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The Murrells Inlet Watershed Plan
Murrells Inlet is a coastal community with strong economic and cultural ties to the salt marsh estuary that bears its name. The natural resources in Murrells Inlet attract residents and visitors to numerous outdoor recreation activities including bird watching, boating, fishing, shellfish harvesting, hiking, etc.
The local commercial fishing industry helps support a vibrant restaurant scene, which has led Murrells Inlet to become regarded as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina”. Protecting and sustaining these natural resources is of paramount importance to the Murrells Inlet community. This watershed plan serves as a means to guide the implementation of best management practices based on water quality trends and current landscape conditions. The primary focus of this watershed plan is to assess and mitigate sources of bacteria pollution in Murrells Inlet.
2014 Murrells Inlet Watershed Plan
Murrells Inlet Experiences Numerous Non-Point sources of fecal bacterial pollution resulting in shellfish bed closures and a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). This threatens public health and economic livelihoods in this community with strong ties to the watershed.
To address these concerns, the 2014 Murrells Inlet watershed plan was developed by the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments to address consistent issues with bacterial pollution through best management practices and public awareness. Funding for the plan was provided by DHEC as part of EPA funding under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act to help prevent, control and/or abate nonpoint source pollution (NSP).
View the Plan
By clicking the link below you are able to view the 2014 Watershed Plan. This guided provides valuable information as to what each of us can do to help with pollution in our watershed.
Murrells Inlet Watershed Committee (MIWC)
The Murrells Inlet Watershed Committee has been a driving force in the implementation of the 2014 Murrells Inlet Watershed Plan. However, several recommendations from the plan have yet to be completed and bacterial pollution remains a concern within the community.
In 2025 the Murrells Inlet Watershed Committee relaunched with representation from a variety of stakeholder groups. These stakeholders comprise of a collaborative coalition that works on projects to address water quality issues facing the Inlet- Based on the Murrells Inlet Watershed Plan. These stakeholders represent the diverse community in areas such as tourism, aquaculture/fisheries, environment, natural resource management, recreation, and more.
Committee Goals
- Implement projects from the MIWP to improve water quality in Murrells inlet
- Provide opportunities for collaboration on projects that address water quality issues in Murrells Inlet
- Foster productive relationships among relevant stakeholders and organizations
Values
The MIWC holds the following values in our commitment to our stated mission and vision:
- Respect
- Resourcefulness
- Collaboration
- Action
Our Mission
The Mission of the group is to collaborate with diverse community stakeholders to implement the MIWP and related projects that support a healthy watershed.
Our Vision
Murrells Inlet remains the seafood capital of SC- a healthy ecosystem and thriving community with open shellfish waters, safe recreation opportunities, and abundant natural resources.