Cape Fear Riverwatch Wilmington NC Home Page

Cape Fear River Watch has been working to protect and improve the water quality of the Cape Fear River Basin since 1993. In addition to supporting the work of the Cape Fear Riverkeeper as a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, CFRW offers a variety of Environmental Education, Action and Advocacy programs for all residents of the Cape Fear River watershed.

Protect Island Creek, Stop Titan Cement

The news that a massively scaled coal-fired cement manufacturing operation was being planned along the scenic and fragile banks of the Northeast Cape Fear River came as a bit of a surprise in 2008. Very few people in Southeastern North Carolina had any idea what effects a cement mining and manufacturing operation of this scale would have on the region. CFRW launched a major research and evaluation effort, learning about the industry and multinational corporation (Athens, Greece based Titan Cement) which wanted to bring that industry to the Cape Fear.

Protesting Titan Cement What we learned was frightening. Cement Manufacturing is by nature a filthy industry and is especially inappropriate for a growing community surrounded by fragile yet ecologically vital wetlands. Stopping the proposed cement kiln and associated strip mines quickly became one of CFRW's major campaigns.

Click here for more information about CFRW's efforts to protect Island Creek and stop Titan Cement

Get Out on the Water: The CFRW Paddle Series

2009 saw the revival of CFRW's monthly Paddle Series. Each month we paddle a different stretch of the region's diverse waterways. We may explore a primeval, twisty stretch of blackwater creek one month and the next month will see us in the saltwater marshes and beaches of the estuarine lower reaches of the river. The Cape Fear River watershed is a paddler's paradise with stretches of water for nearly every taste.

Gently Down the Stream Our main goal with the monthly paddles is recreational. We're not racing and we keep the advocacy and the science to a minimum (though we're always happy to point out interesting features.)

Our underlying goal is simple. The best way to get to know a river is to get out on it. Walk its banks. Fish it. Paddle it. Pretty soon you'll want to share the river with others and protect it for generations to come. Then we've got you hooked.

The regular paddle series will resume in March, 2010. Keep an eye on our e-mail updates for impromptu paddles before then

Fisheries Restoration

Fishing the Cape Fear Over the last 100 years populations of many native fish in the Cape Fear River (Striped Bass, Shad, River Herring, Short Nosed Sturgeon to name a few) have declined by 90% or more. Much of this decline can be traced to the loss of spawning habitat from the building of three large lock and dam structures between Wilmington and Fayetteville in the early 20th century.

While these dams made the river navigable for more than a hundred miles, provide protection from flood waters and impound drinking water, their design is not fish friendly. CFRW is leading the efforts to retrofit these dams with artificial rock ramp rapids on the downstream face of each dam to allow anadramous fish access to their historical spawning grounds.

Click here for more information about our Fisheries Restoration Program or here for information about the Annual Cape Fear River Watch Invitational Striper Tournament.

Greenfield Lake - An Urban Oasis and Ecological Wonderland

Greenfield Lake is a unique 90 acre cypress ringed freshwater lake in a city park just minutes from downtown Wilmington, NC. This amazingly preserved example of Cypress Dome Ecology, ringed by a 5 mile paved walking/biking path, features beautiful gardens (it was the original location of the famous NC Azalea Festival), a 900 seat amphitheater, a boat ramp, picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, a skate park and more.

Less than 100 years ago a bottled water company was bottling and selling the spring fed waters of the Lake. Later rapid urban development, excessive stormwater runoff and nutrient pollution severely stressed the lake, making it unsightly and unappealing. CFRW has been working closely with Wilmington's Parks & Recreation and Stormwater Services departments to protect and restore Greenfield Lake's ecology and today we operate a small boat house (paddle boats, canoes and kayaks for rent by the hour) on this hidden ecological gem.

Greenfield Lake w/ Canoes and ducks

Click here to learn more about Greenfield Lake

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All of our activities are in pursuit of our mission: to protect and improve the water quality of the Cape Fear River Basin through education, advocacy, and action.

	Cape Fear River Watch, Inc.
	Environmental Education, Advocacy and Action for the Lower Cape Fear River Basin