Ellerbe Creek, part of the Neuse River basin, flows from west to east the full width of Durham County, North Carolina.  As you enter Durham from the west on I-85, you also enter the Ellerbe Creek headwaters, most clearly marked by the three WDNC radio towers rising to the left.  Continuing on I-85 takes you down the central Ellerbe Creek valley through Durham.

All rain falling south of the Eno River watershed and north of the Durham Freeway (147) flows into Ellerbe Creek.  It begins on the northwest side of Durham, with feeder streams flowing from Bennett Place and the WDNC radio towers near I85 and Cole Mill Road.  The watershed broadens as the creek flows through Durham.  Two tributaries, both called South Ellerbe Creek, drain the 9th Street area and downtown Durham, and join the main channel close to Roxboro Road.  Another tributary, Goose Creek, drains the Alston Avenue/Holloway Street area before joining Ellerbe Creek near the North Durham Water Reclamation Facility on East Club Boulevard.  The watershed narrows again in its lower reaches, bounded by I85 on the south and Hamlin Road on the north, before emptying into Falls Lake.

The Durham Freeway (147), which runs along the watershed's southern edge, marks  the dividing line between the Neuse and Cape Fear River basins.

A 3D view of the watershed and surrounding land
looking from Southeast to Northwest.