What You Can Do To Help?
Protecting the water in the Catawba-Wateree basin will not happen without citizen participation. The following is a partial list of ways in which ordinary people can help protect the water in the basin.
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Understand the issues. Get educated about issues affecting the Catawba and Wateree Rivers. - Understand that individual actions matter.
- Fertilize less.
- Use less water.
- Use less electricity (each kilowatt hour of electricity requires 25 gallons of water to generate)
- Reduce impervious area (for example, instead of a concrete walkway, use gravel or pavers in sand).
- Landscape with native plants that need less water.
- Install rain barrels and use water from rain barrels for outdoor watering.
- Create rain gardens to catch storm water. For more information about rain gardens, click here.
- Maintain natural areas as buffer zones around all creeks, lakes and other water bodies.
- Report violations of environmental laws to the appropriate officials and/or the Riverkeeper.
- Insist that public officials protect the River.
- Support the Clean Water Restoration Act. (click here for Amended Bill Language)
- Join CRF or support CRF financially (click here to join CRF or make a contribution).
- Donate an old boat, office equipment or other item (click here for more information on donating a boat or other items).
- Volunteer to help the Catawba Riverkeeper protect, educate and advocate (for more information about volunteer programs click here)
- Become a Covekeeper, Covewatcher, Islandkeeper, Creekkeeper, or Waterwatcher (for more information about these programs click here).
- Participate in the Muddy Water Watch program (for more information about the Muddy Water Watch program click here).
- Join the Catawba Riverkeeper speaker bureau.
- Participate in stream, river and lake cleanup days.
- Volunteer other skills.
Document Actions
- Upcoming Events
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Lake Norman Covekeeper Mtg
East Lincoln Fire Department, 406 S. Pilot Knob Road, Stanley, NC,
May 24, 2012 -
Spider Lily Eco-Tour
Landsford Canal State Park, SC,
May 26, 2012 -
Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers Monthly Meeting
Cook's Presbyterian Church,
Jun 11, 2012 -
Lake Wylie Covekeeper Meeting
T-Bones on the Lake,
Jun 13, 2012 -
Lake James Covekeeper Mtg
4794 E. Shores Dr., Morganton, NC,
Jun 14, 2012
- News
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May 23, 2012
Duke Needs to do More to Clean Up Coal Ash
For most Charlotte residents, the concern about coal and its residue, coal ash, is as close as the next drink of water. -
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Alliances
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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.
- Make a Donation
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Your River needs you as much as you need the River
- Fish Advisories
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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.
- Sign Up Today!
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Stay informed! Join our mailing list.
We won't spam you. Ever.
- Report Pollution in the Catawba River
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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
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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.
