The Murrells Inlet Watershed

The Murrells Inlet watershed is 9,313 acres, consisting of 6,322 acres of land, with the remaining acreage consisting of open water, intertidal marsh habitat typical of estuaries in the Southeast. The estuary contains high-salinity seawater, creating an ideal habitat for shellfish. 

This important and sensitive ecological estuary is the receiving waterbody for stormwater runoff within the watershed. The storm drainage system discharges stormwater from land into nearby creeks and canals, taking trash, chemicals and pest waste with it.  These creeks flow into the Atlantic Ocean, further dispersing the pollution.