Ensuring access to clean water and electricity to the two million people living in the Catawba-Piedmont Region
North Carolina, like many other Eastern states, applies riparian rights when determining water rights. Riparian rights is generally defined that if an individual owns property that is directly in contact with a body of navigable water, the individual have access to the water. Usually, riparian rights relate to the navigability, or access, of the water. While…
Over the last few decades, North Carolina water policy regarding regulation and management of its various watersheds, has remained fairly unchanged. Yet, recently new energy and water demands resulting from rapidly increasing populations around urbanizing areas has forced N.C. policy makers and state legislatures to consider changes to the master water management plan for…
The Catawba River flows for two hundred and twenty miles between North and South Carolina and provides water, energy, and supports industries like agriculture for two million people. As the population around the Catawba-Wateree basin exploded, the local governments, utility companies, and Duke Energy became concern about the longevity of this critical source of water.…
On Nov. 1st 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 40-year operating licensing to Duke Energy to continue its Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project, which involves the operation of 13 hydroelectric stations and 11 associated reservoirs in both North Carolina and South Carolina. The licensing is crucial because it will continue to support and sustain…
The Catawba River is a large river that originates in Western North Carolina and is named after the original Catawba indian tribe that settled along its banks centuries ago. The Catawba runs for an impressive 220 miles long making it one of the lengthier rivers in the Carolinas, and consequently, the main provider of utility…
