Water-resources data for the 2002 water year for North Carolina consist of records of stage, discharge, water quality for streams; stage and contents for lakes and reservoirs; precipitation; and ground-water levels and water quality of ground water. This volume contains discharge records for 146 gaging stations; stage and contents for 45 lakes and reservoirs; stage for 7 gaging stations; water quality for 23 gaging stations and continuous water quality for 9 sites; and continuous precipitation at 104 sites. Additional water data were collected at 77 sites not involved in the systematic data-collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements in this report. The collection of water-resources data in North Carolina is a part of the National Water-Data System operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with State, municipal, and Federal agencies.
Stream-discharge records, and contents and stage for lakes or reservoirs were first published in a series of U.S. Geological Survey water-supply papers entitled, "Surface Water Supply of the United States." Through September 30, 1960, these water-supply papers were published annually; beginning in 1961, these water-supply papers were published every 5 years through 1970. Records of chemical quality, water temperature, and suspended sediment were published from 1941 to 1970 in an annual series of water-supply papers entitled, "Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Water-supply papers can be found in the libraries of principal cities and universities throughout the United States or can be purchased from the U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Information Services, Denver Federal Center, Box 25286, Denver, Colorado 80225-0425.
Streamflow data since the 1961 water year and water-quality data since the 1964 water year have been released by the U.S. Geological Survey in annual reports on a State-by-State basis. These reports provide timely release of water data in each State for each water year. Through 1970 these data also were released in the water-supply paper series mentioned above.
Publication of streamflow and water-quality data, beginning with the 1971 water year, and ground-water data, beginning with the 1975 water year, currently is limited to reports on a State-by-State basis. Beginning with the 1975 water year, these Survey reports carry an identification number consisting of the two-letter State abbreviation, the last two digits of the water year, and the volume number. For example, this report is identified as "U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report NC-02-1A." Water-data reports are for sale by the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
Additional information for ordering specific reports, can be obtained from the District Chief at the address listed on the back of the title page of this report or by calling (919) 571-4000.
Cooperative agreements between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and organizations of the State of North Carolina for the systematic collection of water-resources data began in 1895 and continued through 1909. Following a lapse of 8 years, the State of North Carolina resumed cooperation in October 1918. Organizations that assisted in collecting the data contained in this report through cooperative agreements with the USGS are:
| North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources | City of Charlotte |
| North Carolina Department of Transportation | City of Danville, Virginia |
| Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County | Town of Bethel |
| Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation District | Macon County |
| Triangle Area Water Supply Monitoring Steering Committee | Mecklenburg County |
| Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utility Commission | Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition |
| City of Brevard | Middle Cape Fear River Basin Association |
| City of Morganton | Lower Neuse River Basin Association |
| City of Greensboro | Pender County Emergency Management |
| City of Raleigh | Upper Cape Fear River Basin Association |
| City of Rocky Mount | Asheville-Buncombe Water Authority |
| City of Durham |
The following Federal agencies assisted in the data-collection program by furnishing funds or services:
| Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| Tennessee Valley Authority | National Park Service |
| National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
The following organizations aided in collecting records:
| Progress Energy | Duke Power Company |
| Yadkin, Inc. | Dominion Power |
| Blue Ridge Paper Products | Tapoco, Inc. |
| Weyerhaeuser Corporation | Cook Industries |
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