Shepherds Tree Wetland and Stream Restoration Project

Client: North Carolina Department of Transportation

Location: Iredell County, North Carolina

Services: Environmental planning and design

KCI conducted site investigations and prepared a mitigation plan and restoration design plans for 10,000+ linear feet of stream channel and 100+ acres of wetland restoration and enhancement.

The goal of the project was to re-establish an integrated wetland and stream complex to replace the ecosystem processes and structure (functions and values) of a Piedmont/Mountain Bottomland Forest lost as a result of human disturbances in Yadkin River watershed basin.

Wetland restoration and enhancement objectives were achieved by removing sections of the berm along Third Creek to promote increased flooding, eliminating lateral drains to reduce offsite drainage, grading the site to create micro-topography and increase habitat diversity on the floodplain, and revegetating the site with native plant species characteristic of the targeted natural communities.

The stream restoration was accomplished utilizing fluvial geomorphologic principles (Rosgen) and innovative bioengineering technology to recreate stable channel planform, cross section, and profile characteristics.

Restored functions include improved water quality, habitat and flood cycling of the system complimenting the natural community types proposed.







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