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Stream Restoration in Kentucky
Bernheim Forest’s Wilson Creek
Restoration Site
Bernheim, along with designers from the University of Louisville
and the University of Kentucky, is currently restoring a channelized
(artificially straightened) stream reach to a more natural meandering
course. The channelized section of Wilson Creek, which is located
in the research forest, was a little over 2600 feet in length before
restoration activities; it is now nearly 3200 feet long. The restored
stream reach now meanders throughout the valley bottom instead of
following the valley slope.
Wilson Creek under construction
It is thought that settlers straightened sections
of Wilson Creek in the late 19th or early 20th century. This was
done to maximize the amount of arable land in the valley bottom.
Unfortunately, channelization of streams is known to have degradated
water quality and wildlife habitat throughout Kentucky. Restoration
activities seek to restore the Wilson Creek to a dynamically, stable
course. That is, a course that will change throughout time while
maintaining the health of the riparian corridor.
Bernheim staff also plans to rehabilitate the stream
corridor by planting nearly 10,000 trees and over 100 pounds native
plant seed collected from within Bernheim’s natural areas.
Prior to restoration efforts, this section of Wilson Creek was a
maintained as a mowed field dominated by nonnative pasture species
like tall fescue. Use of native plants adapted to riparian areas
will increase plant diversity and provide habitat for terrestrial
animals.
Various educational workshops have been held at
the restoration site. Audiences have included landowners, watershed
professionals, teachers, and students.
For information about the stream restoration project
visit:
www.bernheim.org
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Other Kentucky Projects
Muddy Creek Watershed Project
Date: May 12, 2005 9am-3pm
Location: Madison Co Extension Office, Richmond, KY (Directions)
Description: Several agencies (Kentucky
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Eastern
Kentucky University, Bluegrass Army Depot, Berea
College, Kentucky
Watershed Watch) have partnered to coordinate a stream bank
stabilization project in the Muddy Creek Watershed, Madison County,
Kentucky. These partners have had success in limiting livestock
access to streams (EKU's
Meadowbrook Farm, private landowners), installing alternative
watering systems, and conducting volunteer tree planting events.
Participants will visit the stabilization site and interact with
the project coordinator and local landowners, and gain information
for replicating such a project elsewhere in the state. A small registration
fee will cover materials and lunch costs.
For more information about the Muddy Creek Project
contact Tom Edwards.
Meadowbrook Farm tree planting,
Spring 2003.
Stream crossing installation
at Muddy Creek
Powell County Stream Revegetation Project
Plans are currently underway for a project between
the Powell County Schools and the University of Kentucky Cooperative
Extension Service. The project would provide the opportunity for
students to take a hands-on approach to ecosystem restoration in
their own community. Students would help plan and implement tree
plantings in riparian areas.
For more information contact Amanda
Abnee.
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Resources for Landowners
Living Along a Kentucky Stream is a practical
guide for landowners with streams on or near their property. The
publication provides simple Do’s and Don’ts for maintaining
healthy streams and being good stream stewards. Living Along a Kentucky
Stream is available at http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ip/ip73/ip73.pdf
. Accompanying teaching guides have been developed for use with
small groups and are available at http://www.ca.uky.edu/enri/kwam2004.htm.
For more information or to request hard copies
of this publication, please contact Amanda
Abnee.
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Other Resources
Kentucky
Division of Water, Watershed Management
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