A Study Investigating Drainage Diversion Opportunities and Impacts for the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

This study aims to understand how nutrients and sediment entering the Lake Mattamuskeet watershed through runoff could be mitigated through drainage diversion opportunities within the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge by reconfiguring a series of drainage canals and implementing water control structures. The water quality in Lake Mattamuskeet has elevated nutrient levels, contributing to declining water quality, increasing algae bloom activity, and decreasing aquatic biodiversity. Runoff from adjacent agricultural land contributes to this nutrient and sediment problem. Because of the lack of land elevation to facilitate drainage and the opposing sound level, it is unclear how effectively reconfiguring the drainage canals would be at intercepting nutrients and sediment loads. Intercepted nutrients and sediment would be directed toward the sound. Understanding the quantity and levels that would enter the sound is essential. This study will conduct computer simulations to estimate the effectiveness and impacts of the drainage canal reconfiguration and guide future planning. This study will build upon the research work completed by Dr. Raymond Smith, who studied the water level control of the Lake Mattamuskeet watershed using a hydrologic process model.

Scholars @ ECU