OUR MISSION

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation advocates for the health, protection and enjoyment of the Catawba River watershed.

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 and 2011, 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 six locally based Covekeeper Programs on Lake James, 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: 

Waterkeeper Alliance

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a member of Waterkeeper Allicance.  Waterkeeper Alliance is a global environmental organization uniting more than 200 Waterkeeper organizations around the world. It focuses its citizen advocacy on the issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. Waterkeepers patrol more than one million square miles of rivers, streams and coastlines in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.

The History of the Waterkeeper Movement

What do Waterkeepers Do? 

Waterkeeper Alliance "Join Us" from W2 Films on Vimeo.

 

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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Help Catawba Riverkeeper

Your River needs you as much as you need the River

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Help in other ways

News
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!
May 06, 2013 Special Interest Money Puts Garden Parkway Back on Priority List
URGENT CALL TO ACTION – STOP THE UNDEAD TOLL ROAD. YOUR PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS NEEDED BY TUESDAY MAY 7.
More news…
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.  

EarthShare of North Carolina Logo

 

NC Conservation Network Logo

 

River Network Logo

    

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