The Catawba River made this year's list of Top Ten Endangered Places from the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Many of the issues that place the river on the list are particular concerns for downstream spots, including South Carolina, where residents could see lower water levels.
But experts say residents along the upper Catawba River also have reasons to be concerned. Less water downstream can mean less water upstream, they say. Duke Energy, which manages the system of lakes along the Catawba River, could be forced to draw more from reservoirs upstream to keep downstream spots viable.
As cause for concern, Southern Environmental Law Center singled out the relicensing process for hydroelectric stations in North and South Carolina. The center said a proposal by Duke Energy would create harmfully low water levels in the Wateree River, the name the Catawba takes on in South Carolina.
The water wouldn't be deep enough to maintain habitat for fish and other species, the center said.
South Carolina turned down the request but the relicensing process continues.
Coal ash ponds that create harmful runoff also are a worry for environmentalists, said Julie Youngman, a spokeswoman for the law center.
She adds to the list the high demands placed on the Catawba River for energy and drinking water.
Sheer population growth in the Charlotte region means a need for more water and more power, said David Merryman of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.
"Water coming out downstream means more water leaving the upstream area," he said.
It might be hard to worry about having less water while area lakes are almost full and have been flooding residents. But Merryman said this is the first time in years the drought monitor map doesn't show any drought along the Catawba River.
Merryman said another problem for the Catawba is the lack of a plan for how the water is used. North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama are the only three states in the eastern United States that don't have a type of management plan for water.
"Until we have a better hold on how we use our water and how our states manage water, we're going to remain in an endangered situation," Merryman said.
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