Cape fear river pollution island ecology uncw 2015. Cape fear river basin action plan for migratory fish using the best available information and expert knowledge, and built upon the work of other existing conservation plans, this action plan acknowledges several problem statements related to the health of migratory fish stocks in the cape fear river basin. Army corps of engineers is required to release water from b. Approaches to cape fear river national oceanic and. Just north of wilmington, the river is split by the. Cape fear is a low, sharp, sandy point 85 miles southwestward of cape lookout at the southern extremity of smith island. The haw and deep rivers combine about 25 miles southwest of raleigh forming the cape fear river. In its flow to the sea the cape fear cuts through the heart of the state, containing in its drainage basin 116 towns in 26 of north carolinas 100 counties. A river basins are tributaries that drain into a much larger water shed. Floodwaters will affect farmers fields adjacent to the river requiring the movement of farm equipment to higher ground.
These varied land uses contribute to the pollution problems within the basin. Cape fear river basin action plan for migratory fish. Approximately 20 percent of the states population lives within the basin. The 200mile cape fear river is the main tributary and namesake of the states largest river basin. The cape fear river is a recreational resource that is overlooked by many people. Haw river, deep river, northeast cape fear river, black river and the cape fear river. The cape fear is home to an estimated 95 different commercial and recreational species, 42 rare aquatic species, and includes 32 different reservoirs. For the canoe access lock code, contact harnett county parks and recreation department at 9108937518. The northeast cape fear runs for about miles through the southeast coastal plain of north carolina, twisting and meandering along a path of least resistance. It flows generally southeast past fayetteville, elizabethtown, and wilmington and enters the atlantic ocean at southport. Maps of each subbasin are included in each subbasin chapter. Neuse river and cape fear river riparian buffers applicable to all surface waters in the neuse and cape fear river basins intermittent streams, perennial streams, lakes, ponds, and estuaries exceptions to the riparian buffer regulations, and allowed and prohibited activities within zone 1 and zone 2 are located in udo section 1020.
During spring spawning season, the males gold color intensifies and females take on a. The cape fear river system is north carolinas largest river system whose basin covers 9,000 square miles and encompasses streams in 29 of the states 100 counties, and is the most industrialized of all of north carolinas rivers. A detailed study of stratigraphy, mineralogy, and geomorphology was undertaken to assess the geology and tectonic history of the valley and. The partnership is made up of federal, state, local, academic, utility, businesses, and nonprofit partners working toward restoring and demonstrating the value of robust, productive, and selfsustaining stocks of migratory fish in the cape fear river. Grab a seat and celebrate the 4th of july aboard the henrietta. Cape fear river river, north carolina, united states. At 202 miles long, the cape fear river basin is the largest in the state, flowing through 27 counties, and acting as the primary contributor to wilmingtons centuries old reputation and development as a busy port community. Use the discover north carolinas river basins booklet to complete the. Cape fear river derives its name from the feelings that early mariners and sailors had towards the massive river basin and scary shoals. Not quite as big as its neighbor, the cape fear river, the northeast cape fear is a true tributary. Visitors will find ample opportunities to catch a glimpse of the river, both from the highways and bridges sprinkled. Fourth round assessment of fish tissue metals in dan river following coal ash spill. This island, on the eastern side of the entrance of cape fear river, is mostly low and marshy, but on the wester n side has a thick growth of trees and a 99 foot high octagonal tower of an abandoned light.
Geology and tectonic history of the lower cape fear river valley, southeastern north carolina. Notice the usgs water resources mission areas priority is to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our communities, including providing critical situational awareness in times of flooding in all 50 u. Emily walls location of cape fear river basin and its main tributaries. At more than 9,000 square miles, the cape fear river basin is one of the largest watersheds in north carolina, stretching from the atlantic ocean past greensboro. The cape fear river system is the largest in north carolina, encompassing a 9,000squaremile basin that includes streams flowing within 29 of the states 100 counties. The river will spread into lowlands along the left bank.
Poor habitat quality in rivers and streams threatens fish, such as american shad, striped bass, river herring, american eel, and endangered atlantic and shortnose sturgeon populations. Discover ncs river basins, a booklet with information on what river basins are, why they matter and how people affect them. Another unwelcome contaminant in the cape fear river. The river is ambercolored dark due to the organic debris that settles at its bottom. Postersized map of ncs river basins 37 x 24 discover your ecological address whether you live in a busy city, on a farm in the country or somewhere in between, you have an ecological address. It now appears that the genx in the cape fear river, however, may be a byproduct of chemicals released at a vinyl ether processing facility at the fayetteville works site, said both knappe and the office of u. Basins can be divided into watersheds, or areas of land around a smaller river, stream or lake.
River basins are divided up into subbasins 8digit hydrologic units. Geology and tectonic history of the lower cape fear river. Carolinas 17 river basins, a general river basin booklet or a poster, fill out the online order. Oct 07, 2012 large river basins, such as the neuse and watershed. The purpose of this booklet is to describe how river basins function and. Canoeing the iconic cape fear river river sports magazine. These shoals stretch nearly 50 miles out into the ocean and pose a serious navigational hazard towards all sea going vessels. Cape fear river partnership working to restore the cape. The cape fear river subbasins are described by six digit subbasin codes 030601030624, but are often referred to by their last two digits e.
The park is located on hwy 217 on the cape fear river in erwin and offers 16 acres of walking trails, overlooks, canoe access, and picnic shelter with restrooms. The cape fear river partnership was formed in 2011 with a vision of a healthy cape fear river for fish and people. Cape fear river at downtown wilmington water temperature. The cape fear river is the main tributary and name sake for the. Discover north carolinas river basins linkedin slideshare. In support of this essential concept and our ongoing fight for clean water here at home, 5% of all rose water profits will be donated to support the efforts of cape fear river watch. It flows generally southeast past fayetteville, elizabethtown, and wilmington and enters the atlantic ocean at southport, opposite smith island, after a course of about 200 miles 320 km. At more than 9,000 square miles, the cape fear river basin is the largest watershed in north carolina.
Wilmington became a famed hideout and route for blockade runners, and numerous attempts were made by union forces. Scenic cruises on the cape fear river cape fear riverboats. Our states jeremy markovich starts at the source of the mighty cape fear and paddles his way through locks and lulls, rapids and rain, on an epic journey few have ever made written by jeremy markovich photography by andrew kornylak. Another unwelcome contaminant in the cape fear river north. The cape fear river was immensely important to the south as a port for goods and supplies, and two forts fort fisher south of present day kure beach, and fort caswell in the brunswick area protected the valuable coastline. New hanover county and the health department are committed to the health and safety of new hanover county residents. The cape fear river basin starts in the north central piedmont region, near highpoint and greensboro. B a river basin is a large channel of water that is always flowing down a slope. Cape fear river, river in central and southeastern north carolina, u. The neuse basin covers more than 6,000 square miles. Control of the cape fear river during the civil war became a coveted prize for both confederate and union forces. It flows into the atlantic ocean near cape fear, from which it. Animal feedlots that support turkey, chicken and hog production constitute one of the watersheds largest industries. Large river basins, such as the neuse and cape fear, are made up of many.
The land water found in scape is made up of many interconnected cracks and pores in sand, gravel watersheds. Many different aquatic ecosystems in the cape fear river basin sup. Cape fear river watch, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, has been working to protect and improve the water quality of the lower cape fear river basin through education, advocacy, and action since 1993. A scarce minnow the cape fear shiner is a small minnow rarely exceeding 2 inches that is federally listed as endangered and also is endemic found nowhere else to the cape fear river basin. A river basin is the land that water flows across or under on its way to a river. Cape fear river, 370 miles long and the approach to the city of wilmington, empties into the sea immediately westward of cape fear. Suspended sediment and nutrients in the upper cape fear. The rocky river is part of the cape fear river basin and is one of the rivers that comprises its headwaters. David rouzer, which is keeping his constituents apprised of genx developments here. It flows into the atlantic ocean near cape fear, from which it takes its name. It is the only river in north carolina that flows directly into the ocean. The cape fear river watch recruits volunteers and residents from all over the cape fear region to help protect the waters, report issues as they occur, and improve the overall water quality of the lower cape fear river basin through education, advocacy, and action. The cape fear river is a major piedmontdraining river system that flows across the atlantic coastal plain in north carolina. The landscape is made up of many interconnected watersheds.
Available data for this site click to hide stationspecific text this. Cape fear river trail park harnett county, north carolina. Study the aggregate uses of groundwater and surface water in or affecting the cape fear river basin by all users, including, but not limited to, public water systems, industrial facilities, and agricultural. Cape fear river watch engages residents of our watershed through programs to preserve and safeguard our river. Broad cape fear catawba chowan french broad hiawassee. River will spread further into low grounds on the left bank.
A river basin drains all the land around a major river. The cape fear river basin is the largest in north carolina. The cape fear river is the main tributary and name sake for the states largest river basin. Combined these two river basins have more than 10,000 miles of streams and rivers and contain nearly 400,000 acres of estuary. Suspended sediment and nutrients in the upper cape fear river. The cape fear river basin is north carolinas largest watershed with more than 6,500 miles of navigable waterways. Wilmington, 24 miles above the mouth, on the east bank of cape fear river, is the leading port of north carolina. Our hydrologic monitoring stations continue to send data in near realtime to nwisweb, and we are continuing critical water monitoring activities to. Relax and enjoy the cruise from our openair upper deck or our airconditioned dining room. The cape fear river basin is the largest basin entirely within the state. Drinking water safety health new hanover county north. The cape fear river basin contains or is part of 27 separate state counties, including new hanover, brunswick, sampson, and duplin.
The trail is a 10foot wide paved path for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and others utilizing nonmotorized transportation. It is the only river in north carolina that flows directly into the. The cape fear river basin is the largest river basin in the state and covers an area of 9,149. In response to genx in cape fear public utility authoritys cfpua water stream, the health department is actively working to learn more about its health impacts.
Cape fear river basin the 200mile cape fear river is the main tributary and namesake of the states largest river basin. Suspended sediment and nutrients in the upper cape fear river basin, north carolina, 200204, with an analysis of temporal changes, 19762004 prepared in cooperation with the upper cape fear river basin association scientific investigations report 20055271 by timothy b. Cape fear river blueprint north carolina coastal federation. Enjoy complimentary hors doeuvres and purchase cold drinks from our bar as we cruise along the scenic cape fear river. As a bathtub catches all the water that falls within its sides, a estuary. Poor habitat quality in rivers and streams threatens fish, such as american shad, striped bass, river herring, and endangered atlantic and shortnose sturgeon populations.
A river basin, is the area of land that is drained by a river and all its tributaries. National weather service advanced hydrologic prediction service. River basin power point presentation city of wilmington, nc. It lives in shallow, rocky shoals within main river channels only in sections of the deep, haw and rocky rivers. It is home to the shiner, an endangered minnow species that lives no where else in the world. Basins can be divided into water sheds, or areas of land around a smaller river, stream or lake. Noaa helped form the cape fear river partnership in 2011. River basin the cape fear river basin is the largest river basin located entirely in north carolina. Large river basins, such as the neuse and cape fear, are made up of many smaller watersheds. National weather service advanced hydrologic prediction. Clean water isnt just one of two ingredients in rose water, its the basis for life. Students are introduced to cape fear river basin, the largest of 17 basins in the state. Flood waters will reach the top of the navigational lock. Barge traffic is active as far as fayetteville, 125 miles above the mouth.