Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Committee (*)

The outstanding quality of life that is enjoyed by all who reside in or visit Hickory Nut Gorge is directly related to the environmental issues of water quality and the conservation of the fabulous natural resources that make this area such a magnificent garden spot.

On October 2, 1997, after months of preliminary study and deliberation by the USDA’s natural resources conservation service, Isothermal planning and development commission, local soil conservation district personnel, and members of lake advisory committee for the Town of Lake Lure, a meeting was held with technical water and soil conservation specialists from across North Carolina to examine our watershed stabilization problems. As a result of this meeting the Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Committee (UBRWPC) was formed to identify the sources of erosion and find solutions to the sedimentation problems.

This twelve-member committee is associated with Mountain Valleys Resource, Conservation and Development; a conservation agency based in Asheville, and is comprised of residents of Hickory Nut Gorge, soil and water conservation specialists, and representatives from the local governments. The UBRPC has been successful in receiving the support of Rutherford, Buncombe, and Henderson County commissioners and the governing bodies of the Town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village.

The annual estimates of sedimentation are based on a year of "normal" weather. Erosion specialists suggest that one major rain event could unleash 200,000 tons of sediment in one day! With that kind of potential, the threat of losing the Broad River as a trout stream and lake dredging costs are amplified. Therefore, the support of the entire community needed.

For more information, call Mountain Valleys Resource, Conservation and Development at 31 College Place, Bldg B, Suite 225, Asheville NC 28801-2457 .

(*) Even though the Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Committee is not an official town committee, the Town of Lake Lure supports the efforts of the committee and is a major contributor to their efforts.