Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River (WATR) home page

The Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River is a grassroots organization working to improve the water quality and habitat of the Tuckasegee River.

Annoucements

Public Meeting on

Monday, January 25 -- 6:30 Socialize, 7:00-8:30 Meeting. Place: Jackson County Services Building -- Down Hospital Road from Harris Regional Hospical

Agenda

Association business -- introduce Board candidates
Quick review of 2009
Plans for 2010 - Grants we have and those we have applied for; projects, monitoring, opportunities for volunteering, etc.

WATR Annual Meeting

Monday, Februry 22 -- 6:30 Socialize, 7:00-8:30 Meeting

Fairfield Inn, Cherokee

*** Speaker to be announced***

Become a 2010 WATR member now... or make a contribution

Tucker the Turtle asks you to join, renew, just become a WATR member for 2010!

Here's how: Click on the Tucker .... then fill out the membership renewal form and send it in with your check! And know that you are promoting clean creeks and rivers!

More announcements

Volunteer Opportunity --Are you interested in forming/joining a clean-up team to pick up trash in Scotts Creek at Monteith Park in Dillsboro? Like adopt-a-highway, can a small group of WATR folks form a team to clean up at the park on a regular basis? The request for help comes from Kelly McKee, town clerk. Call the WATR office.

GREAT HOLIDAY PARTY

Folks enjoyed themselves at our annual party, on Dec. 7

WATR Public Meeting -- Kickoff WATR's new Coservation Initiative

Great turnout for the Nov. 9 Public Meeting.

Steve Fraley of the NC Wildlife Resource Commission gave a presentation about the aquatic diversity in the Little Tennessee River Basin and in the Tuckasegee River in particular.

Next, Dr. Bill McLarney, of the Little Tennessee Watershed Association described the fish monitoring and the IBI score based on that monitoring.

Craig Green remarked that it was the "best public meeting of WATR that he could remember." More later.

These activities are sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation and the NC Wildlife Resource Commission.

Other Upcoming Events!

Tuesday December 15, regular Board Meeting -- 5:30 PM (place to be announced)

new web site is coming

We are now targeting for unveiling the new site in November.

now online: youtube video of fish weir harvest

Watch a Video of Our 2009 Cherokee Fish Weir Harvest Reenactment! (click to view)

DON'T MISS THESE GREAT upcoming events

September - Macro Invertebrate Monitoring (date and site to be determined).

watr takes first step towards important fish monitoring program

Periodic fish monitoring is an important measure of the health of a creek and an indicator of harmful pollution. WATR recently took the first step in developing a fish monitoring program for the Tuckasegee River watershed. On Wednesday (8/19) and Thursday (8/20), WATR volunteers conducted fish sampling in Cullowhee Creek (Jackson) and Conleys Creek (Swain). The program was led by Dr. Bill McLarney, internationally respected fish biologist and staff biologist for the nearby Little Tennessee Watershed Association. Here are some pictures! Or watch our three-minute You Tube movie (click to view) .

It is win-win for the environment.", Royal Bank of Canada, Southwestern RC&D, and WATR's generous members.

June 29 fish weir workshop WAS "The Best Time Ever!"

"The best time ever!" said one of the Cherokee boys said as he emerged from the first attempt to corral fish into a basket, "even though we didn't catch much."

There was blue sky, pleasant sunshine and cool water to wade in. There was a shady lawn for picnicking and simply to lay down on.

The "Cherokee Fish-Weir Workshop for Youth," also named the "Re-enactment of a Traditional Fish Harvest," was held Monday June 29, at the fish weir located on the Tuckasegee River in Webster at Jim Allman's place.

The boys and girls got a hands-on experience. The pictures of the fish of the Tuckasegee River, complete with Cherokee names, sparked conversations of how and why ancestors caught fish. The rapt attention of the kids clearly indicated that learning was happening.