Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River
WATR is a grassroots organization working to improve your water quality and habitat of the Tuckasegee River Basin. The Tuckasegee River watershed supplies the drinking water and ecosystem foundation for Swain and Jackson Counties. What happens upstream, downstream, and all around the watershed impacts all of us directly.
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Albert Einstein once said: “Time is Nature’s 
way of keeping everything from happening all at once!” Well, Funny-Haired Al wasn’t thinking about the Weeks around Earth Day in April — when it all happens.
Here is what’s going on.
Mostly for Jackson Folks
Reminder — (Saturday, 4/20 at 9:00 am) Cleanup of Scotts Creek as part of the Annual WCU Tuck Cleanup. From 9:00 to about 12:00, meet at Monteith Farmstead Park in Dillsboro. Get a map of the 15 bridges across Scotts Creek in Sylva/Dillsboro limits. Go in small teams to creek pickup points and do your thing! Joining us? Check in with WATR cleanup coordinator Sae Smyrl ( saesmyrl@hotmail.com / (828) 506-1157) for the best opportunity for an official T-shirt. We will be coordinating with Tom Schutte and the Sylva Rotary! – Fishermen, bring waders if you have’m. Sturdy shoes and your own comfy work gloves are best. Gloves will be available.
Friend Event – Mostly for Swain guys and gals
Reminder — (Saturday, 4/20 at 9:00). Swain Chamber and the Town of Bryson City are leading a “planting party” on Island Park in Bryson City from 9:00 to 12:00. Celebrate Arbor Day and wear work clothes.
Mostly for Swain Folks
Reminder — (Sunday, 4/21 at 12:30 pm) Clean up of lower Tuckasegee. Rally at the Horse Stable Picnic Place (think gravel road – beyond Ingles — leading to Treatment Plant). Going from 12:30 to 3:00 with pizza thereafter. We will have 3 rafts maybe more. Under 18? If you want to raft — then you must come with a signed release — so register by emailing WATR ahead of event. Also need land-based picker-uppers. Big WATRshed hugs to WildWater for helping set this up. Hope other raft companies join in.
But wait — Life gets buzzier!
Monday, April 22 — THE OFFICIAL EARTH DAY — No formal activities, so take a rest… and think kindly about our mother, Mother Nature that is.
Mostly Smoky Mountain High
Balloon Mapping – (Tuesday, 4/23, 1:00 pm) Map the section of Baumgarten Creek next to the campus. Set up at 1:00 – then join Bill Spark’s class at 1:15 in the main building. Outside we will use a helium weather balloon and a simple camera. Adult volunteers welcome, maybe finish up the mapping. Contact the WATR office.
WCU, Cullowhee Folks and beyond
WCU Earth and Wellness – (Wednesday, 4/24 with set up at 10:00 am) Could sure use an extra few volunteers to help out. Open invitation to WCU students to stop by our display! Event goes from 11 – 2 pm. May do “macro inverts” or “mud”! Have fun / think Green.
Mostly Swain High
Balloon Mapping – (Thursday, 4/25 about 2:45 ) Map the Swain High campus with a helium weather balloon and a simple camera. Adult volunteers welcome. Swain Environmentally Aware Club leader Blair Allman is in charge. Interested? Contact the WATR office.
Friend Event
Mostly for Cullowhee and beyond
WNC-Alliance Wild n’ Scenic Movie Night (Thursday, 4/25 6:00 to 8:30 at Hinds Student Center) Admission charge. Get pumped up and get active on short videos.
Mostly Everyone!
Greening Up The Mountains – (Saturday, 4/27 set up time 8:45, event 10:00 to 4:00 pm) WATR is always knows for our hands-on display, We will be examining macro-invertebrates from nearby Scotts Creek again. Help recruit new WATR members! Join us for a 2-hour shift – no experience needed. Call the WATR office. We will be sharing a space with WNC-Alliance.
Cherokee Fish Harvest at the Webster Fish Weir!
Partner with Cherokee Youth Council
Three events – WATR volunteers welcome – need help/chaperones
- Tuesday, 5/7, 6:00 PM at Extension Office on Aquoni Road — Help plan events!
- Monday, 6/10, about 9:00 at Webster Weir (Jim Allman’s Place) — FISH HARVEST. Help and enjoy youth! Opportunity to get in the river! Rain date is 6/17.
- Friday, 6/14, about 10:00. Canoe the Little Tennessee River below Franklin. View remnants of old weirs. Help and enjoy youth! Opportunity to get in the river!
Mostly WATR volunteers and fishers
Federation of Fly Fishers — this is a big deal.
WCU campus, Friday and Saturday, 5/17-18. Help at Demonstration Table. Objective: Engaging the fishing guides who use the Tuckasegee River to commit to protection of our beloved river. Come with your winning WATR smile
More to come – interspersed among events will be opportunities for informal Work Days, Workshops, and Tours at the WATR Discovery Trails at Monteith Farmstead Park. Roll up your sleeves and battle Invasive Plants with Sunny Himes and team — Plant live-stakes to minimize erosion on creek banks with Nick Pallotta and more teammates. Help with tours at MFP.
There will be a showings of ”Green Fire” – the movie about the life and values of famed conservationist Aldo Leopold — at Community Centers around Swain County. Don’t know Leopold? Well, he was one heck of an inspiring guy! Janice Inabinette is organizing.
Mostly All Folks
Freedom Fest in Bryson City
Fourth of July — (7/4) Times uncertain — Help with set up, staffing the demonstration table, and take down. Notify the WATR Office if you can help.
Mostly What You Can Do
Identify trashy areas along neighborhood creeks so we can organize summer evening pickups. Identify youth, scout, civic, and special groups for Tours of the WATR Discovery Trails at Monteith Farmstead Park. Get your feet wet; enjoy our creeks and rivers. We protect what we love.
