Charlotte, NC – (April 11, 2001) – The Catawba River is in trouble and the nation is noticing.  American Rivers, a national river conservation organization, has designated the Catawba as the 13^th most endangered river in the United States.

Unprecedented growth and development throughout the basin – the fastest growing bi-state river basin in the Carolina’s – threaten the river’s ability to supply drinking water to nearly 2 million people, provide recreational opportunities and dilute waste discharges.  Beyond its human use, the Catawba River basin sustains wildlife by providing critical habitat for 50 species of fish, 160 species of birds and more than 120 kinds of trees. The basin hosts 11 unique and threatened species.

The next 10 years are critical ones for the health of the Catawba basin.  In Charlotte, North Carolina, the second-fastest growing urban city nationwide, the adverse impacts of growth on the river and surrounding communities are already evident: 84 percent of Mecklenburg County streams are unsafe for primary human contact.  Given current projections, the Charlotte region’s population will continue to grow by more than 200,000 people per decade. Population growth basinwide is expected to double permitted levels of drinking water withdrawals and sewage discharges in the next ten years. 

The river has limited assimilative capacity, meaning its ability to accept increasing waste discharges while providing safe drinking water and recreation is finite. Growing wastewater discharges and drinking water withdrawals by the 14 counties, 22 municipalities and 2 states that depend on the Catawba River are already leading to heightened competition for theriver’s resources. Assimilative capacity is directly linked to economic development and a community’s ability to grow. Without a management system to equitably allocate competing demands on the river, the Catawba is ripe for the Southeast’s next “water war.” Similar demands caused by Atlanta’s population growth led to the tri-state water wars between Florida, Alabama and Georgia.

To prevent this divisive situation from occurring on the Catawba, more emphasis must be placed on holistic river management planning. Initiatives with potential to make a difference are the creation of a bi-state authority that provides comprehensive basinwide management; the establishment of basinwide buffer zones, strips of native hardwood vegetation that protect the river and tributaries from run-off pollution; and a Duke Power shoreline management plan and operating license that more adequately safeguards the river.

This is the first time in the 16-year history of the American Rivers Endangered Rivers Program, that a South Carolina river has been designated. Previously, one North Carolina River –the New – was selected.  Joining the Catawba on this year’s list of most endangered rivers are other challenged rivers, including the Hudson, Hackensack and Mississippi.

“The designation of the Catawba River as one of America’s most endangered rivers is an opportunity for change in North and South Carolina,” said Donna Lisenby, the Catawba Riverkeeper^®. “As the threats to the Catawba River have increased, so has the need for proactive steps to protect and preserve the river. This designation signifies a critical crossroads for the Catawba, what we do from this point forward will determine whether future generations will be able to rely on the river for safe drinking water, power production and recreation.” The Catawba Riverkeeper^® and American Rivers call on North and South Carolina to take effective action today to prevent additional threats and reverse existing damage to the river.