A crowd of about 100 gathered Friday evening at Camp Walter Johnson for the annual meeting of the Yadkin Riverkeeper to learn more about area water quality.

Dean Naujoks, the Yadkin Riverkeeper, spoke about his work raising awareness about water quality issues, an estimated 15.9 million gallon sewage spill from a Thomasville wastewater plant over the summer and the ongoing procedure of Alcoa's bid for another 50-year license to operate its hydroelectric projects on the river and lakes.

Since the wastewater spill became public in September, Naujoks said he received several calls from area residents asking if it was safe to wade or fish in High Rock...

As part of its ongoing series of eco-tours, ECO turns its attention to the French Broad River this month to explore the history of the world's second-oldest river and the problems it faces. Our French Broad re-exploration will begin with a presentation at the Henderson County Library 7 tonight, followed by an eco-tour canoe trip down the Henderson County section of the French Broad on Sunday. The French Broad will become an increasingly important resource for recreation as our area grows. With plans to tap the river for Hendersonville's drinking water, improving the river's water quality makes sense.

In the early 1970s, the idea of drawing drinking water...