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The Catawba River rises in the mountains of North Carolina in pure mountain streams. As it gathers force, it moves east into the Piedmont and curves southward into South Carolina. The river has a watershed of 4,750 square miles. The Catawba ends at Lake Wateree, where it becomes known as the Wateree River.
The Catawba has nurtured man for countless generations. Native Americans such as the Cherokees, Catawbas, Waxhaws and others depended on the river for its life-giving power. The first Europeans crossed the river at Nation Ford, Landsford, and other ancient crossing places. They used the water's power to grind their grains at grist mills. With the coming of the twentieth century, man was to have his greatest impact on the river. Beginning with the first hydroelectric dam in 1904, Duke Power's system now includes 11 lakes, 13 hydro stations, two nuclear stations, and other coal-burning stations. The 225-mile Catawba is one of the most heavily used rivers in the world for electric generation. In addition, well over 1.5 million people rely on the Catawba for drinking water and sewage disposal.
The Katawba Valley Land Trust is concerned largely with the longest remaining free-flowing section of the river in York, Chester and Lancaster Counties. With the rapid growth of the Charlotte-Rock Hill urban area, this section of the river is coming under increasing pressure from development. The tributaries of the river are equally as critical, as they bring all the pollutants and silt from developing areas into the river.
The Land Trust works closely with the South Carolina Catawba River Task Force in seeking to preserve the beauty and natural resources of the Catawba for future generations.
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