Success Stories

View case studies on how leaders in North Carolina and beyond are building community and ecosystem resilience. To filter the results, select the categories you are interested in and scroll down to select "Apply." Submit your resilience success story.

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The living shoreline at Sunset Beach, N.C., three years after construction. (Source: North Carolina Coastal Federation)

Sunset Beach installs a living shoreline

Published: March 1, 2024
 

The town of Sunset Beach, N.C., experiences repetitive flooding, coastal erosion, wind damage from hurricanes and rising sea levels. To manage these impacts, town officials and residents decided to install a living shoreline.


Success Story Details

Aerial view of Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Facility

Tampa Bay diversifies water sources to reduce climate risk

Last Updated: April 17, 2024
 

After assessing its ability to meet increased demand for water, the water utility in Tampa Bay diversified its water sources. Tampa Bay Water estimated its source water vulnerability, given projected changes in precipitation levels and saltwater intrusion. Now, the utility delivers water using groundwater, surface water and desalinated water.


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NOAA water gauge monitoring station along Neuse River near Clayton, N.C.

The road to resilience

Last Updated: June 8, 2021
 

North Carolina Sea Grant, NC State University, NC Department of Transportation and NC Emergency Management collaborated with stakeholders in Smithfield, Goldsboro and Kinston to identify locations with frequent and severe flooding. They focused on the transportation network. Researchers modeled proposed solutions to identify the most effective path forward.


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Slope adjustment, netting, staking and the implementation of riprap and geolifts, all shown here, help stabilize the bank of the Swannanoa River. (Source: Town of Black Mountain)

Town of Black Mountain addresses streambank erosion with restoration efforts

Published: March 1, 2024
 

Streambank erosion along the Swannanoa River in Black Mountain, N.C. was threating town facilities, degrading water quality and contributing to flash flooding. The Town addressed the issue by stabilizing the river’s eroded banks, lowering the bank slopes and creating a more natural bank, as well as repairing the stream bed.


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A Triangle Water Supply Partnership Meeting, hosted by the City of Durham in 2023. (Source: Emily Barrett/Central Pines Regional Council)

Triangle region forms partnership to cooperate on water supply

Published: March 1, 2024
 

Counties, municipalities and water authorities came together to establish the Triangle Water Supply Partnership. The group helps manage water supplies across six counties in North Carolina. They develop and regularly update models and plans to determine how to meet each member's long-term water supply needs within the region’s sustainable capacity.


Success Story Details