CSU :: About NC Surface Water Classifications
WHAT ARE SURFACE WATER CLASSIFICATIONS?
Surface Water Classifications are designations applied to surface water bodies, such as streams, rivers and lakes, which define the best uses to be protected within these waters (for example swimming, fishing, drinking water supply) and carry with them an associated set of water quality standards to protect those uses. Surface water classifications are one tool that state and federal agencies use to manage and protect all streams, rivers, lakes, and other surface waters in North Carolina. Classifications and their associated protection rules may be designed to protect water quality, fish and wildlife, the free flowing nature of a stream or river, or other special characteristics. For an explanation of each classification, click here. Each classification has associated standards that are used to determine if the designated uses are being protected. For more information on standards, click here.
HOW DO CLASSIFICATIONS AFFECT ME?
Before you buy property, plan a new development project, construct a new road or undertake other land use activities, you should check with local, state and federal agencies about the assigned surface water classification for the waterbody on your property. Many of the classifications, especially those designed to protect drinking water supplies and certain high quality waters, have protection rules which regulate activities, such as development, that may impact surface water quality. In addition, please note that depending on the classification of an adjacent water body, some types of activities may be restricted.
Trout Buffer Frequently Asked Questions Brochure (PDF): What are Trout Buffers and how might they effect me?
WHY DO THEY SOMETIMES OVERLAP?
Many streams, rivers and lakes may have several classifications applied to the same area. This is because surface waters are classified to protect different uses or special characteristics of the waterbody. For example, a stream or specific stream segment may be classified as Class WS-III Tr HQW by the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ). This protects it as a drinking water supply (WS-III), as Trout Waters (Tr) and as High Quality Waters (HQW). The stream segments upstream or downstream may have different classifications based on other water uses or stream characteristics.
HOW DO I DETERMINE MY STREAM'S CLASSIFICATION?
DWQ classifies all surface waters. Schedules of Classifications identify surface water bodies by basin, name (primarily taken from U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps), and the water classification assigned to the various segments of the watercourse.
Surface water classification data is available online. If you would like to obtain a hardcopy of the Schedule of Classifications for a river basin, or a complete set of schedules (17 schedules), or if you need assistance in determining the classification of a waterbody, contact the central office in Raleigh or any of the regional offices. You should also contact other agencies for any of their classifications which may apply.
HOW ARE THESE CLASSIFICATIONS DETERMINED?
They are based on the rules (the "REDBOOK") as defined in the NC Administrative Code. Classifications and their rules are regularly updated and revised, so check with the appropriate agencies before starting any project.
The rules are based on the minimum protection rules of state and federal agencies. Local governments, in most cases, can adopt more stringent land use or water resource protection rules. Check with the local government(s) that has jurisdiction over your land for any local rules and procedures that may apply.
HOW CAN A WATER'S CLASSIFICATION BE CHANGED?
A waterbody's classification may change at the request of a local government or citizen. DWQ reviews each request for a reclassification and conducts an assessment of the waterbody to determine the appropriateness of the reclassification. DWQ also conducts periodic waterbody assessments which may result in a recommendation to reclassify the waterbody. In order for a waterbody to be reclassified it must proceed through the rule-making process. To inititate a reclassification complete the "Application to Request Reclassification of NC Surface Water." To request a copy, click here for staff contact information.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
More detailed information is available in pamphlets entitled, A Guide to Surface Freshwater Classifications in North Carolina and A Guide to North Carolina's Tidal Saltwater Classifications. Both documents include a table comparing the differing regulations of classifications within their waters; the non-tabular information presented in these documents is provided on this web page and additional web pages on this website. To view the pamphlets' tables, click here for the freshwater classifications table or here for the tidal saltwater classifications table. These tables do not include information on classifications which are not currently assigned to any surface waters.
For comments or suggestions about this page, please contact Jeff Manning .
Last updated on
June 12, 2007
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