War Eagle Creek – Private Landowner

In 2016, Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) and Beaver Watershed Alliance (BWA) began monitoring streambank erosion in the War Eagle watershed, confirming severe land loss. By 2017, data showed the property had lost approximately seven acres since 2001.

his river and riparian restoration are funded through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for the War Eagle Creek watershed in partnership with BWA, WCRC, and

Beaver Water District (BWD). The WCRC is responsible for the design and implementation of this streambank restoration. At the end of the restoration project, the WCRC and BWA hosted a riparian planting volunteer event that was supported by AR CommuniTree Project and NWA Karst Water Quality-Improvement Program.

The restoration design includes the installation of a toewood structure, brush mattresses, and a rock vane along the toe to protect the streambank. These features also enhance the aquatic habitat. This approach creates a stable, foundation that allows for the rebuilding of floodplain features and restoration of the riparian area with native species of plants. Once established, the restored bank will increase flow resistance during large flood events, helping slow the water, and reducing erosion. The project will reduce sediment loadings to the War Eagle Creekand Beaver Lake watersheds by approximately 4,700 tons/yr. Natural materials, such as, coconut fiber matting are used to help reduce erosion until native plants are established.

Carolina willows were salvaged during construction and incorporated into the toewood structure and floodplains reconstructed as part of the project. River cane sod mats are incorporated at the bankfull elevation with native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers native to the local ecoregion being planted and dispersing seed throughout the riparian area. A tributary was also restored through the project area terrace. Establishment of a robust riparian buffer filters floodwaters along with runoff from adjacent pastureland, also reducing sediment and contaminants to the War Eagle Creek and Beaver Lake watersheds

The WCRC’s Riparian Restoration Team (RRT) has recently completed construction and revegetation efforts on the Rollins restoration project along the War Eagle Creek. Throughout the project a total of 6.1 acres were revegetated and treated for invasive species, including the expansion areas of the pond. A total of 2,255 potted plants were used to revegetate the site, which includes a donation of 250 potted trees from Beaver Water District and Beaver Watershed Alliance. This total plant count includes well over 350 hardwood trees.