The most common problem on the Catawba River and its lakes is sedimentation. Sediment carried by stormwater runoff from construction sites in North Carolina has been documented as the leading source of non-point source pollution to rivers throughout the state.The picture above shows the impact that sediment can have on the clarity of the river and potentially our lake. Compare the blue water in the upper right of the photo above to the muddy brown water of the cove in the middle.