Carolina Environmental Diversity Explorations
Cape Fear estuaries · By Steve Keith
Bald Head Island
Figure 13. Bald Head Island and the Cape Fear River Inlet. (Photograph by the author. More about the photograph)
We have arrived at last to the Atlantic Ocean. On the left side of the inlet is Bald Head Island and on the right is Fort Caswell on the eastern tip of Oak Island. In the foreground is Soutport. The inlet is about one mile across. Notice that the boat traffic is directed to the eastern side of the inlet and there is evidence of shoaling on the western side. As the water velocity drops on either side of the inlet, larger particles will be deposited close to the inlet.
In this photo you can also see the extensive tidal creek system behind Bald Head Island and the large maritime forest between the marshes and the beach. The forest contains primarily oaks.
