Resource Institute and partners rebuilt Big Elkin Creek's channel and stabilized the stream. The restoration project will reduce sediment going into the Town of Elkin's water supply.
Elkin, Surry County, North Carolina
Resource Institute, the Town of Elkin, Surry County, and Watershed NOW recently completed construction on a significant stream restoration project on Big Elkin Creek. The project stabilized 3,500 feet of stream, protects Elkin's water supply, and improves the water quality of Big Elkin Creek.
In the early 1900s, Duke Power built a hydroelectric dam on Big Elkin Creek above Carter Falls. Duke Energy decommissioned the dam in the 1960s. However, the removal left a lake remnant/pool filled with fine sediment. The sediment worked its way downstream, eating away at the streambanks and creating an incised channel with no access to a floodplain. Hurricanes Michael & Florence exacerbated the situation in 2018, causing additional erosion. Sixty years of this battering caused severe instability and steep unstable streambanks. Big Elkin Creek was moving thousands of tons of excess sediment each year. The Creek supplies water to the Town of Elkin and communities in eastern Wilkes County. The high sediment load often forced the Town to shut off water intakes during significant storm events.
North State Environmental constructed a new channel, rebuilt the floodplain, and restored Big Elkin Creek's natural pools, riffles, and runs. North State also installed several instream structures made of rock and wood to protect the streambanks
The Town of Elkin faced several problems. There were concerns about the water supply, sediment inundation in the town park, library, and school ball fields, plus the possibility of future inundation. Local landowners were especially concerned about the significant erosion of their streambanks. In 2018, the Elkin Valley Trails Association (EVTA) was building trails along the Creek, including a segment of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The increased sediment in the Creek was detrimental to aquatic species and wildlife and the enjoyment of hikers on the trail. The EVTA was especially concerned because it planned to construct a bridge across Big Elkin Creek just below the Carter Falls. These groups consulted with Watershed NOW, a nonprofit that protects and preserves the Big Elkin Creek Watershed. Watershed NOW consulted with Dick Everhart, a stream restoration expert working with the nonprofit Resource Institute. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, Resource Institute restores streams, rivers, and wetlands
Big Elkin Creek was moving thousands of tons of excess sediment each year. The Creek supplies water to the Town of Elkin and communities in eastern Wilkes County. The high sediment load often forced the Town to shut off water intakes during significant storm events.
Everhart said the key to making this project happen was working directly with the landowners. "We went directly to the landowners. We talked about the problems and what could be done to fix them. We also gave them the opportunity to see similar stream restoration projects in Surry County."
Resource Institute brought in Ecosystem Planning & Restoration (EPR), a design firm familiar with stream restoration methods, to help find a solution. The project team assessed the area between the old dam and Carter Falls. EPR produced design and engineering plans to rebuild the channel, stabilize the stream and reduce sediment. Construction of the project began this spring. North State Environmental constructed a new channel, rebuilt the floodplain, and created a more natural pattern of pools, riffles, and runs. North State also installed several instream structures made of rock and wood to protect the streambanks. The next step in the restoration process is to plant trees and other live stakes this winter. These plants will also help protect the banks and create fish and wildlife habitat along the riparian corridor.
The community was also instrumental in this project. Woody Faulk of Watershed NOW said he's proud of the community and project partners. "We have a diverse community with lots of different viewpoints. But everyone came together on this project for the good of the community. There is increased awareness of the need to protect the water quality of Big Elkin Creek, the lifeblood of our community."
Landowners, citizens, and visitors to the community will see an abundance of benefits from the restoration. Reduced sediment in Big Elkin Creek will improve water quality and boost flood resiliency. The project will also enhance fish and wildlife habitat creating recreation opportunities. Recently, the state of North Carolina acquired Carter Falls and surrounding property. Segment six of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through the property. This segment connects Pilot Mountain State Park to Stone Mountain State Park. The project will play into the community's goal to increase tourism and bolster the local economy. Hikers can access Carter Falls at the Carter Falls Trail Head near Byrd's Branch Campground. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality funded the Big Elkin Creek restoration project.
By Resource Institute’s Technical Writing Team - Paula Worden, Alan Walker & Squeak Smith.