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Little Tennesee Watershed Association otter logo image

Little Tennessee Watershed Association

The mission of the Little Tennessee Watershed Association is to protect and restore the water quality and habitat of the Little Tennessee River and its tributaries upstream of the Fontana Reservoir.

Support Our Supporters!

Which local businesses support the Little Tennessee Watershed association? See a list of small, often family-run businesses that support the Little Tennessee Watershed Association through reduced rates and donations here.

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Help save water during the drought

NC State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences just launched a website called "Dealing with Drought." The website offers tips and resources to help North Carolinians cope with the drought. Examples include instructions to make your own rain barrel and a list of drought tolerant grasses and plants for your garden. Visit this site and learn more!

Water conservation tips

Inside

  • Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four. Do the same when washing your hands or lathering up in the shower.
  • Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000 gallons a month.
  • Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load-if you have a newer model, don't pre-rinse the dishes.
  • Fit faucets with aerators and showerheads with low-flow heads.
  • Replace conventional toilets and other small household appliances with items that boast the EPA's new "watersense" label. These products use up to 20% less water than other low-flow models.
  • Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.
  • Boycott bottled water. Bottled water is simply water that has been pumped out of someone else's supply (i.e. a different watershed than yours!) Besides, it's very expensive. If your car ran on the stuff, you'd be paying about $6.00 a gallon.
  • Boiling veggies? Save that water for soup stock or water houseplants with it.
  • Keep a bucket nearby to collect water as your shower warms up. Use this water to pre-soak pots and pans, water houseplants, or to fill your pet's water bowl.
  • Compost kitchen scraps instead of using the garbage disposal.
  • If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
  • Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons a week.

Outside

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    Wash your vehicle at home, and turn off the water when you are not rinsing.
  • Better yet- wash your car on the grass. This will water your lawn at the same time.
  • Grass can develop a tolerance for drought conditions, so water your lawn only when it needs it. If you leave footprints on the grass, it is usually time to water.
  • Test soil moisture with a soil probe or screwdriver before you water. If the soil is moist, don't water!
  • Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
  • Avoid overfertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water and is a source of water pollution.
  • Landscape with native vegetation. Once established, these plants require less attention and are adapted to survive in the climate that is persistent in your area.
  • If you have to water a garden, water at night when evaporation rates are lower, and water deeply once a week to encourage deep roots.
  • Mulch plants and gardens. Mulch helps to maintain even soil temperatures, slow erosion, and suppress weeds.
  • When watering on steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff and erosion.
  • Make or purchase rain barrels to collect and store rain water that can be used to water the garden in periods of drought.
  • Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
  • Sweep your driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of spraying them off with a hose.
  • We're more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses for leaks.
  • Make sure you know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save gallons of water and damage to your home if a pipe were to burst.