LUMBER RIVER BASIN T - Environmental education Basin Images/final_web_lumber.… · the Lumber River Basin is actually four distinct ... River Basin also contains three animals on

Even though it is named for the Lumber River,the Lumber River Basin is actually four dis tinctriver systems that include the Lumber River,the Waccamaw River, the headwaters of theLittle Pee Dee River and a system of smallcoastal rivers that empty into the Atlantic.

The Lumber River is one of the state’s four Nat -ural and Scenic Rivers, and an 81-mile portionof the river is designated a National Wild andScenic River. In bestowing the fed eral designa -tion, the National Park Service determinedthe Lumber River has “outstand ingly remark -able” resources, which include recreation, fish,wildlife, scenery and botany. The wildness of the Lumber and Waccamaw rivers drawscanoe ists and other paddlers by the thousands.

The Waccamaw River flows from Lake Wacca -maw, the most biologically diverse lake in NorthCarolina and one of the most species-rich lakesin the Western hemi sphere. It has 52 fish spe -cies, 11 species of snails and 15 species of mus -sels and clams, many of them rare and endemic

to the lake, meaning they have been found nowhere else on earth. TheWaccamaw’s watershed also includes a large portion of the Green Swamp.In wet savannas of this swamp, scientists have recorded the highestdensity of small-scale plant diversity in North America — more than40 species in a single square meter. Some of these intriguing plantsinclude insect-eaters such as flytraps, pitcher plants and sundews, plus an array of orchids.

T he Lumber River Basin is a rich ecological expanse of flat land, gently rolling hills and swamp waters. Part Sandhills but mostly Coastal Plain, the basin is a flatwater

paddler’s dream and a naturalist’s wonderland.

Lumber River,

Robeson County

Total miles ofstreams and rivers:

2,247

Total acres of lakes:9,865

Total acres ofestuary: 4,848

Municipalities within basin: 51

Counties within basin: 9

Size: 3,329 square miles

Population: 472,276

(2010 U.S. Census)

profile:

KEN TAYLOR, NCWRC

MELISSA MCGAW, NCWRC

LUMBERRIVERBASIN

BiodiversityBiodiversity refers to

all of the organisms

(plants, animals, fungi,

bacteria, etc.) and

ecosystems that can

be found in a region.

A high level of biodiver -

sity indicates that nat -

ural systems are in

balance and that the

environment is healthy.

We depend on biodi -

ver sity for many natural

goods and services,

such as the pollination

of crops and wild plants,

the cycling of air and

water, the regeneration

of soil and the devel op -

ment of new foods and

medicines.

SC

Lake Waccamaw is a special kind of wetland known as a Carolina bay. Of puzzling origin, Caro - lina bays are elliptical depressions that collect rainwater throughout the year. Concentratedin the Carolinas, many of these bays are scattered throughout the Lumber River Basin. LakeWaccamaw is the largest permanently water-filled Carolina bay in North Carolina. The degreeof aquatic diversity is unusual for a Carolina bay, most of which are highly acidic and thereforeinhospitable to many plants and animals. Outcrops of limestone on the northeast shore of LakeWaccamaw lower the acidity of the water to a neutral pH, allowing diversity to thrive. Two fish,the federally threatened Waccamaw silverside and the Waccamaw darter, are endemic. Twomussels, the Waccamaw spike and the Waccamaw fatmucket, are also found nowhere else in the world. Even though an estimated 778 million spike mussels live on the lake bottom,ecologists warn that just one catastrophic event could have an irreversible effect on a species with such a limited distribution.

The lake and the headwaters of the Waccamaw River make up Lake Waccamaw State Park.Just below the lake, River Swamp is the largest remaining blackwater cypress-gum swamp in thestate. The Waccamaw River is one of North Carolina’s largest blackwater rivers. Its tea-coloredwaters are nearly free of sediment and would be clear if not for the stain of decayed organicmatter from surrounding swamp forests. About 90 percent of all the waters in the LumberRiver Basin are swamp waters.

The northwestern tip of the basin includes part of Sandhills Game Land and its longleaf pinecom munities, another rare and diminishing habitat. The coastal part of the Lumber River Basinincludes Boiling Springs Lake and other scattered Carolina bays. The American alligator, whichinhabits Lockwoods Folly River, is state-listed as a threatened species. Coastal North Carolina,including the Lumber River Basin, is the northernmost part of its natural range. The Lumber

THOSEMysteriousCAROLINA BAYSA bout the time scientists started studying craters

on the moon, the public began debating theearthly mystery of the Carolina bays. Captured in a1930s aerial photograph, these oval-shaped depres -sions were curious repeating patterns scattered alongthe East Coast and con centrated in the Carolinas.Wild theories of their origins abounded. Were theydino saur footprints? Pre historic whale wallows? Space - ship land ing pads? Today, the most widely acceptedtheory is that prevailing Ice Age winds reshaped exist -ing bodies of water into elliptical pools. These uniquewet lands are important breeding grounds for frogsand sal aman ders. They range in size from 45 feet to 7miles long (Lake Waccamaw).

Oh, BlackwaterTributaries and smaller

streams that form within

Coastal Plain swamps

receive lots of decay -

ing organic material.

Tannins from this mate -

rial impart a dark color

to the water. These

tannin-tinted waters

are known as “black -

water” streams.

MELISSA MCGAW, NCWRC

Horseshoe Lake, Bladen CountyKEN TAYLOR, NCWRC

River Basin also contains three animals on the state Endan geredSpecies List—the yellow lampmussel and Savannah lilliput,both freshwater mussels, and the West Indian manatee, avisitor to coastal estuaries.

Water quality in the Lumber River Basin is generally good.Growth in human population and animal farms, however, has

been significant. The number of people in the basin is expected to increase 30 percent by 2020.

For now, the water quality in the basin’s streams and rivers is good enough to support swim -ming and boating as well as shellfish harvesting in some estuary areas. There are some fishspecies, however, that have been contaminated by mercury. Power plant and incineratoremissions are important sources of this pollutant. Certain household and medical wastes alsocontain mercury. State officials advise limited consumption of largemouth bass, chain pickereland bowfin throughout the basin because of high levels of mercury in their flesh.

Another concern in the basin is that many shellfishing areas in coastal rivers are closed due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. This kind of bacteria indicates contamination fromanimal, and possibly human, waste. Runoff from animal lots and outdated or malfunctioningseptic systems are potential sources of contamination.

Since some of these pollution sources involve leaked household chemicals and household solidwaste, the actions of each person in the basin can make a difference. The residents of theLumber River Basin have the opportunity to protect their waters as the region grows. They arelearning valuable lessons from other river basins that are now grappling with polluted waste -water and development issues. Many local citizens are working together to preserve and protectthe waters of the Lumber River Basin. See the list on the back of this brochure.

MELISSA MCGAW, NCWRC MELISSA MCGAW, NCWRC

KEN TAYLOR, NCWRC

Pitcher plant Venus flytrap

Hydrilla, originally fromAsia, showed up in NorthCarolina waters morethan 30 years ago. Asmall fragment of hydrillacan grow into a wholecolony of plants and cloga waterway from top tobottom in just a few years,damaging fisheries andvegetation by creating a tangled web thatsmothers aquatic speciesand blocks sunlight. Oncethe weed becomesestablished in an area,boating and water recre -ation becomes nearlyimpossible. Though theplant can spread by nat -ural causes, the most com-mon cause of spreadingis by human activities.Signs posted on publicboat ramps advise boat -ers about the need toinspect boats, trailers andgear and to remove anysign of the weed beforeleaving the site. Eradicat -ing the plant through theuse of herbicides or byusing a fish called grasscarp is an expensive andlengthy process. Hydrillahas been a serious prob -lem in the Roanoke RiverBasin since the 1990s. It isnow spreading within theChowan and beginningto colonize shorelinealong the AlbemarleSound. Biologists fear thatit could find its way intopristine lakes such asthose in and aroundPocosin Lakes NationalWildlife Refuge.

WATER

THEKudzu of the

RICHMOND

Laurinburg

Lumber ton

WhitevilleLake

Waccamaw

River

Lumber

SwampGreen

SCOTLAND

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HIKING & BIKING

in the Lumber River Basin

l HIKING l

1 Aberdeen Lake Parkwww.townofaberdeen.net/pView.aspx?id=2173&catid=29 l 87.5 acres l 2 mile lake trail.

2 Bird Island Coastal Reservewww.nccoastalreserve.net l 1,481 acres l

A state preserve, the island is accessible fromSunset Beach at low tide. It is home to a varietyof coastal birds and other wildlife.

� 3 Fair Bluff Riverwalkwww.fairbluff.com/ l 1-mile, wheelchair-

accessible boardwalk through wetlands andalong the Lumber River.

4 Green Swamp Preserve www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/northcarolina/placesweprotect/index.htm l 17,424 acres acres l

Primitive trails through longleaf pine savannas.

� 5 Lake Waccamaw State Parkwww.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/lawa/

main.php l 1,734 acres l 9.25 miles of trails,including a 700-foot boardwalk bordering thelake; wheelchair-accessible.

6 Lumber River State Parkwww.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/luri/main.phpl 9,234 acres acres l 3 miles of trails, includ -ing a 100-foot boardwalk over a wetland. Fish -ing pier and turn-of-the-century millpond areadjacent to the trail.

7 Sandhills Game Landwww.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/northcarolina/placesweprotect/index.htm l 58,713 acres

l HIKING and BIKING l

8 Luther Britt Parkwww.ci.lumberton.nc.us/ l 142 acres l~4 miles of trails around the park’s two ponds and wooded areas.

�= some trails designated as wheelchair accessible

The Lumber River Basin offers many opportunities to enjoy and explore nature through walking, hiking and biking. This list includes places for easy to moderate activity. Many sites include views of streams, rivers, creeks, lakes and wetlands. Remember that some trails are multi-use, serving pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians and other recreational users.

l hikingl hiking and biking

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ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

RICHMOND

Laurinburg

Lumber ton

WhitevilleLake

Waccamaw

River

Lumber

SwampGreen

SCOTLAND

ROBESON

COLUMBUS

BRUNSWICK

HOKE

BLADEN

MOORE

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LumbeRiver

Lumber

LAND

ROBESON

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Waccam

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7 Lumber River Trail(highlighted in yellow) The Lumber River is oneof the state’s four Natural and Scenic Rivers,and an 81-mile stretch of its 124-mile journeythrough North Carolina is designated as aNational Wild and Scenic River. The upperportion of the river requires more skill due todowned trees and narrow width. The lowerportion is more easily navigated. The river flows through the Lumber River State Park,where canoe camping is popular. For moreinformation about access points and riverconditions, visit www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/luri/main.php.

Miles to NextAccess Area Take-out***U.S. 15-501 Bridge** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.4SR 1414 ** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.8U.S. 401 (Wagram)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.4SR 1404 Bridge** (River Road) . . . . . . . .12.9N.C. 71 Bridge** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.2SR 1303 Bridge** (Red Springs Road) . . . .3.0SR 1153 Bridge** (Alma Road) . . . . . . . .6.4SR 1354 Bridge** (Recreation Center Road) 8.1SR 1554Bridge** (Three Bridges Road) . .3.0SR 1003 Bridge** (Chicken Road) . . . . . .5.5SR 1550 Bridge** (Lowe Road) . . . . . . . .8.9N.C. 72*(McNeill’s Bridge) . . . . . . . . . . .2.6McMillian’s Beach (City of Lumberton) . .1.4Stephens Park (City of Lumberton) . . . . .1.9Noir Street Playground . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.3N.C. 72 (High Hill)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.5NC 2123 Bridge** (Matthews Bluff) . . . . .12U.S. 74 (NC DOT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.4Princess Ann (Lumber River State Park) . .11.7Fair Bluff/NC 904 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.0Griffin’s Landing (just south of state line) .—

**Paddle trail maps often include points on a river that are accessible underneath a bridgeright-of-way maintained by the Department of Transportation. These bridges are routinelyused as informal “put-ins” and “takeouts,” butusually lack designated parking, launches andother facilities.

***Approximate distance

1 Aberdeen Lake www.townofaberdeen.net/pView.aspx?id=2173&catid=29 l 43.75 acres

2 Beaverdam Creek Trailwww.ncsu.edu/paddletrails l 1.2-mile trail near Ocean Isle.

3 Fair Bluff Riverwalkwww.fairbluff.com/ lCanoe/ kayak launch onthe Lumber River near the town’s riverwalk.

4 Lake Waccamaw*www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/lawa/main.phpl 9,000 acres

5 Lower Lockwoods Folly River Trail*www.ncsu.edu/paddletrails l 2-mile trail fromSunset Harbor to Varnamtown.

6 Luther Britt Parkwww.ci.lumberton.nc.us/ l Two lakes totaling35 acres l Rental canoes available.

PADDLING

in the Lumber River Basin

The Lumber River Basin offers many opportunities for paddling creeks, ponds, streams, rivers and lakes. The places included here offer publicaccess areas maintained by state, federal or local governments. Privatelyoperated marinas and boat docks may also be available. These trails andlakes are suitable for easy to moderate paddling.

8 Waccamaw River Canoe Trail(highlighted in green) www.ncsu.edu/paddletrails l The Waccamaw River spills from LakeWaccamaw, slicing through a vast, cypress-gumswamp. It spans about 56 miles to the state’sborder, eventually emptying into the Pee DeeRiver in South Carolina.

Miles to NextAccess Area Take-outLake Waccamaw State Park . . . . . . . . . . . .11Route 1928 bridge, east of Old Dock . . .12.9N.C. 130 bridge* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18.1N.C. 904 bridge*19.8 (ends in South Carolinaat S.C. 9 bridge). N.C. 130 bridge is the lastpublic take-out point in North Carolina.

*Denotes site with public access points main -tained by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Com -mission. For directions to boat ramps, visitwww.ncwildlife.org and click on Boating/Waterways, then Maps/Location.

BFor information about more-challengingpaddle trips and side trips in the Lumber RiverBasin, visit www.ncpaddletrails.info/.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF NC DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM, ANDSPORTS DEVELOPMENT

WHERE SHOULD

I GO?

?

What makes the Lumber River Basin special? See for yourself. Visit these EnvironmentalEducation Centers to discover more about your ecological address:l Bird Island Coastal Reserve l Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetariuml Lake Waccamaw State Park l North Carolina Museum of Forestryl Lumber River State Park

For more information about Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina, check out the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs’ website atwww.eenorthcarolina.org.

You can gain a sense of community pride by learning more and helping to protect streams, riversand lakes in the Lumber River Basin. The contacts listed below can help you do just that. Tofind out about local river organizations and conservation groups, contact your local soil andwater conservation district. To find out about how you can get involved in local waterway andother litter cleanups, contact North Carolina Big Sweep.

Clean Water Management Trust Fundwww.cwmtf.net/

Division of Water Quality, Stormwater and Runoff Pollutionwww.ncstormwater.org/

Lumber River Basinwide Plan*http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/bpu/basin/lumber

North Carolina Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts www.ncaswcd.org

CHARLES BRASWELL JR.

Lake Waccamaw, Columbus County

North Carolina Big Sweepwww.ncbigsweep.org/

North Carolina Stream Watchwww.ncwater.org/Education_and_Technical_Assistance/Stream_Watch

North Carolina Water Science Centerhttp://nc.water.usgs.gov/

HOW CANI HELP

*Basinwide water quality planning is a nonregulatory, watershed-based approach to restoring and protecting thequality 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, fill outthe online order form at www.eenorthcarolina.org.t

State of North Carolina: Governor Pat McCrory • North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: Secretary John E. Skvarla, III • Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs: Program Manager Lisa Tolley; Project Manager Ian Brown• EditorCarla Burgess • Designer Kimberly KC Schott, Red Gate Design • Special ThanksNorth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,North Carolina Division of Water Quality and North Carolina Natural Heritage Program • Date: 2013 • 5,500 copies of this public documentwere printed at a cost of $1,289.50 or $0.234 per copy. • This publication was funded through a Walmart Stormwater Compliance Grant.

Printed on recycled paper