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Project Design: ARCADIS G&M
Primary Contractor: C & H
Services
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TROUT COVE
(March - April 2002)
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This project is located
along Trout Cove Branch on Staurolite Farm, a 300-acre mountain cove
between the communities of Warne and Brasstown, NC.
Landowners
within the Staurolite Farm partnership include Dave & Mary Gonos, Louis & Barbara Lanwermeyer,
Mary Jo Deck, Elise Black Dickinson and Kim Joris. In 2004, the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement
Program purchased this project and conservation easements along it to be
applied towards mitigation in the Hiwassee River basin.
Conditions of Site Prior to Project
Due to past land uses
including grazing, mowing, channelization, and other maintenance
activities, Trout Cove Branch and an unnamed tributary lacked riparian
corridors and exhibited severe bank erosion. Stream banks varied in
height from 1 to 6 feet. The streams were classified as unstable “B5”
stream types. Soil loss erosion, prior to this project, was estimated
at 130 cubic yards (170 tons) per year (Trout Cove Branch only, not
including the unnamed tributary).
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Before |
After |
Instream Technologies Applied
Streambank and
channel restoration methods were determined following natural channel
design methodologies as proposed by Rosgen. Procedures included channel
movement to establish sinuosity, installation of rock vanes and root
wads for erosion control and improved aquatic habitat, and enhancement
of existing wetland areas.
Linear Feet of Stream Restoration
Approximately 3,900
feet.
Linear Feet of Riparian Buffer Restored and/or Protected
Approximately 7,800
feet
Buffer Vegetation
A
50-foot wood riparian buffer was established from the top of the new stream banks on
both sides of the streams. Fencing is being installed along this
nine-acre buffer for exclusion of livestock. No livestock currently
have access to the project area. Fencing began soon after construction
was completed, and was then stopped, until work under a 319 grant on the
farm is completed, which will entail the installation of watering tanks
at several locations on the site. After the watering tanks are in
place, the remainder of the 7,800 feet of five-strand barbed wire
fencing will be installed.
Trees and shrubs,
less than 3” in diameter, present on the stream banks at the start of
the project, were saved for transplanting where practicable. The buffer
was reestablished using native Rich Cove Forest species. Two thousand
six hundred eighty-three (2,683) plants were installed comprising 19
species of native trees and shrubs. |
