Our Work

Our work in the Savannah River Basin follows a three-pronged approach: restore, protect, and educate.

PRIMARY CHALLENGES IN THE SAVANNAH RIVER BASIN

Environmental Pollution: The Savannah River is impaired by heavy metals, sediment, and low levels of dissolved oxygen.
Industrial Expansion: Increased industrial activities contribute to pollution risks.
Land Development: Urban growth exacerbates pollution and environmental strain.
Freshwater Demand: Growing communities and depleted groundwater lead to increased demand for freshwater.
Saltwater Intrusion: Coastal areas face challenges from saltwater contaminating local groundwater.
Fragmented Oversight: Over 50 government and private entities share responsibility, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies.
Coordination Challenges: Lack of general oversight and coordination among stakeholders hampers effective management.
Inaccurate Assumptions: Misjudgments in managing water resources result in counter-productive actions.

RESTORE

Restore water quality in the Savannah River and its lakes and tributaries to fully support the uses of swimming, drinking, fishing, recreation, wildlife habitats, and sustainable economic activity.

PROTECT

Protect our waterways from pollution and degradation, and prevent negative impacts to public health through enforcement of the Clean Water Act, sound development decisions, and best management practices for infrastructure and activities.

EDUCATE

Educate the public, businesspeople and lawmakers of the Savannah watershed to create a culture of conservation, inspire pride in our natural heritage and water resources, and develop ways to protect those resources.

WHAT WE DO

Community Cleanups

host a clean-up

Trash, debris, tires and other refuse that doesn’t get disposed of properly becomes a nuisance and worse, ends up in our waterways. Savannah Riverkeeper performs regular cleanups both on the water and around the community, and helps facilitate when individuals, schools, clubs, or other groups wish to organize a cleanup project. To learn more about upcoming cleanup events, visit us on Facebook. To host your own clean-up, click here.

Pollution Control and Prevention

report a problem

Savannah Riverkeeper employs a unique grassroots approach to addressing water quality issues that relies on citizen reporting and investigation. We serve as a link between people and agencies to enforce local and state regulations, the Clean Water Act and other federal rules, encourage good business and development practices, and more. Simply put, we hold polluters accountable to maintain fishable, swimmable, drinkable water for all. In conjunction with our cleanup program, we take steps to collaborate with city departments and other entities to address litter and waste issues and violations. Click Here to Report a Problem

Rapid Response

When there is a fish kill, oil spill, flood or other incident involving local waterways, officials call on us because they trust us. We follow Waterkeeper Alliance’s Rapid Response Protocol: connecting and collaborating with authorities to offer expertise, conduct necessary sampling, document the impacts, alert the news media and public, and otherwise assist in coordinating the proper course of action to reach a solution.

Volunteer and Community Service Programs

For more than fifteen years we have cultivated an invaluable network of ground support, volunteers and “river rats,” who make our vision possible. We also partner with local judicial systems to host work projects for individuals completing court-ordered community service. We believe connecting with the river builds character and respect for nature. We take pride in offering the opportunity to work towards their own rehabilitation while supporting a mission that serves the entire community. Click here to learn more about volunteering.

Educational Opportunities

Educating the public is a crucial part of what we do. Whether it’s through an informative presentation to a class, club or civic group; a hands-on activity at Earth Day or other community fair; or a variety of speaking engagements; we will never turn down an opportunity to raise awareness about issues facing the Savannah River. There are many lessons to learn about the ways we depend on and interact with our waterways.

Legislative Engagement

Savannah Riverkeeper is a stakeholder and advocate for decisions that will have the greatest positive impact on the health and vitality of our watershed. We lobby for strong water policy and initiatives in both Georgia and South Carolina, independently as well as within coalition groups, and in compliance with 501(c)3 guidelines.

Paddle Outings

With the Savannah's scenic creeks and sprawling marshes, canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding are some of the best ways to get to know your watershed. Savannah Riverkeeper hosts outings throughout the year in both the Augusta and Savannah areas. These are fun and educational guided tours, free to SRK members, introducing paddlers of all levels to new and under-explored routes.

Savannah River Education & Recreation Center

Our headquarters are housed on 14 acres of riverfront in downtown Augusta, GA, in dire need of rehabilitation. We are working in a variety of ways to restore and clean up both the existing building and land, and have made great progress. Our final vision for the Savannah River Education & Recreation Center is a place for the community to learn about and experience their own Savannah River. Building plans include classrooms, public meeting space and a resource library for river-related learning, and the entire site will be a model for innovative stormwater solutions and renewable energy. Meanwhile, the grounds will be home to a public canoe and kayak launch, fishing access, bike trails, wooded disc golf course, camping space and more.