Johnston County Natural Areas Inventory
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UPPER NEUSE RIVER MACROSITE
Site Number: 11
Site Significance: County
Size: about 8600 acres
This macrosite extends along the Neuse River from the Wake County line downstream to the
northern edge ofSmithfield. The macrosite includes two sites ofCounty significance - the
Neuse River ( Clayton) Forests and the Selma Heath Bluffs. The locally significant Smithfield
Natural Levees lies at the downstream end ofthe macrosite.
This macrosite is considered to be only ofCounty significance, as the natural areas along this
portion ofthe Neuse River do not appear to contain extensive stands offorests ofhigh- quality or
do not appear to contain notably significant ecological features. Perhaps the most significant
portion ofthe upper halfofthe Neuse River in Johnston County is the presence of at least two
small bluffs containing Catawba rhododendron ( Rhododendron catawbiense) just west of Selma,
at the Selma Heath Bluffs. However, Flower Hil1/ Moccasin Creek Bluffs contains a more
extensive example ofa heath bluffand stands ofthis locally scarce shrub.
Most ofthe natural area lies within the Piedmont province, as the rocks and soil series, as well as
the rolling topography, indicate this province. Moderate to fairly steep slopes are present in this
portion ofthe site, which has a very narrow floodplain, with relatively poorly developed natural
levees. A few bluffs are present, as well as a few areas ofrock outcroppings. East ofWilson's
Mills the river enters into the flat terrace ofthe Coastal Plain, and the river is more entrenched,
with nearly vertical bluffs, though they are only 20 to 30 feet high in most places. Slopes and
ravines are rare below this transition into the sedimentary rocks ofthe Coastal Plain.
The macrosite contains several natural communities. The most widespread in the Piedmont
portion are PiedmontIMountain Levee Forest and Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, Piedmont
subtype. There are a number offairly notable levees and slopes in the Piedmont portion ofthe
natural area. In the Coastal Plain, notable communities are Piedmont/ Coastal Plain Heath Bluff
and Coastal Plain Levee Forest. Because this portion ofthe river is very muddy, there are
scarcely any known rare aquatic animals within the macrosite; however, the State Threatened
Roanoke slabshell ( Elliptio roanokensis) has been found within the past two decades in the
vicinity ofthe SR 1908 bridge near Wilson's Mills and near the US 301 bridge near Smithfield.
Most ofthe river corridor is faidy wooded and devoid ofdevelopment. However, in the past few
years, homes have been built close to the river, and a few golf courses are also visible from the
river. These developments are mostly within a few miles ofClayton, which lies about two miles
west ofthe macrosite. Several miles ofthe narrow floodplain, on the east side near Clayton,
have been recently cleared for placement ofa sewer line.
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State Publications Collection
