Cape Fear Formation Deep Fossil Aquifer — Eastern North Carolina
Deep Cape Fear Formation aquifer beneath North Carolina's Coastal Plain. The oldest Cretaceous aquifer in the state contains fossil water at depth. Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and Jacksonville rely on deep Cape Fear wells. Water ages exceed 10,000 years in the deeper confined sections.
Overview
Deep Cape Fear Formation aquifer beneath North Carolina's Coastal Plain. The oldest Cretaceous aquifer in the state contains fossil water at depth. Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and Jacksonville rely on deep Cape Fear wells. Water ages exceed 10,000 years in the deeper confined sections.
Additional Notes
NC DEQ groundwater management area. Military base water supply from deep fossil aquifer.
Water Source Data
Water Intelligence Score Breakdown
Total: 73/100Risk Assessment
Source depletion probability
Rights & regulatory exposure
Contamination & ecosystem risk
Geological Intelligence
Formation & aquifer contextHigh porosity — shallow, rechargeable aquifer
Ancient water, no modern recharge — non-renewable on human timescales
Land Details
PrivateWater Rights
UnverifiedRiparian Rights
Tied to land adjacent to water
Landowners with property bordering a watercourse have the right to reasonable use of the water. Rights are inseparable from the land itself.
- Attached to land with water frontage
- Cannot be sold separately from the land
- Subject to "reasonable use" doctrine
- Shared equitably among riparian owners
Disclaimer: Water rights information is provided for research and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rights status, seniority, transferability, and enforceability vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always consult a licensed water rights attorney and verify status with the relevant state water resources agency before any acquisition or use decision.
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Location
Data Sources & Attribution
Updated Apr 5, 2026Data is sourced from public and authoritative providers. Hi3 Water aggregates, normalizes, and scores records but does not assert ownership of underlying source data. Always verify critical details with the primary source before any decision.