By Edgar Miller, Executive Director
On June 26 Yadkin Riverkeeper Edgar Miller and Riverkeeper assistant Nicole Eastman, embarked for a watershed flyover of the middle Yadkin, South Yadkin and Yadkin Lakes with volunteer SouthWings pilot Holliday Obrecht, III.
The original flight plan included Tuckertown Reservoir and Badin Lake, but rainy weather over High Rock Lake resulted in a shortened flight due to safety and visibility concerns.
Yadkin Riverkeeper Edgar Miller, SouthWings Pilot Holliday Obrecht III, and Riverkeeper assistant, now Riverkeeper, Nicole Eastman before takeoff. It was Miller’s last flight in his official role as Yadkin Riverkeeper.
Davidson Water intake, reservoirs and drinking water treatment plant on the Yadkin River at Highway 64 between Davidson and Davie Counties. Davidson Water provides water to almost 70,000 households, withdrawing an average of 11 million gallons a day from the River, with a peak withdrawal of 16.5 million gallons per day.
Davidson Water reservoirs and the River in the foreground with an irrigated field at Cooleemee farm in the center and proposed Giles Road site for Duke Energy methane gas plant across the River top left/center in Davidson County.
Another view of the Giles Road site with the Perkins Game Lands top center, the second proposed site for a 1300 megawatt Duke Energy methane gas plant. Note existing pipeline corridor bottom center, left.
View of the Perkins Game Lands in Davie county, site #2 Duke Energy is considering.
Daniel Boone’s Rock, a favorite lunch stop and/or swimming area for paddlers on the Yadkin River State Trail.
NC Wildlife Resource Commission’s Concord Church/Highway 801 access, just down river from Daniel Boone’s Rock.
The South Yadkin River at Highway 801 at Cooleemee. Wastewater treatment plant left center, Bullhole upper right corner and old mill and mill tailrace lefthand side.
The Bullhole swimming area on the South Yadkin at the RiverPark in Cooleemee.
Confluence of the Yadkin and South Yadkin Rivers. Salisbury-Rowan Utilities water intake on the Yadkin, right center. SRU pumping station obscured by trees, with sandmining operation below the confluence.
Large solar array in Rowan county near the Yadkin.
Duke Energy Buck Power Station and coal ash recycling facility,Rowan County. Duke has received approval to double the station’s generating capacity using methane gas-fired turbines contributing to global warming emissions. Which would you prefer, solar or fossil fuel plants?
Poultry concentrated animal feeding facility near the River and the Buck Steam Station.
The High Rock Lake mud flats, adding acres of new land every year.
Upper High Rock Lake with rain falling in the background.
Large dairy CAFO near High Rock Lake.
Land clearing for Davidson County’s Southmont Sportsplex.
Sportsplex land clearing above Southmont School and below High Rock Lake.
Development encroaching on prime farmland in Linwood off Highway 8 in Davidson County.
Much needed rain over the Uwharries.
Coming in for a smooth landing at the Davidson County Airport.
As always, many thanks to our SouthWings pilot and YRK member Holliday Obrecht for a safe and productive flight. YRK will use these photos in our efforts to prevent the Yadkin River from being industrialized by gas-fired power plants and data centers and to protect the River from over development.