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Neuse River estuary saltier than normal for this time of year

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published March 20, 2024 at 6:22 AM EDT
stvinc.com
/
American Society of Civil Engineers

Recent samples from the Neuse River between New Bern and the Pamlico Sound show that the water is saltier than normal for this time of year.

Coastal Review is reporting that that the tidal estuary has had higher salinity since last year because of below average river flow.

Nathan Hall, research assistant professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City, said river flows in February were at 50-100% below the seasonal average.

Hall said the average surface salinity is around 15 but right now it’s around 18.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston