RIVER FEAR BASIN he 200-mile River is the main tributary and namesake of the state’s largest Triver basin. It is the only river in that flows directly into the ocean. The river draws its name from the treacherous profile: offshore shoals (dubbed the “Cape of Feare” by Total miles of early mariners). The shoals stretch for miles into streams and rivers: the from the river’s mouth. The Cape 6,584 Fear River and its tributaries were important pathways for early Total acres of lakes: commerce through the historic ports of Brunswick, Charlestown 34,796 COURTESY OF N.C. ARCHIVES AND HISTORY and Wilmington. In the mid-1800s, the Cape Total acres of estuary: 24,472 Fear was an outlet for the commercial products of more than 28 counties. River trade extended Municipalities within basin: 113 up to Fayetteville through a series of three locks and dams that raised the water level. Through - Counties within basin: 26 out the 19th century, shallow-draft steamboats called at more than 100 local landings between Size: 9,164 square miles Fayetteville and Wilmington. Population: 1,757,366 The Basin is one of four river (2000 U.S. Census) Historic steamboat basins completely contained within North Carolina’s borders. The head- waters (origin) of the basin are the Deep and Haw rivers. These rivers An oil tanker travels up converge in Chatham County just below B. Everett Jordan Dam to form the Cape Fear River 15 the Cape Fear River . The river ends as a 35-mile-long coastal estuary miles below Wilmington.

KEN TAYLOR, WILDLIFE IMAGES BREAKING hree lock-and-dam structures on the lower other “anadromous” fish—ocean-dwelling spe- TCape Fear River once allowed barges and cies that swim up into freshwater streams to DOWN large boats to navigate waters that would reproduce. Today the locks are no longer oper- BARRIERS otherwise be too shallow. As a vessel traveled ated for navigation but remain an obstacle to upriver, gates would open and close to release these fish, including the shortnose sturgeon, more water and allow passage. These structures which is on the Endangered Species List. State eliminated 160 miles of the river from the migra- and federal fisheries agencies are pursuing the tion routes of shad, striped bass, sturgeon and removal of the dams so that migratory fish can

EDSEL L. DANIEL return to their historic spawning grounds in the upper Cape Fear River Basin. Though the dams were not designed for water supply, cities such as Wilmington and Fayetteville draw water from the impoundments. Fisheries officials hope to work in partnership with municipalities and citizen groups to simultaneously satisfy water- supply needs and re-open routes for migratory fish species.

A lock-and-dam on the Cape Fear River near Elizabethtown

that is an important nursery area for juvenile fish, crabs and shrimp. Large industries lining Cape Fear River the lower Cape Fear make the basin North Carolina’s most industrialized. The basin also contains one-fifth of the state’s popula- tion. Major tributaries include the Black River, which flows into the Cape Fear River in Pender Barrels of naval stores County, and the Northeast Cape Fear River, line the docks at Eagle which flows into the Cape Fear at Wilmington. Island, with Wilmington These are both “blackwater” streams that waterfront in background. drain the acidic soils of hardwood swamps.

WILLIAM VINAL, CAPE FEAR RIVER WATCH COURTESY OF N.C. ARCHIVES AND HISTORY Hundreds of turpentine distilleries once dotted the historically vast longleaf pine forests of the region. The products of these trees—tar, pitch, turpentine and rosin—distinguished Wilmington as the world’s leading exporter of naval stores in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Many different aquatic ecosystems in the Cape Fear River Basin sup- port at least 95 species of commercial and recreational fish. Estuaries, blackwater rivers and rocky streams in the basin support 42 rare aquatic species. The , a fish that is federally listed as endan- gered, has been found nowhere in the world except the Cape Fear River Basin. Other endangered species include the shortnose sturgeon, COURTESY OF THE N.C. DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT A little angler casts a line. Greensboro skyline A Scarce Minnow the red-cockaded woodpecker, the Saint Francis’ satyr (a butterfly) and the West Indian The Cape Fear shiner is manatee, a visitor to coastal estuaries. The American alligator and the loggerhead sea turtle a small minnow (rarely are listed nationally as threatened species, meaning they are at risk of becoming endangered. exceeding 2 inches) that is federally listed The basin has 33 reservoirs, including B. Everett Jordan Reservoir (“”), the largest as endangered and also is endemic (found lake in the basin at 46, 768 acres. Constructed in the 1970s, it is the main source of drinking nowhere else) to the water for the town of Cary and a major recreational spot for the fast-growing Triangle region. Cape Fear River Basin. The most populated regions of the basin are in and near the Triad area (Greensboro- It lives in shallow, rocky Burlington-High Point), the Durham-Chapel Hill area, Fayetteville and Wilmington. The shoals within main river 26 counties contained within or overlapping the borders of the Cape Fear River Basin are channels only in sec- expected to grow in population from 3 million to about 5 million over the next 20 years. tions of the Deep, Haw and Rocky rivers. Dur- ing spring spawning season, the males’ The Ca gold color intensifies pe Fear shin er is and females take on a small, endang er ed KEN TAYLOR, NCWRC a silvery cast. Dam con- min that is o the Ca now unique t pe struction in the Cape F ea r River Basin. Fear River Basin has most significantly affected shiner populations by flooding the fish’s habitat. Changes in flow regulation could further threaten the few remaining popu- lations of this species. CHARLES BRASWELL JR.

CHARLES BRASWELL JR. Large-scale livestock operations also compete for the region’s natural resources—the basin Nesting brown pelicans contains the most swine of any North Carolina river basin (58 percent of the state’s total (left); sunrise casts a rosy hog population). Growth in human population and livestock numbers can stress aquatic glow on the Cape Fear systems because so much polluted runoff washes into streams and rivers. River at Southport (above).

Fertilizers and animal waste in runoff—from lawns, urban developed areas, farm fields and live- stock operations—increases the flow of nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) into nearby waters. These nutrients can stimulate algae growth and decrease the amount of oxygen that is available in the water for aquatic animals. Such conditions can cause fish kills and the loss of CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN other vital aquatic species. Both Jordan Lake and the are designated by the state as “nutrient sensitive waters.” The state placed stricter limits on the amounts of nitrogen and You may have noticed JOE SWIFT phosphorus that wastewater treatment plants Cape Fear River Basin can discharge into these waters. signs posted along high- ways. These were cre- ated through a partner- The Cape Fear estuary has experienced ship between the Office fewer instances of nutrient-related algae of Environmental Educa- blooms and fish kills than waters of the tion and Public Affairs adjacent Neuse River Basin. Both regions, and the N.C. Depart- however, face similar pressures caused by ment of Transportation nonpoint source pollution (polluted runoff with funding from the from land). For example, stormwater runoff Federal Transportation Enhancement Program. makes the water unsuitable for various aquatic Signs in each of the species. Cities and towns throughout the river state’s 17 river basins basin are developing strategies to reduce call attention to basin and treat runoff. boundaries and promote stewardship of public waters.

The charming Wilmington waterfront As population and industry in the watershed continue to increase, conservation groups, municipalities and other stakeholders are cooperating to manage growth, monitor water quality, restore wetlands and protect the other valuable resources of the Cape Fear River Basin. There are many opportunities for people to get involved with grassroots efforts to protect community creeks, streams and rivers. (See the list of contacts on the back of this brochure.) Individuals can also help by managing the quality and quantity of runoff by reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals and controlling erosion on their property.

CHARLES BRASWELL JR. The least bittern sways and points its bill upward to camouflage its streaked body among marsh grasses.

NCWRC

Old pier on estuary, Bald Head Island, N.C. (above); fishing on the Cape Fear (right).

EDSEL L. DANIEL

State of North Carolina : Governor Beverly Eaves Perdue • North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources : Secretary Dee Freeman • Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs : Program Manager Lisa Tolley, Project Manager Tracey Ritchie • Editor Carla Burgess • Designer Kimberly KC Schott, Red Gate Design • Special Thanks North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina Division of Water Quality and North Carolina Natural Heritage Program • Date: 2010 • 10,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $2,087.17 or $0.20872 per copy. • This publication was funded through a Walmart Stormwater Compliance Grant. Printed on recycled paper 50

ROCKINGHAM CASWELL HIKING & BIKING Lake Lake Townsend Cammack Graham- Mebane Lake Kernersville 44 45 21 Greensboro Burlington 49 11 43 34 ORANGE Durham G hiking High 32 Point GUILFORD Graham H hiking and biking a 12Carrboro17 24 7 40 38 G 36 w 37 DURHAM ALAMANCE Chapel Hill G Environmental Education Center B. Everett More information about Environmental R Jordan 19 D e R iv e p o c e Lake 15 Educa tion Centers and the opportunities they ky r 20 13 WAKE offer can be found at www.eenorthcarolina.org. Asheboro R Pittsboro52 Harris iv Lake 33 er RANDOLPH 30 47 e r 9 CHATHAM Ri v in the Cape Fear River Basin 52 Sanford 25 LEE Lillington The Cape Fear River Basin offers many opportunities to Carthage16 HARNETT MOORE 39 enjoy and explore nature through walking, hiking and 51 S Southern L biking. This list includes places for easy to moderate activity. 50 Pines L WAYNE I

29 H N Many sites include views of streams, rivers, creeks, lakes and 41 35 o

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N Fayetteville h wetlands. Remember that some trails are multi-use, serving HOKE SAMPSON e A 22 6 a

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S t pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians and other recreational users. CUMBERLAND S Raeford o 5 u t h Clinton Kenansville

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G HIKING G 21 Lake Michael Park www.cityofmebane. a p e BLADEN R

1 Airlie Gardens F C i

com/lakemichaelpark.asp 200 acres 1.5 e

G G a p 18 3 v e a e r Bay Tree r F 2 Bald Head Woods Coastal Reserve e 27 Lake miles of nature trails. a r White www..nccoastalreserve.net/  22 Lake Rim Park www.fcpr.us/outdoor_ Lake 26Singletary ONSLOW Elizabethtown PENDER 3 Bladen Lakes State Forest www. dfr. programs/lake_rim_park.aspx Lake R B i l a v c  e k state.nc.us G 33,017 acres G 150 miles of 23 Moores Creek National Battlefield r Burgaw Holly 23 Shelter R Swamp multi-use roads. www.nps.gov/mocr/ G 1 mile of walking trails; iv e 4 Boiling Spring Lakes Nature Preserve wheelchair-accessible. r 14 COLUMBUS www.nature.org G 6,157 acres G 2-mile 24 North Carolina Botanical Garden NEW42 25 1 28 nature trail. Wilmington 5 Cabin Lake County Park www..duplin 26 State Park 46 Swamp HANOVER countync.com/governmentOffices/parks  27 Turnbull Creek Educational Bolivia4 8 Recreation.html G 2.2 mile trail around lake State Forest 10 and through park 28 UNC-W Arboretum www.uncw.edu/ba/ 48 6 Cape Fear Botanical Garden pplant/arboretum 31 Cape Fear 7 Cane Creek Reservoir www.owasa.org/ 29 Weymouth Woods 2 Facilities/CaneCreekRes.aspx G Nature trail Nature Preserve below dam. 30 White Pines Nature Preserve www. 41 Fayetteville Parks www.fcpr.us/ 8 Carolina Beach State Park triangleland.org/lands/tlc/white_pines_np.  42 Greenfield Lake www.cfrw.us/green 9 Carroll Howard Johnson Environ- shtml G 275 acres G 3 miles of trails. fieldlake.html G 5 mile path around 90 acre lake. mental Education Park www.fuquay- 31 Zeke’s Island Coastal Reserve  43 Greensboro Watershed Trails www. varina.org/parks/park-information-178.asp G www.nccoastalreserve.net greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Parks/facilities/ 28 acres G 2 miles of interpretive nature trails. trails/watershed/ G 36 miles of trails around 10 State Recreation Area G HIKING and BIKING G city lakes. www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/main.php 32 American Tobacco Trail 44 Guilford Courthouse Battlefield Trail 11 Greensboro Public Gardens www. www.triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM G Planned www.nps.gov/guco/index.htm G 2.5-mile trail. greensborobeautiful.org/TheGardens.htm G 22-mile rails-to-trails project. 45 Hagan-Stone Park www.greensboro-nc. 2.5 miles of trails; wheelchair-accessible.  33 Bass Lake Park www.hollyspringsnc.us/ gov/departments/Parks/Facilities/regionalparks/ 12 Hank Anderson Community Park dept/park/basslake/index.asp G 20 acres G haganstone/ G 3409 acres G 38.7 miles of trails. www.townofcarrboro.org/rp/parks.htm G 1.25 miles of wheelchair-accessible trails.  46 Halyburton Park 55 acres G .4-mile trail. 34 Burlington Parks www. burlingtonnc.gov 47 Harris Lake Park 13 Haw Slopes State Natural Area  35 Cape Fear River Trail www.fcpr.us/  48 Oak Island Nature Center/ South- www. triangleland.org/lands/places_to_visit. cape_fear_river_trail.aspx G 4-mile, wheel- port Paths and Greenways www.southport- shtml G 1,022 acres chair-accessible trail. oakisland.com/attractions/index.htm#nature 14 Holly Shelter Game Land www.  36 Cedarock Park www. alamance-nc. 49 Environmental Center: coastallandtrust.org/pages/places_to_visit. com/ G 414 acres G 4 miles of nature trails  Bicentennial Greenway www.highpoint.org/ html G 50,120 acres and 1.5-mile bike trail; .5-mile wheelchair- parks.html G 9.5-mile trail; wheelchair-accessible. 15 Hope Valley Experimental Forest accessible trail. Piedmont Environmental Center Preserve www. www.cnr.ncsu.edu/for G 45 acres  37 Chapel Hill Parks/Greenways piedmontenvironmental.com G 376 acres G 16 http://cnr.ncsu. http://chapelhillparks.org/ G 11 miles of trails; includes Bicentennial Greenway. edu/fer/dept/jgoodwin.html cnr.ncsu.edu/for some wheelchair-accessible.  50 Rassier Wicker Park www.villageof G 1,169 acres 38 Duke Forest http://www.env.duke.edu/ pinehurst.org/ G 103 acres G .5-mile, 17 Johnston Mill Nature Preserve www. forest/ G 7,050 acres G 30 miles of paved wheelchair-accessible trail. triangleland.org/lands/tlc/johnston_mill_np. access roads.  51 Reservoir Park/Southern Pines shtml G 296 acres G .5 miles of trails. 39 Dunn-Erwin Trail www.harnett.org/ Greenways www.southernpines.net/ 18 health/physical-910.asp G 5.3-mile trail Recreation/Parks.aspx G 13 miles of trails 19 Jordan Lake Educational State Forest crosses Black River. and greenways; wheelchair-accessible. 20 Jordan Lake State Recreation Area 40 Durham Greenway Trails www.bikewalk 52 San-Lee Environmental Education and Recreation Park = some trails designated as wheelchair accessible durham.org/ G 14 miles of trails. 22

ROCKINGHAM CASWELL Lake Lake PADDLING Townsend Cammack Graham- Mebane 16 19 18 24 29 Lake Kernersville 13 21 25 10 Greensboro 20Burlington Durham High ORANGE Point GUILFORD Graham H Carrboro a 32 9 w DURHAM ALAMANCE Chapel Hill 26 B. Everett R Jordan D e R iv 6 e p o c e Lakake ky r 2 WAKE Asheboro R Pittsboro Harris 3 iv Lake er RANDOLPH e r CHATHAM Ri v 15 11 in the Cape Fear River Basin 28Sanford LEE Lillington Carthage HARNETT The Cape Fear River Basin offers many opportunities for MOORE S paddling creeks, ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries. The Southern27 L Pines L WAYNE places included here offer public access areas maintained by state, I

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D o r federal or local governments. Privately operated marinas and boat t N Fayettevi12 lle h HOKE 23 SAMPSON e A a docks may also be available. These trails and lakes are suitable for 8 s S t CUMBERLAND S 7 Raeford o easy to moderate paddling. u t h Clinton Kenansville

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p 1 Bald Head Woods Coastal Reserve* 16 e 31 BLADEN R C i F

a p v e e a e r www.thehaw.org/ 17 Bay Tree r www.nccoastalreserve.net/ F (highlighted in yellow above) e Lake a r White 2 B. Everett Jordan Lake* G 110-mile trail from Greensboro to Jordan Lake. Lake Singletary 4 ONSLOW www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/jord/main.php 17 Jones Lake Elizabethtown Lakeak PENDER B R l i v a e c G 46,768 acres G16 public boat ramps. www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/jone/main.php r k Burgaw Holly Shelter 224 acres R G i Swamp 3 Bass Lake v e 18 Lake Brandt r www.hollyspringsnc.us/dept/park/basslake/ COLUMBUS www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Parks/ 30 NEW index.asp G 80 acres G Canoe and boat 14 rental available. G 816 acres Wilmington

4 Black River* 19 Lake Higgins Swamp HANOVER Bolivia5 http://www.nature.org www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Parks/ 5 Boiling Spring Lakes G 226 acres (910) 845-3693 20 Lake Mackintosh 33 1 Cape Fear 6 Bynum Canoe Access (Haw River) http://burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?NID www.triangleland.org/lands/partnership/ =245 G 1,100 acres bynum_property.shtml 21 Lake Michael* 30 Sutton Lake* 7 Cabin Lake www.cityofmebane.com/lakemichaelpark.asp http://suttonlakenc.net/ G 1,100 acres http://www.duplincountync.com/qualityOf G 59 acres 31 Horseshoe Lake/Suggs Mill Pond Life/recreation.html G 69 acres 22 Lake Reidsville Game Land 8 Cape Fear River Paddle Trail* www.ci.reidsville.nc.us/lakereidsville.htm G www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/ www.ncsu.edu/ 750 acres states/northcarolina/preserves/art5607.html (highlighted in yellow above) 600 acres paddletrails/southerncoast/sc10.html G 23 Lake Rim* G 147-mile trail from Fayetteville to Southport. www.fcpr.us/outdoor_programs/lake_rim_ 32 University Lake* For a map, call (910) 395-4553. park.aspx G 50 acres www.owasa.org/Facilities/UniversityLake.aspx 9 Cane Creek Reservoir 24 Lake Townsend G 213 acres www.owasa.org/Facilities/CaneCreekRes.aspx www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Parks/ 33 Zeke’s Island National Estuarine G 540 acres G Boats on car tops only; no trailers. G 1,542 acres Research Reserve. 10 City Lake* 25 Oak Hollow Lake* www.nccoastalreserve.net/ www.high-point.net/pr/citylake.cfm G 340 acres www.high-point.net/pr/oakhollow.cfm G *Denotes site with public access points 11 Deep River via McIver Landing (336) 883-3494 G 800 acres maintained by the N.C. Wildlife Resources www.triangleland.org/lands/tlc/mciver_ 26 Ramseur Lake* Commission. For directions to boat ramps, property.shtml www.townoframseur.org/parks_recreation. visit www.ncwildlife.org and click on Boating/Waterways, then Maps/Location. 12 Glenville Lake at Mazarick Park htm G (336) 824-4646 G 127 acres For more information about trails along www.fcpr.us/parks.aspx G 26 acres 27 Reservoir Lake B www.southernpines.net/Recreation/Parks.aspx coastal creeks, rivers and the Intracoastal 13 Graham-Mebane Lake* Waterway, visit www.ncsu.edu/paddletrails. www.grahamrecreationandparks.com/Default. G 95 acres aspx?tabid=75 G 650 acres 28 San-Lee Environmental Education 14 Greenfield Lake and Recreation Park www.leecountync.gov/Departments/SanLee www.cfrw.us/greenfieldlake.html/ G 90 acres Park.aspx G Two 10-acre lakes 15 Harris Lake* 29 Stoney Creek/Old City Lake* www.wakegov.com/parks/harrislake/default. http://burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?NID htm G 4,100 acres G Boats on car tops only; no trailers. =218 G 140 acres WHERE What makes the Cape Fear River Basin special? See for yourself. Visit these Environmental SHOULD Education Centers to discover more about your ecological address: I GO ? G Agape Center for Environmental Education G Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch: G Airlie Gardens Environmental Education Focus Library G American Livestock Breeds Conservancy G Lake Higgins Environmental Education Center G Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center G Lake Rim Park G Cape Fear Botanical Garden G Marine Quest: UNC-W Center for G Cape Fear Museum of History and Science Marine Science G Cape Fear River Watch Inc. G Morehead Planetarium and Science Center G Carolina Beach State Park G Natural Science Center of Greensboro ,

M G Center for Education, Imagination and G New Hanover County Arboretum S I R U

O the Natural World at Timberlake Farm G North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher T

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T G Children’s Museum of Wilmington G North Carolina Botanical Garden N N O E I S M I

P G Clark Park Nature Center G North Carolina Coastal Reserve Program V I O D L

. E C V Frank Sharpe Jr. Wildlife Education Center . G G North Carolina Zoological Park E N

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T G Halyburton Park G Piedmont Biofuels T R

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Y G Harris Energy and Environmental Center/ G Piedmont Environmental Center S D E N T A

R Harris Plant Visitors Center G Public Works Commission Watershed U M L O I F C G Harris Lake County Park Education Center Raven Rock State Park G Haw River Program/ G Raven Rock State Park G Jones Lake State Park G San-Lee Environmental Education and G Jordan Lake Educational State Forest Recreation Park G Jordan Lake State Recreation Area G Screech Owl Farm School G Jordan Lake Visitor Assistance Center G Singletary Lake State Park G Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and G Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest Rehabilitation Center G Weymouth Woods – Sandhills Nature Preserve

For more information about Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina, call the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs at (919) 733-0 711, or check out the website at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org.

HOW You can gain a sense of community pride by learning more and helping to protect streams, rivers CAN and lakes in the Cape Fear River Basin. The contacts listed below can help you do just that. I HELP ? Bald Head Island Conservancy N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Districts www.bhic.org www.enr.state.nc.us/DSWC (910) 457-0089 (919) 733-2302 Cape Fear River Basinwide Plan* North Carolina Coastal Federation http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/bpu www.nccoast.org Cape Fear River Watch (252) 393-8185 http://cfrw.us/ North Carolina Stream Watch (910) 762-5606 www.ncwater.org/Education_and_Technical_ Carolina Estuarine Reserve Foundation Assistance/Stream_Watch www.cerf.us/ (919) 715-5433 Deep River Park Association Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (919) 898-4814 www.triangletrails.org/ Morgan Creek Valley Alliance www.morgancreek.org/ (919) 962-0522

*Basinwide water quality planning is a nonregulatory, watershed-based approach to restoring and protecting the quality of North Carolina’s surface waters. The N.C. Division of Water Quality welcomes community input. To order additional brochures on any of North Carolina’s 17 river basins, a general river basin booklet or a poster, call the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs at (919) 733-0711, or order online at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org. M