Clean Waters
MountainTrue supports the development and enforcement of standards and regulations to protect surface and ground water, and we work to preserve and restore waterways as healthy ecosystems as well as recreational and aesthetic resources.
MountainTrue works to restore and preserve our waterways as healthy ecosystems that are great places to swim, paddle and play. Our Riverkeepers are the primary guardians of their respective river basins; and our members and volunteer maintain the health of our waterways by monitoring pollution and cleaning up our rivers and streams.
Programs
MountainTrue is dedicated to protecting our waterways and our mountain communities through a variety of programs:
Water Quality Monitoring
Help Keep Our Water Clean
We cannot monitor, clean and protect Western North Carolina waterways on our own. If you are interested in volunteering with our water programs, please click the button below or email Susan Bean at susan@mountaintrue.org.
Look Out for Sediment Pollution
Sediment pollution is the top reason for poor water quality in North Carolina. If you are interested in learning more and becoming involved in the Muddy Water Watch, click the button below.
French Broad River Paddle Trail℠
The French Broad River Paddle Trail℠ project was born out of the public’s desire to explore the entire French Broad River by boat. Now it is possible to do so, as the entire trail is composed of paddle-in-only campsites. The French Broad River Paddle Trail℠ is a recreational watercraft trail created and operated by MountainTrue and RiverLink. The paddle trail facilitates the public access to and camping on over 140 miles of the French Broad River, from the headwaters in Rosman, North Carolina to Douglas Lake in Tennessee.
Explore the French Broad
The French Broad River Paddle Trail is a great way to explore the river at your own pace. Check out the campsites and recreation spots along the trail and make your campsite reservation today!
Riverkeepers
French Broad Riverkeeper
The French Broad Riverkeeper serves as the primary protector and defender of the French Broad River watershed. The French Broad Riverkeeper works for healthy and safe waterways in the French Broad River watershed by partnering with citizens and communities. This Riverkeeper serves Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, Haywood and Madison county.
The Watauga Riverkeeper
The Watauga Riverkeeper is dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the Elk and Watauga Rivers. The riverkeeper advocates for cleaner, safer water in the High Country through community involvement and local and state governments so that both residents and visitors can enjoy the Watauga River Basin. This riverkeeper serves Watauga and Avery county.
The Broad River Alliance
The Broad River Alliance is collection of citizens and organizations working together to protect and promote the Broad River watershed through recreation, education and stewardship. The Broad River Alliance advocates for swimmable, drinkable and fishable water for the Broad River watershed.
Clean Water and Riverkeeper News
Success Story: MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper Helps Avoid Shooting Range Next to Green River Game Land
We did it! After a week of whirlwind organizing, residents of Saluda and the greater Henderson County area are celebrating victory as Hendersonville County Commissioners have promised to back away from building a proposed shooting range and law enforcement training center. “As our region continues to grow, we have to consider what type of development we want to see and how we can strike a balance between the influx of people moving to our beautiful area and the protection of our special places and rural character,” says Gray Jernigan, MountainTrue’s Green Riverkeeper.
read more
No Man’s Land Film Festival Comes to WNC
MountainTrue and New Belgium Brewing Company are proud to host the No Man’s Land Film Festival (NMLFF), the only adventure film festival that exclusively features woman-identified athletes, on May 16. This is the third year of the festival world-wide and the first No Man’s Land screening in Western North Carolina. No Man’s Land Film Festival is at the forefront of a movement to connect strong, like-minded, action-oriented individuals who are united by their passion for gender-equality and commitment to strengthening the presence of women in the outdoors and in the adventure arena.
read more
Calling All Businesses: Our Planet Needs You
As part of #WNCforthePlanet – a celebration of Earth Day throughout the month of April – local conservation and environmental nonprofits are recruiting businesses, civic groups and community organizations to take part in the Business & Community Challenge. Through this competition, groups compete with each other to earn Planet Points and work for the improvement of our local environment.
read more
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic Play for Clean Water
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist and legendary funk act, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, will light up the Salvage Station on Friday, May 11 to raise money for drinking water wells in Togo, West Africa. MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper works with the Yoto River Waterkeeper in Togo to provide safe, potable water. This partnership has already created three wells that now provide clean drinking water to hundreds of Togolese.
read more
