Restoration of a Tributary to Mud Creek
The Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) has partnered with the City of Fayetteville to restore a section of an un-named tributary to Mud 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 is responsible for the data collection, restoration design and implementation oversight for the restoration of a section of stream that travels through an urban city park in Fayetteville, AR.  Lateral erosion of streambanks in Gulley Park, off of Township road, generates sediment that is delivered to the Illinois River watershed and the eroding streambanks pose safety hazards for park users.  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 has been developed and construction documents have been generated by WCRC staff in AutoCad.  The restoration will minimize erosion, reduce sediment loads to the system, and enhance the aquatic habitat of the stream.  The WCRC obtained all required permits and is coordinating 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 includes a re-vegetation plan that enhances stability and the local ecosystem and will be aesthetically pleasing to park users.  The WCRC will continue to monitor the site following the conclusion of the grant 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 Contruction out of Pagosa Springs, CO was the construction contractor responsible for implementing the restoration design. The restoration activities inluded 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 occured that resulted in a discharge that exceeded bankfull flow conditions for the site. The photo below shows the channel during the receeding 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, prarie drop seed, bush willow, sycamore, wafer ash, spice bush, witch hazel, and other selected species.

August 23, 2008 High Water Event

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.