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describing water supply in the Catawba River Basin. Water Crisis 2008: Stage 4 Exceptional Drought
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describing water supply in the Catawba River Basin. Water Crisis 2008: Stage 4 Exceptional Drought

On June 24, 2008, the Drought Management Advisory Council of North Carolina issued an Exceptional Drought (Stage 4) in portions of McDowell and Burke Counties of North Carolina, headwater regions of the Catawba River basin (see map below, or follow provided link http://www.ncdrought.org ).  This issuance now places the entire North Carolina portion of the basin and most of the South Carolina portion in Exceptional or Extreme Drought, the southernmost portion of Lake Wateree in Kershaw and Fairfield Counties are in Severe Drought conditions.  Most of the region remains at least 9 inches behind in annual rainfall with deficiencies around 18-19 inches since the onset of our dry conditions.

In fact, updated forecasts of the Catawba basin do not paint a delightful picture. Three-month predictions place the majority of the Catawba basin in a persistent state of Drought (see diagram below, or follow provided link http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/season_drought.gif ). 

While I am well aware that many individuals have already been proactive in decreasing water use, immediate proactive steps need to be taken by our Municipal water suppliers and elected officials throughout the Catawba Basin to curtail the use of water.  Water suppliers must mandate water restrictions and strengthen their commitment to the protection of our River’s water supply.  Also, as individual water users, we must do everything possible to dodge this water crisis!  This includes curbing water use at home and at work and asking your water provider to instate water restrictions to ensure everyone in our region is helping to save our water supply.  This not only helps extend the duration of our water and lake levels but benefits the organisms and functioning of our Catawba River. 

Weakened conservation measures of the past few weeks and months will no longer cut it. We cannot afford to wait around any longer and let our lakes and river run dry!  The time is now for continual water conservation measures to be enacted.   Please remember, all of us rely on a sustained supply of water this summer and so does our river!

US Drought Monitor of North Carolina

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News
May 21, 2012 Mercury Contamination in the Catawba
North Carolina South Carolina have advise against consuming certain types of fish in the Catawba due to mercury contamination. Most of the mercury is coming from coal-fired powerplants.
May 21, 2012 Pharmaceuticals in the River
Small amounts of prescription and non-prescription medicines end up in our water. Help prevent pharmaceuticals from getting into the water or the wrong hands by disposing of medications properly. Catawba Riverkeeper is co-sponsoring Operation Medicine Drop events around the region.
May 07, 2012 2012 Mecklenburg State of the Environment Report
How’s the air out there? Is the water getting better? Are we recycling as much as we could be? According to an online Mecklenburg County survey, the verdict on all of the above, the answers are mixed, but encouraging.
May 04, 2012 Gaston County QNRC Cancels Coal Ash Forum
The Gaston County Quality of Natural Resources Commission (QNRC) cancelled a public forum and information session about the potential threats to drinking water from coal ash, which had been scheduled for May 3. The reasons for cancelling the forum are unclear.
Apr 26, 2012 Coal Ash Provision Added to Transportation Bill
Republicans in the House of Representatives added a rider to the Transportation Bill that would prevent EPA from protecting us from the dangers of coal ash. Please let your Congressional representative know that you want the EPA to be able to regulate coal ash waste.
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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Fish Advisories

fish consumption chart crop

Fish advisories have been issued throughout the Catawba-Wateree River basin for various types of fish.  Many of these fish advisories are the result of testing initiated by Catawba Riverkeeper and confirmed by state and local officials.  For a chart identifying fish types with the applicable adisories for the Charlotte area, click here.   For more information about the fish advisories, click 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 to report a spill 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 spills or fish kills call 1-888-481-0125.

To report North Carolins spills or fish kills, call 1-800-662-7956.

To report spills and releases to federal authorities (EPA and Coast Guard), call 1-800-424-8802.

 

 

How to contact your NC Legislator

Sometimes you just can't get the action that is needed to protect our water without contacting your legislator.  To find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature and how to contact them, click here.

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