News Flash

The fifth annual Rowan Creek Week will take place September 16-23, 2023.  Creek Week is a time to celebrate the importance, impact, and influence of the creeks and waterways of Rowan County. This campaign is aimed to raise awareness about the vital role of local waters and how the health of that water can have a direct impact on communities.

Rowan Creek Week will begin with the High Rock Lake Clean Sweep on Saturday, September 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Also happening Saturday is a Storyhour at South Main Book Company, Medication Take-Back Event with Rowan County Public Health, and the Second Annual Race to the River in Spencer.   

“We’re excited to kick off Rowan Creek Week 2023 here in Spencer,” said Mayor Jonathan Williams. “Just as our momentum continues to build for Creek Week each year, our momentum in Spencer and across the entire county continues to build as more people find out why this is such a great place to live, work, and play. Creek Week is the perfect opportunity to find out how our local waters and other natural resources contribute to our high quality of life, and how we can work to protect those resources,” Williams said. “We welcome everyone to our new Yadkin River Park trailhead, with the Race to the River 5k finish and associated events taking place there Saturday afternoon,” he continued.  Associated events include a Ride to the River with The Pedal Factory and Paddling the River with Row Co River Adventures. 

With 25 events scheduled throughout the week including nature hikes, fishing, clean-ups, tours, and a water-themed trivia night, there is something for everyone – and every age – during Rowan Creek Week.  New events this year include wetland walks at Catawba College, a water and whiskey tasting, a rain harvesting workshop, a behind-the-scenes tour of Tuckertown Dam, and a tour of the hydroponic gardens at Mainstreet Marketplace. 

The Rowan Creek Week finale will be held on Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Horizons Unlimited. “We are excited to host this free, public event to bring hands-on science education to our community,” said Elise Tellez, Director of Horizons Unlimited.  “Rowan Creek Week is a great way to celebrate and get families excited about the biodiversity of our local waters,” Tellez continued. The finale will feature wetland exploration, water chemistry, stream tables, making a rain gauge, and more. 

Rowan Creek Week is truly a group effort made possible by the support of 30 community partners and 8 generous sponsors.  Please visit www.rowancreekweek.org for a complete list of events, sponsors, and partners.  Like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@rowancreekweek). 

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Photos:  Download high-resolution photos.  Descriptions are as follows:

• Horizons 1 – Various Rowan Creek Week partners set up booths with crafts and hands-on learning opportunities during the event at Horizons Unlimited.
• Horizons 2 – Horizons Unlimited staff and visitors use nets to explore the wetlands to learn about which critters indicate good water quality.
• Paddle 1 – Row Co River Adventures Owner Nicky Black guides paddlers on a sunset adventure along the Yadkin River.
• Paddle 2 – Row Co River Adventures provides single and tandem kayaks for a sunset paddle along the Yadkin River.
• Race to the River – Participants begin in Spencer and “Race to the River” during the 5K event.

Press Contact:

Kelli Isenhour
Rowan County Soil & Water
704-216-8998
Kelli.isenhour@rowancountync.gov