Learn About Your Watershed

What is a watershed?

A watershed is an area of land where all of the water that drains off of or flows underneath it collects to the same place (such as a river). We all live in a watershed. You can learn about yours on EPA’s How’s My Waterway site.

River Basins

A river basin makes up all the land around a river, and contains many nested smaller watersheds.  Learn about North Carolina’s 17 river basins at NC Office of Environmental Education.

How can I learn more?

Learn more about the science in your watershed at the US Geological Service.

Connect with a Watershed Organization

Following is a list of organizations that are dedicated to protecting water in North Carolina. This list was compiled with organizations that had included themselves on the now-retired NCWSN mapping tool, with additions from the River Network Water Protectors map. NCWSN seeks to connect people interested in working on their waterways, for greater support and impact. If your organization’s mission includes protecting or restoring waterways (whether for people, wildlife, or economic development) and would like to add it to the list, email Christy Perrin at caperrin@ncsu.edu.