Black River (North Carolina)

The Black River is a tributary of the Cape Fear River, approximately 50 mi (80 km) long, in southeastern North Carolina in the United States.

Black River Tributary to Cape Fear River
Location of Black River mouth
Location
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Counties	Bladen Pender Sampson
Physical characteristics
Source	confluence of Six Runs Creek and Great Coharie Creek
• location	about 3 NW of Clear Run, North Carolina
• coordinates	34°47′23″N 078°18′45″W[1]
• elevation	44 ft (13 m)[2]
Mouth	Cape Fear River
• location	Wilmington, North Carolina[2]
• coordinates	34°19′55″N 078°01′57″W[1]
• elevation	0 ft (0 m)[2]
Length	53.1 mi (85.5 km)[3]
Basin size	1,417.37 square miles (3,671.0 km2)[4]
Discharge
• location	Wilmington, North Carolina
• average	1,609.9 cu ft/s (45.59 m3/s) at mouth with Cape Fear River[4]
Basin features
Progression	generally southeast
River system	Cape Fear River
Tributaries
• left	Six Runs Creek Clear Run Big Run Canty Mill Creek Wildcat Creek Kings Branch Haw Mill Creek Colvins Creek Moores Creek Bear Branch Cane Creek Cross Way Creek Machine Creek
• right	Great Coharie Creek Devane Branch Keith Branch South River Rowan Creek Colly Creek Lyon Creek Line Creek

It is formed in southern Sampson County, approximately 15 mi. (24 km) south of Clinton, by confluence of two creeks: Great Coharie Creek and Six Runs Creek.[2] It flows SSE, receiving the South River approximately 30 mi (48 km) south of Clinton. It flows southeast through Pender County, past the Moores Creek National Battlefield, and joins the Cape Fear approximately 10 mi (16 km) northwest of Wilmington, near the broadening of the Cape Fear into a tidal estuary.

The river is known for having a wide variety of fish species, ranging from several types of sunfish and catfish, as well as largemouth bass. Ancient Bald cypress trees in excess of 2600 years old were discovered along the river in 2019.[5]