Muddy Creek

Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative

Muddy Creek Watershed

What is the Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative?

The Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative (MCWRI) seeks to improve water quality and aquatic habitat in the Muddy Creek Watershed and in

the Catawba River by significant reductions of sedimentation and other non-point source pollutants. This objective will by accomplished through voluntary

partnerships with local landowners, innovative technology, education, and funding of on-the-ground riparian buffer and streamside restoration projects.

Partners in the Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative:

Trout Unlimited

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

Burke County

McDowell County

Duke Power Company

NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

EPA

Photo courtesy Becky Rideout, Environmental Consultant

The Muddy Creek Watershed encompasses approximately 98 square miles in Burke and McDowell Counties in western North Carolina. Muddy Creek

itself is formed by the confluence of the North and South Muddy Creeks which join the Catawba River about one mile downstream of the Lake James

powerhouse. Areas along both North and South Muddy Creeks would benefit from restoration work, but will require a significant long-term effort involving

buffer plantings, land acquisition, conservation easements, and natural stream channel reconstruction and restoration.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is currently developing a fish management plan for the Catawba River that calls for the promotion of

naturally producing brown trout populations in the 17-mile section of the river below the confluence with Muddy Creek. However sediment loading from

Muddy Creek is impacting trout and bass habitat in the river. Restoration of the Muddy Creek Watershed may have the potential to allow the Catawba River

to be a significant cold water fishery.

*Map, top photo and article courtesy of "The Muddy Creek Messenger" Fall 1999.

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	Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative Muddy Creek Watershed What is the Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative? The Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative (MCWRI) seeks to improve water quality and aquatic habitat in the Muddy Creek Watershed and in the Catawba River by significant reductions of sedimentation and other non-point source pollutants. This objective will by accomplished through voluntary partnerships with local landowners, innovative technology, education, and funding of on-the-ground riparian buffer and streamside restoration projects. Partners in the Muddy Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative: Trout Unlimited North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina Burke County McDowell County Duke Power Company NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund National Fish and Wildlife Foundation EPA Photo courtesy Becky Rideout, Environmental Consultant The Muddy Creek Watershed encompasses approximately 98 square miles in Burke and McDowell Counties in western North Carolina. Muddy Creek itself is formed by the confluence of the North and South Muddy Creeks which join the Catawba River about one mile downstream of the Lake James powerhouse. Areas along both North and South Muddy Creeks would benefit from restoration work, but will require a significant long-term effort involving buffer plantings, land acquisition, conservation easements, and natural stream channel reconstruction and restoration. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is currently developing a fish management plan for the Catawba River that calls for the promotion of naturally producing brown trout populations in the 17-mile section of the river below the confluence with Muddy Creek. However sediment loading from Muddy Creek is impacting trout and bass habitat in the river. Restoration of the Muddy Creek Watershed may have the potential to allow the Catawba River to be a significant cold water fishery. *Map, top photo and article courtesy of "The Muddy Creek Messenger" Fall 1999. Home About Us Protected Lands C onserving My Land Membership Planned Giving In the News Events Hikes & Outings Resources Newsletters