Photo taken by Brittani Copeland

Bertie's greatest assets, besides its people, are a pristine natural landscape, history, and world-class waterways. The Board of Commissioners understand this and moved forward to preserve and protect these invaluable resources that can also create new paths towards diversifying the local economy, small business development, new career opportunities, and downtown revitalization efforts.

Bertie County's investment in the TGOW 147-acre property will be the first public beach access to recreational waters, unlike anywhere else in Northeastern North Carolina. Referred to locally as "Tall Glass of Water" (TGOW)" until a name and logo have been selected, the site's most stunning feature is its 2,200 linear feet of sand beach and shallow calm waters overlooked by impressive high cliffs on the Albemarle Sound where the Chowan River begins.

Phase I: Water Access for the Public

Phase I: A Nature-based Solution to Protecting the Sandy Beach and Bluffs

The TGOW property has 2,200 linear feet of shoreline. The site’s eroding bluff provides sand for the narrow sandy strand plain beach and therefore “letting nature take its course” is an option to maintain a sandy swimming beach. However, the protection of Roanoke Colonist’s era artifacts along the bluff and the need to retain acreage for public activities require that erosion control be addressed.

The County desires a nature-based solution for reducing bluff erosion while maintaining the sandy beach. The three-pronged approach includes: 1) a line of non-pressure treated breakwaters to temporarily protect cypress saplings while they become established. The cypress trees will then provide shoreline protection by creating thin but effective sand bars that extend out from the sandy beach called tombolos. This is not necessary at the main swim beach because cypress and tombolos already exist. 2) At the base of the bluff natural fiber material arranged in a roll, called coir logs, will be used to protect another line of cypress saplings. 3) At the top of the bluff natural vegetation will be planted to stabilize the upper portion.

The goal is to retain moisture within the exposed soil, develop a strong root system and create a natural buffer line along the shore that reduces the day-to-day wave action. For detailed information please reach out to any of the TGOW project team.

June 2022 Phase II: Day-Use Outdoor and Environmental Education Pavilion, Community Stage, Restrooms, and Meadow Restoration. See Site Plan.

·       Pavilion - Dedicated space for 1) Day-use outdoor and environmental education classes 2) public events, festivals, picnic space, and 3) as an interpretive facility for on-site cultural and natural features. ADA best practices are priority.

·       Stage - Utilized for performances (music and theater). Raised for ease of viewing on the lawn or open pavilion.

·       Greenspace - Three acres adjacent to the stage for viewing and play, connects to 7-miles hiking trail.

·       Restrooms

June 2022 Wetlands Restoration: Northern Boundary See Preliminary Plan

Far Left: Wetlands Preliminary Plan (Click to view PDF) Photo Bertie County TGOW Steering Committee Left: Prothonotary Warbler House #6. Installed and being monitored by Chowan University Biology Dept. Dr. Bo Dame. Photo by Bo Dame, Chowan University.

The TGOW Wetlands Restoration Northern Boundary project goal is to re-establish pre-agriculture hydrology and plant communitiesThe TGOW Wetlands Restoration Northern Boundary project goal is to re-establish pre-agriculture hydrology and plant communities that support the healthy functioning of the incised ephemeral stream for improved water quality and habitat. The Northern Boundary is currently heavily wooded with a dam across an even smaller tributary which discharges into the Albemarle Sound. Years of agricultural activity have negatively impacted the property’s streams and floodplain forests. The completed plan will be utilized for Northern Boundary restoration and to seek additional funding for the implementation of wetlands boardwalks and restoration activities throughout the remainder of the TGOW site.

Project action steps include vegetation survey, hydrology survey, restoration plan, specifications for 7-mile trail where some areas of trail will meander through wetland pockets, educational signage, implementation of wetland restoration, and implementation of trail.

Bertie County's investment is complemented by the NC Coastal Land Trust (NCCLT) purchase of two parcels, 995 and 300-acres, adjacent to TGOW (See map upper left). The larger parcel was destined to become a 2,800 unit development and 212 slip marina, but with the economic downturn, the property came up for sale, and NCCLT was able to secure the site with funds awarded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NC. Attorney General's Environmental Enhancement Grant Fund, N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund, and the US Department of Defense. In 2018