Deep River Riverkeeper Programs and Projects in 2025
Deep River Riverkeeper (DRRK) is in the first six months of existence and plans to have a license on June 12, 2025 through Waterkeeper Alliance. In just a short period of time, we have established several programs to actively monitor the Deep River, work within the community, and educate the public and college interns on important topics related to water quality. We are seeking to build trust and lasting relationships with all who are surrounding the Deep River. With a working Board of Directors and a full-time Riverkeeper, we are up and running with the following projects and future plans in action for 2025:
Swim Guide Program- Volunteer driven sampling for E.coli at known recreation sites on the Deep River weekly during the summer. DRRK has 6 sample locations but are still looking for volunteers in Randolph, Moore, Lee, and Chatham County to achieve 10 sites this summer.
PFAS Forensics and Source Tracking Project on Richland Creek and Bull Run- DRRK is conducting a formal PFAS sampling project on Richland Creek and Bull Run to determine PFAS levels at 6 sites per stream and seeks to track PFAS contamination by industry and consumer products back to their source. This project includes in-stream trash pollution reduction in conjunction with PTRWA and the City of High Point, an ecological assessment, and the development of a Case Study for Duke University Medical Interns on Richland Creek. This work builds on our ongoing collaboration with Duke University’s Superfund Lab in the Nicholas School of the Environment which analyzes our Deep River water samplings for PFAS contamination allowing us to report to the public and government agencies.
Public Speaking and Education- DRRK Board Members Dr. Patricia Gray, Mr. Steve Drew, and Riverkeeper Stephanie Stephens present on the Deep River. This presentation highlights Deep River’s role in synthetic chemical contamination, public health threats associated with PFAS chemicals and 1,4 Dioxane, new scientific applications, public policy, and community engagement to support the newest waterkeeper organization in North Carolina in clean water advocacy and remediation. DRRK will present to your group, organization, or business.
Trash Clean-ups and Events- Throughout the summer and fall of 2025 DRRK will be hosting river and stream cleanups in all counties along the Deep River. These cleanup events can be found on our Facebook page and website. Additionally, we plan to host paddles on the Deep River in partnership with GetOutdoors Pedal and Paddle of Greensboro who will provide boats as well as meet up paddles for those with their own! Check our website under Events for scheduled cleanups, paddles, and more!
Bioacoustic Monitoring of Deep River Species and Impact of Dam Removal- DRRK is leading a path breaking project to monitor the biodiversity of the river’s ecosystem. Using both hydrophones (audio recorders in the river) and terrestrial listening devices, we will collect audio data at three sites. By using sound monitoring, we learn how the Deep River serves as a vital communication tool for unique species in and around the Deep River. The removal of two dams by American Rivers will allow for significant research on how species are impacted once there is free flow of the river. DRRK is partnering with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, Cornell University, Furman University, the University of Copenhagen, and in cooperation with American Rivers, the NC Department of Environmental Quality, NC Wildlife Commission. This project’s scientists specialize in animal communication of land based and aquatic species.
Internship Programs- In fall 2025, DRRK will be working in collaboration with University of North Carolina-Greensboro’s Humanities at Work Program, a multi-year program funded by the Mellon Foundation. DRRK will host four undergraduate student interns who will engage in research, investigations, and help convey the Deep River’s rich cultural diversity and history in new, imaginative ways.
Advocacy and Investigation- DRRK is committed to advocacy and investigation along the Deep River and will respond to water quality threats and ecological impacts and planning. We monitor the river, research, communicate, and provide public participation in all counties while collaborating with our neighboring NC Waterkeepers.