Stone weirs were built by early Native Americans on most rivers in the region and remnants of the underwater rock walls are still visible today. A surviving weir in the Webster area in Jackson County has been the site of a kids program exploring the historic fishing practices for six years. It is offered by the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River and free to children ages 8 to 13.

The day will consist of a series of hands-on learning stations. Children will examine bugs and fish collected from the river, imagine the Cherokee village located near the weir that depended on it for food and re-enact an ancient fish harvest.

The harvest involves assembling upstream from the weir, a v-shaped rock wall in the stream, and thrashing the water to scare fish downstream to be trapped in the weir’s funnel point. 

Free, with pre-registration and signed permission slips required. Limited 35 children. Chaperones welcome. WATR will provide a free lunch, through donations are appreciated. The program will be moved to June 30 in case of high water. 

RSVP to Malia Crowe, WATR Program Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..