It characterizes and compares the essentially pristine North Inlet to the adjacent and more impacted Winyah Bay estuary. The document provides context for understanding ecological function and effects of human activities.

The 432 page synthesis includes maps and over 100 figures and tables of long-term climate, hydrology, water chemistry, plant and animal monitoring data. Also provided is background information on the geology, geography, cultural history of the area, a statement of research needs and priorities and a discussion about linking science to management. More than 700 references, most of which report results of studies conducted in North Inlet estuary, are cited.  Appendices include a complete list of Baruch Institute and NI-WB NERR archived and web-published databases and taxonomic lists of major plant and animal groups. 

The site profile document is available in  PDF format. Hard copies of the Site Profile can be borrowed from either the Baruch Institute’s Columbia campus or the NI-WB NERR (BMFL Georgetown) offices.

The Institute began studying North Inlet and Winyah Bay estuaries in 1969.  This research program was expanded with the monitoring and research programs initiated by the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve which was established in 1992.