Eno River Watershed
Land that drains into the Eno River is known as its watershed. The Eno River watershed extends from the Town of Hillsborough through Orange County before reaching the City of Durham. Much of the northern portion of the City of Durham is located in the Eno River Watershed. Land use in the area includes typical suburban development as well as commercial and industrial areas. A significant portion of the land around the Eno River is protected in parks, including the Penny’s Bend Nature Preserve and West Point on the Eno Park.
Water from the Eno River flows into Falls Lake. From there it flows into the Neuse River and then the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound before emptying into the ocean.
The health and cleanliness of the watershed is reported in Durham’s annual State of Our Streams report. The Eno River was given a score of 86 in 2016. This compares to an "B" letter grade. This is down from a 91 in 2015. The Eno River watershed has some problems with high fecal coliform (a bacteria associated with raw sewage) levels.
These water quality concerns are enough to keep the Eno River from its intended uses by people and wildlife. The State has not put any portions of the Eno River in Durham on a list of impaired water bodies, also known as the 303(d) list.
Water Pollution Investigations
Stormwater Services staff investigates water pollution reported by other city employees and Durham residents. In the 2016-2017 reporting year, staff found pollution sources in 22 investigations. They included:
Watershed Improvement Plan
The Public Works Department is working on the Eno River Watershed Improvement Plan. The City has contracted with AECOM to work with the City's Stormwater and GIS Services Division to prepare an engineering study and assessment of the Eno River watershed. The Eno River Watershed Improvement Project is part of the City of Durham’s efforts to improve the health of our creeks and to comply with water quality regulations. Find out more here.
There are many ways for you to help protect the health of the Eno River. You can adopt a portion of the creek or volunteer to label storm drains. There are also two major stream clean-ups each year. Big Sweep is the 1st weekend in October and Creek Week is the last weekend in March. Email the public education coordinator for details.
You can also join some of the many groups dedicated to protecting the health of our rivers and streams. Both the Eno River Association and the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation are active in this watershed.
Water from the Eno River flows into Falls Lake. From there it flows into the Neuse River and then the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound before emptying into the ocean.
Water Quality
The health and cleanliness of the watershed is reported in Durham’s annual State of Our Streams report. The Eno River was given a score of 86 in 2016. This compares to an "B" letter grade. This is down from a 91 in 2015. The Eno River watershed has some problems with high fecal coliform (a bacteria associated with raw sewage) levels.
These water quality concerns are enough to keep the Eno River from its intended uses by people and wildlife. The State has not put any portions of the Eno River in Durham on a list of impaired water bodies, also known as the 303(d) list.
Water Pollution Investigations
Stormwater Services staff investigates water pollution reported by other city employees and Durham residents. In the 2016-2017 reporting year, staff found pollution sources in 22 investigations. They included: - sewage
- yard waste
- petroleum
- grease/cooking oil/food
- sediment
- improper housekeeping
- paint
Watershed Improvement Plan
The Public Works Department is working on the Eno River Watershed Improvement Plan. The City has contracted with AECOM to work with the City's Stormwater and GIS Services Division to prepare an engineering study and assessment of the Eno River watershed. The Eno River Watershed Improvement Project is part of the City of Durham’s efforts to improve the health of our creeks and to comply with water quality regulations. Find out more here.Get Involved
There are many ways for you to help protect the health of the Eno River. You can adopt a portion of the creek or volunteer to label storm drains. There are also two major stream clean-ups each year. Big Sweep is the 1st weekend in October and Creek Week is the last weekend in March. Email the public education coordinator for details.
You can also join some of the many groups dedicated to protecting the health of our rivers and streams. Both the Eno River Association and the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation are active in this watershed.