NCGuideSurfaceWater11x17-200903-DWQ-PLN-CSU

SURFACE FRESHWATER CLASSIFICATIONS USED IN NORTH CAROLINA
*DWQ PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS

The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) assigns to
each surface water in North Carolina a primary
classification. All waters must meet the
standards for Class C (fishable/swimmable)
waters. The other primary classifications provide
additional levels of protection for primary water
contact recreation (Class B) and drinking water
(Water Supply Class I through V).

Class C
Waters protected for secondary recreation,
fishing, wildlife, fish consumption, aquatic life
including propagation, survival, and
maintenance of biological integrity, agriculture
and other uses suitable for Class C. Secondary
recreation includes wading, boating, and other
uses involving human body contact with water
where such activities take place in an infrequent,
unorganized or incidental manner.

Water Supply I (WS-I)
Waters used as sources of water supply for
drinking, culinary, or food processing purposes
for those users desiring maximum protection for
their water supplies. These waters are also
protected for Class C uses. WS-I waters are
those within natural and undeveloped
watersheds in public ownership. All WS-I waters
are HWQ by supplemental classification.

Water Supply II (WS-II)
Waters used as sources of water supply for
drinking, culinary or food processing purposes
where a WS-I classification is not feasible.
These waters are also protected for Class C
uses. WS-II waters are generally in
predominantly undeveloped watersheds. All WS-
II waters are HQW by supplemental
classification.

Water Supply III (WS-III)
Waters used as sources of water supply for
drinking, culinary or food processing purposes
where a more protective WS-I or WS-II
classification is not feasible. These waters are
also protected for Class C uses. WS-III waters
are typically in low to moderately developed
watersheds.
Water Supply IV (WS-IV)
Waters used as sources of water supply for drinking,
culinary or food processing purposes where a WS-I,
WS-II or WS-III classification is not feasible. These
waters are also protected for Class C uses. WS-IV
waters are generally in moderately to highly
developed watersheds or Protected Areas..

Water Supply V (WS-V)
Waters protected as water supplies which are
generally upstream and draining to Class WS-IV
waters or waters used by industry to supply their
employees with drinking water or as waters formerly
used for public water supply. These waters are also
protected for Class C uses.

Class B
Waters used for primary recreation and other uses
suitable for Class C. Primary recreational activities
include swimming, skin diving, water skiing, and
similar uses involving human body contact with water
where such activities take place in an organized
manner or on a frequent basis.

*DWQ SUPPLEMENTAL CLASSIFICATIONS

Supplemental classifications are sometimes added by
DWQ to the primary classifications to provide
additional protection to waters with special uses or
values.

Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW)
Supplemental classification intended for waters
needing additional nutrient management due to their
being subject to excessive growth of microscopic or
macroscopic vegetation.

Trout Waters (Tr)
Supplemental classification intended to protect
freshwaters for natural trout propagation and survival
of stocked trout on a year round basis. This is not the
same as the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s
Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters (see end of
this section).

High Quality Waters (HQW)
Supplemental classification intended to protect
waters which are rated excellent based on
biological and physical/chemical characteristics
through Division monitoring or special studies,
primary nursery areas designated by the Marine
Fisheries Commission, and other functional
nursery areas designated by the Marine Fisheries
Commission. The following waters are HQW by
definition:
1. WS-I,
2. WS-II,
3. SA (commercial shellfish),
4. ORW,
5. Primary Nursery Areas designated by
Marine Fisheries Commission,
6. Waters for which DWQ has received a
petition for reclassification to either WS-I or
WS-II.

Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW)
Supplemental classification intended to protect
unique and special waters having excellent water
quality and being of exceptional state or national
ecological or recreational significance. To qualify,
waters must be rated Excellent by DWQ, and have
one of the following outstanding resource values:
1. Outstanding fish habitat or fisheries,
2. Unusually high level of water based recreation
or potential for such kind of recreation,
3. Some special designation such as N.C.
Scenic/Natural River, or National Wildlife
Refuge,
4. Important component of state or national park
or forest; or
5. Special ecological or scientific significance
(rare or endangered species habitat, research
or educational areas.)
All ORWs are HQW by supplemental classification.

Swamp Waters (Sw)
Supplemental classification intended to recognize
those waters which are topographically located so
as to generally have low velocities and other
natural characteristics which are different from
adjacent streams draining land with steeper
topography.

Unique Wetland (UWL)
Supplemental classification for wetlands of
exceptional state or national ecological
significance. These wetlands may include
wetlands that have been documented to the
satisfaction of the EMC as habitat essential for
the conservation of state or federally listed
threatened or endangered species.

OTHER AGENCY CLASSIFICATIONS

Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers
A federal government river designation intended
to protect certain free flowing rivers or segments
with outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic,
fish and wildlife, historic, archaeological or other
values. There are three river classifications:
Wild, Scenic and Recreational river areas.

NC Natural and Scenic Rivers
A state government river designation intended to
protect certain free flowing rivers or segments
with outstanding natural, scenic, education,
recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic,
scientific or other cultural values. There are
three river classifications: Natural, Scenic and
Recreational river areas. This classification is
administered by the NC Division of Parks and
Recreation.

Designated Public Mountain
Trout Waters
A state fishery management designation
administered by the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission, which provides for public access to
streams for fishing on private and public lands. It
regulates fishing activities only (seasons, size
limits, creel limits, and bit and lure restrictions)
and is not the same classification as the DWQ
Tr classification which protects water quality.
SURFACE FRESHWATER CLASSIFICATIONS
USED IN NORTH CAROLINA

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). Each classification has 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.

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 classifications, especially those designed to protect drinking water
supplies and certain high quality waters, have protection rules which may affect land use
and other activities.

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. Use the classification search capabilities at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/bims/Reports/reports.html. You can also call DWQ in Raleigh,
[phone], or any of our regional offices. Contact other agencies listed in this
brochure for any of their classifications which may apply.

HOW CAN THIS BROCHURE HELP ME?
This brochure provides an overview of the various surface freshwater classifications
used in North Carolina and their effect on different land uses or other human activities. It
is based on the classifications and their associated rules as of March 2009.
Classifications and their rules are regularly updated and revised, so check with the
appropriate agencies before starting any project.

The rules presented in this document 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 requirements. Check with local government agencies
that have jurisdiction over your land for local rules and procedures that may apply.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
More detailed information is available from the Division of Water Quality’s (or DWQ’s)
Planning Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1617, [phone],
or 807-6305. Additional information, including stream classifications, may be obtained
on DWQ’s website at: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us.
Asheville Regional Office (ARO)
Roger Edwards, Surface Water Protection Supervisor
Landon Davidson, Aquifer Protection Supervisor
2090 US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Courier: 12-59-01; T: [phone]; F: [phone]
Avery
Buncombe
Burke
Caldwell
Cherokee
Clay
Graham
Haywood
Henderson
Jackson
Macon
Madison
McDowell
Mitchell
Polk
Rutherford
Swain
Transylvania
Yancey
Mooresville Regional Office (MRO)
Rob Krebs, Surface Water Protection Supervisor
Andrew Pitner, Aquifer Protection Supervisor
610 East Center Avenue / Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
Courier: 09-08-06; T: [phone]; F: [phone]
Alexander
Cabarrus
Catawba
Cleveland

Gaston
Iredell
Lincoln
Mecklenburg
Rowan
Stanly
Union
Washington Regional Office (WaRO)
Al Hodge, Surface Water Protection Supervisor
David May, Aquifer Protection Supervisor
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
Courier: 16-04-01; T: [phone]
F: [phone]; F: [phone]
Beaufort
Bertie
Camden
Chowan
Craven
Currituck
Dare
Gates
Greene
Hertford
Hyde
Jones
Lenoir
Martin
Pamlico
Pasquotank
Perquimans
Pitt
Tyrrell
Washington
Wayne
Fayetteville Regional Office (FRO)
Belinda Henson, Surface Water Protection Supervisor
Art Barnhardt, Aquifer Protection Supervisor
225 Green Street, Systel Building Suite 714
Fayetteville, NC 28301-5043
Courier: 14-56-25; T: [phone]; F: [phone]
Anson
Bladen
Cumberland
Harnett
Hoke
Montgomery
Moore
Richmond
Robeson
Sampson
Scotland
Raleigh Regional Office (RRO)
Danny Smith, Surface Water Protection Supervisor
Jay Zimmerman, Aquifer Protection Supervisor
3800 Barrett Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609
Courier: 52-01-00; T: [phone]; F: [phone]
Chatham
Durham
Edgecombe
Franklin
Granville
Halifax
Johnston
Lee
Nash
Northampton
Orange
Person
Vance
Wake
Warren
Wilson
Wilmington Regional Office (WiRO)
Rick Shiver, Surface Water Protection Supervisor
Charlie Stehman, Aquifer Protection Supervisor
127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, NC 28405-2845
Courier: 04-16-33; T: [phone]; F: [phone]
Brunswick
Carteret
Columbus
Duplin
New
Hanover
Onslow
Pender
Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO)
Steve Tedder, Surface Water Protection Supervisor
Sherri Knight, Aquifer Protection Supervisor
585 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
Courier: 13-15-01; T: [phone]; F: [phone]
Alamance
Alleghany
Ashe
Caswell
Davidson
Davie
Forsyth
Guilford
Randolph
Rockingham
Stokes
Surry
Watauga
Wilkes
Yadkin
DWQ CENTRAL AND REGIONAL OFFICES (R.O.)
Central Office
DENR - Division of Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1617 Courier: 52-01-00
T: [phone]; F: [phone]
*Two primary classifications (WL=Freshwater Wetlands and SWL=Saltwater Wetlands) and one supplemental
classification (FWS=Future Water Supply) are not discussed in this document because no water bodies currently carry
these designations.

A Guide to
Surface Freshwater
Classifications
in North Carolina 2009
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
1000 copies of this document were printed at a cost of $585.42 or $0.58 per document with
funds provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act,
Section 319h (through the NC Division of Water Quality's Nonpoint Source Program)
GUIDE TO SURFACE FRESHWATER CLASSIFICATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Water Quality – 2009
NOTES:
1. Public water supplies are also subject to protection rules administered by the N.C. Division of
Environmental Health, especially DEH designated Class I and II reservoirs.
2. In an effort to protect trout streams, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' rules for the 25 western
counties in the state require certain dredge and fill activities to obtain special Corps approval.
3. Critical Area is 1/2 mile and draining to water supplies as measured from the normal pool elevation of
reservoirs, or 1/2 mile and draining to a river intake.
4. Protected Area is 5 miles and draining to water supplies as measured from the normal pool elevation
of reservoirs, or 10 miles upstream of and draining to a river intake. However, in some cases the
Protected Area can encompass the entire drainage area.
5. Area is 1/4 mile wide from each bank for a “study” river corridor. Legal boundary description with no
more than 320 acres per mile average for “designated” rivers.
6. The corridor boundaries shall be the visual horizon or such distance from each shoreline as may be
necessary, but not less than 20 feet. The state is authorized to carry out protection/management
activities within this boundary.
7. Where no practical alternative exists, treated discharge from groundwater remediation projects
addressing water quality problems will be allowed.
8. General permits cover relatively insignificant wastewater discharges such as swimming pool filter
backwashes.
9. New industrial process wastewater discharges are allowed but will require additional treatment
requirements.
10. These rules apply only to projects requiring a Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan.
11. 1/3 acre lot or 36 percent built upon surface area is allowed for projects without a curb and gutter
street system.
12. High Density Option requires control of runoff from the first 1 inch of rainfall through use of
engineered stormwater controls. Local governments must assume ultimate responsibility for operation
and maintenance of stormwater controls.
13. Buffers for low and high density options are applicable to perennial waters and shorelines; however,
an unique management strategy with different buffer requirements applies to Randleman Reservoir
(15A NCAC 2B .0248-.0251). When the 10/70 provision is invoked, 100’ buffers are needed.
14. Riparian Buffer Protection Rules specifically applied to the surface waters of the Neuse River Basin
and Tar-Pamlico River Basin went into effect in August 2000. Fifty-foot buffers are required for waters
classified as NSW in these two basins and these buffers are more restrictive than buffers required by
other classifications.
15. Erosion and sedimentation controls are those specified under the N.C. Sedimentation Pollution
Control Act (administered by the N.C. Division of Land Resources) or local government ordinances.
16. All agricultural activities are subject to provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 and the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990.
17. Agricultural activities must maintain a 10-foot vegetated buffer from perennial surface waters or equivalent control as
determined by the Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
18. Statewide rules administered by DWQ require certain size animal feedlots to have permit coverage and approved animal
waste management plans, as well as to implement buffer zones between newly constructed waste facilities / waste
application areas and perennial surface waters. In the Neuse River Basin and Tar-Pamlico River Basin, any agricultural
operation is required either to become part of a collective local strategy for implementing BMPs or to implement standard
BMPs.
19. Silviculture activities are subject to the provisions of the Forest Practices Guidelines related to water quality. Activities on
U.S. Forest Service lands are also subject to federal forest management guidelines.
20. The Department of Transportation must use BMPs as described in their document, “Best Management Practices For
Protection of Surface Waters" (March 1997).
21. “Discharging” landfills are those that must obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from DWQ to
discharge treated leachate to surface waters.
22. The following stormwater management requirements are applicable to development activities in the 20 Coastal Counties
requiring a CAMA major permit or Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan approval and, for non-residential development,
any project proposing 10,000 square feet or more of built-upon area.
MINIMUM BUFFER REQUIREMENT: 30 ft – Redevelopment, 50 ft – New Development
LOW DENSITY THRESHOLD FOR BUILT-UPON AREA: 24% built upon area
ENGINEERED STORMWATER CONTROL FOR HIGH DENSITY: Requires control of runoff from the 1.5-inch rainfall
event through the use of engineered stormwater controls.
The following stormwater management requirements are applicable to development in post-construction coverage areas
where development activities require an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan approval.
MINIMUM BUFFER REQUIREMENT: 30 ft
LOW DENSITY THRESHOLD FOR BUILT-UPON AREA: 24% built upon area
ENGINEERED STORMWATER CONTROL FOR HIGH DENSITY: Requires control of runoff from the 1.5-inch rainfall
event through the use of engineered stormwater controls.

DESIGNATED PUBLIC
MOUNTAIN TROUT
WATERS2
(NC Wildlife Resources
Commission)
NC NATURAL & SCENIC
RIVERS
(NC Division of Parks and
Recreation)
FEDERAL WILD &
SCENIC RIVERS
(US Forest Service, National
Park Service, etc.)
SWAMP WATERS
(SW)
OUTANDING RESOURCE
WATERS
(ORW)
HIGH QUALITY WATERS
(HQW)
DWQ TROUT WATERS
(TR)
NUTRIENT SENSITIVE
WATERS
(NSW)
CLASS C
(C)
CLASS B
(B)
WATER SUPPLY - V
(WS-V)1
WATER SUPPLY - IV
(WS-IV)1
WATER SUPPLY - III
(WS-III)1
WATER SUPPLY - II
(WS-II)1
WATER SUPPLY - I
(WS-I)1

Surface
Freshwater
Classifications
designated
waters
river
corridor6
river
corridor5
receiving
stream
normally
entire water-
shed (drain-
age area)
within 1 mile
from and
draining to
classified
waters
receiving
stream & 25'
buffer area
entire
watershed
or river basin
receiving
stream
receiving
stream
river
segment
protected
area4
1/2 mile
critical area3
rest of
watershed
1/2 mile
critical area3
rest of
watershed
1/2 mile
critical area3
entire water
supply
watershed
AREA
AFFECTED
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
Other Agency Classifications
no specific
restrictions
no new dis-
charges or
expansions
domestic &
industrial
(stricter treat-
ment standards
for new or
expanded
discharges)
domestic &
industrial
(stricter treat-
ment standards)
domestic &
industrial
(watershed-
specific nutrient
removal required)
domestic and
industrial
domestic and
industrial
(reliability
requirements)
domestic and
industrial
domestic and
industrial
domestic and
industrial9
domestic &
non-process
industrial
general
permits8
general
permits8
general
permits8
none
allowed
DWQ Primary Classifications
WASTEWATER
DISCHARGES
ALLOWED7
1 du / ac. or
12% built upon
area10
1 du / ac. or
12% built upon
area10
1 du / 1/2 ac or
24% built upon
area10, 11
1 du / 1/2 ac or
24% built upon
area10
1 du / 1/2 ac or
24% built upon
area
1 du / 1 ac or
12% built upon
area
1 du / 1 ac or
12% built upon
area
1 du / 2 ac or
6% built upon
area
none
--
undeveloped
LOW DENSITY
OPTION

(DU = DWELLING
UNIT)
(AC =ACRE)
no restrictions
no limit
specified
(must control
runoff from
first 1' of rain-
fall10)
no limit
specified
(must control
runoff from
first 1' of rain-
fall10)
No restrictions
11 communities in Tar-
Pamlico and 15 in Neuse
Basins require stormwater to
meet loading targets
DWQ Supplemental Classifications
no restrictions22
no restrictions22
no restrictions
24-70%
built upon
area10, 11
24-50%
built upon
area10
24-50%
built upon
area
12-30%
built upon
area
12-30%
built upon
area
6-24%
built upon
area
none
--
undeveloped
HIGH
DENSITY
OPTION12
no specific restrictions
(this classification is for fishery management
purposes only)
no specific restrictions
(federal government asks local governments to
regulate land use, but is not mandatory)
no specific restrictions
(State encourages local governments to regulate
land use but is not mandatory)
none required
low density - 30'10
high density - N.A.
low density - 30'10
high density - N.A.
25' buffer between
stream & graded
area
50’ in Neuse and
Tar-Pamlico basins
and Jordan Lake
Watershed14
none22 required
none22 required
none required
low density - 30'
high density - 100'
low density - 30'
high density - 100'
low density - 30'
high density - 100'
low density - 30'
high density - 100'
low density - 30'
high density - 100'
low density - 30'
high density - 100'
N.A.
STREAM
BUFFERS13, 14
ALLOWABLE DENSITY
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
more stringent
rules apply
more stringent
rules apply
standard rules plus
special buffer zone
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
standard rules
more stringent
rules apply
more stringent
rules apply
more stringent
rules apply
EROSION &
SEDIMENTATION
CONTROLS15
yes18
yes18
yes18
yes18
yes18
yes18
yes18
yes18
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes17
yes
yes17
yes
yes17
yes17
AGRICULTURE
BEST
MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
MANDATED16
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
FORESTRY
BEST
MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
MANDATED19
no specific BMPs
required
no specific BMPs
required
no specific BMPs
required
no specific BMPs
required
stricter NC
Div. of Land
Resources erosion
controls apply
stricter NC
Div. of Land
Resources erosion
controls apply
stricter NC
Div. of Land
Resources erosion
controls apply
no specific BMPs
required
no specific BMPs
required
no specific BMPs
required
applied as practical
yes20
yes20
yes20
yes20
stricter NC
Div. of Land
Resources erosion
controls apply 20
stricter NC
Div. of Land
Resources erosion
controls apply 20
stricter NC
Div. of Land
Resources erosion
controls apply 20
TRANSPORTATION
BEST
MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
MANDATED
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no new
discharging
landfills
new
discharging
landfills
possibly
restricted
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no new
landfills
no new
discharging
landfills21
no new
landfills
no new
discharging
landfills21
no new
landfills
none
allowed
LANDFILLS
ALLOWED
may be
restricted /
prohibited
may be
restricted /
prohibited
may be
restricted /
prohibited

no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions

no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions
no specific
restrictions

DAMS/
WATER
RESOURCE
PROJECTS
..MAIN CONTACTS FOR INFORMATION .
US Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District Office
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
[phone]
NC Division of Water Quality
Planning Section
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
[phone]
NC Division of Parks &
Recreation
1615 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1615
[phone]
US Forest Service
P.O. Box 2750
Asheville, NC 28802
[phone]
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Division of Inland Fisheries
1721 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
[phone]
NC Division of Land Resources
Land Quality Section
1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1612
[phone]