In the pine forests of Schenck
Forest, on the fields of the NCSU Equine Unit, and along
the paths of Umstead State Park, one can see Richland
Creek as it flows from its headwaters in West Raleigh,
at the end of the Edwards Mill Extension, to Ebenezer
Church Road where it joins Crabtree Creek. Before joining
Crabtree Creek, it fills Richland Lake.
Richland is a vital creek for the Richland Natural Area.
Measuring approximately fifteen feet wide and several
feet deep at some points, this creek sustains an aquatic
community of macroinvertabrates and fish. Wildlife use
the creek for drinking water. Many cars parked along
Reedy Creek Road show how important Richland Creek and
Lake are to the fishermen of the area.
Human disturbances upstream of the Richland Natural
Area impact the creek, lake, animals, and people that
depend on and use these waterways. According to the
North Carolina Division of Water Quality’s 2002
Neuse River Basinwide Water Quality Plan, urban runoff
is responsible for habitat degradation. Sediment and
pollutants from sources such as the RBC  Center
not only harm aquatic life, but they also reduce the
water capacities of the creek and lake. Efforts such
as a stream bank revitalization project have been undertaken
to restore the conditions of Richland, but not allowing
development within the Richland Natural Area will serve
as the best defense for a vital, yet fragile component
of the area’s ecosystem.
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