"The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us."
- John Muir
The Friends of South Ellerbe Creek |
Why Protect the Creek?
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"The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us." - John Muir |
The Friends of South Ellerbe Creek is an informal group of citizens dedicated to conserving and enhancing the scenic, recreational, natural and historic qualities of South Ellerbe Creek and its landscape in the upper-Neuse River Basin.
Durham's streams are among our city's most precious resources. Their waters anchor us, giving us a sense of history and place. Their calming flow is a source of inspiration. They are a crucial part of our environmental neighborhood. Like neighborhoods, Durham's watersheds need to be protected. The quality of water in our streams affects the quality of life for all living things. But growth and development threaten the health of Durham's streams. Pushed to their limits, our streams now show signs of stress.
Urban creeks are
the most neglected and degraded creeks in the nation -- polluted, channelized,
littered, and forgotten. Yet, these streams contribute to urban drinking water,
and also provide recreation and refuge from concrete and asphalt. Restored rivers
help make cities livable again, offer many urban residents a significant connection
to nature, and provide enormous benefits for public health, recreation, economic
growth, and community pride.
From its headwaters near the Food Lion on Hillsborough Road, South Ellerbe Creek flows for three miles through some of Durham's oldest and most densely developed neighborhoods: Old West Durham, Walltown, Northgate Park, Trinity Park. Another branch of South Ellerbe flows north out of downtown Durham, through Durham Central Park and Trinity Park -- before joining her sister near Club Blvd Elementary. South Ellerbe then joins Ellerbe Creek in a small forest -- just northwest of the I-85/Roxboro Road interchange. Along some wooded stretches, the creek quietly flows over rocks and is as scenic as any in western North Carolina. In other areas, South Ellerbe is a troubled creek.
We don't know if the potential pollution sources along the creek, are something to worry about or not. However, South Ellerbe is surrounded by various auto and muffler shops, large surface parking lots, a plumbing shop, funeral home, photo studio, small apartment complex, a chemical storage facility, Southern Railroad, Business Hwy 70, a Duke warehouse, and an old gas station. Many of these sites have direct run-off into the creek. The storm drains in the vicinity lead directly into the creek as well (pairs of storm drains near Hillsborough and Anderson streets are easy to spot).
There is also a large "dye pond" surrounded by a screened fence near the creek. The dye pond remains from the Erwin textile mill. Run-off from the mill operations used to flow into the neighborhood (apparently, in the past, the area often smelled like a big laundromat from the warm, soapy water that flowed out of the mills).
The troubled creek also flows under the large parking surfaces at Northgate Mall and along the northern edge of Interstate-85 (the widening of this major corridor will have a direct impact on the creek and its surroundings).
Potential risks associated with these pollution sources include possible residues in the water or leaching into the surrounding soil and creek bed.
At its peaceful confluence with Ellerbe Creek, one could almost forget the troubled history of these waters. Few stretches remain that can still be protected. Fortunately, we understand that South Ellerbe is covered by Durham's new Resource Protection Ordinance (its headwaters drainage basin is greater than 25 acres and the creek is designated on the USDA map). So, any new development would require stronger buffers.
The Friends of
South Ellerbe Creek (FOSEC) will work to tell the story
of this troubled urban creek and will work to protect and enhance the qualities
of its watershed.
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| Volunteer from nearby Beth-El synagogue works near Grace Garden. |
Taking a break on the banks of South Ellerbe in Durham Central Park. |
View of City storm drain from below (near Durham Farmer's Market) |
Owl on Virgie Street, near South Ellerbe Natural Area. | View of City storm drain from below (near Durham Farmer's Market)
If you'd like to be added to our growing email list (it's all free), please contact john@owdna.org.
Webmaster: Tom Clark
