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Hi3 Water

North Carolina Water Assets

Southeast

North Carolina spans from mountain headwaters to Coastal Plain aquifers, with capacity use areas managing groundwater in the central region.

Riparian101 counties tracked2064 active alerts
74,211
Total Assets
56.4
Avg WIS
44,887
Verified
12
High WIS (75+)

North Carolina Water Intelligence Report

Hi3 Water tracks 74,211 water assets across North Carolina, spanning 101 counties and 6 distinct asset types. The average Water Intelligence Score (WIS) across North Carolina is 56.4/100, with 12 assets scoring in the high-value range (75+). North Carolina operates under Riparian water law, which directly affects water rights acquisition and asset valuation in this state.

The dominant water asset type in North Carolina is River (41,382 assets, avg WIS 64.5). The highest concentration is in Wake County with 8,415 tracked assets.

2,064 active regulatory alerts are currently tracked in North Carolina, including EPA violations, drought declarations, and state water board enforcement actions. Always check the regulatory intelligence for any asset before making acquisition decisions.

Data sources: USGS Water Data, EPA ECHO, state water boards, and verified field reports. Water Intelligence Scores are computed across flow rate, geological stability, legal accessibility, sustainability, and rarity. Report last updated: June 30, 2026.

Asset Types in North Carolina

River
41,382
Avg WIS 64.5
Well
29,177
Avg WIS 45.5
Reservoir
3,597
Avg WIS 51.8
Spring
51
Avg WIS 43.2
Aquifer
3
Avg WIS 67.7
Fossil Water
1
Avg WIS 73.0

Intelligence Grade Distribution

How North Carolina assets are graded

S (≥90) — Exceptional0 (0.0%)
A (75-89) — Excellent12 (0.0%)
B (55-74) — Good46,961 (63.3%)
C (35-54) — Fair27,238 (36.7%)
D (<35) — Limited0 (0.0%)

Regulatory Alerts

Drought, EPA violations, and enforcement actions affecting North Carolina

0
critical
51
high
2008
medium
5
low
0
info
CAPE FEAR R AT LOCK 1 NR KELLY, NC — Gage Height 14.9 ft
usgs_flood · flood_warning
CATAWBA RIVER AT RHODHISS, NC — Gage Height 10.4 ft
usgs_flood · flood_warning
HYCO CREEK NEAR LEASBURG, NC — Gage Height 23.4 ft
usgs_flood · flood_warning

Top Counties in North Carolina

Wake
8,415 assetsWIS 44
Watauga
981 assetsWIS 46
Guilford
780 assetsWIS 47
Orange
730 assetsWIS 45
Avery
707 assetsWIS 46
New Hanover
684 assetsWIS 48
Gaston
546 assetsWIS 49
Catawba
476 assetsWIS 47
Onslow
442 assetsWIS 43
Craven
439 assetsWIS 43
Martin
438 assetsWIS 43
Wilson
424 assetsWIS 43

Aquifer Type Mix

unconfined
1,187
Avg WIS 45
confined
854
Avg WIS 53
fossil
1
Avg WIS 73

Top 10 Water Assets in North Carolina

Ranked by Water Intelligence Score — North Carolina's highest-scoring springs, wells, and aquifers.

View all on map
  1. 1

    Castle Hayne Aquifer — Coastal North Carolina

    Aquifer
    New Hanover County·500 GPM
    76
    WIS
  2. 2

    MURFREESBORO, TOWN OF

    Well
    Hertford County·1,032 GPM
    76
    WIS
  3. 3

    FAISON, TOWN OF

    Well
    Duplin County·1,100 GPM
    75
    WIS
  4. 4

    PASQUOTANK CO RO WATER SYSTEM

    Well
    Pasquotank County·1,200 GPM
    75
    WIS
  5. 5

    SAMPSON CO WTR DIST II

    Well
    Sampson County·1,050 GPM
    75
    WIS
  6. 6

    WASHINGTON, CITY OF

    Well
    Beaufort County·2,954 GPM
    75
    WIS
  7. 7

    BOGUE BANKS WATER CORPORATION

    Well
    Carteret County·1,209 GPM
    75
    WIS
  8. 8

    FAIR BLUFF, TOWN OF

    Well
    Columbus County·1,000 GPM
    75
    WIS
  9. 9

    KINSTON, CITY OF

    Well
    Lenoir County·1,000 GPM
    75
    WIS
  10. 10

    ONSLOW WTR AND SEWER AUTHORITY

    Well
    Onslow County·1,000 GPM
    75
    WIS
Avg Flow Rate
146,723 GPM
Avg Depth
231 ft
For Sale
0
Fossil Water
1

Explore North Carolina on the Interactive Map

View all 74,211 water assets, aquifer boundaries, water rights data, and regulatory alerts for North Carolina.

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