Little Crabtree Creek Restoration Project

Instream structures just after construction on the Little Crabtree Creek restoration project.

After Construction

Instream structures just after construction on the Little Crabtree Creek restoration project.

Little Crabtree Creek restoration during instream construction.

During In-Stream Construction

Little Crabtree Creek restoration during instream construction.

Before restoration, Little Crabtree Creek lacked adequate dimension, pattern, and profile, increasing the sediment load.

After Construction

Before restoration, Little Crabtree Creek lacked adequate dimension, pattern, and profile, increasing the sediment load.

Little Crabtree Creek

Watershed – North Toe River
Yancey County, Burnsville, NC
Status: Complete
Stream Restored: ~3,300 feet

Partners:

Resource Concern/Issues:

Little Crabtree Creek was actively migrating with an unstable channel bed and eroding streambanks. Additionally, it lacked sinuosity, a sufficient riparian buffer, and 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

  • 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