The geology of the Merrimack watershed is dominated by granite bedrock, while the Pasquotank overlays sandy ancient marine sediments. Water sources vary greatly between the two (snowmelt, mountain cloud water and rain water runoff for the Merrimack; The Great Dismal Swamp and groundwater drainage for the Pasquotank) as do the soil types (weathered bedrock and glacial till vs. ancient sediments), climate, and vegetation cover, WW will introduce students to the geologic history of the two watersheds, emphasizing the role that geologic processes have on shaping the modern landscape.
Headwaters of the Merrimack watershed consist of mountain lakes and rivers (including Mt. Moosilauke) representing some of the most pristine waters in the state. Much of this region of the watershed is forested with boreal deciduous and coniferous forest stands (maple, birch, spruce and fir). To the south, the Merrimack River flows through one of the fastest growing urban corridors in the country, including the cities of Manchester, in New Hampshire as well as Lawrence, and Lowell, in Massachusetts, before entering the Atlantic. The number of residences within the watershed is expected to double by 2020.
The Pasquotank watershed is less densely populated than the Merrimack, and includes large areas extensively used for agriculture. The watershed begins in the Great Dismal Swamp, contributing acid (pH <4) and significant color from dissolved organic matter. In addition to forested swampland, oak and pine dominate upland forests. Albemarle Sound, at the mouth of the Pasquotank, serves as a nursery area for many fish species, and is home to many other commercial species.
