Foster Creek
Stream Restoration Project

 
 

The project team constructed in-stream structures, used bioengineering techniques, and planted a riparian buffer. The team also worked with landowners to restrict livestock access to the stream.

Foster Creek

Tributary of the Mills River
Henderson County, Mills River, NC
Status: Complete
Stream Restored: ~3,100 feet

Partners:

Resource Concern/Issues:

Steep, unstable streambanks on Foster Creek prior to restoration.

This section of Foster Creek suffered from severe erosion and incised streambanks. Steep and severely eroded streambanks from highway development caused significant erosion.  Agriculture producers were losing land to erosion each year. The erosion and loss of land contributed to a high sediment load in the creek.

Project Objectives:

  • Improve water quality by reducing sediment, organic, and inorganic loading of the stream and reduce streambank erosion

  • Stabilize the stream reach to prevent further aggradation or degradation by providing an improved dimension, pattern and/or profile that will improve sediment transport, and manage surface waters and groundwater levels in floodplains, riparian areas, and wetlands

  • Construct rock and woody structures to provide instream habitat, stabilize streambanks and the channel bed

  • Establish a riparian buffer, remove invasive plant species and reestablish native plants, trees, and shrubs

  • Provide an alternate watering source for livestock that includes pump and pipeline to convey water to watering facilities with surrounding heavy use area protection

  • Install fencing to restrict livestock access to the stream corridor to protect streambanks and streambank vegetation