For more than 20 years, the Upper Neuse River Basin Association has provided a cooperative forum for promoting innovative approaches to water quality planning and management.

Falls Lake is a tremendous asset to the Triangle region. Although this man-made lake was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to protect downstream areas from flood damage, it also serves as a drinking water reservoir, a place of recreation and relaxation, and provides habitat for fish and wildlife.

The Upper Neuse River Basin is the 770 square miles of land which contribute water to Falls Lake through streams and rivers. The members of the Upper Neuse River Basin Association are dedicated to finding better ways to continue to protect and improve the lake’s water quality.

UNRBA’s mission is two-fold

In 2011, the State of North Carolina adopted the Falls Lake Rules to establish requirements for reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that flow into Falls Lake. The UNRBA is dedicated to helping its members comply with Stage I of the Falls Lake Rules while developing a more feasible and cost-effective strategy for Stage II. The Association is also working with local governments to revise and improve Stage II of the Rules.

The revision process will allow the UNRBA to tap the benefits of adaptive management, taking advantage of new data and “lessons learned” to hone our tools, techniques, and approaches. The Association’s work will result in a better nutrient management strategy – one that is technically feasible and cost-effective.