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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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
Sep 02, 2010 Coal Ash Retention Ponds Taking Center Stage
FOX Charlotte News Story on Upcoming U.S. EPA Coal Ash Hearing in Charlotte, NC on September 14, 2010.
Aug 30, 2010 Settlement possible in Catawba River water war
The U.S. Supreme Court case pitting South Carolina against North Carolina for control of Catawba River water could be settled by the end of the year, and possibly not by the justices.
Aug 30, 2010 Coal ash contamination worse then estimated
The Environmental Integrity Project, EarthJustice, and the Sierra Club released a study in August 2010, titled "Coal Ash Water- Contamination Much Worse Than Previously Estimated, With 39 Additional Toxic Sites Identified in 21 States."
Aug 30, 2010 Watch Cabarrus sprawl! And Catawba too!
Mary Newsom on growth in the Charlotte region
Aug 30, 2010 Sprawl on high: Losing N.C. mountain wilderness
Mary Newsom on sprawl in the N.C. Mountains (including the headwaters of the Catawba River).
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.

EarthShare of North Carolina Logo

 

NC Conservation Network Logo

 

River Network Logo

    

Waterkeeper Alliance Logo

 
Make a Donation

Your River needs you as much as you need the River

Donate Here

River maps and Recreational options

Maps

Recreation

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 
  • Invasive aquatic species
  • Exceeding Pollution Limits
  • Discharges exceeding allowable limits
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or

Call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494 (ext. 3)

 
421 Minuet Ln Ste 205 . Charlotte, NC 28217-2784 . Phone: 704.679.9494 . Fax: 704.679.9559