Lake Hickory Covekeepers

Welcome to our webpage. Please join us at our monthly meeting, which is held the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at Mauney Hall at Lenoir-Rhyne College on 7th Avenue NE.

Please check our calendar of events to confirm the time and location of the monthly Covekeeper meeting.

 

Our first group of Lake Hickory Covekeepers

Lake Hickory Covekeeper Graduation

The Lake Hickory Covekeepers are a diverse group of volunteers who care about the water quality of their watershed.  The covekeepers are responsible for patrolling the Catawba River, educating the public, and creating a network to increase protection efforts.

For more information about Lake Hickory click here.

Issues concerning the upper basin

-Wastewater Treatment Plants-

Rising demands from increased development make treating wasterwater extremely difficult.  If sewage treatment plants are not monitored and updated with new technology, rising demands can cause plants to have system overloads, mechanical breakdowns, or improper operation.  This can result in raw sewage overflow into the receiving water body.  In order to meet rising demands, upgrades to out-of-date wastewater treatment plants throughout the upper basin are necessary to maintain and improve water quality.  For more information about wastewater treatment plants click here.

-Nutrients from Nursery Operations-

Local nursery operations also create very important issues concerning the upper Catawba basin. Nurseries throughout the basin contribute to eutrophication by using fertilizers containing phosphates. Runoff water from local nurseries has created many environmental issues, especially with sediment and other nutrients filling into nearby streams.  For more information about local nursery operations click here.

-Steep Slope Development-

Many potential development areas are along steep slopes located in the headwaters of the upper Catawba basin. Continued development in these areas will greatly increase the amount of runoff water and sediment entering the drainage basin. If steep slope development is left unregulated it can negatively impact the riverbed over time.  For more information about steep slope development click here.

 Upcoming events

-September 18th, 2010 -7th Annual Catawba RiverFest
 
RiverFestNebo, NC – The 7th Annual Catawba River Festival will take place from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, September 18 at Lake James State Park in Nebo. This seventh annual community event will promote a greater appreciation of this vital resource. The Catawba River has shaped the economic vitality of the region and remains a public commons of immeasurable value. However, today the river faces competing inter...ests. The Catawba River supports multiple uses including power generation, public water supply, waste assimilation, recreation, as well as habitat for many populations of aquatic life. With increasing attention on the Catawba River’s challenges, efforts are underway to protect this valuable natural resource. This day-long event will highlight various ongoing projects and groups working to improve the quality of life along the river.

The event will take place at the new Paddy’s Creek section of Lake James State Park, which is located approximately 3 miles east of the current park, on State Highway 126. New facilities include a 700 foot swim beach, concession stand, 6,000 square foot bathhouse, 2 picnic shelters, individual picnic sites, 3 miles of hiking trails, and a 450 space parking lot.
A water derby is also planned for midday at the RiverFest which will involve an obstacle course and a lake race. Prizes for the derby will be offered in part by CBS Sports of Morganton, NC. Visitors are encouraged to bring their canoes and kayaks and participate in this competition which is open to all ages and levels of experience. A raffle is being conducted in conjunction with the festival for which there will be various prizes including 9.5 ft. Otter XT kayak. Tickets will be available for purchase at the event and at CBS Sports.
 
For more information about RiverFest click here.
 
-October 2, 2010 - Big Sweep on Lake Hickory -

Big Sweep is an annual event where local volunteers and Lake Hickory Covekeepers work together to collect debris and trash from the water and shoreline of Lake Hickory.  Last year's Big Sweep was a huge success.  Thirty used tires and three dumpsters full of trash were removed from the lake and volunteers from many local schools participated.

Document Actions
Covekeeper Meetings

Join us for our monthly Covekeeper Meetings at 7 pm:

Mountain Island Lake: 2nd Monday - Cooks Presbyterian Church

Lake Wylie: 2nd Wednesday - Lake Wylie Public Library 

Lake Wateree: 2nd Thursday - Dutchman Creek Fire Dept. 

Upper Catawba Basin: 3rd Monday - 320 Mauney Hall at Lenoir-Rhyne College 

Lake Norman: 4th Thursday - East Lincoln Fire Department on South Pilot Knob Road off Hwy. 16.

Please check the calendar section of the website to verify the meeting time and location.

News
Sep 02, 2010 Coal Ash Retention Ponds Taking Center Stage
FOX Charlotte News Story on Upcoming U.S. EPA Coal Ash Hearing in Charlotte, NC on September 14, 2010.
Aug 30, 2010 Settlement possible in Catawba River water war
The U.S. Supreme Court case pitting South Carolina against North Carolina for control of Catawba River water could be settled by the end of the year, and possibly not by the justices.
Aug 30, 2010 Coal ash contamination worse then estimated
The Environmental Integrity Project, EarthJustice, and the Sierra Club released a study in August 2010, titled "Coal Ash Water- Contamination Much Worse Than Previously Estimated, With 39 Additional Toxic Sites Identified in 21 States."
Aug 30, 2010 Watch Cabarrus sprawl! And Catawba too!
Mary Newsom on growth in the Charlotte region
Aug 30, 2010 Sprawl on high: Losing N.C. mountain wilderness
Mary Newsom on sprawl in the N.C. Mountains (including the headwaters of the Catawba River).
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.

EarthShare of North Carolina Logo

 

NC Conservation Network Logo

 

River Network Logo

    

Waterkeeper Alliance Logo

 
Make a Donation

Your River needs you as much as you need the River

Donate 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

Call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494 (ext. 3)

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