Pamlico Sound

Pamlico Sound is a large area of water.

It is in North Carolina. A row of sandy islands sits near it. These islands keep the sound away from the ocean.

Rivers flow into the water from the west. Many fish and crabs live here. You can go fishing or boating in the sound. It is a fun place for many people. The water is often shallow. This makes it a special place to visit.

Pamlico Sound is a large lagoon in North Carolina.

It is the biggest lagoon on the East Coast. A row of sandy islands called the Outer Banks sits near it. These islands separate the sound from the Atlantic Ocean.

The map shows how rivers flow into the water. The Neuse and Pamlico rivers feed the sound from the west. Many other sounds are part of this big water system.

The water is often quite shallow. This can make it hard for big boats to travel. The salt level in the water is also special. It is not as salty as the ocean. Many animals live in these waters. You might see dolphins or sea turtles. Some rare whales also visit the area. There are many fish like trout and bass. People also catch crabs, shrimp, and oysters here. Many people visit for fun. They like to go kayaking or sailing. Fishing is also a big job for local people. It helps the local economy grow every year.

Pamlico Sound is a huge lagoon in North Carolina.

It is the largest lagoon along the North American East Coast. This water is part of a big group of sounds. These include Albemarle, Currituck, Croatan, Roanoke, Bogue, Back, and Core Sounds. Together, they are called the Albemarle-Pamlico sound system. This whole system is very large. It is second only to Chesapeake Bay in the United States.

The map shows where this water sits and how it flows.

The sound stays separate from the Atlantic Ocean. A row of sandy islands called the Outer Banks sits in between. These islands include Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout. The sound gets water from many places. The Neuse and Pamlico rivers flow in from the west. From the east, water comes through Oregon, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Inlets. The water is not as salty as the ocean. The salt level averages 20 parts per thousand. This is much lower than the ocean's 35 parts per thousand.

Many people have visited this area throughout history. In 1524, an explorer named Giovanni da Verrazzano saw the wide water. He thought it might be the Pacific Ocean! The sound got its name from the Pamlico people. They lived along the mainland banks long ago. In the late 1940s, leaders thought about using this area for atomic bomb tests. They eventually chose Nevada instead. In 1987, the government named this area an estuary of national significance.

This place is full of life and activity. Many animals live near the coast. You can find nesting birds at Pea Island and Swanquarter. Dolphins and sea turtles are very common here. Even seals sometimes visit in early January. Rare whales like the North Atlantic right whale visit too. You might see sharks like the basking shark. There are also many fish like red drum and striped bass. People catch blue crabs, shrimp, and oysters here.

Today, the sound is a busy place for many reasons. It is a playground for people who love water sports. Visitors enjoy kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing. In 2012, tourism to this area brought in over $1.3 billion. Fishing is also a very important job for local people. About 90% of North Carolina's commercial fishing happens here. This work brings in almost $100 million every year. It is a vital part of the region.

Pamlico Sound is a massive estuarine lagoon located in North Carolina.

An estuary is a place where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the ocean. This specific lagoon is the largest along the North American East Coast. It is a central part of the Albemarle-Pamlico sound system. This system includes several other lagoons like Albemarle, Currituck, and Croatan Sounds. It also includes Roanoke, Bogue, Back, and Core Sounds. The entire interconnected network covers over 3,000 square miles. This makes the combined estuary the second largest in the United States, following only Chesapeake Bay.

The sound is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks. These are a row of low, sandy barrier islands. Notable areas within these islands include Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Cape Lookout National Seashore. The sound also contains the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The map shows how the sound and its watershed are laid out. To the north, the Pamlico Sound connects to Albemarle Sound. This connection happens through passages in the Roanoke and Croatan Sounds. At its narrow southern end, the sound meets Core Sound.

Water enters the sound from several different directions. From the west, the Neuse and Pamlico rivers flow into the estuary. The Pamlico River is actually the estuary of the Tar River. From the east, the sound receives water from the Atlantic Ocean. This happens through three main openings called inlets. These are Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Inlet, and Ocracoke Inlet. These inlets provide a way for water to move between the ocean and the sound. The hydrology, or movement of water, is complex here.

The water in Pamlico Sound is not as salty as the open ocean. Scientists measure saltiness using parts per thousand, or ppt. The average salinity in the sound is 20 ppt. In comparison, the Atlantic Ocean averages about 35 ppt. The Currituck Sound to the north is much fresher, at only 3 ppt. The sound is also known for being quite shallow. Most depths range between 0 and 10 feet. The deepest hole in the entire estuary is located within the Pamlico Sound. These shallow waters can be dangerous for large vessels due to shoaling, which is the buildup of sand. Wind and barometric pressure can also cause tidal fluctuations. In tributary rivers, water levels can change by two feet in just three hours when winds are strong.

History shows how vast the sound appears to travelers. In March 1524, the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano arrived here. He mistook the wide expanse for the Pacific Ocean. He did not realize the Outer Banks were separating him from the Atlantic. The sound's name comes from the Pamlico people. They lived along the mainland banks. Early records from the Raleigh expeditions around 1584 referred to them as the Pamouik. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the United States Atomic Energy Commission considered this area for atomic bomb tests. They eventually chose Nevada instead. In 1987, Congress officially declared the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound an estuary of national significance.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the various habitats of the sound. Many waterfowl use nesting sites at Pea Island and Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge. Dolphins and sea turtles are very common in these waters. Even harp seals occasionally visit in early January or February. Various cetaceans, or whales and dolphins, pass through the area. These include rare species like fin whales, Cuvier's beaked whales, and orcas. The North Atlantic right whale is also present, though it is critically endangered. Other large visitors include whale sharks and basking sharks. The sound supports many fish, such as red drum, speckled trout, and striped bass. Shellfish populations like blue crab, shrimp, and oysters are also healthy.

Human activity is a major part of the sound's modern identity. It is often called a "watersports playground" for vacationers. People visit to enjoy kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding. In 2012, tourism in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound area exceeded $1.3 billion. The area is also vital for the economy through commercial fishing. About 90% of all commercial fishing catches in North Carolina come from the Pamlico Sound. This industry generates nearly $100 million every year. Some parts of the sound are also used by Camp Lejeune for bombing and training ranges.