Cape Fear River, 202 mi (325 km) long, formed in E central N.C. by the junction of the Deep and Haw rivers, and flowing southeast to enter the Atlantic Ocean S of Wilmington and N of Cape Fear; longest river entirely within North Carolina. Dams and locks make the river navigable to Fayetteville, but its valley is especially prone to flooding, as happened after Hurricane Floyd (1999).

River, central and southeastern North Carolina, U.S. Formed by the confluence of the Deep and Haw rivers, it flows southeast about 200 mi (320 km) to enter the Atlantic Ocean near Southport at Cape Fear. The southern estuary forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. A series of locks and dams makes the river navigable from Wilmington to Fayetteville.

Learn more about Cape Fear River with a free trial on Britannica.com.