Deep River Priority Area

Chatham and Lee Counties

Along the Deep River natural treasures and historic troves lie in hiding. In a canoe, you can feel the water’s unexpected power and see the landscape’s beauty. Below the water’s surface swims the Cape Fear shiner, an endangered, small golden minnow. White pine trees, remnants from the last Ice Age, adorn the riverside slopes. The remains of a lock, dam, and canal at Lockwood tell of a complex but failed river navigation system. Near Cumnock you can almost hear the whispers of the many men who gave their lives in the bowels of old coal mines, lost in the hot pursuit of fortune. The Deep River has rarely attracted much attention, or kept it long, which is precisely why these treasures still exist today. But the river is beginning to be affected by the region’s burgeoning population. The Deep River is an important water supply for Chatham and Lee counties, but nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen degrade the river’s water quality, and mud and sediment enter the river from its many streams. Now is the time to protect the Deep River so that its natural and human history will not be lost to us or to future generations.

Significance of the Deep River

• Critical aquatic habitat for a plethora of rare and endangered fish and mussel species, like the Cape Fear shiner
• Drinking water supply for Chatham and Lee counties
• Multitude of unique, diverse historic sites
• Wealth of fragile and precious natural areas

TLC’s Goals for the Deep River

• Protect key water quality sites, natural areas, scenic vistas, historic sites, and potential recreation sites through purchase and conservation easements
• Advocate for the creation of the Deep River State Park

What TLC Has Done

• Permanently protected 2,100 acres on the river, including:
• Justice Lands, 760 acres near Moncure in Chatham County
• Endor Iron Furnace Preserve, 426 acres near Cumnock, includes Lee County’s most important historic site
• LaGrange Riparian Reserve, 308 acres near Carbonton in Chatham County
• Many acres under conservation easement
• Written a conservation assessment describing the river’s significant features and identifying the most important parcels for protection
• Opened two preserves to the public: White Pines (hiking) and McIver Landing (canoe/kayak access)

TLC’s Targets

• TLC has identified 77 priority tracts for conservation, approximately 7,200 acres, plus 185 long-term priority tracts, another 6,000 acres
• TLC is actively working to protect 4,040 acres on the Deep River, including:
• White Pines – Expansion of current nature preserve by 1,350 acres to protect ice age relict white pine trees along all sides of the Deep and Rocky rivers
• Lockville – 680 acres surrounding the Justice tract to conserve historic sites, water quality, and wildlife habitat
• Patterson Creek – 1,500 acres in Lee County to provide community recreation and to protect the significant natural area located at Deep River, Patterson Creek, and Popular Creek
• Endor Iron Furnace – Expansion of current preserve by 500 acres to protect important natural areas and to expand future park site
• WRC Gameland – Expansion of current gamelands by 500 acres to protect Cape Fear River and wildlife habitat

* Click here to learn more about the Deep River paddling guide.  

Copyright © 2006-2008, Triangle Land Conservancy Last updated on 11/24/2008.