Watershed RestorationNorth Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation
- Hewletts Creek: Wilmington, North Carolina
- Total Watershed: 7,475 Acres
- State Designations: PNA & SA HQW
- Federal Listing: 303(d)
Overview
Hewletts Creek should set the standard for water quality and thriving coastal watersheds in our state. It holds our state’s top water quality classification, SA High Quality Waters (SA HQW), reserved for waterways safe for shellfish harvesting. It’s also designated as a Primary Nursery Area (PNA), providing critical habitat for young fish and marine life. Yet despite these protections, the watershed remains impaired and 303(d) listed due to ongoing pollution and high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. That contradiction lies at the heart of the problem.
The Issue
Since the 1970s, Hewletts Creek has suffered from chronic pollution, including major sewage spills in 2005 and 2013 that released millions of gallons of untreated wastewater. State agencies and local researchers have documented decades of stormwater runoff and sewer overflows, resulting in consistently high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. Despite its protected status, the creek remains on the 303(d) impaired waters list, closed to shellfish harvesting, and unsafe for recreation.
Our Solution
In addition to the stormwater mitigation efforts being carried out by the City of Wilmington through its Heal Our Waterways initiative, the North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation is launching a separate but complementary effort to restore Hewletts Creek. This science-driven project, in partnership with local researchers, engineers, agencies, and creek stakeholders, focuses on restoring natural water flow by removing barriers to tidal exchange. The goal is to improve circulation, raise salinity, and help the creek fully recover.
Acres
What's at Stake?
The Hewletts Creek watershed spans approximately 7,475 acres and reflects a broader challenge facing North Carolina’s coast. As pollution takes hold in systems of this size, the impacts ripple across ecosystems, local economies, and public health. North Carolina needs a model for restoring impaired waters, and with the right investment and leadership, this watershed can become that model.
Resources
Join Our List of Supporters
As a Hewletts Creek stakeholder, your support matters! Sign up to receive project updates, upcoming activities, and invitations to stakeholder events. Your information will be used strictly for internal purposes to keep you informed as our effort progresses. Have a question? Click here to send us a message, and our team will get back to you.