2019 Map of Carolina Beach OE E

About this map

Masonboro Island and the complex tidal network of New Hanover County dominate this coastal landscape, showing the interface between the barrier island system and the mainland. The map documents the vital Intracoastal Waterway as it bypasses the open ocean, sheltered by landforms like Myrtle Grove Sound and Dick Bay. The hydrology of the area is defined by the Carolina Beach Inlet, which serves as a critical passage between the inner sounds and the Atlantic Ocean. This 2019 survey provides a precise look at the shifting shorelines and shallow water bodies including John Creek, revealing how the natural barrier system protects the inland coast. While largely dominated by water and protected island terrain, the small residential footprint along Shannon Dr at the map's edge indicates the limit of local development near these protected maritime environments.