Neuse River Lowlands Priority Area

Johnston County, South of Smithfield

South of Smithfield, the Neuse River spreads into a mysterious swampy quagmire known as the Let'Lones. Thought to be filled with poisonous snakes and plants, quicksand, and bottomless ponds, folks were advised simply to stay away, leave it alone, hence the name Let’Lones. A vast floodplain four miles wide, in reality the Let’Lones, or as we call them, the Lowlands, is one of the most extraordinary wilderness areas in the Southeast, completely undeveloped and roadless for 72 square miles, or 36,000 acres. Full of wetlands, sloughs, levees, and extensive mature cypress forests, it is the largest contiguous piece of undeveloped land in this part of the state. As such it is exceptional wildlife habitat for neotropical birds, fox squirrel, black bear, coyote, bobcat, and other rarities. It is also critical to communities downstream on the Neuse because the massive floodplain is so effective at filtering impurities from the Triangle’s urban stormwater. The State has identified the Lowlands as a location for a new state park, but clearcutting has decimated considerable acreage throughout the area, making action imperative.

Significance of the Neuse River Lowlands

• Wide floodplain and wetland expanse, critical for filtering pollutants from the Neuse River
• Unique fluvial formations, like oxbows and sloughs
• Extensive, mature forests and extraordinary wildlife habitat
• Inimitable opportunity for large-scale wilderness protection

TLC’s Goals for the Neuse River Lowlands

• Protect the unique natural areas and critical sites for water quality protection
• Work with NC Division of Parks and Recreation to establish a state park

What TLC Has Done

• Written a conservation assessment for the Lowlands describing its significant features and identifying the most important parcels for protection
• Sparked interest with the NC Division of Parks and Recreation

TLC’s Targets

• TLC has identified 20 high priority tracts for conservation, approximately 11,000 acres
• TLC is actively working to protect 4,068 acres in the Neuse Lowlands, including:
• Brogden Bottomlands – 1,100-acre natural area on the Neuse River across the Neuse River from Johnston Community College’s Howell Woods Preserve
• Cowbones – 824 acres with 3 miles of Neuse River frontage and pristine oxbow lakes and enormous cypress trees
• Howell Woods Extension – 1700 acres adjacent to Johnston Community College’s Howell Woods Preserve to be protected through a conservation easement
• Mill Creek – 444-acre easement to protect natural areas along Mill Creek, a major tributary to the Neuse River

Copyright © 2006-2008, Triangle Land Conservancy Last updated on 11/22/2006.