Yadkin Riverkeeper Inc

TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE YADKIN PEE DEE RIVER BASIN THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND ACTION.

RIVER PROTECTION AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING - YADKIN RIVERKEEPER MONITORS WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS THROUGHOUT THE YADKIN RIVER WATERSHED TO ASSESS THE HEALTH OF RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES AND LAKES. THE YADKIN PEE DEE WATERSHED IS THE SECOND LARGEST IN NORTH CAROLINA AND PROVIDES DRINKING WATER FOR MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE. BASED ON THIS MONITORING, AERIAL SURVEYS AND WATER-BASED PATROLS, YRK IDENTIFIES AND ADDRESSES THREATS TO THE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES POSED BY INACTIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES, COAL ASH DISPOSAL, LAND CLEARING FOR DEVELOPMENT, URBAN STORMWATER, MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DISCHARGES, CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS (PURE FARMS, PURE WATER) AND AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF. YRK SAMPLED MORE THAN 20 SITES DURING THE SUMMER RECREATIONAL SEASON (MEMORIAL DAY - LABOR DAY) FOR HARMFUL E. COLI LEVELS AND PROVIDES THAT INFORMATION ON ITS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND THE INTERNATIONAL SWIM GUIDE WEBSITE TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF WHERE IT IS SAFE TO RECREATION ON THE RIVER AND YADKIN LAKE. YRK ALSO INTENSIVELY SAMPLES HIGH ROCK LAKE, THE LARGEST RESERVOIR ON THE YADKIN LAKES, DURING THE "ALGAE GROWING SEASON," APRIL TO OCTOBER, FOR NUTRIENT AND BACTERIA POLLUTION AND CHLOROPHYLL-A LEVELS TO IDENTIFY WATER QUALITY CONCERNS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS OR HABS, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS, PETS AND WILDLIFE. YRK ALSO INSTALLED A LITTER COLLECTION DEVICE OR "TRASH TROUT" IN SILAS CREEK COLLECT AND DIVERT PLASTIC AND STYROFOAM WASTE AND OTHER TRASH FROM THE CREEK. YRK STAFF RESPONDS TO NUMEROUS POLLUTION INCIDENT REPORTS AND PROVIDES RESOURCES TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON HOW TO PROTECT ITS WATER RESOURCES.

PUBLIC OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - YRK ENGAGES COMMUNITIES ALONG THE RIVER TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THREATS TO THE WATERSHED AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. YRK SPONSORS CITY AND COUNTY CREEK WEEK AWARENESS BUILDING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED AND PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, HOLDS ISSUE FORUMS AND ORGANIZES RIVER/STREAM CLEANUP PROGRAMS. YRK STAFF MAKE PRESENTATION TO 10 -12 CIVIC CLUBS, SCHOOL GROUPS, CHURCHES AND OTHER GROUPS ANNUALLY. YRK WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO ASSIST WITH PUBLIC OUTREACH TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IMPACTING THEIR COMMUNITY.

YADKIN RIVER STATE TRAIL - YADKIN RIVERKEEPER IS THE OFFICIAL NONPROFIT PARTNER WITH THE NC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES FOR THE YADKIN RIVER STATE TRAIL (YRST) BLUEWAY. THE YRST IS A STATE-DESIGNATED 164-MILE PADDLE TRAIL THAT EXTENDS FROM THE TAILRACE OF THE KERR SCOTT DAM IN WILKES COUNTY TO THE YADKIN'S CONFLUENCE WITH THE UWHARRIE RIVER AT LAKE TILLERY IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. YRK IS IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING A FIVE-YEAR PLAN DEVELOPED IN 2022, TO IMPROVE EXISTING ACCESS AREAS AND IDENTIFY/DEVELOP NEW ONES. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE PLAN IS TO ENHANCE ACCESS AND IMPROVE SAFETY ON THE YRST. YRK HAS DEVELOPED BOTH PRINTED AND ONLINE MAPS FOR THE YRST THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT NO CHARGE AND WORKING WITH LANDOWNERS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES TO PLACE MILE MARKER SIGNS ALONG THE YRST AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS TO ASSIST PADDLERS AND FIRST RESPONDOERS IN IDENTIFYING THEIR LOCATION. YRK ORGANIZES GUIDED PADDLES ON THE YRST FOR ITS MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND IS WORKING WITH AGENCIES AND LANDOWNERS IN WILKES COUNTY TO EXTEND THE YSRT ACROSS KERR SCOTT RESERVOIR TO THE WILKES COUNTY LINE.