Shrinking Catawba reveals surprises for watchful
(BFP reader submitted photo)
JOE DEPRIEST
Anybody can see the Catawba River is in trouble.
All that land uncovered by retreating water is a constant reminder of just how much. It looks like you could play softball or miniature golf on wide open spaces that were once inundated. As I worry about the river, I’ve wondered if the land will be permanently damaged by prolonged exposure and if the river would look the same once the drought ends.
Two local river experts — Joe Stowe of Belmont and Jimmy Drumm of Mount Holly — recently told me the exposed land won’t be harmed in the long run.
Both have been keeping a close watch on the river they love. They’ve never seen the water as low and or been so amazed at the things they’ve found there.
Stowe, 66, who is chairman of the Lake Wylie Marine Commission, recently spotted a 3-foot-diameter red oak stump near his boat lift.
It was an opportunity for him to clear out a major chunk of debris. Sparks flew as Stowe’s chainsaw bit hard into the stump.
The thing didn’t want to come out of the spot where it had been sunk so long the wood had almost petrified.
The shrinking Catawba is full of surprises in these critical times.
The drought has changed the dynamics of wildlife along the river.
Stowe said more raccoons, squirrels and deer are watering in the river as small creeks and streams dry up in nearby forests.
He’s seen muskrats moving to the water as their dens are exposed in riprap along the shoreline.
The muskrats and raccoons are also dealing with a reduced food source.
Stowe said that in early summer, as the river banks first began retreating, mussels were exposed and died. The rotten mussels attracted flocks of buzzards, gulls and crows. That’s passed now, but Stowe said the mussel population took a big hit.
With boat traffic down, he said the river actually looks cleaner. He thinks people are taking better care of the ailing Catawba.
Pieces of the past 
Competitive fisherman Jimmy Drumm isn’t on the Catawba as often — only about twice a week instead of four or five because of the drought.All the boat landings have been closed except for the one at Nivens Creek in Lake Wylie, S.C.
Drumm, 60, has fished the river since age 3. He knows the Catawba’s stories and lore and respects it highly.
His current view of the river: There’s plenty of deep water and fish are still biting.
Just be careful when you get out there. And don’t even think about venturing north of the railroad trestle in Belmont. From that point about two miles or so upriver to the Mountain Island Dam, the going is extremely treacherous.
(BFP reader submitted photo)
Drumm knows that for a fact. He tried it about 1 1/2 months ago.
“It was very, very slow going,” Drumm said. “I was amazed at the rock beds and the clusters of trash and roots and stumps. I’d never seen this stuff before.”
On the exposed ground, he saw bridge abutments washed away by the legendary flood of July 1916 — the same high water that destroyed the Mountain Island textile mill and village. Drumm spotted an old wooden device with metal hooks that may have been used at the mill to roll logs or cotton bales.
He also found an old wagon wheel hub and spokes. When he returned later to get the items, someone had already beaten him to them. Drumm has heard about folks hunting the exposed land for musket balls and arrowheads.
As the drought continues, the river reveals pieces of the region’s past.
Looking ahead
I hope the drought breaks soon, but forecasts don’t look good.
Stowe said if the river level drops another foot, some water intakes will become inoperable. Continued conservation is a must.
Meanwhile, Stowe and Drumm also are concerned about the river’s long-term future.
Managing sediment caused by development will continue to be a problem long after the drought.
Maybe our worries in this extraordinary dry season will stick in our minds. When the river rebounds, it still will be in trouble and need our help.
High school plans in motion
New Gaston school site has not yet been identified, but it would be in east end of county
Can’t wait for this site to be identified and the choice of name, colors, mascots, and whether a soccer field will be a part of the the campus plans.
It is too bad that the county school board and the “educated” planners do not consider more urban models of school designs. These models would build on smaller land in a vertical format. The Belmont vision of “Town Center” could be accomplished, better park and community facilities such as baseball, softball, soccer, football, and cross country courses could be assembled in a workable plan that can be used year around. Of course, the school won’t be in Belmont and the new UDO of Gaston County doesn’t really address school construction issues, but it is worth a plug to keep up discussion.
Our coffee-klatch speculation is that the site will be on the McAdenville side of Lowell north of the interstate. There is a 260+ acre piece of property that is owned by Belmont Land & Investment. It is adjacent to Lowell Elementary school and could made accessible from either exit #22 or #23 of I-85. But again, we just speculate…
Program on Montcross project Dec. 13
The Belmont Chamber and Belmont Abbey College are hosting a program on the 1,100-acre Montcross development project on Dec. 13.
(Montcross Development – Wilkinson Boulevard Side)
The program, which includes networking and refreshments, is from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on the Belmont Abbey campus.
Project designer Bill Monroe, president of Charlotte-based WGM Designs, Inc, will speak about the project and answer questions. Networking will start at 5:30 p.m. in the Haid Ballroom with the Montcross presentation starting at 6:30 p.m. in the adjoining Haid Theatre.
Montcross is a commercial and residential project stretching along Interstate 85 from the Catawba River to the South Fork. The plan touches four towns: Belmont, Mount Holly, Cramerton and McAdenville.
A Wal-Mart Supercenter opened on the property last year. Opening in December are Lowes Home Improvements, BB&T and Hampton Inn.
As more property is developed over the next 20 to 30 years, it is estimated that 10,000 people may be employed in the project, which has been called the next Ballantyne.
Montcross is a partnership involving land owned by the Southern Benedictine Society of North Carolina (founders of Belmont Abbey College), Pharr Yarns, Parkdale Mills and R.L. Stowe Mills.
There is no charge for the program, but registration is requested by email to info@belmontchamber.com or by calling 704-825-5307.
The Belmont Front Porch 