A watershed is an area of land where all of the water that falls within it drains to a common point, such as a stream or lake. The 2,830 square-mile French Broad River watershed is made up of many smaller sub-watersheds, each associated with a tributary of the French Broad River. Healthy watersheds mean clean water for drinking, crop irrigation, fishing and swimming. They also provide critical habitat for wildlife.
Watershed plans serve as a guide for RiverLink and our partners to improve and protect water quality in the French Broad River watershed. Watershed planning begins with stakeholder engagement and partnership building. Due to the complex nature of water quality issues, partnerships are critical to finding solutions. The next step is a study of the watershed to identify specific water quality issues, along with their sources and causes. Actions to address water quality issues are determined, along with measurable goals and an action plan. When complete, a watershed plan can be shared with partners and made available to the general public. We all have a role in keeping our watersheds healthy!
Completed in March, 2026, RiverLink worked with Wildlands Engineering and stakeholders, including Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa and Warren Wilson College to develop a watershed action plan that charts a path toward a cleaner Middle Swannanoa River. Read More
The Central Asheville Restoration Plan will investigate and find solutions to water quality issues within three streams that originate near downtown Asheville and flow through the River Arts District. The year-long study will result in a nine-element watershed restoration plan that RiverLink and partners can use to guide their work to improve water quality in the French Broad River and its tributaries. Read More
Completed in April 2017, the Smith Mill Creek 9-element Watershed Plan was funded by Clean Water Management Trust Fund of N.C. and the Pigeon River Fund to Understand and document the current status of water quality, flooding and related issues, Identify opportunities to conduct education, community projects, and larger capital projects Read More
