Broad Riverkeeper
The Broad Riverkeeper is the primary protector and spokesperson for the rivers and streams of the Broad River Watershed in the Western and Piedmont regions of North Carolina. VolunteerAbout
MountainTrue’s Broad Riverkeeper, David Caldwell, works with communities and citizens in Rutherford, Polk, and Cleveland counties to monitor water quality and advocate for best management practices that will improve our waters for drinking, swimming, and fishing. From its headwaters along the Eastern Continental Divide and the South Mountains, these streams and rivers which join and flow into the “Big” Broad above the South Carolina state line are a treasure to be enjoyed and cared for.
The Broad River Watershed includes 5,419 square miles within both North and South Carolina. Five Natural Heritage Program Priority Areas are in the basin: the Rollins/South Mountains Natural Area, Hickory Nut Gorge, the Green River Gorge, the Pacolet River Gorge, and Pinnacle Mountain. These areas provide habitat for more than 100 rare plant and animal species and 24 rare natural communities.
The Broad Riverkeeper is a program of MountainTrue’s Southern Regional Office and a proud member of the Waterkeeper Alliance.
Meet David
David moved into the Broad River Watershed in 1987 after receiving an Engineering degree from Clemson University. He worked in manufacturing for several years in Shelby and has been fishing, paddling, and exploring the watershed’s rivers and tributaries for over three decades now. >>more
Interested in exploring the Broad River? David is always willing to take folks out on the Broad and First Broad rivers for half or full-day paddles. A limited number of boats can be provided and no experience is necessary. If you’re interested in scheduling a paddle, send David an email.
Volunteer
We have many regular volunteer opportunities throughout the warmer months. Please note that volunteer event dates and times are subject to change due to weather conditions with short notice. Follow the Broad Riverkeeper Instagram and Facebook Page or email david@mountaintrue.org to receive the most up-to-date information on event changes/cancellations.
Broad Riverkeeper News
Historic Settlement Results In Largest Coal Ash Cleanup In America
On January 2, MountainTrue, other community partners and our legal counsel the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) announced a historic settlement with Duke Energy and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. The agreement mandates that 80 million tons of coal ash will be excavated from six Duke Energy coal ash sites: Allen, Belews Creek, Cliffside, Marshall, Mayo, and Roxboro. Prior settlements and court orders require cleanups and excavation of coal ash at the eight other Duke Energy sites in North Carolina for the excavation of 46 million tons of coal ash. This agreement now puts in place a comprehensive cleanup plan for all coal ash lagoons at all 14 Duke Energy sites in North Carolina under which 126 million tons of ash has been or will be excavated across the state and will result in the largest coal ash cleanup in America to date.
Healthy Forests = Good Fishing
Fred Mix has been an avid fisherman since before he could speak. In all his time fishing, he’s never been as concerned about the health of our rivers and streams as he is now.
The Broad River Gets Its Own Riverkeeper
MountainTrue is pleased to announce that David Caldwell, MountainTrue’s program director for the Broad River Alliance, is now the new Broad Riverkeeper and will serve as a fundamental protector of the Broad River watershed. MountainTrue’s riverkeeper programs are key to our endeavors to monitor and protect the quality of our region’s waterways. MountainTrue is one of the few organizations in the nation with four Riverkeeper programs.