Keep a local presence on the water.Support routine monitoring, rapid-response investigations, field documentation, and follow-up when residents raise water-quality concerns.
Turn science into practical action.Help CCRW coordinate research, interpret findings, build restoration and watershed plans, and translate technical information for communities and decision-makers.
Invest in people and participation.Support community education, volunteers, internships, student research, outreach to fishermen and farmers, and public advocacy for clean water.
One-time and recurring gifts are available through CCRW’s secure giving page. Annual gifts of $1,000 or more are also recognized through the Waterkeeper Admiral Club.
Donate Now
Waterkeeper Admiral Club
CCRW is a Waterkeeper Alliance member serving the White Oak River Basin. Learn more about CCRW’s mission and achievements.