Lewis Creek Stream Restoration Project

The project team installed root wads and rock structures to stabilize Lewis Creek’s streambanks. Additionally, they planted live stakes and shrubs to establish a riparian buffer.

Post Construction

The project team installed root wads and rock structures to stabilize Lewis Creek’s streambanks. Additionally, they planted live stakes and shrubs to establish a riparian buffer.

Before restoration, Lewis Creek’s streambanks were steep and severely eroded, lacking a riparian buffer. This impaired both water quality and habitat.

Pre-Construction

Before restoration, Lewis Creek’s streambanks were steep and severely eroded, lacking a riparian buffer. This impaired both water quality and habitat.

Lewis Creek

French Broad Watershed
Henderson County, Hendersonville, NC
Status:  Completed 2023 
Stream Restored: ~3,020 feet
Planting Stats: 3,900 lives takes & 2,600 trees
Carbon Sequestration - 85.1 tons (over 10 years)
Sediment Reduction: 180 tons

Resource Institute’s Partners:

Natural Resource Concerns/Issues

  • Streambanks on Coon Branch & UT Lewis Creek were steep and severely eroded and lacked a riparian buffer

  • Original Stream = Type G4c

Project Objectives:

  • Restored Stream Type = C4

  • 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

  • Provide an alternate watering source for livestock, including a pump and livestock pipeline to convey water to watering facilities and protect the surrounding heavy-use area.

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

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