Together, We Can Protect Our River System

WATR needs your IMMEDIATE help to prevent the Helene debris removal process from introducing massive amounts of sediment to our beloved river system!

Did you know that sedimentation causes a negative impact on the beloved trout, salamanders, and aquatic insects that not only live in our mountain streams, but provide ecological benefits to our entire watershed?

The debris removal project threatens to drastically increase the amount of sediment impacting the Tuckasegee River. As heavy machinery destroys streambanks and plants- big and small- are removed from their habitat, an increased amount of sediment will enter the river and negatively impact the aquatic species that dwell there.

What We Need to Get the Job Done

Materials needed:

  • Silt fencing

  • Jute matting

  • Seed mix

  • Native shrubs

  • Live stakes

  • Straw

  • Increased staff needs

Volunteers needed for:

  • Debris removal monitoring and documentation

  • Installation of erosion control measures

  • Coordination and communication

Current WATR Debris Removal Activities

We have mitigated removal impacts at more than 30 sites!

Stay tuned for info on volunteer work days.

Share Your Debris Removal Photos and Info

  • If you have concerns you’d like to share with WATR, or if you’ve identified places needing sediment and erosion control, please use this form.

  • For flagrant violations of debris removal guidelines, please reach out to NC Emergency Management: jerritt.gideon@NCEM.org.
  • For time-sensitive water quality concerns, please contact NC DEQ.

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