Nantahala River & Black Creek Stream Restoration Project

Following the completion of the Nantahala Project, the team established a riparian buffer by planting 5,639 live stakes and 979 trees. These plants are expected to sequester over 50 tons of carbon in the coming years.

Project Completion

Following the completion of the Nantahala Project, the team established a riparian buffer by planting 5,639 live stakes and 979 trees. These plants are expected to sequester over 50 tons of carbon in the coming years.

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

Before Restoration

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

Nantahala River & Black Creek

Little Tennessee Watershed
Macon County, Hendersonville, NC
Status:  Completed 2023 
Stream Restored: ~2,843 feet
Planting Stats: 5,639 live stakes, 979 trees
Carbon Sequestration 50.3 tons
Soil Erosion Reduction 180 tons

Resource Institute’s Partners:

Natural Resource Concerns/Issues

  • Streambanks on Nantahala River & Black Creek were steep and severely eroded and lacked a riparian buffer

  • Original Stream = Type Bc4

Project Objectives:

  • Restored Stream Type = Bc4

  • 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

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