Water Quality at Riverside Park on the Cape Fear River

To protect public health and inform the public in a timely manner of unsafe bacteria levels, the New Hanover County Health Department takes bacteria samples at Riverside Park in Castle Hayne, as well as several other locations within the general vicinity.  Riverside Park is an 11-acre park that is located on Old Bridge Site Road and is managed by the New Hanover County Parks Department.  Water quality data is displayed on this website as soon as it is available. 

Ongoing Monitoring Results from Cape Fear River in Castle Hayne

The North Carolina standard for enterococcus varies depending on the designated swimming classification for that particular area.  The standard that is being applied at Riverside Park is the most conservative measure - 104/100 mL of water.  Most of the samples collected thus far have been below the standard 104/100 mL, however, some samples have been recorded above that standard at the beach and pier at Riverside Park and at the State Wildlife boat ramp.  Environmental Health officials are currently working with staff from UNCW to identifying possible sources of contamination in order to ensure safe water quality levels are met. 

Recent samples have shown safe levels of bacteria within the water, however, a sign has been posted at Riverside Park to warn swimmers that swimming is not recommended since previous bacteria testing indicated levels of contamination that may pose health risks.

CLICK HERE to view a map of the monitoring locations
(Numbers in red indicate a standard that exceeded the State's water quality standard for primary swimming areas)

Location #1 N.C. Wildlife Boat Ramp

Location #2 Pender County - North of Old Bridge