Tires: What's the problem and what can you do about it?
March 6, 2024
Tires in our lakes, rivers, and streams
The Problem
What was once believed to be good for fish habitat, tires are now known to leach toxins and cancer causing chemicals, such as 6PPD-Quinone, zinc, and other heavy metals, into our waters and are absorbed by fish and humans. Last year, we removed 1,000 tires from local waterways and we know there's a lot more out there.
Two Things You Can Do About it TODAY!
- If you live in SC, tell your state senator to support S. 1020, which formally criminalizes the dumping of tires on land and in waters of SC when permission is not given. If found guilty, the offending party will be charged with a misdemeanor.
- Sign up to volunteer to remove tires from Lake Wateree while the water levels are down on Saturday, March 30th. Thanks to financial support from PalmettoPride, we'll have the equipment to get a lot of tires out in one day. But, we need volunteers to help with this special project. We'll meet at Molly Creek Landing at 10 AM.
Catawba Riverkeeper Floating Classroom
Whether you're planning a day at the lake or a weekend on the river, knowing if the water is safe for swimming is an important part of any outdoor adventure. Today, that information is only a few clicks away thanks to Swim Guide, a program that has grown from a local initiative into the world's largest recreational water quality network.
The rocky shoals spider lily (Hymenocallis occidentalis) is a rare aquatic flowering plant characterized by its distinctive crown-like membrane called the "corona." The flower features six spider-leg-like extensions attached to the corona, along with six stamens. Each plant grows to about 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide in direct sunlight, with multiple blooms on a single stalk.
