An aerial view of the Reedy Patch Creek stream restoration project prior to construction, November, 2019
Edneyville, NC
Resource Institute recently completed construction of a stream restoration project in Edneyville, NC, partnering with landowner Mark Hill, Ph.D., and other members of Far Afield, LLC, to restore a section of Reedy Patch Creek, a tributary of the Broad River.
Prior to construction Reedy Patch Creek’s streambanks showed critical erosion due to limited stabilizing vegetation
Reedy Patch Creek flows through the Far Afield, LLC property, a former cattle farm, now transitioning to a tree farm. The property experienced several severe floods, including a 2018 event that washed away several bridges nearby. The streambanks suffered critical erosion due to limited stabilizing vegetation. As a result, the creek widened excessively and was not adequately transporting sediment, causing significant downstream silt deposits.
Reedy Patch Creek instream structures looking upstream, July 2020
Dr. Hill and other members of the Hill Family had been searching for a solution to Reedy Patch’s issues after they purchased the property in early 2017. NRCS District Conservationist Emily Nelson recommended a “natural channel design” approach to improve stream stability and habitat functions. She suggested that they apply for assistance from Resource Institute, a Winston-Salem based nonprofit, working predominantly in North Carolina to restore streams, rivers, and wetlands. Far Afield was able to qualify for federal and state funding through Resource Institute’s Western Initiative Stream Restoration program.
An aerial view of the Reedy Patch Creek stream restoration post instream construction, July 2020
Resource Institute, as the project manager, assembled a team of stream restoration specialists; Jennings Environmental, LLC completed the assessment, design, and engineering plans, North State Environmental constructed the project, and Henderson Soil & Water District provided additional support. The project was funded through grants from USDA NRCS and the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
Dr. Hill was especially impressed with North State Environmental during the project construction phase. North State was mindful of the existing Far Afield forestry plan and worked with Dr. Hill to cut at-risk trees for incorporation into the stream restoration project as bank and instream structures to create fish habitat.
Dr. Hill says, “This was a gratifying partnership, and Reedy Patch Creek has undergone an amazing transformation. The construction phase of the project just finished, and we already see minnows. The willows that were transplanted are sending out branches, and the goldfinches are back.”
The project is nearly complete. Instream construction wrapped up the week of July 12, and riparian buffer planting is scheduled to begin this Fall. The project team will continue to work with Dr. Hill and Far Afield to plant native species to enhance stream habitat and augment their forestry plan and existing pawpaw plantings. In particular, the team will plant additional trees along the stream to create a shade canopy to reduce water temperature and improve aquatic habitat.
Alan Walker, Resource Institute’s project manager, has high expectations for Reedy Patch Creek. “It’s incredible to work with such a willing landowner like Dr. Hill. Areas upstream of this project are also in distress, suffering the same severely eroding streambanks and lack of habitat. Many of the upstream landowners took a keen interest in this project, indicating there is potential for more of Reedy Patch Creek to be restored and stabilized.”