Coastal Carolina Riverwatch
Protecting the quality of water and quality of life in coastal North Carolina.
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is a grassroots clean-water organization shaped by coastal communities and strengthened by science, partnerships, local knowledge, and practical action across the White Oak River Basin.
Local water. Local knowledge. Practical action.
Mission & Community
Clean-water work built with the people who know these waters.
Who We Are
Community-rooted by design.
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is a dedicated grassroots initiative shaped by the voices of coastal residents, working collaboratively to safeguard clean water and vital marine ecosystems.
This work is powered by supporters and carried out through a skilled network that includes staff and board leadership, scientists and researchers, fishermen, residents, local officials, industry professionals, volunteer legal and policy advisors, captains and pilots, students, academic collaborators, sustainable businesses, and partner organizations.
Our Mission
Protect water. Strengthen communities.
Our mission is to protect the quality of water and quality of life in coastal North Carolina.
Clean water connects fisheries, public health, habitat, recreation, tourism, agriculture, local businesses, and the long-term resilience of coastal communities. CCRW works across those connections rather than treating water quality as a single issue.
Where We Work
One coastal basin. Four connected river systems.
CCRW serves the White Oak, New, Newport, and North river systems and the communities, fisheries, habitats, businesses, and public waters connected to them across parts of Onslow, Carteret, and Jones counties.
How We Work
From observation to evidence to action.
CCRW connects fieldwork and research with the people, partnerships, planning, education, and advocacy needed to move water-quality information toward practical solutions.
Research & Monitoring
Water sampling, field investigations, aerial observations, mapping, laboratory partnerships, and applied research help identify pollution concerns and fill information gaps.
Community & Partnerships
Residents, fishermen, farmers, researchers, students, agencies, businesses, and local leaders bring knowledge that strengthens the work and keeps it grounded in coastal communities.
Planning & Advocacy
Research and community priorities inform watershed plans, restoration concepts, education, public comments, agency engagement, and policy recommendations.
Mission in Action · 2026
Current research, planning, and advocacy.
Current CCRW projects connect water quality, fisheries, agriculture, submerged aquatic vegetation, community science, watershed restoration, and public accountability.
Water Quality for Fisheries
Research, outreach, policy, and collaboration organized around water-quality priorities identified with coastal fishing communities.
Pure Farms, Pure Waters
Monitoring, microbial source tracking, field and aerial investigation, outreach, education, and advocacy focused on agricultural pollution concerns.
NC SAV Watchers
CCRW and UNCW are testing how trained community scientists can contribute reliable information about submerged aquatic vegetation and water-quality conditions.
Blue Crabs & SAV Research
Collaborative research examines blue crab health, Hematodinium, nursery habitat, submerged aquatic vegetation, water quality, and environmental conditions.
New River Watershed Restoration
Upper and Lower New River planning identifies stormwater, wastewater, habitat, flooding, restoration, and resilience opportunities that can move toward implementation.
Advocacy & Emerging Issues
CCRW follows water-quality threats, responds to community concerns, documents field conditions, engages agencies, and participates in public decision-making.
Reports & Organization Documents
A clear record of the work.
The documents already linked from the Mission page are preserved below, presented with consistent titles and identical centered viewing areas.
Recognition · 2025
Water Conservationist of the Year
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch was recognized through the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards.
Annual Report · 2025
2025 Annual Report
Review CCRW’s 2025 programs, research, partnerships, outreach, advocacy, and organizational work.
Annual Report · 2024
2024 Annual Report
Review CCRW’s 2024 programs, research, partnerships, outreach, advocacy, and organizational work.
2023 Highlights
Earlier Accomplishments
Explore highlights from CCRW’s 2023 work across coastal waters and communities. Open any section to review the details.
Key Milestones in 2023
Work Across the Four River Systems
North River
- Assisted in local projects aimed at improving water conditions.
- Collected and analyzed samples related to contamination concerns.
- Provided resources to first responders regarding the environmental impact of certain firefighting materials.
Newport River
- Strengthened public awareness of water-safety issues.
- Examined the effects of construction-related activities on nearby streams and wetlands.
White Oak River
- Monitored water concerns linked to land development.
- Expanded efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems.
New River
- Investigated factors impacting marine populations.
- Launched new conservation initiatives, including a watershed restoration effort.
Programs & Other Accomplishments
Water Quality for Fisheries: research-based solutions protecting water resources essential for marine industries, including engagement with fishing professionals, identification of action priorities, new research support, and Tidal Alert screenings.
Pure Farms, Pure Waters: agricultural water-quality monitoring, bacteria and pollutant testing, mapping, case studies, farm outreach, and work supporting responsible land and water management.
Harmful Algae Bloom Response
Conducted aerial surveys and ground investigations to assess and address bloom-related concerns.
PFAS Research & Public Awareness
Participated in studies focused on chemical contamination in coastal regions and secured support for continued work.
Public Engagement Training
Led educational sessions on how to provide feedback on policies and local environmental projects.
Microplastics Research
Collaborated with statewide programs to assess plastic waste in waterways.
Marine Debris Symposium
Hosted the 11th annual event, bringing experts together around waste-related challenges.
Legal & Policy Initiatives
Partnered with legal professionals to explore opportunities for stronger water protections.
Local Waterkeeper · Global Movement
Serving the White Oak River Basin.
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is a Waterkeeper Alliance member serving the White Oak River Basin.
The White Oak Waterkeeper provides a local field presence and connects pollution response, monitoring, research, community education, partnerships, and advocacy across the basin.
CCRW advocates for clean water for ALL.
Support the Mission
Help turn coastal science into action.
Donations help sustain the field monitoring, independent research, watershed planning, community education, and advocacy that protect the White Oak River Basin.