EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

        A water quality sampling program was conducted by University of North Carolina at Wilmington researchers to assess potential impacts of the relocation of Mason Inlet.  Five stations were sampled in and near Mason Inlet from December 2001 through February 2003.  Common pollutant parameters such as fecal coliform bacteria counts, turbidity, chlorophyll a, and nutrients (nitrate and total phosphorus) were low both before and after inlet relocation.  Dissolved oxygen concentrations stayed above the North Carolina state water quality standard at all times and at all stations.  Total suspended solids approximately doubled at most stations following inlet relocation, and considerable sedimentation occurred in Banks Channel and Mason Creek.  Sampling in nearby Howe Creek, across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from Mason Creek, showed little change either way in fecal coliform abundance at the lower and middle creek stations before or after dredging.  There was a 43% decrease in fecal coliform concentrations at the uppermost Howe Creek station following inlet relocation.  However, salinities collected at the same time as fecal coliforms actually showed lower values in Howe Creek following the dredging of Mason Inlet.  Additionally, statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between rainfall and fecal coliform counts in upper Howe Creek.   Thus, the fecal coliform decrease in upper Howe Creek following inlet relocation appeared to be related to localized rainfall and runoff patterns rather than increased salinity resulting from inlet relocation.