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VALLEY RIVER MAINSTEM
WOOD PHASE I
(October 2003-March 2004)
Project Design: Mulkey
Engineers & Consultants
Primary Contractor: Wood
Farm (Ed & Keith Wood)
The Wood Phase I project is
a 5,600-linear foot reach of the Valley River mainstem located just
downstream of Andrews, NC. The project involves a total of 10
landowners. The Wood Family, David & Alison
Ackerman, and Cherokee County all agreed to donate permanent
conservation easements for the riparian buffer areas along the river,
representing 60% of the total buffer area associated with this project.
Conditions of Site Prior to Project
The Wood
Phase I reach of the Valley River had been dredged periodically
throughout the years and levees still existed sporadically along the
right bank. Vertical, eroding banks and severely undercut
vegetation existed along both sides of the river at several locations.
Active scouring was evident throughout most of the reach. Past
channel alterations and sedimentation caused aggradation of the channel
and pools were filled with sediment. Riparian vegetation had been
removed along much of the project length, particularly on the left bank.
In addition, cattle were accessing the river along the West property
(1,700 feet of river frontage).
Instream Technologies Applied
The
following actions were taken to reduce streambank erosion and improve
aquatic and riparian habitat along the Wood Farm reach of the Valley
River:
(1) Cross vanes were
constructed at pre-determined locations along the 5,600 linear-foot
reach to help reduce the width/depth ratio and provide bank stability,
grade control and habitat for aquatic life.
(2)
Rock vanes and j-hook
vanes were constructed along the outsides of meander bends requiring
stabilization to help redirect flows away from the outside banks,
provide limited bank stabilization, and enhance habitat for aquatic
life. The j-hook vanes were installed in bends containing existing or
degraded pools to help maintain localized scour required for continuous
pool maintenance.
(3)
The existing levees
were moved 30-100 feet back away from the river and reduced in height in
selected locations to create more floodplain area and to enhance
riparian habitat.
Linear Feet of Stream Restoration
5,600 feet
Linear Feet of Riparian Buffer Restored and/or Protected
11,200 feet
 Buffer Vegetation
Native trees and
shrubs were used to restore the riparian buffer (30-50 feet wide) along
both sides of the river throughout the project area.
Fencing was
installed along the West and Ackerman property to protect the riparian
buffer and restoration project from livestock damage. Species
planted included Red Maple, River Birch, Sycamore, Green Ash, Tulip
Poplar, Silky Dogwood, Sweetgum, Elderberry, Alder, and Persimmon.
The Wood family also received some cost share funds from the Natural
Resources Conservation Service's Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program to
plant food plots for small game species, such as grouse. In these
areas (one pictured left), the riparian buffer is nearly 100 wide!
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