Central Catawba Basin Watershed Symposium

Monday, September 8   |   9 am - 4 pm

Gastonia Conference Center
FREE REGISTRATION

At the Central Catawba Basin Watershed Symposium, you can join in discussions of the pressing challenges of water quality, quantity, and management around the Greater Charlotte region that makes up the Central Catawba River Basin.


Professionals from the municipal and county water, wastewater, and stormwater industry, as well as environmental non-profits and higher education institutions of the area, are invited to participate in these discussions as we strive to take a collaborative approach to solving the region’s water challenges.


On Monday, September 8, we will examine the roles we all play in ensuring that our region’s most vital natural resource is preserved and protected, while exploring how water plays a role in economic development, quality of life, and cost of living.


Symposium Schedule

Morning

8:00 – 9:00: Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00: Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:05:  Rusty Rozzelle Tribute Video & Award Announcement

9:15: Morning Panel

10:45: Break

11:00: Morning Breakout Sessions

Afternoon

12:00: Lunch & Keynote

1:05: Afternoon Welcome

1:15:  Afternoon Panel

2:45: Break

3:00: Afternoon Breakout Sessions

4:00: Closing Remarks & Take Action Activity

4:30 – 6:00:  Networking and Happy Hour

Thank you to everyone who attended and presented at the 2025 Central Catawba Basin Watershed Symposium! To view presentations from the event, navigate to the "Panel Discussions" drop-down and click on the underlined text.

  • Keynote Speaker

    Martin Doyle is a Professor at Duke University focused on the science and policy of rivers and water in the US. His work ranges from fluid mechanics and sediment transport to infrastructure finance and federal water policy. His first book, The Source (WW Norton, February, 2018), is a history of America’s rivers. His second book, Streams of Revenue (MIT Press, 2021) is an analysis of ecosystem markets. In addition to his role as a professor, Doyle has had several stints in government: in 2015-2016, he moved to the Department of Interior, where he helped establish the Natural Resources Investment Center, an initiative of the Obama Administration to push forward private investment in water infrastructure, enable water marketing, and increase the use of markets and conservation banks for species conservation. Prior to that, in 2009-2010, he was the inaugural Frederick J. Clarke Scholar at the US Army Corps of Engineers.


    He has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Early Career Award from the National Science Foundation, recognized as a Kavli Fellow for the Frontiers of Science from the National Academy of Sciences and selected to deliver the Gilbert White Lecture by the National Academy of Sciences.


    His Keynote will focus on his work with the Water Innovation Leadership Development Program, designed to empower emerging water utility leaders to embrace new practices and implement innovative, equitable solutions to water challenges, particularly in circumstances of change.

  • Panel Discussions

    Click on the underlined text to view presentations. 


    Morning Panel: "Success Stories"

    Moderator - Vicki Taylor



    Afternoon Panel: "Coming Attractions in the Catawba Basin"

    Moderator - Barry Gullet


  • Breakout Sessions

    Morning Breakout Sessions


    • Turning Water Quality Data Into Action (Room 201) - Grant Buckner, Catawba Riverkeeper – Using Bioindicators to Assess Streams; Dr. Robert Sowah & John Thao, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Stormwater Services – Prioritizing Watersheds for Fecal Pollution Reduction in Mecklenburg County
    • Impact of Data Centers (Room 204) - Daniel Simon, Partner, Nelson Mullins
    • Microplastics and Novel Approach for Removal in Wastewater (Room 205) - Katie McKendrick, Environmental Engineer, Jacobs; Jordan Landis, PhD candidate, University of Michigan

    Afternoon Breakout Sessions


    • Flooding Resiliency – Infrastructure Impacts (Room 201) – David Kroening, CharMeck Stormwater; Robert Cloninger, City of Gastonia
    • Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Other Threats to the Basin (Room 204) – Dr. Brett Hartis, Duke Energy; West Bishop, SePro; Mark Vanderborgh, Environmental Program Consultant, NC DEQ
    • Statewide Policy and Legislative Updates (Room 205)– Ryan Carter, Piedmont Promise; Peter Raabe, Southeast Regional Director, American Rivers

  • Lunch Buffet

    Enjoy a complimentary Build Your Own Fajita Bowl Buffet for lunch (vegetarian and vegan options available).

Register to attend this event by clicking the button below.

Entry to the symposium is free, with the option to make a contribution to cover your lunch cost.


SOLD OUT! - Register Today

This event is currently sold out. We appreciate your interest in addressing the pressing challenges of the Central Catawba Watershed and we hope you'll be able to join us at next year's event!

Thank you to our sponsors!

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