The highest proportion of agricultural land is found north of Mallard Creek, and the land becomes more forested as I-85 is approached from the northwest. A few steep slopes exist in this region which favored agriculture in the past and residential development at the present time. The area is drained by Stony Creek, Mallard Creek, and Clarks Creek. This region is bordered by Highway 49 to the north, Albemarle Road to the south, residential communities of Charlotte to the west and Cabarrus County to the east. The areas consist of gently sloping hills covered with mixed forests which surround small creeks.
Most developmental pressure comes from the southwest as the residential areas of Charlotte expand.
The tracts of forest are surrounded by a mosaic of farmland, forest, residential developments and light commercial development. This region is bordered by Albemarle Road to the north, Highway 51 to the west, Cabarrus and Union Counties to the east and Highway 218 to the south. The gently sloping hills of this area are composed of forest, field, and residential developments. Larger tracts of forest still exist around Sherman Branch, Clear Creek, Long Branch, and Duck Creek. Residential development is a major threat in this area and considerable development has been predicted for the next few decades.