Upper Haw River Watershed
Protection Initiative ~ 413 acres protected
Forsyth, Guilford and Rockingham Counties
The Haw River begins in
Forsyth County and flows through Guilford, Rockingham, Alamance, and Chatham
Counties before entering Jordan Lake and joining the Cape Fear River. In
addition to providing drinking water to many of the communities along its banks,
the Haw River’s water has been harnessed as a source of energy for textile mills
situated on its shores and used to support agricultural operations throughout
its watershed. Finally, the river and its tributaries have provided a
recreational asset to its communities and provided habitat for a variety of
species including the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalos).
When working to protect water quality, it is imperative to protect and/or restore the source of the river and its headwater tributaries as the water quality downstream can only be as good as the water quality upstream. Hence, Piedmont Land Conservancy has initially focused our work on protecting the Upper Haw River which begins in Forsyth County and flows through Guilford and Rockingham Counties. The Upper Haw River Watershed also includes Mears Fork, Benaja Creek, Little Troublesome Creek and Troublesome Creek. Through Natural Heritage Inventories for Forsyth, Guilford and Rockingham Counties acres of undisturbed bottomland forests and high quality wetlands, native freshwater mussels, amphibians including the NC species of special concern the mole salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum), fish including the eastern population of the Carolina darter (Etheostoma collis pop.2) listed as a species of special concern at both state and federal levels, river otter, wild turkey, and populations of the significantly rare purple fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena) have been identified. Additionally a two phase Riparian Corridor Design has been completed for the Upper Haw River and its tributaries that has identified and prioritized areas in need of protection and/or restoration in order to protect and improve the water quality of the Haw River.
Piedmont Land Conservancy
began working with the Mears Fork Steering Committee and the Haw River Assembly
to protect lands along Mears Fork in the late 1990’s. This work quickly
expanded to include additional areas along the Upper Haw River and additional
partners including Guilford County Open Space Committee and Summerfield
Conservation Council. Today, PLC continues to work with our partners to protect
the Upper Haw River Watershed and its many unique and special places.
PLC is pleased to relate the following conservation success stories within the Upper Haw River Watershed.
Mears Fork Wetland
Haw River Headwaters
Bates Riparian Area
Payne-Smith Riparian Area
Voytek-Parks
Pegram
Haw River State Park