UPPER ELK RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT

BANNER ELK, NC

STATS

Tributary of the Watauga River
Avery County, Banner Elk, NC

  • STATUS: COMPLETE
  • APPROX. 1,400 FEET OF STREAM RESTORED
Upper Elk River Restoration Project before
Upper Elk River Restoration Project after
BEFORE
AFTER
Upper Elk River restoration sediment-reduction work.Riparian buffer established along the Upper Elk River.

Natural Resource Concern/Issues

  • This reach of the Upper Elk River was unstable due to severely eroding streambanks and reduced or impaired 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

  • Construct stream crossings to provide a travel way for people, livestock, equipment, or vehicles that will improve water quality by reducing streambank and streambed erosion

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

PARTNERS