ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2012
Middle Fork Creek Site E Mitigation Site
Madison County
TIP No. R-2518A
COE Action ID: SAW-2007-2197-357/300
DWQ #: 20071134
Prepared By:
Natural Environment Section & Roadside Environmental Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
December 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION: ....................................................................................... 2
.1 Project Description .......................................................................... 2
.2 Purpose .......................................................................................... 2
.3 Project History ................................................................................. 2
.4 Debit Ledger .................................................................................... 2
2.0 STREAM ASSESSMENT: ......................................................................... 7
.1 Success Criteria ............................................................................. 7
.2 Stream Description .......................................................................... 7
.2.1 Post Construction Conditions .......................................................... 7
.2.2 Monitoring Conditions ..................................................................... 7
.3 Results of Stream Assessment ...................................................... 8
.3.1 Site Data ......................................................................................... 8
3.0 VEGETATION ............................................................................................ 9
.1 Description of Species ..................................................................... 9
.2 Results of Vegetation Monitoring ..................................................... 9
.3 Conclusions .................................................................................... 9
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS ................................. 9
5.0 REFERENCES: ....................................................................................... 10
FIGURES
Figure 1 – Vicinity Map ........................................................................................ 3
Figure 2 – Site E Map .......................................................................................... 4
Figure 3 – Site E Map .......................................................................................... 5
Figure 4 – Site E Map .......................................................................................... 6
TABLES
Table 1 – Site E Morphological Summary ............................................................ 8
APPENDICES
Appendix A – Cross Sections and Longitudinal Profile
Appendix B – Site Photographs
1
SUMMARY
The following report summarizes the stream monitoring activities that have
occurred during the Year 2012 at the Middle Fork Creek Site E Mitigation Site in
Madison County. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
completed this project in November 2008 and water was turned in May 2009.
This report provides the monitoring results for the third formal year of monitoring
(Year 2012). The Year 2012 monitoring period was the third of five scheduled
years of monitoring on the Middle Fork Creek Site E Mitigation Site (See Success
Criteria Section 2.1).
Based on the overall conclusions of monitoring at the Middle Fork Creek Site E, it
has met the required monitoring protocols for the third formal year of monitoring
on the stream and first formal year of monitoring on the planted vegetation. The
channel throughout the stream restoration site is stable, except for, some areas
of bank erosion that were noted downstream of PP#2 and upstream of PP#4 on
the left bank. NCDOT plans to plant live stakes on the eroded banks by March
2013. The streambank and buffer area were planted in March 2012 with live
stakes and bareroot seedlings. The planted vegetation is surviving at this time.
NCDOT will continue stream monitoring at the Middle Fork Creek Site E
Mitigation Site in 2013.
2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
The following report summarizes the stream monitoring activities that have
occurred during the Year 2012 at the Middle Fork Creek Site E Mitigation Site.
Site E is located on US 19 in Madison County at Sta. 33+80 Rt. and Sta. 33+80
to 38+00 Lt. -L- (Figure 1). The Middle Fork Creek Site E was constructed to
provide mitigation for stream impacts associated with Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) number R-2518A in Madison County.
The mitigation site provided approximately 833 linear feet of stream restoration
and 820 linear feet of stream preservation. Construction was completed during
November 2008 and water was turned in May 2009 by the NCDOT. Stream
restoration involved backfilling a portion of the existing channel so the roadway
could be extended. A new floodplain and channel were excavated and several in-stream
structures such as crossvanes and j-hooks were installed. The riparian
buffer was also planted.
1.2 Purpose
In order for a mitigation site to be considered successful, the site must meet the
success criteria. This report details the monitoring in 2012 at the Middle Fork
Creek Site E Mitigation Site. Hydrologic monitoring was not required for this site.
1.3 Project History
November 2008
March 2009
May 2009
October 2009
Construction Completed
Site Planted (Type I only)
Water Turned Into Stream
As-Built Survey Completed
November 2010 Stream Channel Monitoring (Year 1)
November 2011 Stream Channel Monitoring (Year 2)
March 2012 Site Planted (Type I and II)
September 2012 Vegetation Monitoring (Year 1)
November 2012 Stream Channel Monitoring (Year 3)
1.4 Debit Ledger
The entire Middle Fork Creek Site E stream mitigation site was used for the
R-2518A project to compensate for unavoidable stream impacts.
3
Figure 1. Vicinity Map
4
Figure 2. Site E Map
5
Figure 3. Site E Map
6
Figure 4. Site E Map
7
2.0 STREAM ASSESSMENT
2.1 Success Criteria
The permittee shall monitor the restoration and enhancement mitigation sites
following the Level 1 protocols outlined in the “Stream Mitigation Guidelines,”
dated April 2003 with the following exceptions:
1. Pebble counts shall not be conducted.
2. Two cross sections shall be conducted for streams less than 500
linear feet and five (5) cross sections shall be conducted for streams
greater than 500 linear feet.
3. Riparian success shall be by visual inspection of plant survival. Photos
will be taken and comments noted on plant survival.
The permittee shall monitor the preservation sites by visual inspection. Photos
will be taken and comments noted on plant survival. The monitoring shall be
conducted annually for a minimum of five (5) years after final planting. The
monitoring results shall be submitted to DWQ in a final report within sixty (60)
days after completing monitoring. After 5 years the NCDOT shall contact the
DWQ to schedule a site visit to “close out” the mitigation site.
2.2 Stream Description
2.2.1 Post-Construction Conditions
The restoration of the Middle Fork Creek Site E Mitigation Site involved
backfilling a portion of the existing channel so the roadway could be extended. A
new floodplain and channel were excavated and several in-stream structures
such as cross vanes and j-hooks were installed. The riparian buffer will also be
planted.
2.2.2 Monitoring Conditions
The objective of the Middle Fork Creek Site E stream restoration was to restore a
B4c stream as identified in Rosgen’s Applied River Morphology. A total of five
cross sections (three in a riffle and two in a pool) were surveyed. For this report,
only cross sections containing riffles were used in the comparison of channel
morphology presented below in Table 1 (Site E).
8
Table 1. Abbreviated Morphological Summary (Middle Fork Creek Site E)
Variable
Proposed
Cross-
Section #1
(Riffle)
Cross-
Section #3
(Riffle)
Cross-
Section #5
(Riffle)
Min – Max Values
(Riffle Sections only)
2012 2012 2012 2012
Drainage Area (mi2) 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4
Bankfull Cross
Sectional Area (ft2) 61.9 50.89 62.14 31.55 31.55 – 62.14
Maximum Bankfull
Depth (ft.) 2.7-3.4 3.28 3.89 2.17 2.17 – 3.89
Width of the
Floodprone Area (ft.) 46 45 40 34.77 34.77 – 45
Bankfull Mean Depth
(ft.) 2.27 1.86 2.2 1.46 1.46 – 2.2
Width/Depth Ratio 12 14.74 12.86 14.77 12.86 – 14.77
Entrenchment Ratio 1.7 1.64 1.41 1.61 1.41 – 1.64
Bankfull Width (ft.) 27.3 27.42 28.3 21.56 21.56 – 28.3
* Riffle values are used for classification purposes, pool values are shown in Appendix A.
2.3 Results of the Stream Assessment
2.3.1 Site Data
The assessment included the survey of five cross sections and the longitudinal
profile of the Middle Fork Creek Site E established by NCDOT after construction.
The length of the profile along the Middle Fork Creek Site E was approximately
900 linear feet. Five cross sections were established during the as-built
monitoring year. Cross section locations were subsequently based on the
stationing of the longitudinal profile and are presented below. The location of the
cross sections and longitudinal profile are shown in Appendix A.
Middle Fork Creek Site E Cross-Sections:
¨ Cross-Section #1: Middle Fork Creek Site E, Station 102+00, midpoint of
riffle
¨ Cross-Section #2: Middle Fork Creek Site E, Station 316+00, midpoint of
pool
¨ Cross-Section #3: Middle Fork Creek Site E, Station 500+00, midpoint of
riffle
¨ Cross-Section #4: Middle Fork Creek Site E, Station 805+00, midpoint of
pool
¨ Cross-Section #5: Middle Fork Creek Site E, Station 853+00, midpoint of
riffle
9
Based on comparisons of the As-Built to the monitoring data, all of the cross
sections appear stable with little or no active bank erosion. Graphs of the cross
sections are presented in Appendix A. Future survey data will vary depending on
actual location of rod placement and alignment; however, this information should
remain similar in appearance. The longitudinal profile showed that the channel
bed was stable for the 2012 monitoring evaluation. Areas of bank erosion were
noted downstream of PP#2 and upstream of PP#4 on the left bank. NCDOT
plans to live stake the eroded banks by March 2013 to help stabilize these areas.
Pebble counts were not required per the permit conditions and therefore were not
completed.
3.0 VEGETATION: MIDDLE FORK CREEK SITE E
3.1 Description of Species
The following tree species were planted on the streambank:
Salix nigra, Black Willow
Cornus amomum, Silky Dogwood
The following tree species were planted in the buffer area:
Liriodendron tulipifera, Yellow Poplar
Platanus occidentalis, Sycamore
Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Green Ash
Quercus alba, White Oak
3.2 Results of Vegetation Monitoring
Streambank & Buffer Vegetation: The streambank reforestation was completed
in March 2012. The Year 1 vegetation monitoring evaluation noted: Type I: Black
Willow, Silky Dogwood, and Type II: Sycamore, Green Ash, Tulip Poplar and
White Oak were surviving at the time of the monitoring evaluation.
3.3 Conclusions
NCDOT will continue to monitor the planted vegetation in 2013.
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
The Middle Fork Creek Site E Mitigation Site has met the required monitoring
protocols for the third formal year of monitoring on the stream and the first formal
year of monitoring on the planted vegetation. The channel throughout the stream
restoration site is stable and the planted vegetation is surviving at this time. The
areas where bank erosion were noted will be live staked by March 2013.
NCDOT will continue monitoring the Middle Fork Creek Site E Mitigation Site in
2013.
10
5.0 REFERENCES
Stream Mitigation Plan, US Highway 19, R-2518A On-Site Mitigation
Madison County, North Carolina, August 2006.
Design Plans for R-2518A, US 19 from I-26 to 0.8 KM east of the Yancey Co.
Line, Stream Mitigation (Preservation, Enhancement, and Restoration),
HSMM.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), April 29, 2008. 404 and
401 Individual Permits for R-2518A and R-2518B (ACOE Permit No. 2007-
2197-357/300 and DWQ Project No. 20071134, Individual Certification No.
3706).
Rosgen, D.L, 1996. Applied River Morphology. Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa
Springs, Colorado.
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 2003. Stream Mitigation Guidelines.
Prepared with cooperation from the US Environmental Protection Agency,
NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and the NC Division of Water Quality.
APPENDIX A
CROSS SECTIONS AND LONGITUDINAL PROFILE
Site E: Cross-Section #1 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
59.32 56.44 50.89
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 3.26 3.28 3.28
Width of the Floodprone Area
(ft.)
45 45 45
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 2.16 2.06 1.86
Width/Depth Ratio 12.74 13.32 14.74
Entrenchment Ratio 1.64 1.64 1.64
Bankfull Width (ft.) 27.51 27.43 27.42
Site E: Cross-Section #2 (Pool) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
45.83 42.38 49.01
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 3.72 3.52 3.74
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 2.28 2.11 2.38
Bankfull Width (ft.) 20.07 20.07 20.55
*According to the Rosgen Classification of Natural Rivers floodprone width, entrenchment
ratio, and width depth ratio are not measured in pool, glide, or run features.
Site E: Cross-Section #3 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
62.4 63.57 62.14
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 3.59 3.53 3.89
Width of the Floodprone Area
(ft.)
40 40 40
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 2.22 2.13 2.2
Width/Depth Ratio 12.64 14.03 12.86
Entrenchment Ratio 1.43 1.34 1.41
Bankfull Width (ft.) 28.06 29.89 28.3
Site E: Cross-Section #4 (Pool) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
69.95 70.4 62.52
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 4.24 4.53 4.58
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 2.37 2.43 2.12
Bankfull Width (ft.) 29.53 28.92 29.45
*According to the Rosgen Classification of Natural Rivers floodprone width, entrenchment
ratio, and width depth ratio are not measured in pool, glide, or run features.
Site E: Cross-Section #5 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
38.49 36.94 31.55
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 2.13 2.28 2.17
Width of the Floodprone Area
(ft.)
34.6 35.05 34.77
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 1.66 1.61 1.46
Width/Depth Ratio 14 14.28 14.77
Entrenchment Ratio 1.49 1.52 1.61
Bankfull Width (ft.) 23.24 22.99 21.56
APPENDIX B
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
Cross Section #3 at Station 4+95.6
Cross Section #7 at Station 17+75.6
Middle Fork Creek Site E
Photo Point #1 (Upstream) Photo Point #1 (Downstream)
Photo Point #2 (Upstream) Photo Point #2 (Downstream)
Photo Point #3 (Upstream) Photo Point #3 (Downstream)
November 2012
Middle Fork Creek Site E
Photo Point #4 (Upstream) Photo Point #4 (Downstream)
Photo Point #5 (Upstream) Photo Point #5 (Downstream)
Bank erosion on left bank downstream of PP#2
November 2012
Middle Fork Creek Site E
Vegetation Overview Photo (Looking Upstream)
Vegetation Overview Photo (Looking Downstream)
September 2012
Middle Fork Creek Site E
Vegetation Overview Photo (Right Buffer)
September 2012