Programs

To support the mission of improving and protecting the water quality of the Pigeon River Watershed, Haywood Waterways Association works across three program areas; Education, Restoration, and Monitoring. Each area of work engages our local citizens through volunteer efforts, planning, and informative workshops.

Our successes and forward progress are only possible through established partnerships with towns and municipalities, similar environmental nonprofits, community centric organizations, and our ever-growing member base.

Education

Ranging from our annual Kids in the Creek program to community workshops and in the water field days, we strive to create an immersive and engaging education experience for our county school system and community members.

Restoration

We do everything from large multi partner planning, designing, and streambank/channel bed restoration projects to localized streambanks plantings. We also provide a septic repair program for those who are eligible.

Monitoring

Throughout the year we monitor local waterways as part of the regional VWIN and SMIE programs. We also conduct site monitoring for school education programs, restoration project monitoring, and watershed action plans. See our Stormwater page for more information on our work with local towns.

Highlights

Years that HWA has provided Education workshops, in the water field days, and in classroom instruction to local schools and teachers.

17,500

Haywood County School 8th graders that have completed the Kids in the Creek Program.

Learn more about KIC here.

$12,300,000

Awarded grant funding allocated toward improving the water quality in the Pigeon River Watershed since 1998.

67,320

Gallons of wastewater per day not entering local waterways through our Septic Repair Program, which has replaced 193 failing septic tanks since 2006 (as of Dec 2023).