Southern Basin

The term “Southern Basin” refers to the part of the Catawba-Wateree River basin downstream of the Lake Wylie Dam to the southernmost reaches of our watershed.

This includes the Catawba River, Fishing Creek Lake, Great Falls, Rocky Creek/Cedar Creek/Stumpy Pond, Lake Wateree, the Wateree River, and all of the tributaries in that area. The major cities and towns in the area include Indian Land, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls, Fort Lawn, Ridgeway, Winnsboro, and Camden.

Rachael Rosenstein is the Watershed Manager for the Southern Basin. 

Rachael works to advance the goals of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. Rachael collaborates with local groups and a variety of other stakeholders to create, plan, and prioritize projects that will improve water quality and surrounding habitats in the Southern Basin. Additionally, she helps the Catawba Riverkeeper coordinate and implement current projects, such as the Swim Guide Program.

Rachael grew up in Connecticut and western Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Delaware and her Master of Sustainability Solutions from Arizona State University. For her Master’s thesis, she explored the linkages between sustainability solutions, community, and happiness, and the ways these could be communicated through photojournalism. Before joining the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Rachael worked as a NEPA Analyst at the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Rachael’s love of nature and commitment to conservation has grown in each place she lived, from the forests of Pennsylvania to the vast Arizona desert landscapes to the biodiversity of Georgia – and soon to be the waters of North and South Carolina. In her free time, Rachael is an avid hiker, nature photographer, and birder.

In early 2020, Catawba Riverkeeper acquired a 5-acre riverfront property that we are transforming into an engaging outdoor classroom for the Southern Basin community.

The property was generously donated by the Edwards family, who own the Catawba Fish Camp next door. The property’s address is 6155 Lancaster Hwy, Fort Lawn, SC.

Features of the property include a canopy classroom, interpretive trail with educational signage about native plants and animals, a kayak launch, fishing areas, and pavilion.

We couldn't have a strong presence in the Southern Basin without members, donors, volunteers, and our many partners.

Special thanks to the Arras Foundation, the Edwards Family, the Lindsay Pettus Greenway, USC-Lancaster, the Fort Lawn Community Center, and Lake Wateree Association.

Donate now to protect the waterways of the Southern Basin.