Dear Yadkin Riverkeeper Supporter:
We are at a tipping point. There are many great things happening in the Yadkin River watershed. Yadkin Riverkeeper is making progress on cleaning up Alcoa’s legacy of pollution on Badin Lake with the issuance of a much stronger water quality permit. We are making progress on building public consensus on how to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution damaging the River and causing harmful algal blooms on High Rock Lake, Tuckertown Reservoir and Badin Lake.
Through our Yadkin River State Trail (YRST) program we are expanding access and camping opportunities throughout the watershed and getting more people on the water every year to help them better understand the importance of the Yadkin River to our region’s environment and economy.
Unfortunately, we are facing strong headwinds and unprecedented challenges ahead that threaten this progress. With the recent Duke Energy announcement of potentially two new methane gas fueled power plants near the River and at least two proposed data centers in the watershed, the River will be asked to do even more, with potentially millions of gallons of the River’s life sustaining water per day, yes PER DAY, required to cool these facilities.
In addition to these real time threats, we are facing extreme rollbacks of state and federal funding, laws and regulations that protect the environment and water quality. As a result of these rollbacks, the state has been unable to adopt water quality standards and effluent limits for cancer causing chemicals like PFAS and 1,4 dioxane. To add insult to injury, the state’s budget for environmental protection is at historic lows. Not to mention that we haven’t had a state budget in two years, which will have a major impact on our YRST work.
As I was quoted in a recent Duke University Law School magazine article, “there is always another issue,” but that doesn’t mean the team here at Yadkin Riverkeeper is going to back down from our efforts to protect your Yadkin River and its lakes and tributaries, which are the life blood our region. Your past support has been instrumental in our efforts to maintain and improve water quality in the Yadkin River watershed. With your support in 2025, Yadkin Riverkeeper:
Tested more than 360 water samples for e. coli bacteria at 26 public access and/or swimming areas as part of our Swim Guide program.
Won significant improvements in the Alcoa Badin Business Park stormwater discharge permit to identify and reduce contaminated stormwater entering Badin Lake, Yadkin River and Little Mountain Creek.
Continued sampling High Rock Lake (HRL) for bacteria, turbidity and chlorophyll-a and organized four High Rock Lake Know Your Watershed Forums to build public support for the proposed HRL nutrient management rules.
Completed 12 months of nutrient sampling and 5-in-30 fecal coliform sampling at two locations on the South Yadkin River.
Partnered with more than 25 local, regional, state and national environmental and conservation organizations to amplify our advocacy messages and implement joint projects and coordinated educational programming.
Removed more 15,000 pounds of trash from the River and High Rock Lake.
Investigated multiple reports of pollution.
Placed 40 mile marker signs along the YRST.
Developed a master plan and map for the South Yadkin Paddle Trail and installed several mile marker signs along the paddle trail.
We couldn’t have done any of this without your past donations and we need your help and financial support to continue to be the eyes and the voice of your River.
Every dollar you donate to Yadkin Riverkeeper goes into protecting your drinking water supply and improving recreational use of the River and its lakes. In 2026 YRK will use your donation to:
Advocate for the adoption of the High Rock Lake nutrient management rules to reduce sediment, nutrient and bacteria pollution going into the River and HRL.
Secure the most stringent hazardous waste cleanup permit feasible for the Alcoa Badin Business Park site in Badin, NC.
Support grassroots efforts to limit the siting of data centers and gas fired powered plants in the Yadkin watershed.
Expand our Waterkeeper Alliance jurisdiction to include the Uwharrie and Little River watersheds in Montgomery County and the northern Rocky River watershed in Stanly county.
Support cost effective stormwater management policies in the NC General Assembly.
Continue High Rock Lake water quality sampling and Swim Guide sampling at 26 public access and swimming areas for bacteria pollution from May to September.
Secure at least two additional camping sites for the Yadkin River State Trial, including the recently acquired Aquilla Islands down river from the Donnaha Access.
Release the South Yadkin Watershed Restoration Plan.
Create more youth educational opportunities to increase public awareness about the importance of the River to our economy and the environment.
This is just a snapshot of what Yadkin Riverkeeper does everyday to protect and enhance your Yadkin River. We are grateful for your past support and hope you will consider a gift to our Spring 2026 appeal to help us continue to fight for the Yadkin’s health and respect.
We need your support now more than ever.
Thank you for your support for clean water for all.
For the River,
Edgar Miller
Riverkeeper/Executive Director
Yadkin Riverkeeper
