CRF Sampling Mtn. Island Lake

NC LICENSED FISHERS NEEDED! More information below.

Catawba Riverkeeper will be collecting water and sediment samples from Mountain Island Lake on Thursday, April 29, but we need your help to collect fish samples. If you are interested in fishing for largemouth bass and catfish in Mountain Island Lake, please contact Catawba Riverkeeper immediately for further information regarding our collection (fishing) day.

Water, sediment and fish samples will be analyzed for the presence and concentrations of 8 heavy metals and PCBs. Why do this sampling? Not only does Mtn. Island Lake serve as the primary drinking water resource for nearly 1 million people in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Gastonia and Mt. Holly, but two coal ash ponds and one wastewater plant discharge into this lake upstream of those water intakes. Furthermore, several governmental entities have collected and analyzed samples from our River through the past decade, but this data takes year to reach the public. We are happy to announce that upon receipt of our results, we will release these concentrations to our members and media outlets immediately- no delays, no hiding, raw numbers, questions encouraged.  

**ACTION NEEDED: Do you have a fishing license in North Carolina? If not are you willing to get one? Would you like to help catch largemouth bass and/or catfish from Mountain Island Lake? If you answered yes, then Catawba Riverkeeper needs you. Call Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman or email david@catawbariverkeeper.org to help catch fish on Monday, May 3.**