A Strong Summer Leads to an Even Stronger Fall
Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan
Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest lake in North Carolina, is a vital part of Hyde County’s amazing natural and cultural heritage. Coastal residents and visitors alike value this national treasure.
However, declining water quality and elevated water levels are threatening the future of this natural wonder. In 2017, Hyde County, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formed a partnership and contracted the Coastal Federation to develop a watershed restoration plan. This plan aims to address both poor water quality within the Lake as well as chronic and persistent flooding on the surrounding landscape.
The partners embarked on an 18-month planning process that involved stakeholder and public engagement, and on August 7, 2019 the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan was officially approved by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Since then the partners transitioned from developing the plan, to implementing the plan. In 2020, three grants were awarded from state and national funders to advance the implementation of the Lake Mattamuskeet Watershed Restoration Plan.
The goals of the plan are to:
- Protect the way of life in Hyde County;
- Actively manage the lake water level; and
- Restore water quality and clarity.
The grant awards allow the partners to advance several of the priority management actions for the watershed. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the partners hosted a series of public meetings to seek input on different implementation ideas.
