DRRK awarded $75,000 grant from NCLWF
Press Release October 14, 2026
The Deep River and its feeder streams are going to get special attention thanks to a grant awarded to the Deep River Riverkeeper by the North Carolina Land & Water Fund (NCLWF). Over the next two and half years, the Deep River Riverkeeper will regularly sample fourteen sites for water quality on the river and its tributaries in order to identify high levels of E. coli and their sources, including failing infrastructure or stormwater runoff. The results will provide a detailed Healthy Deep River Plan that maps targeted areas for actions and interventions in the Upper Cape Fear Basin.
The Deep River Riverkeeper, a licensed, non-profit waterkeeper organization based in Jamestown, will lead the project. The DRRK’s Riverkeeper, Erin Sherrill, will oversee the water quality site testings, direct participating biology interns in real world applications of their science education, and lead a designated steering committee of regional environmental leaders who will help participate in development of the Healthy Deep River Plan. Ms. Sherrill says, “This project will help us create a safe, healthier river for our communities. As an important recreational water body, Deep River contamination from bacteria is a concern and a growing issue for many residents, swimmers, paddlers and beachgoers. We intend to help fix that.”
The $75,000 funding will result in the development of a 9-point Watershed Restoration Plan for the Deep River Headwaters. Additionally, Riverkeeper Sherrill with the Steering Committee members will plan to host a series of workshops to educate and inform the public, landowners, utilities and elected officials about fecal coliform data, best management practices, safer recreation and impacts of large storm events.
[Note: The NC Land and Water Fund was established in 1996 and awards grants to protect land for natural, historical and cultural benefit, limit encroachment on military installations, restore degraded streams, and develop and improve stormwater treatment technology.]
