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The Catawba River

Exploding population growth, a lack of governmental oversight, poorly controlled development, and legal and illegal pollution pose serious threats to the Catawba River's ability to support life.

The River is under increasing pressure to provide drinking water while simultaneously assimilating greater waste discharges.

According to the NC Department of Natural Resources, the effects of growth and development are "… more evident in the Catawba River basin than any other basin in the state."

Population in the counties of North & South Carolina partially or wholly in the river basin grew an average of 25% from 1990 to 2000. And, at the current rate, the decade from 2000 to 2010 will have unprecedented growth of 63%.

The river basin provides habitat to a variety of plants, aquatic life, and other animals. While water in the less developed northwestern portion of the basin is generally pristine, water quality declines dramatically in the central and southern watersheds .