Western North Carolina is an area with many streams, creeks, lakes, and rivers which we can connect with and conserve. RiverLink strives to be a way for communities to connect with all of these waterways, learning more about them and having positive experiences. A good way to start developing that connection is by learning the names of local streams and lakes, such as Smith Mill Creek and Lake Julian, but even today there are many unnamed creeks and streams! The Name that Creek program began with the naming of Rhododendron Creek in January 2000. Rhododendron was a name suggested by a 12-year old resident who was inspired by interviews with other West Asheville residents who remembered a Rhododendron Park in the area that no longer exists. Each campaign to name a creek features a period of local residents suggesting creek names, then a voting on the most popular names, and finally RiverLink submitting the winning name to the U.S. Board of Geographical Names for approval. Names can help foster a connection to our waterways, especially with many names inspired by history. You can have a hand in preserving that history! Many of the creeks named through our Name that Creek program are still maintained by RiverLink and our wonderful volunteers to keep them clean and healthy! | |