About Heal Our Waterways
Who Are We?
Heal Our Waterways is a City of Wilmington-led initiative to restore Bradley and Hewletts Creeks. By making simple, low-cost decisions, like installing rain barrels, rain gardens, or rerouting gutter downspouts, we can all help improve water quality in both creeks. Learn more about how stormwater runoff pollutes our watersheds(PDF, 191KB).
The Bradley and Hewletts Creeks Watershed Restoration Plan has been in place since it was formally adopted by City Council on September 4th, 2012. Review the official meeting minutes, as well as the agenda and supporting documents from the meeting.(PDF, 166KB)
Rain Makes Runoff. Runoff Collects Pollutants.
Stormwater runoff occurs when rainwater flows over impervious, or hard surfaces, picking up pollutants like pet waste, vehicle fluids, litter, and fertilizer and carrying it, untreated, directly to our waterways.
Every Year...
...millions of gallons of polluted stormwater runoff flow directly into our waterways, causing shellfish closures and swimming advisories. High levels of bacteria in runoff have caused shellfish closures in Bradley and Hewletts Creeks and swimming advisories in Banks Channel near Wrightsville Beach. Luckily, we can make a difference. By installing Stormwater Solutions, we can turn back the clock on stormwater pollution and help to Heal Our Waterways.
Then and Now: Hewletts Creek
Before our area had been significantly developed, the natural landscape was able to absorb rain, allowing it to soak into the soil. Once there, it was filtered naturally before reaching our waterways. Now, with increased roads, parking lots and rooftops in our area, stormwater runoff gets carried to our waterways much faster. How can we help to slow down and absorb polluted stormwater runoff before it drains into our waterways?
Above, Hewletts Creek in 1981(PDF, 125KB) (left) and Hewletts Creek in 2010(PDF, 226KB) (right). Notice the change in landscape that occurs from 1981 to 2010. New development is outlined in orange.
What Is a Stormwater Solution?
Stormwater solutions, formerly known as Best Management Practices (BMPs), are simple things we can do to decrease and prevent stormwater pollution. Some stormwater solutions are personal actions we all can take, like picking up after our pets, while others can be installed on our properties, such as rain gardens and rain barrels. You can find out more at our Stormwater Solutions page.
Learn about one of the largest Stormwater Solutions in the City of Wilmington — the 12-acre constructed wetland at J.E.L. Wade Park!
Interested in installing a stormwater solution? Check out our Learning Library for "How To's" and funding resources.
Watersheds Are Everywhere...
...in fact, you're in one right now! A watershed is an area of land that drains runoff to a particular creek, lake, or larger waterway.
Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state and even national boundaries. There are thousands of different watersheds in the continental US, and everyone lives in one!
The health of our waterways can be linked directly to the condition of our watersheds.
View the Wilmington Area Watersheds Map to look up your address and find your watershed!
