Stekoa Creek Water Monitoring Project

Action Alert!

Ask Your Representatives to clean up Stekoa Creek!

Stekoa Creek enters the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River.

Problem

Stekoa Creek is a major, polluted tributary to the Chattooga River that winds through the city of Clayton, Georgia. Plagued with chronic sedimentation and fecal coliform problems, it has been listed on the State of Georgia's impaired waterways list for over a decade. The sedimentation problem stems from the high rate of development along the creek banks in town, and the soaring number of fecal coliform bacteria can be traced to the city of Clayton's failing sewer collection system. As such, Stekoa Creek has become an aesthetic blight on the potential of downtown Clayton, as well as a serious public heath hazard.

Solution

The first priority is to save what is left of the Stekoa Creek watershed, immediately. Please urge Georgia's Department of Environmental Protection (EPD) to enforce all regulations for protecting the 50-foot riparian buffer zone along the creek, which is on the books as a primary trout stream. In addition, you can call or write your state representatives and demand that they continue to protect Georgia's riparian buffer laws, which were under attack earlier this year as lawmakers considered a proposal to reduce buffers to 25 feet. Lastly, you can volunteer at the Chattooga Conservancy and/or become a member.

Adopt-A-Water-Sampling Site

Part of the Chattooga Conservancy's Stekoa Creek Project includes collecting and testing water samples along Stekoa Creek. Previously, we were testing on a monthly basis. However, every sampling event has shown elevated fecal coliform readings, so we have recently begun sampling 4 times a month. Each week, Conservancy staff and volunteers test five sites for fecal coliform, turbidity, conductivity, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen. Although several of these tests can be performed by Conservancy staff in the field, fecal coliform and turbidity tests must be performed by a certified laboratory. This is one of the reasons that this project has become very costly for the Chattooga Conservancy and also what has lead to the development of the Adopt-a-Sample program.

The Chattooga Conservancy is convinced that positive change is on the horizon for Stekoa Creek. To date, we have helped the city of Clayton identify several major sewer leaks, which were repaired by city workers. In addition, we have developed a good working relationship with city officials and hope to continue affecting change from within.

View current water quality data

The Stekoa Creek Adopt-a-Sample program is an opportunity for local businesses and individuals in Rabun County to support this valuable work through financial contributions at three levels of sponsorship. The minimum commitment is for one year, and your tax-deductible donation can either be made on a monthly or annual basis.

Please consider donating a site. Or split a site with friends.

There are 3 donor levels to fit your budget:

• Warpaint Shiner $20 month/$240 year- Perfect for individuals! Your donation will cover the cost of one sample per month and a portion of shipping costs. As a Thank You, your name will appear in our quarterly publication, the Chattooga Quarterly, and we will periodically update you on the project's progress.

  Pay for the entire year ($240):

  

  Or pay for the 1st month ($20), and agree to make monthly payments of $20 for a year:

  

• Coosa Bass $45 month/$540 year- Great for a small business! Your donation will pay to test one sample site twice a month. As a Thank You, your name and your business's name will appear in our quarterly publication, the Chattooga Quarterly, and we will send out periodic updates about the Stekoa Creek Project. You will also receive a certificate that you can hang in your place of business.

  Pay for the entire year ($540):

  

  Or pay for the 1st month ($45), and agree to make monthly payments of $45 for a year:

  

• Brook Trout $75 month/$900 year- Ideal for Corporate sponsors and individuals wishing to make a significant impact. Your donation will pay for tests and shipping at one site four times each month. As a special Thank You, your name will appear in our quarterly publication, the Chattooga Quarterly, and you will receive updates on the project's progress. Additionally, you will also be given a plaque that you can hang in your business or home.

  Pay for the entire year ($900):

  

  Or pay for the 1st month ($75), and agree to make monthly payments of $75 for a year:

  

Or you can send a check to:
Chattooga Conservancy
2368 Pinnacle Drive
Clayton, GA 30525
Please reference which donor level you would like.

If you would like to arrange monthly payments, please email info@chattoogariver.org or call 706-782-6097. Please let us know if you would like to help with sampling.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the following donors:

• Oconee River Chapter of Trout Unlimited
• Tracy McCoy
• Atlanta Fly Fishing School
• Embrace-A-Stream Grant - National Trout Unlimited
• Eedee & Doug Adams
• Chattooga Guided Outfitters Community Fund
• Dr. John Woodward, Clayton Veterinary Hospital
• Georgia Council Trout Unlimited
• Georgia Foothills Chapter Trout Unlimited
• Community Bank and Trust
• Sue Willis, Grapes and Beans
• Elizabeth Guffey
• Chris and Inger Smith, Inger’s Fine Foods
• Lake Rabun Association
• Eston and Peggy Melton
• Lisa and Steve McAdams
• Rabun Chapter Trout Unlimited
• Rabun County Bank
• Rabun County League of Women Voters
• Jane Nelson, The Rootcellar
• Brenda Smith
• Lorie and Anthony Thompson
• United Community Bank
• Upper Chattahoochee Chapter Trout Unlimited
• Dana and Chris Wright
• Wal-Mart

Thanks also to REI.