Each day, more than 15 billion gallons of water pass into the barrier islands' estuaries. The bulk of it flows into the Pamlico Sound, and then into the Atlantic through four major Outer Banks inlets. The Albemarle Sound, the mouth of which sits west of Kitty Hawk, is fed by seven major rivers and is the largest freshwater sound on the East Coast. The Currituck Sound, also freshwater, lies northeast of the Albemarle. Due south of these bodies of water are two brackish sounds, the Roanoke and the Croatan.
Farther south is the saltwater Pamlico Sound.
A drive near any Outer Banks body of water is likely to provide glimpses of birds like this egret. The Outer Banks landscape is also defined by its salt marshes. The marshes shelter the barrier islands from the sounds, and cordgrass and other vegetation break much of the wave action and act as safe havens for marine life. The wetlands are nursery grounds for many of the fish we enjoy dining on. Ninety percent of all commercial seafood species must spend at least part of their life cycle in the salt marsh.