Lessons Learned

1
Natural Channel Design Applications for Restoring
Streams in North Carolina Greg Jennings, Dan
Clinton, David Bidelspach, Barbara Doll,
Department of Biological Agricultural
Engineering, North Carolina State University

• Objectives
• Demonstrate and evaluate technologies for
  restoring streams to improve habitat, water
  quality, and stability
• Teach natural resource professionals how to use
  natural channel design principles for stream
  restoration

• Methods
• Collaborate with agencies and landowners to plan,
  design, construct, and monitor stream restoration
  projects that integrate teaching and research at
  many locations
• Conduct hands-on training workshops

• Lessons Learned
• Natural channel design approaches to stream
  restoration can be applied in rural and urban
  settings for 1st through 3rd order streams
• A team approach is essential for addressing
  biological, engineering, and geological
  considerations
• Project managers must plan for storms and high
  flows during and immediately following
  construction
• Designers must be on-site during construction to
  work with contractors to meet design goals
• Reference stream data must be used along with
  model analyses to ensure long-term stability
• Dense native vegetation is critical for
  maintaining habitat and stability
• Hands-on training workshops are effective in
  teaching students and professionals how to apply
  stream restoration techniques
• Project managers and designers must learn from
  mistakes

Urban Stream Projects Hewletts Creek,
Wilmington Shawneehaw Creek, Banner
Elk Rocky Branch, NCSU Campus,
Raleigh Kentucky Creek, Newland
Rural Stream Projects Steep Hill Creek,
Wake County East Prong Roaring
River,Wilkes County Long Creek, Gaston
County Little Garvin Creek, Clemson, SC
Partners Universities, Cooperative Extension
Service, Sea Grant, USEPA, USDA-NRCS, Soil
Water Conservation Districts, RCD Councils,
State Water Quality and Wildlife Agencies, Local
Watershed Organizations, Private Corporations,
Landowners