Richland Creek Stream Restoration Assessment and CWMTF Grant Application

Client: Town of Wake Forest

Location: Wake Forest, North Carolina

Services: Environmental planning and design

The Town of Wake Forest (Town) sought to develop a stream/riparian buffer restoration and greenway project along a 12,950 linear feet portion of Richland Creek, through a Clean Water Management Trust Fund Grant (CWMTF). As a precursor to submitting its grant application, the Town retained KCI to conduct a preliminary stream assessment of the identified portion of Richland Creek. The purpose of the study was to conduct a preliminary assessment of the subject reach to evaluate existing stream and riparian conditions, identify potential restoration/enhancement/preservation opportunities, and provide an estimation of the probable cost per linear foot of treatment.

KCI conducted field investigations of the entire length of the subject stream reach to assess the existing stream conditions, the degree of stream instability, the condition of the riparian area, and any observable design constraints. Observations of stream geomorphology such as Rosgen stream type, changes in channel shape and dimension, depositional features, substrate particle size, riffle-pool sequencing, bank height and stability, evidence of channel evolution and instream features were recorded. Bankfull elevation was approximated based on observations of features such as topographic inflections, changes in sediment distribution, and changes in vegetative composition (Leopold, 1994). Information pertaining to the contributing watershed, adjacent land uses, and riparian habitat was also recorded during the field reconnaissance.

The resulting investigations found that a combination of preservation, restoration and enhancement existed along the proposed corridor. KCI coordinated with the Town and NCWRP to develop a plan to execute the entire project and provide matching funding for the requested grant. The grant application was submitted to the CWMTF and a grant was awarded to develop designs for the project. Design work is expected to begin in the spring of 2004.






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