Restoration of Niokaska Creek
The Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) partnered with the City of Fayetteville to restore a section of Niokaska Creek in the Illinois River Watershed. The WCRC applied for and was awarded a EPA Section 319(h) grant for this project. Among the many responsibilities associated with the grant itself, the WCRC was responsible for the data collection, restoration design and implementation oversight for the restoration of a section of the stream that travels through an urban city park in Fayetteville, AR.  Lateral erosion of the streambanks in Gulley Park generated excess sediment that was delivered to the Illinois River watershed and the eroding streambanks posed safety hazards for park patrons.  The WCRC obtained a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant administered through the Arkansas Natural Resources Conservation Commission to provide professional services to restore this unstable stream reach.

A restoration design utilizing a natural channel design approach based on data from local reference reaches was developed and construction documents were generated by WCRC staff in AutoCad.  The restoration minimizes erosion, reduces sediment loads to the system, and enhances the aquatic habitat of the stream.  The WCRC obtained all required permits and coordinated implementation activities which include partnering with the most skilled restoration contractor in the nation to build the designed stream restoration and procurement of construction materials to be used that suit the City’s aesthetic requirements.  The design included a re-vegetation plan that enhances stability and the local ecosystem and will be aesthetically pleasing to park users.  The WCRC continues to monitor the site to ensure that the restoration is successful into the future and will provide guidance to the City for any maintenance that may be required.

On August 11, 2008, the WCRC began implementation of the restoration design. Elk River Construction out of Pagosa Springs, CO was the construction contractor responsible for implementing the restoration design. The restoration activities included channel reshaping and installation of flow and sediment control structures on a 1,200 ft. length of the stream channel. The photos below show the sequence of events for the restoration of one segment of unstable stream in the project reach.

On Saturday, August 23, 2008, a rain event occurred that resulted in a discharge that exceeded bankfull flow conditions for the site. The photo below shows the channel during the receding flood stage (top photo) and the condition of the channel after the storm event.

Revegetation of a restoration site is a critical component of any stream restoration effort. Over 5,000 plugs and container plants were hand planted as part of this restoration effort. All plants were native to the restoration site. Species included inland seaoat, prairie drop seed, bush willow, sycamore, wafer ash, spice bush, witch hazel, and other selected species.

August 23, 2008 High Water Event

On August 23, 2008, just 3 days after completing major construction activities, a thunderstorm generated a discharge event that exceeded the bankfull design discharge (130 cfs). The peak discharge for this runoff event was 179 cfs. The video below shows the lower end of the project site at the peak of the hydrograph. Notice how the j-hook structures are effective in deflecting the higher velocity flow towards the center of the stream channel.

The Watershed Conservation Resource Center is a non-profit organization that strives to protect, conserve, and restore natural resources by utilizing the watershed approach, environmental outreach, and providing planning and technical assistance to landowners, communities, and government. For more information on this project, please contact Matt Van Eps at (501) 352-7294.