Current Issues
The Catawba-Wateree River is a beautiful river, but is threatened by the effects of growth, including stormwater, sewage, coal ash ponds, and other side effects of increasing population and population density, as well as more traditional sources of pollution such as industrial sources, timber harvesting and agriculture. In 2008, the Catawba-Wateree River was designated as the "most endangered river" in the United States by American Rivers, a river advocacy group. More recently, the EPA issued a report indicating that four of the top 44 high hazard ash ponds in the United States are located on the Catawba River. Information about current issues related to the Catawba-Wateree River is summarized below.
Video About Current Issues
Click below for a 9 minute video about issues facing the Catawba River:
Click here for more videos about the Catawba
For a PowerPoint presentation about current issues and the work of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Click Here.
Coal Ash
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 4 of the top 44 highest hazard coal ash ponds in the United States are located on the Catawba River. 
Two of EPA's High Hazard Coal Ash Impoundments are located on Mountain Island Lake upstream from the primary water intakes for the Charlotte, Gastonia, Mt. Holly and Belmont. According to 2005 U.S. Dept. of Energy numbers, over 200,000 tons of Coal Ash Waste is stored adjoining the Catawba River in Gaston County and 33,500 tons of coal waste is stored adjoining the Catawba River in Catawba County.
- Click here for overview of coal ash issues
- Click here for video overview of coal ash issues
- Click here for more videos about coal ash issues
- Click here for our coal ash fact sheet
- Click here for coal ash disasters
- Click here for information about coal ash recycling
- Click here for more video reports about coal ash issues
- Click here for library of coal ash documents
Duke Catawba Hydro Project Relicensing
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is in the process of determining whether and under what conditions to issue a new license to operate the dams on the Catawba River. It is likely that the duration of the license will be for 50 years so it is essential that the license include provisions adequate to address the threats to the Catawba River over the next fifty years. The Catawba Riverkeeper is actively involved in commenting on the proposed license.
- Click here for an overview of the Hydro Project Relicensing.
- Click here for a library of Hydro Project Relicensing documents.
Endocrine Disruptors
In the past few decades, many scientists and public health officials have raised the alarm about a new kind of pollution that affects the endocrine system of humans and wildlife. As we learn more about the role of the endocrine system in regulating almost every major process in our bodies, subtle changes to the system caused by low-level environmental contamination are appearing increasingly significant to our health. More study is needed about the level of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the Catawba-Wateree River, but there are good reasons to believe that there are significant levels of EDCs in the Catawba, which could be causing health problems for human and aquatic species.
- Click here for an overview of information on endocrine disruptors
- Click here for information about endocrine disruptors in the Catawba River
- Click here for links and other sources of information about endocrine disruptors
Garden Parkway
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is planning to build a new highway that will go from I-485 near the Charlotte Airport, across Lake Wylie and the South Fork of the Catawba River, into southern Gaston County. This project will have a major impact on the Catawba River in the form of construction run-off, ongoing stormwater and the increased development.
- Click here for an overview of the Garden Parkway.
- Click here for a library of Garden Parkway documents.
Interbasin Transfer Issues (IBT)
Catawba Riverkeeper lead a coalition of municipalities and other groups to oppose a request by Concord-Kannapolis to take up to 36 million gallons per day out of the Catawba basin and discharge it in the Yadkin basin. This interbasin transfer threatens the water supply of cities in the Catawba basin and water quality in both the Catawba and Yadkin Rivers. Catawba Riverkeeper and the municipalities have entered into a settlement of the case filed in the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings, but a related case filed in the U.S. Supreme Court by the State of South Carolina is still pending. For more information about the proposed settlement of the administrative litigation, click here. For more information about a ruling by the Supreme Court allowing parties to intervene in the Supreme Court case, click here. To read the Supreme Court written decision, click here.
Land Planning and Smart Growth
Many of our water quality problems are the result of poor development practices which is made possible by outdated zoning regulations and building codes. The solution to many water quality problems is better planning and smarter growth. This section discusses how to protect water quality while continuing to grow and to have a healthy economy.
- Click here for basic information on Smart Growth
- Click here for library of information on Land Planning and Smart Growth
- Click here for information about "big box" development.
Mercury and Duke's Cliffside Powerplant
The North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services recently estimated that “at least 13,677 children per year” are born in North Carolina with blood mercury levels that place them at risk for lifelong learning disabilities, fine motor and attention deficits, and lowered IQ. Mercury levels in fish have already resulted in statewide fish advisories in North Carolina and South Carolina. Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions in the Carolinas. Duke is proposing to build a new coal-fired unit at its Cliffside Steam Station. A large portion of the mercury emissions from this facility will precipitate out of the atmosphere into the Catawba River. In addition, mining for coal has buried or polluted 1,200 miles of pristine headwater streams in the Appalachians. Duke Energy's proposed cliffside power plant would exacerbate the issues associated with coal mining. The Catawba Riverkeeper is currently contesting the failure of the proposed permit for the Cliffside powerplant to require compliance with the EPA's Maximum Achievable Control Technology standards for mercury.
- Click here for a summary of mercury issues.
- Click here for a library of information about mercury contamination.
- Click here for an overview of the issues related to the proposed Cliffside power plant.
- Click here for a library of Cliffside powerplant documents.
Sewage Issues and Sewage Treatment
Raw sewage doesn't just stink, it has many detrimental effects on water quality and health. Human health is affected by the bacteria that enter the water and reproduce there. The increase in nutrients can cause algal blooms which decrease the oxygen in the river. Many fish and other creatures cannot survive in these conditions.
Sedimentation and Muddy Water Watch
Loose sediment on new developments will easily run off into the waterways. During big rains, massive amounts of sediment will wash into the river. This sediment can directly suffocate fish and bury their habitats. The sediment can also block light from reaching aquatic plants. Muddy Water Watch training is a statewide effort to reduce the amount of runoff from construction sites.
- Click here for information about Sedimentation Problems
- Click here for more information about Muddy Water Watch Classes
- Click here for library of information about sedimentation & erosion control
- Click here for list of state and local enforcement staff in North Carolina
Stormwater Issues
Stormwater is probably the number one source of pollution of the Catawba River. Stormwater runoff includes runoff from industrial sites (which may carry hazardous pollutants), runoff from parking lots and roads (which typically carries oil, grease and other pollutants), lawns, agricultural properties and golf courses (which often has nutrients from fertilizers, pesticides and urbicides), logging activities (which often has large amounts of sediment) and construction projects (discussed above under "Sedimentation"), Both the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff is a problem.
Click here for more information about stormwater issues
Click here for a library of information about stormwater issues
Water Use & Efficiency Issues
Water efficiency and good water management are the best source of affordable water and must be the backbone of water supply planning. Unfortunately, millions of gallons of water are wasted every day in the basin. The Catawba Riverkeeper is working with state and local governments, as well as businesses and private citizens to improve water efficiency and the mangement of our precious water resources.
- Map & Information About Water Withdrawals and Discharges - Interactive Google map of municipal water withdrawals and wastewater discharges along the Catawba River and Wateree River
- Overview of water quantity issues
- Click here for videos on improving water efficiency
- Click here for a library of documents on water efficiency.
- Click here for a library of information about water use.
- Click here a library of documents on drought issues.
Additional Information
Additional information about various issues relating to the Catawba River and Wateree River is available in our newsletters, which are available online by clicking here. You can also get our electronic newletter by becoming a member and providing us with your email address.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE CATAWBA RIVER AND WATEREE RIVER, CLICK HERE.
More Information
Facts about the River
- Water Quality Facts
- Other Water Facts
- Videos about the Catawba
- 2008 Mecklenburg County State of the Environment Report
Recreation
Other
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE CATAWBA RIVER AND WATEREE RIVER, CLICK HERE.
