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Upper Haw River Watershed Protection Initiative
Forsyth, Guilford and Rockingham Counties - 413 Acres Protected
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 HawRiver Watershed and its many unique and special places.
Sites Protected in this Initiative
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farmland |  |
water resources |  |
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urban natural areas |
Mears Fork Wetland ~ 13 acres, Guilford County
Simon Investments. Donation of Land.
The protection of wetlands is an important part of protecting the water quality of rivers. Wetlands can be found in any location in the landscape and are identified by having three features in common: saturated with water during a portion of the growing season, hydric soils and wetland plants. In the Piedmont region of North Carolina wetlands are typically less than five acres in size. Although small, they serve many important functions including serving as a natural filter of sediment, pollutants and excess nutrients from adjacent roads and lands; providing natural flood control during wet periods of the year; and providing critical habitat for wetland plants and animals.
In 1998, PLC completed its first project along Mears Fork, a tributary of the Haw River northwest of Greensboro. Simon Investments was building a development in the area and wanted to protect the water quality of Mears Fork by donating the land along the creek to PLC. Besides protecting the water quality of Mears Fork this preserve also provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals including beaver. PLC holds occasional clean up days on this site to remove the trash and debris that accumulates from adjacent Lake Brandt Road.
Project funding provided by the landowner and PLC.
Haw River Headwaters ~ 4 acres, Forsyth County
Kris and Mary Robin Witherspoon. Bargain Sale of Land.
In partnership with the Haw River Assembly, PLC acquired a small property containing two springs that represent the headwaters of the Haw River at the end of 1999. As a major river in Guilford, Rockingham, Alamance, and Chatham Counties, the Haw River provides recreational opportunities and drinking water for communities along its banks, including the Triangle region. Protecting a river’s headwaters is vital to ensuring that a river’s water quality will be safeguarded for all of the communities it serves.
Project funding provided by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
Bates Riparian Area ~ 16 acres, Guilford County
John and Moni Bates. Donation of Conservation Easement.
A field botanist by profession, Moni Bates knows Mears Fork, the Haw River tributary that meanders behind her home, is a special place. Eager to protect the tributary, its natural communities and its wildlife habitat; the Bates built support within their community to protect it. The Bates donated an easement in 2002 along Mears Fork on their property. The Mears Fork Steering Committee and the Haw River Assembly helped PLC secure the necessary funds to protect this and two other properties.
Project funding provided by the landowner, the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and the Mott Foundation via the Conservation Trust for North Carolina.
Payne-Smith Riparian Area ~ 2 acres, Guilford County
Bill Payne and Joann Smith. Donation of Conservation Easement.
Located on a tributary of Mears Fork, this easement was one of the first three donated along the Mears Fork Corridors. During the Guilford County Natural Heritage Inventory, Mears Fork was identified as having some of the highest water quality in Guilford County. This 2002 easement ensures the forested buffer along this Mears Fork tributary will remain untouched forever. In addition to protecting water quality, forested buffers along streams provide important travel corridor used by a variety of wildlife species.
Project funding provided by the landowner, the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and the Mott Foundation via the Conservation Trust for North Carolina.
Voytek-Parks ~ 33 acres, Guilford County
Anna Voytek and Joan Parks. Donated Conservation Easement.
This parcel was identified in the Upper Haw Riparian Corridor Design as a high priority parcel for the protection of water quality along the Mears Fork Corridor. In addition to protecting the riparian area like the Bates and Payne-Smith Riparian Area Easements, this 2002 easement granted also protects adjoining upland pasture. Protecting the upland pasture ensures that best management practices will be used to minimize upland erosion thereby strengthening the water quality protection of Mears Fork.
Project funding provided by the landowners, the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and the Mott Foundation via the Conservation Trust for North Carolina.
Pegram Tract ~ 12 acres, Guilford County
H. Vance Pegram. Donation of Conservation Easement.
Located within 0.6 miles of the previously protected Payne-Smith Riparian Area, PLC protected this 12-acre parcel in 2003. A retired schoolteacher, Vance Pegram wanted to do his part in protecting the rural and natural character of his community. This easement protects the water quality of Mears Fork and the wildlife habitat and open space character that this forested parcel provides. With the completion of this project, PLC has protected five sites along the Mears Fork Corridor encompassing approximately 76 acres.
Project funding provided by landowner and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.
Haw River State Park ~ 333 acres, Guilford and Rockingham Counties
Robert Phillips, Jr. & Eric Phillips, James & Lisa Myers, Will & Kate Spivey, Charles & Kathy Long and John & Elizabeth Young. Sale of Lands.
Guilford County Open Space Committee (GCOSC), as authorized by the Guilford County Commission, adopted an open space report for Guilford County in 2000. A significant recommendation of the report was to seek authorization from the North Carolina General Assembly to create a state park along the Haw River in northwestern Guilford County and southern Rockingham County. In 2003, the General Assembly authorized the creation of the proposed Haw River State Park. This State Park, only minutes away from Greensboro will offer camping, hiking, and outdoor education opportunities for today and tomorrow while preserving critical wetlands in the rapidly growing Triad region.
Early in 2004, PLC, the GCOSC, and NC Division of Parks and Recreation entered a partnership to identify willing landowners and create the Haw River State Park. As members and leaders within their communities, GCOSC members are meeting with landowners and identifying those willing to sell their property to the State for inclusion in the Park. Once landowners are identified, the State requests PLC’s help with initial aspects of these projects including acquiring appraisals of the properties, negotiating and securing option agreements, and in some cases acquiring the properties for an interim basis. The State works to acquire the necessary funds, secure appropriate approvals, and purchase the properties. Working together, GCOSC, PLC and the State have acquired five properties for the Haw River State Park. For more information regarding the Haw River State Park, visit the NC Division of Parks and Recreation website.
Project funding provided by PLC, Land and Water Conservation Fund, NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, NC Division of Parks and Recreation and NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program.