Chatham County, NC
Home MenuRegional Creek Week
Welcome to the Clean Water Education Partnership Regional Creek Week
In Chatham County
March 14 - 21, 2026
“Water Connects Us”
Chatham County is excited to partner with the Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) to host the fifth annual Regional Creek Week, to engage the public on the importance of clean and healthy waterways.
Join us in celebrating and protecting our waterways this Creek Week!
Chatham County Events for Creek Week
See below for Creek Week and events around Chatham County. If you are interested in participating in a program contact the sponsor or contact Phillip Cox at phillip.cox@chathamcountync.gov.
Creek Geeks Field Day
When: March 14th from 12pm to 3pm (Rain date March 21st from 12pm to 3pm)
Where: Loves Creek Greenway at Bray Park (800 Alston Bridge Road, Siler City)
What: Creek Geeks Field Day is a free, family friendly annual event that provides an opportunity for the community to explore their local watershed. At Creek Geeks Field Day, attendees are invited to learn some of the techniques used in stream health assessment and water quality testing. Attendees will be able to search for macro invertebrate critters living in the creek that runs alongside the greenway. We will also clean up trash along part of the greenway. Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling will join us again this year with activities. Friendly snakes will be with us again this year too. The snakes will be handled by their keepers, and no interaction is required unless you want to.
For more information or questions or concerns please contact Brandy Oldham, District Administrator and Education Coordinator, (919) 545-8440 or brandy.oldham@chathamcountync.gov. Registration is encouraged but not required - https://forms.office.com/r/cH0qZjMtp8
Fig Buttercup Invasive Species Removal
When: March 14th, 2026, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Loves Creek Greenway at Bray Park (800 Alston Bridge Road, Siler City)
What: Join local invasive plant educators to learn how to identify this floodplain invasive plant and then practice your knowledge of that plant to go and help eradicate the plant. This program takes place during the Creek Geeks Field Day so, come for the festival, stay for the invasive species removal!
Dress to be outdoors and walking the Love’s Creek floodplain.
To register for this program please email phillip.cox@chathamcountync.gov. If you have questions about this program, please email Phillip Cox or call 919.542.8268.
Clean Jordan Lake Annual Spring Cleanup
When: March 14, 2026, 8:30 am - Noon
Where: Jordan Lake State Park New Hope Overlook, 339 W H Jones Rd · New Hill, NC
What: Join “Clean Jordan Lake” for their annual Spring Cleanup along the shores of Jordan Lake! Volunteers from the general public, assigned to track captains, will pick up trash along Jordan Lake’s shoreline. Boaters are also needed to help volunteers get to their sites and to haul trash to the shore and dumpster.
Register for the Spring Cleanup at Clean Jordan Lake Spring Cleanup
Paddle and CLEAN the Deep River with Deep River Riverkeeper
When: March 14, 2026 10:00am - Noon
Where: Deep River Trail at the Hwy 421 Access (9800 Boone Trail Rd, Sanford, NC)
What: Deep River Riverkeeper and local outfitter Cape Fear River Adventures will be hosting a paddle in Chatham County on Saturday, March 14 to kick off Chatham County Creek Week!!! We will begin at the brand new HWY 421 Access Site and paddle a short, but beautiful 2.6 miles to the Deep River Access Park, home of the elegant Camelback Bridge! Upon arrival we will eat lunch and then clean up the park for as long as you are able to help!
Cape Fear River Adventures will be providing 6 boats for the public, with life jackets and paddles, or you can bring your own boat and paddle with us!
Please register at deepriverkeepersnc.org if you would like to join us and need a kayak!
Birdwatching the Haw River Floodplain
When: Sunday, March 15th, 2026, 10am – Noon
Where: Bynum Bridge, 413 Bynum Road, Bynum, NC
What: Join local naturalist and avid birder Andy Upshaw for a morning of birdwatching. We will walk across the Bynum bridge and the floodplain along the Haw River to look at local, and possibly, some migrating neotropical birds.
To register for this program please email phillip.cox@chathamcountync.gov by March 13th, 2026. If you have questions about this program, please email Phillip Cox or call 919.542.8268.
Rivers and Wetlands Workshop
When: Monday, March 16, 2026 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Goldston Public Library, 9235 Pittsboro-Goldston Road, Goldston, NC 27252
What: The Chatham County community is invited to learn about rivers and wetlands at the Goldston Public Library. Led by a watershed specialist, participants will learn the importance of preserving and managing our rivers and wetlands for our local flora and fauna to thrive. Participants will also have the opportunity to paint a river rock at the end of the session.
Whack Attack! Invasive Plant Removal Workday
When: March 17, 2026 - 9:30 am to 3:00 pm (or whenever you need to leave)
Where: Haw River Access at 4551 US Hwy 15-501 N, Pittsboro
What: Friends of Lower Haw and NC State Parks biologists are having an invasive plant removal workday along the Haw River. We will be working in the Pegg Tract area of the Lower Haw River State Natural Area, located upstream of the Bynum Dam by US Hwy 15-501. Invasive plant workdays involve identifying and removing non-native plants using clippers, pruners, saws, and other non-motorized hand tools. Learn about invasive plants and removal techniques. Bring your own loppers or hand pruners, work gloves, insect repellent, and water. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, and closed toe shoes. There are no restroom facilities at this location. Youth volunteers ages 12 to 17 are welcome to participate if accompanied by an adult.
For more information about the program, herbicide application regulations and directions, contact: lowerhawevents@gmail.com
Storytime: Plastics and Waterways
When: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 11AM
Where: Wren Memorial Library, 500 N. 2nd Ave., Siler City, 27344
What: Join educators with Chatham County Solid Waste and Recycling for a Storytime about plastics in our waterways. We’ll be reading a story aloud and sharing a kid friendly craft for all to do afterwards.
For more details about this free program, call Wren Memorial Library at 919-742-2016.
Sunset Paddle on Jordan Lake
When: Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where: Weaver Creek Canoe Launch on Jordan Lake (Beaver Creek Rd, New Hill, NC 27562)
What: Come learn the basics of canoeing and kayaking on a trip around Jordan Lake just before the sun sets. No experience needed. All supplies provided. Registration runs from 2/2/26 until 3/16/26, Ages: 10+, Fee: $15.
Register at: https://ccparksandrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1015
DIY Rain Barrel Class
When: March 18th, 2026, from 7pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Old Agriculture Building Auditorium, (65 East Chatham Street, Pittsboro)
What: Decrease stormwater runoff on your property and store water for your garden plants by installing a rain barrel at your home. Learn about rain barrels with staff from the Chatham County Watershed Protection Department and understand the benefits of rain barrels to the landscape and tips on how to make and install a rain barrel at your home. Then, construct a rain barrel for your home!
Fee: $35.00 for the program and rain barrel. Ages 12+
For more information on this program, email phillip.cox@chathamcountync.gov.
To register for the program, go to this website: https://ccparksandrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1016
Creek Clean-Up with the Watershed Protection Department
When: March 19th, 2026, 3pm – 4pm
Where: Meet at the Dunlap Building in Pittsboro, NC (80 East Street, Pittsboro)
What: Join staff from the Chatham County Watershed Protection Department as we clean up a tributary to Robeson Creek in Pittsboro. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a pair of garden gloves to help make the watershed cleaner.
To register for this program please email phillip.cox@chathamcountync.gov. If you have questions about this program, please email Phillip Cox or call 919.542.8268.
Native and Invasive Plants of Creeks and Streams (Webinar)
When: Thursday, March 19th, 2026, 6:00pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Online via Zoom
What: This webinar will review some of the best native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials for planting along streams and creeks. We'll examine each species' ecological function and horticultural value, as well as resources for wildlife-friendly landscaping from NC State Extension. In addition, the identification and management of invasive species in riparian areas will also be explored.
To register for this program, go to https://go.ncsu.edu/creekplants
Spring Hike for Salamanders
When: Friday, March 20th, 2026, 2pm – 4pm
Where: White Pines Nature Preserve (548 South Rocky River Road, Sanford NC 27330)
What: Enjoy the first day of Spring, the Vernal Equinox, by taking a hike to the confluence of the Deep and Rocky Rivers at White Pines Nature Preserve. Along the way we will explore some of the ephemeral pools in the floodplain to discover what amphibians are taking advantage of the temporary waters for breeding purposes. Ages: 10+
To register for this free program, email phillip.cox@chathamcountync.gov by March 18th.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
When: Saturday, March 21st, 2026 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling (28 County Services Road, Pittsboro)
What: March 21st is the first Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event of 2025! Residents can bring HHW items that should not be disposed of down a drain, in landfill or yard. Hazardous waste is not accepted from businesses, including home businesses.
For more information about this program and what you can bring, visit www.chathamcountync.gov/hhw
36th Haw River Clean-Up-A-Thon
When: Saturday, March 21st, 2026, 11am - Noon
Where: Various sites along the Haw River
What: Join the Haw River Assembly for the 36th annual Haw River Clean-Up-A-Thon! This long-running community event brings people together at the river and local creeks to remove trash, protect water quality, and raise watershed-wide awareness about the impacts of our consumption habits. For over 36 years, volunteers have helped make a lasting difference for the Haw River—come be part of the tradition.To register for this program or if you have further questions contact: Clean-up teams should each designate a team leader or coordinator to complete the required Google Form registration: https://forms.gle/av1MgKvTqP9ztfbB7. Questions or if you would like to join an existing team, email events@hawriver.org.
Carbonton Dam, Endangered Species and Bioacoustics, OH MY!
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Where: Carbonton Park, 8368 Carbonton Rd, Sanford, NC 27330
What: Join the Deep River Riverkeeper and University of North Carolina Greensboro M.S. student Erin Sherrill for a talk about the Carbonton Dam removal, river restoration after dam removal, how species can become threatened and endangered and our newest, cutting edge program on bioacoustics! Learn how we plan to use AI to map biodiversity and how dam removal impacts species of the Deep River!
For more information about the event, visit deepriverkeepersnc.org
Bonus Events:
Show Us Your Favorite Creek!
It’s Creek Week so let’s celebrate your favorite creek!
Take a photo of your favorite creek, stream or river in the County and upload it to the Chatham County Watershed Protection Department Facebook Page so everyone can celebrate your creek!
We would also like to know the name of the creek if it has a name. If it has no name, then tell us what lake or river it flows into. And of course, let us know your name and why it is your favorite creek.
Photos may be sent the entire week of Creek Week to the Chatham County Watershed Protection Facebook. page.
River Monitoring Training Along the Haw
When: Saturday, March 28 from 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Where: Lower Haw River State Natural Area
What: Curious about river monitoring? Join us for hands-on training to learn how scientists assess water quality. Participants will practice testing pH levels and identifying macroinvertebrates to better understand the health of local waterways.
The event costs $10 to participate and is open to ages 8 and up. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to get hands-on!
To learn more and to register for this program sign-up at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/riverwatch/
Chatham County Spring AgFest
When: Saturday, March 28th, 2026 10:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Chatham County Agricultural & Conference Center, 1192 US 64 Business, Pittsboro
What: The Spring Ag Fest is a celebration of Chatham County’s agriculture, forestry, and natural resources. This free event will offer something for everyone: Indoor and outdoor exhibitors and vendors will highlight local farms, farmers’ markets, sustainable agriculture, agricultural support and advocacy, agribusiness, beekeeping, livestock, forestry, green industry, wildlife, rivers, conservation, and much more including food trucks, 4-H Kids Zone, and Arena Events. You will be able to meet staff from the Watershed Protection Department and register to win a free rain barrel.
Regional Creek Week Events