Leonard Creek Restoration Project

Leonard Creek stream restoration project after planting the riparian buffer.

After Restoration

Leonard Creek stream restoration project after planting the riparian buffer.

Prior to restoration, Leonard Creek’s streambanks were step and severely eroding and unstable.

Before Restoration

Prior to restoration, Leonard Creek’s streambanks were step and severely eroding and unstable.

Leonard Fork Creek

Watershed – Lower Indian Creek
Lincoln County, Bostic, NC
Status: Complete
Stream Restored: ~1,500 feet

Partners:

Resource Concern/Issues:

Leonard Creek’s banks were eroding, causing significant land and soil loss for the landowner. It also lacked an adequate riparian buffer as well as aquatic habitat.

Project Objectives:

  • Improve water quality by reducing sediment, nutrient, 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

  • Construct stream crossings to provide a travel way for people, livestock, equipment, or vehicles that will improve water quality by reducing streambank and streambed erosion

  • Remove barriers to provide an opportunity for the aquatic organisms to access additional habitat and migrate up and downstream

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