OUR MISSION

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation advocates for and secures protection and enhancement of the Catawba River, its lakes, tributaries and watershed so that it will always sustain the human and wildlife populations that depend on it for life.

Silhouetted Tree at River Walk 2 (Morganton) by Raymond Grubb

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation ("CRF") was formed in 1997. It is an award winning 501(c)(3) non-profit operating in the 24 counties of the Catawba River watershed in North and South Carolina. The Catawba Riverkeeper Program is the only environmental organization to receive three Best of Charlotte Awards for “Best Effort to Improve the Environment” in 1999, 2000 and 2004. Other awards include the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission’s Blue Fin Award for 2003, the Lake James Task Force Award for Outstanding and Distinguished Service in 2004, and the 2005 J. H. “Mac” McSwain Community Service Award for exemplary community service to the Lake Wateree Community.

CRF seeks to maintain its independence by remaining a member supported non-profit organization with administrative headquarters in Charlotte, NC. CRF is not a government agency. We train and lead five locally based Covekeeper Programs on Lake Hickory, Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Wylie and Lake Wateree. Our Lake Norman Covekeepers manage an Island Keeper Program that has removed trash from Lake Norman's 42 islands since 2002. We also have trained volunteers through our Covewatcher, Streamwatcher, Waterwatcher and Muddy Water Watch programs. In addition, we operate a youth kayaking program and lead periodic family paddling trips, We are licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc.

More information about CRF:

A video about the history of the Waterkeeper movement:

Contact Information:

421 Minuet Lane, Suite 205

Charlotte, NC 28217- 2784

Phone: 704.679.9494

Fax: 704.679.9559

Toll Free: 888-679-9494

Hill Island Bluff Just Before Dawn (Great Falls) by Nancy Pierce

I realized the RIVERKEEPER^® was really about the right of any child to cast a line in the river and catch a fish for the family table. Of all the complex issues we would endeavor to solve...none would prove a greater challenge than that small, simple dream. -- John Cronin, founder, Hudson RIVERKEEPER^®

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE CATAWBA RIVER AND WATEREE RIVER, CLICK HERE.

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Upcoming Events: Lake Hickory Covekeeper Meeting Lenoir-Rhyne College, Mauney Hall, Room 320,
Mar 15, 2010; Cove and Stream Watcher Training #6 Lake Wylie Library, 185 Blucher Circle, Lake Wylie, SC,
Mar 17, 2010; Cove and Stream Watcher Training #7 Lake Wylie Library, 185 Blucher Circle, Lake Wylie, SC,
Mar 24, 2010; Lake Norman Covekeeper Meeting East Lincoln VFD, 406 S. Pilot Knob Road, Stanley, NC 28164,
Mar 25, 2010; Cove and Stream Watcher Training #8 Lake Wylie Library, 185 Blucher Circle, Lake Wylie, SC,
Mar 31, 2010; Upcoming events…

Covekeeper Meetings

Join us for our monthly Covekeeper Meetings at 7 pm:

Mountain Island Lake: 2nd Monday - Cooks Presbyterian Church

Lake Wylie: 2nd Wednesday - Lake Wylie Public Library

Lake Wateree: 2nd Thursday - Dutchman Creek Fire Dept.

Upper Catawba Basin: 3rd Monday - 320 Mauney Hall at Lenoir-Rhyne College

Lake Norman: 4th Thursday - East Lincoln Fire Department on South Pilot Knob Road off Hwy. 16.

Please check the calendar section of the website to verify the meeting time and location.

News: Mar 05, 2010 New Sewage Plant at ReVenture Park
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities is planning to build a new $197 million wastewater plant in proposed business park on the former Clariant (Sodyeco) property on the west side of the Catawba River. The plant would serve Mt. Holly via a pipe that under the Catawba River and Mecklenburg County.; Mar 03, 2010 Stricter Water Classifications Proposed for Catawba
DENR has proposed that segments of the Catawba River be reclassified as High Quality Waters (HQW). It would include the main stem of the river and the headwater tributaries starting at the river’s source and ending at the river’s confluence with the Left Prong Catawba River.; Feb 24, 2010 Mountain Island Lake Impaired
NC Division of Water Quality's draft 2010 Impaired Waterbodies List includes a large portion of Mountain Island Lake, the main drinking water supply for the Cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Mount Holly.; Feb 22, 2010 Erosion Continues at Bankrupt or Foreclosed Developments
A recent article entitled, "Erosion is latest fallout of recession," by Bruce Henderson with the Charlotte Observer highlights many of the problems associated with large developments that find themselves in bankruptcy or foreclosure.; Feb 08, 2010 Utilities Plans for Coal Ash Ponds May Not Be Enough
Are utilities' plans for shoring up hazardous coal ash dams good enough?; More news…

Alliances

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, River Network, the North Carolina Conservation Network, and the Waterkeeper Alliance. EarthShare North Carolina makes it possible for employees to support the environment through workplace giving programs. River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of our country. The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates to achieve equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment. The Waterkeeper Alliance is a worldwide network of advocates for protection of our water resources. For more information about these organizations or to inquire about enrolling your employer in EarthShare NC, please contact CRF@catawbariverkeeper.org.

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