Recreation on the River
Over 10 million people visit the Catawba River each year, to fish, boat, kayak, swim, canoe, and all sorts of other recreational activities. The basin is home to four state parks, and the scenic Linville River. The amount of people visiting the Catawba is expected to continue to increase by 11% per decade through 2050. The study that has all of this information is taking into account only the people visiting the public access points along the river. Add to that the number of private access points to the river and the number of people visiting the river is huge!
Look up sites where you can visit our beautiful Catawba River or Wateree River by clicking on one of the maps of the Catawba-Wateree basin. To find out more information about where to paddle on the Catawba and Wateree Rivers, Click Here. We hope to see you on the river!!
Additional Information
Click on the subheadings below for additional information about the Catawba-Wateree Basin.
Maps of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin
- Upper Catawba River Basin Map
- Lower Catawba-Wateree River Basin Map
- General Map of Basin Showing Elevation Changes
- Map of Catawba Basin Showing Sub-Watersheds
- Map showing locations of withdrawals and returns
- Additional maps
Current Issues
Facts about the River
History of the Basin
Other
Document Actions
- Help Catawba Riverkeeper
-
Your River needs you as much as you need the River
- News
-
May 22, 2013
DHEC Concludes that Tega Cay Water Services Violating Permit
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) claims to be increasing the pressure on Tega Cay Water Services (TCWS) to take action to stop repeated sewage spills. Catawba Riverkeeper opposed the renewal of theTCWS permit in 2010, but ultimately that challenge was resolved by adding permit revisions requiring TCWS to upgrade their system and stop sewage overflows by April 2011. Unfortunately, TCWS has been unable to stop the overflows of sewage into Lake Wylie. -
May 21, 2013
State Files Lawsuit Against Duke Energy for Illegal Discharges from Coal Ash Waste Ponds
On May 20, in response to a Notice of Intent to Sue filed by Catawba Riverkeeper and SELC, the State of North Carolina filed an amended complaint against Duke Energy for illegal discharges documented by Catawba Riverkeeper. These illegal discharges of arsenic and other toxic substances into Mountain Island Lake threaten the drinking water supply for approximately 860,000 people in the Charlotte area.
-
May 15, 2013
Radiation Leak at Catawba Nuclear Station
On May 15, 2013, Duke Energy reported a leak of of radioactive Tritium at the Catawba Nuclear Station on Lake Wylie. The available information raises more questions than answers.
-
May 09, 2013
Public Officials Request that People Stay Off the River
High water levels in the lakes, and unusually high flows and fast-moving water in the riverine sections of the River, are combining to make the River unsafe for swimming and paddling. Trees, debris and sewage are being carried with the floodwaters. PLEASE DON'T ADD TO THE BURDEN OF ALREADY STRESSED EMERGENCY RESPONDERS BY DOING SOMETHING DUMB WHICH REQUIRES THEM TO COME RESCUE YOU!
-
May 07, 2013
Rains Bring Sewage Spills, Trash and Floods
Recent rains have lead to a rash of sewage spills, large amounts of trash in the streams and river, as well as flooding. This doesn't have to happen!
- Upcoming Events
-
Spider Lily Eco-Tour
Landsford Canal State Park, SC,
May 25, 2013 -
Spider Lily Eco-Tour
Landsford Canal State Park Catawba, SC,
May 25, 2013 -
Water Watch Training
Fort Lawn Community Center, 5554 Main St, Fort Lawn, SC 29714,
May 30, 2013 -
Water Watch Training
Fort Lawn Community Center, 5554 Main St, Fort Lawn, SC 29714,
Jun 06, 2013 -
Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers Monthly Meeting
Cook's Presbyterian Church,
Jun 10, 2013
- Report Pollution in the Catawba River
-
Help protect your River!
Tell your Riverkeeper if you see:
- Sewage Overflows
- Failure to control sediment from construction sites
- Illegal clearing of buffer areas
- Fish kills
- Unpermitted discharges
- Other issues that concern you
Click here to fill out a pollution report or to report water pollution to Catawba Riverkeeper by phone, call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494. In addition, to informing your Riverkeeper, you should also report spills or contamination to federal, state and local environmental officials.
To report South Carolina water pollution call 1-888-481-0125.
To report North Carolina spills or fish kills, call your local regional Department of Environment & Natural Resources office during normal business hours (704-663-1699 for most Catawba basin areas or (828) 296-4500 for Burke, Caldwell, McDowell and other mountain counties) or 800-858-0368 after hours. (For more information on NC spill reporting, click here)
- Alliances
-
The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, the North Carolina Conservation Network, River Network and the Waterkeeper Alliance.
- Sign Up Today!
-
Stay informed! Join our mailing list.
We won't spam you. Ever.
