Lumber River State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lumber River State Park | |
|---|---|
| North Carolina State Park | |
| Natural Monument (IUCN III) | |
 The Lumber River as seen from the boat launch at Princess Ann. Note the spanish moss on the cypress trees.
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| Named for: The Lumber River | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Counties | Columbus, Hoke, Robeson, Scotland |
| Location | |
| - coordinates | Coordinates: |
| - elevation | 102 ft (31.1 m) |
| Area | 7,936 acres (3,211.6 ha) |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Managed by | North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources |
  Location of Lumber River State Park in North Carolina
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| Website : Lumber River State Park | |
Lumber River State Park is a North Carolina state park along the Lumber River in Scotland, Hoke, Robeson and Columbus Counties North Carolina in the United States. It covers 7,936 acres (32 km²) along a 115 mile (185 km) stretch of the Lumber River. Lumber River State Park is located in North Carolina's Coastal Plain. It was established as both a state park and as a natural and scenic river by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1989. Lumber River State Park stretches across parts of four counties following the Lumber River. The headwaters of the river are in Scotland County.[1] The Lumber River bisects Robeson County and ends in South Carolina where it joins the Little Pee Dee River about 8 miles south of the state line. The recreational facilities are at the Princess Ann Landing in southeastern Robeson County near the towns of Orrum and Fair Bluff.[2]
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[edit] History
The Lumber River is the only blackwater river in North Carolina to be designated as a National Wild and Scenic River by the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission of the U.S. Government. The river is 115 miles from its headwaters at the confluence of Drowning Creek and Buffalo Creek near Wagram in Scotland County.[1] The river flows freely along its entire course, making it one of the longest unobstructed rivers in North Carolina.
The upper section of the river was designated as a State Recreational Water Trail in 1978. The river was established as a National Canoe Trail in 1981. The lower Lumber River was designated as a State Canoe Trail in 1984. The General Assembly established the Lumber River as a Natural and Scenic River and also as a state park in 1989.[2]
The recreational facilities for Lumber River State Park are in a section of Robeson County known as Princess Ann. This area was settled by the Scots-Irish who migrated to the area in the late 1700s. Princess Ann was charted in 1796. The town was the second to be established in Robeson County and the first settled by people ascending the river from South Carolina. Princess Ann has since been abandoned and the name only survives in the local folklore and the name of the road that leads to the park.[2]
[edit] Recreation
There are 24 boat launches along the Lumber River that serve as access points to Lumber River State Park. The entire length of the river is open to fishing. The common game fish are black crappie, largemouth bass, catfish and redbreast sunfish. All anglers must have a valid fishing license and follow the regulations of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Nine primitive camping sites are located at the Princess Ann section of the park. These campsites are meant to be used by no more than 6 people at a time. Each camp site features, a picnic table and grill, lantern holder, trash can, and fire ring. There are several hiking trails and picnic areas at Princess Ann as well as the many municipal and county parks that are located on the Lumber River.
[edit] Plants and wildlife
Lumber River State Park provides a habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. Wildflowers that can be seen at the park include wisteria, sarvis holly, Carolina bogmint, mountain laurel, wild azalea, spider lily and swamp mallow. Trees found in the swamps along the river include bald cypress, water elm, river birch and tulip poplar. Some of animals that live along the banks of the river are the great blue heron, white tailed deer, black bears, sandpipers, beavers, barred owls, river otters, turkey, American alligator,[1] and prothonotary warblers.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Lumber River State Park:
- Jones Lake State Park (Bladen County)
- Lake Waccamaw State Park (Columbus County)
- Little Pee Dee State Park (South Carolina)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Lumber River State Park. The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ a b c Lumber River State Park. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- United States Geological Survey. Griffin Whirl, USGS Evergreen (NC) Topo Map. TopoZone. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
