Southwestern North Carolina is one of the most scenic regions of the United States. Complementing the rugged beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, our mountain streams are arguably our greatest natural resource, supplying drinking water, crop irrigation, hydroelectric power and recreation. And by providing world class fishing, boating and whitewater rafting, our lakes, rivers and waterfalls have helped make tourism the area’s largest employer.

PHOTO – With so much construction and logging in the mountains, sediment has become a major source of non-point source pollution.

 
Yet beneath the surface, all is not beautiful. Aquatic life, including our treasured mountain trout, is being attacked by pollutants. Unlike urban areas, where industrial wastes are often the major offender, our pollutants are typically washed into the streams and rivers by rainwater runoff and underground seepage. Because they’re hard to pinpoint, these offenders are collectively referred to as “non-point” sources of pollution.
     The Little Tennessee Non-Point Source Team is leading the fight for water quality in our watershed. We invite you to join us.