Catawba Riverkeeper
Our Locations
Catawba Riverkeeper
Our Locations
Catawba Riverkeeper patrols, monitors, engages, samples, teaches, and advocates across a more than 5,000 square mile river basin that spans 26 counties in 2 states. While you’ll often see our heron logo on our staff and members on the water, along a trail, or in a creek, our work originates from multiple permanent locations designed to meet the needs of residents throughout the basin.
Our Locations
Headquarters & River Room
The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is the first tenant at Dynamo 31, the redeveloped 1940’s-era Pharr Yarns mill building at 102 Main Street near the lake in downtown McAdenville. Catawba Riverkeeper’s new headquarters includes offices, a conference room, a water testing lab, classroom, public-facing retail space & a taproom.
The River Room is Catawba Riverkeeper’s taproom and event space. Enjoy a local craft beer or wine in our taproom or on our patio. All draft beer served in the River Room comes from breweries in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin. Proceeds from the River Room directly support Catawba Riverkeeper’s mission to preserve, protect, and restore local waterways.
Visit the River Room's website at www.riverroomtap.com.
Northern Basin Office
The Northern Basin Satellite Office is located at 305 E. Union St in Morganton, NC in the City of Morganton office complex. Operated in partnership with the Lake James Environmental Association, the Northern Basin Office includes staff offices and a small lab.
The Northern Basin Office is open by appointment only for visitors. From this office we monitor, engage, and advocate for river and her waterways above Lake Norman including Lookout Shoals Lake, Lake Hickory, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake James, and the headwaters above Lake James.
For information about educational programs or kayaking opportunities in the northern basin, please contact Grant Buckner, the Northern Basin Watershed Manager at grant@catawbariverkeeper.org.
Southern Basin
Outdoor Classroom & Interpretive Trail
The Outdoor Classroom is located on a beautiful 5-acre property on the banks of the river in Ft. Lawn, SC. Conveniently situated on Highway 9 right next to the Catawba Fish Camp, the Outdoor Classroom features the Duke Energy Interpretive Trail opening soon, a ¼ mile walking trail that features information about the flora, fauna, and eco-systems that make up the Catawba River Basin. Additionally, we have two unique outdoor educational environments for children and adults alike to engage in fun and informative programs throughout the year. We are currently fundraising to add an indoor classroom to this property as well.
Once complete, the trail will be open dawn to dusk. Outdoor Classroom programming is available by appointment only. We welcome school groups, church groups, or corporate groups to reach out to learn more about programs that are offered at the Outdoor Classroom or to customize an outing for your group.
For information about educational programs or kayaking opportunities in the southern basin, please contact Rachael Rosenstein, the Southern Basin Watershed Manager at rachael.r@catawbariverkeeper.org.
Just ¼ mile from our headquarters and located at the South Fork Trailhead in McAdenville, NC sits the Catawba Riverkeeper Boathouse. The Boathouse is the hub of our engagement programs and a community gathering spot for kayakers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Once a nursery, we have converted the 2,800 square foot building into a multi-use facility that includes an outdoor gear and apparel store, a canteen, kayak rental hub, offices and meeting space for our Engagement staff, plus storage for our boats, kayaks, and clean-up supplies. The Boathouse is open Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM–6 PM and for special events.
You can rent kayaks, canoes, and SUPs for self-guided trips upstream from The Boathouse and back. Or, you can sign up for a guided South Fork Rapids Tour. Learn more. From The Boathouse you can also explore the South Fork Trail, a beautiful section of the Carolina Thread Trail that follows the river upstream to Lowell, NC or downstream to Cramerton, NC. You can also bring your own boat or bike and explore the trail or blueway from the South Fork Trailhead. When you’re done playing for the day, our canteen offers a variety of snacks, soft drinks, and beer. Gather at one of our picnic tables and relax with friends.
Visit the Boathouse's website at www.theboathousenc.org.
A confluence is the junction where two rivers come together, where multiple things merge. Confluence is a place where art, music, and recreation come together alongside the river to create that place of convergence for the community. Confluence is a place where neighbors and friends can meet to learn, grow, create, move, and find joy, together.
Stop in to grab a craft beverage, buy a piece of local art, take a class, see a live music show, rent a bike, kayak, or a corn hole set, or just purchase a local tshirt! With art supplies and board games, this is the place where we encourage a community of creativity that is inspired by the River we call home!
Visit Confluence's website at www.confluencesouthfork.org.
COMING 2023
Floating Classroom
To be located on Lake Norman, our river basin’s largest reservoir, The Floating Classroom is a 10’ x 40’ tri-toon that serves children and adults alike from across the region. We offer a variety of programs on the Floating Classroom from summer camps and Water Watcher trainings to fundraising events and corporate outings.
Teachers are welcome to bring their classes to the Floating Classroom for any one of our many environmental education lessons that are designed to adhere to North Carolina state standards.
The Floating Classroom is by appointment only or for scheduled events and resides at Inland Sea Marina in Mooresville, NC. If you are interested in booking The Floating Classroom for your school group, church group, or corporate group please contact Morgan Long, morgan@catawbariverkeeper.org.
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The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is working towards clean, plentiful water now and for generations to come.
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Contact Information
102 Main Street, Suite 100, McAdenville, NC 28101