Mountain Island Lake Lakekeeper Message

A message from Alice Battle, the Mountain Island Lake Lakekeeper for the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation

 

Sand bar on July 4th 

      The Catawba River is 224 miles long. Its watershed has experienced some of the greatest growth in the state of North Carolina. American Rivers has listed the Catawba as one of the most endangered waterways in the country because of this development.

Mountain Island Lake, part of the Catawba River chain, is a small lake of 3,240 acres bordered by Mecklenburg, Gaston and Lincoln Counties. Mecklenburg County gets 80% of its water supply from Mountain Island Lake. The cities of Gastonia and Mt. Holly pump all their water from the lake.

 

 early morning on the lake

 

      A coal-fired steam plant, Riverbend, uses the lake as a source of water for its operation. It also has two settling basins for ash, which eventually empty into the lake. Coal ash contains heavy metals, which are harmful to living creatures.

McDowell Creek, one of the main streams that flow into the lake, receives the discharge from the largest waste water treatment plant in Mecklenburg County. McDowell Creek is also classified as an impaired steam (303-d) due to the development activity that is occurring in its watershed. Sediment has clogged it.

 

June sunset on our lake 

 

     The Mountain Island Covekeepers have the important role of monitoring activity on the lake. This includes monitoring buffer violations, building activity in the watershed, sediment spills, and any activity that would impair the water quality in the lake.

The Mountain Island Covekeepers are part of the volunteer corps that support the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation in its role of protecting and advocating for the entire Catawba River. Anyone who is interested in protecting the river is welcomed to join our group. All members of the Mountain Island Covekeepers must be members of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.

 Jet ski at sunset

 

 Send the Lakekeeper an email 

 

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE CATAWBA RIVER AND WATEREE RIVER, CLICK HERE. 
 
 

 Go to the Catawba Riverkeeper Home Page

 


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News
May 21, 2013 State Files Lawsuit Against Duke Energy for Illegal Discharges from Coal Ash Waste Ponds
On May 20, in response to a Notice of Intent to Sue filed by Catawba Riverkeeper and SELC, the State of North Carolina filed an amended complaint against Duke Energy for illegal discharges documented by Catawba Riverkeeper. These illegal discharges of arsenic and other toxic substances into Mountain Island Lake threaten the drinking water supply for approximately 860,000 people in the Charlotte area.
May 15, 2013 Radiation Leak at Catawba Nuclear Station
On May 15, 2013, Duke Energy reported a leak of of radioactive Tritium at the Catawba Nuclear Station on Lake Wylie. The available information raises more questions than answers.
May 09, 2013 Public Officials Request that People Stay Off the River
High water levels in the lakes, and unusually high flows and fast-moving water in the riverine sections of the River, are combining to make the River unsafe for swimming and paddling. Trees, debris and sewage are being carried with the floodwaters. PLEASE DON'T ADD TO THE BURDEN OF ALREADY STRESSED EMERGENCY RESPONDERS BY DOING SOMETHING DUMB WHICH REQUIRES THEM TO COME RESCUE YOU!
May 07, 2013 Rains Bring Sewage Spills, Trash and Floods
Recent rains have lead to a rash of sewage spills, large amounts of trash in the streams and river, as well as flooding. This doesn't have to happen!
May 06, 2013 Special Interest Money Puts Garden Parkway Back on Priority List
URGENT CALL TO ACTION – STOP THE UNDEAD TOLL ROAD. YOUR PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS NEEDED BY TUESDAY MAY 7.
More news…
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 
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or to report water pollution 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 water pollution call 1-888-481-0125.

To report North Carolina spills or fish kills, call your local regional Department of Environment & Natural Resources office during normal business hours (704-663-1699 for most Catawba basin areas or (828) 296-4500 for Burke, Caldwell, McDowell and other mountain counties) or 800-858-0368 after hours.  (For more information on NC spill reporting, click here)

Alliances

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, the North Carolina Conservation Network, River Network and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  

EarthShare of North Carolina Logo

 

NC Conservation Network Logo

 

River Network Logo

    

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