Chapter 4 Habitats
4.5.5 Cape Fear River Basin 4.5.5.1 River Basin Description
The Cape Fear River Basin is the largest river basin in North Carolina and is contained entirely within the state. The Cape Fear River flows southeast through the Piedmont ecoregion into the Coastal Plain before reaching the city of Wilmington and draining into the Atlantic Ocean. The basin covers about 9,164 square miles and has 21,300 miles of freshwater streams, 31,135 acres of freshwater lakes and reservoirs, 31,753 acres of estuarine habitat, and 47 miles of Atlantic coastline (NCDEQ 2025e) . Major drainages in the basin include the Haw River, Deep River, Northeast Cape Fear River, Black River, and Cape Fear River. The basin encompasses all or part of 26 counties and includes 115 municipalities of varying population sizes. Sizable cities located in this basin include Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Fayetteville, and Wilmington. Figure 4.5.5-1 depicts the geographic location of the basin.
Figure 4.5.5-1 Location of the Cape Fear River Basin.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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