Beavers + Restoration?

Mo Drinkard • March 28, 2023

Could beavers help restore our waterways?

On Saturday, March 4, Catawba Riverkeeper and Foothills Conservancy were joined by 35 volunteers to build Beaver Dam Analogs to restore a small unnamed tributary of Canoe Creek! Learn more about Beaver Dam Analogs


With this being just 1 of a handful of projects like this in the Southeastern United States, it was truly a historic day for restoration for Catawba Riverkeeper. 


In total, 5 dams were built, making a total of 6 Beaver Dam Analogs constructed on the property. We will be monitoring these structures for the next several years, thanks to University Partners from Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina Charlotte, and Montreat College. The monitoring will range from looking at water quality, as well as biologic monitoring looking at the fish and aquatic insect communities. 


Thank you to everyone that came out to contribute your time and effort to help make this project a success! We will be posting updates to our social media pages and are looking forward to learning how Beaver Dam Analogs are used for restoring streams. 

Canoe Creek Restoration Project Press Release

September 15, 2026
Foothills Conservancy of NC and Catawba Riverkeeper Complete First Phase of Landmark Canoe Creek Restoration at Oak Hill Community Park and Forest

Commenting On The Roadless Rule

August 31, 2026
Now Is the Time to Speak Up for Our Forests & Rivers

Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition Summer Meeting

By Mo Drinkard • August 14, 2026
Earlier this month, the Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition hosted their Summer Meeting at Confluence South Fork in Cramerton, NC. During the meeting, attendees received updates on projects occurring in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, including: Updates from Duke Energy on recreation, invasive species, shoreline management, and the current drought. Highlights from the latest Integrated Water Resources Plan including recommendations for ongoing and future management of our river system. Regional project updates throughout the river basin. You can view the slide decks shared at the meeting by clicking on the links below: Catawba Riverkeeper Update CWWMG Integrated Water Resources Plan Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition Shoreline Management Plan Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Coalition Brief History Catawba-Wateree Recreation Use and Needs Study and Project Updates