Wombles Creek is a 5.04-mile (8.11 km) long, second-order tributary to the Cape Fear River in Lee County, North Carolina, United States. It is the only stream of this name in the United States.
Location and Course
Wombles Creek rises approximately 0.5 miles southwest of Blacknel, North Carolina, at an elevation of about 332 feet (101 m). It flows southeast to join the Cape Fear River approximately 2 miles southeast of Moncure, North Carolina, at an elevation of about 165 feet (50 m). Its mouth is located at approximately 35°34′59″N 079°03′05″W.
Watershed Characteristics
The creek drains a basin of approximately 6.44 square miles (16.7 km²). The watershed receives about 47.7 inches of precipitation per year, has a wetness index of 451.79, and is approximately 60% forested. The average discharge at the mouth with the Cape Fear River is approximately 7.81 cubic feet per second (0.221 m³/s).
Hydrology and Features
The creek is classified as a second-order tributary within the Cape Fear River system, which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its source is an unnamed tributary to the Deep River. The creek is crossed by several bridges, including Goat Hill Lane, US 1, Lower Moncure Road, Lower River Road, and Cape Fear Lane.
Cartographic Representation
Wombles Creek is depicted on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Moncure quadrangle topographic map. Its geographic coordinates are recorded in the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Etymology
The name "Wombles" is most commonly associated with the fictional, environmentally concerned characters from the British children's television series The Wombles (1960s–1970s). However, the name of this North Carolina stream more likely derives from a local family surname or place name, as the creek predates the fictional characters and is located in the United States. The generic term "creek" denotes a small stream or minor watercourse.
