Symposium to focus on Lake James Watershed

Burke County residents will have a chance to learn just about anything they’ve ever wanted to know about Lake James and the Catawba River at the fourth annual Lake James Watershed Symposium next week.

The free, all-day event is open to the public and sponsored by Duke Energy. It is set for Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the barn on the campus of the North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics in Morganton.

Prominent local conservation groups Lake James Environmental Association, Catawba Riverkeeper, and Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina will host the event along with NCSSM.

Joanne Deyo of LJEA said the event’s purpose is to inform officials and private citizens about issues concerning the entire Lake James Watershed.

“We will be recording the symposium and distributing the link to organization members, so that serves as education,” Deyo said. “Additionally, the information is used for knowledge gathering and distribution among all the presenters and participants and their respective organizations. It may also drive decision-making for various projects, plans, and strategies for these organizations.”

Among the topics that will be discussed are water quality; Charlotte’s proposed increase to the interbasin transfer that permits the city to draw water from the Catawba chain; and the ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts from the widespread damage Hurricane Helene caused throughout Western North Carolina last fall.

A panel discussion on Helene’s impact begins at 3:30 and caps the event.

The agenda is packed with presentations from all three local conservation groups and Duke Energy, among others.

Deyo said local and state governmental officials are invited to the symposium. “So far, we have a few participants from Burke County, McDowell County, City of Morganton, Western Piedmont COG (Council of Governments), and state government,” Deyo added.

Although the symposium is free, seating is limited, and those who want to attend must RSVP online. A link can be found at www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-lake-james-watershed-symposium-registration-1014577276947. The groups will also accept donations to help keep the event free in the future.

The school is at 901 Burkemont Ave. in Morganton. Visitor parking is in the main campus parking lot to the north of Goodwin Hall. Please use the secondary entrance on West Fleming Drive, directly across the street from Mi Pais Restaurant (520 West Fleming Drive). Take the first left into the main parking lot.