Threats to Our Lake & Water

     The most common problem on the Catawba River and its lakes is sedimentation. Sediment carried by stormwater runoff from construction sites in North Carolina has been documented as the leading source of non-point source pollution to rivers throughout the state.The picture above shows the impact that sediment can have on the clarity of the river and potentially our lake. Compare the blue water in the upper right of the photo above to the muddy brown water of the cove in the middle.

 

Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman expresses concern about sediment in the street to Gaston County Natural Resources Administrator Danon Lawson as MIL Covekeeper Pam Beck looks on.

When a landscape project spilled out into this neighborhood street it only took a brief downpour to wash this sediment into a storm drain and into our lake.

 How you can help keep the mud out of our lake:

• Don't disturb the buffer zone
• Make sure contractors you hire for construction and landscaping work adhere to practices that protect our water from their work   
• Keep landscape materials and yard waste out of the street gutters and storm drains
• If you see mud on the streets that comes from a construction site or muddy water coming from a lakeside property, report it to us, the Riverkeeper Foundation or your local authorities.

Take Action:

Go to Covekeepers Page