ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2012
UT to Muddy Creek Mitigation Site
Randolph County
TIP No. R-2606WM
COE Action ID: SAW-2004-00340
DWQ #: 2006-0331
Prepared By:
Natural Environment Section & Roadside Environmental Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
November 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION: ...................................................................................... 2
1.1 Project Description ......................................................................... 2
1.2 Purpose ........................................................................................ 2
1.3 Project History ............................................................................... 2
1.4 Debit Ledger ................................................................................... 2
2.0 STREAM ASSESSMENT: ......................................................................... 4
2.1 Success Criteria .............................................................................. 4
2.2 Stream Description ......................................................................... 4
2.2.1 Stream Description .................................................... 4
2.2.2 Stream Description .................................................... 4
2.3 Results of Stream Assessment ....................................................... 6
2.3.1 Site Data .................................................................... 6
2.4 Results of Stream and Buffer Vegetation ........................................ 7
2.4.1 Description of Species ............................................... 7
2.4.2 Results of Vegetation Monitoring ............................... 7
2.4.3 Conclusions ............................................................... 8
3.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................ 8
4.0 REFERENCES .......................................................................................... 8
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 – Vicinity Map ........................................................................................ 3
TABLES
Table 1 – Abbreviated Morphological Summary .................................................. 5
Table 2 – Vegetation Monitoring Results ............................................................. 7
APPENDICES
Appendix A – Cross Section Comparisons & Longitudinal Profile
Appendix B – Site Photographs, Cross Section, Vegetation Plot & Photo Point Locations
1
SUMMARY
The following report summarizes the stream monitoring activities that have occurred
during 2012 at the UT to Muddy Creek Mitigation Site in Randolph County. The site
was completed construction in November 2010 and planted in March 2011 by the North
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). This report provides the monitoring
results for the second formal year of monitoring (Year 2012). The Year 2012 monitoring
period is the second of five scheduled years for monitoring on UT to Muddy Creek
Mitigation Site (See Success Criteria Section 2.1).
Based on the overall conclusions of monitoring along the UT to Muddy Creek, the site
has met the required monitoring protocols for the second formal year of monitoring.
Based on comparing the monitoring data to the as-built data, the channel is stable
throughout the stream at this time. The streambank and buffer areas are vegetated for
the second year of monitoring.
NCDOT will continue stream monitoring at the UT to Muddy Creek Mitigation Site for
2013.
2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
The following report summarizes the stream monitoring activities that have occurred
during 2012 at the UT to Muddy Creek Mitigation Site. The site is located approximately
8 miles southeast of High Point. It is adjacent to US-311 Bypass (R-2606) and just
south of Cedar Square Road and north of Spencer Road (Figure 1). The UT to Muddy
Creek Mitigation Site was constructed to provide mitigation for stream impacts
associated with Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) number R-2606 in
Randolph County.
The mitigation project covers approximately 1,380 linear feet of stream restoration.
Construction was completed in November 2010 and planted in March 2011 by NCDOT.
Stream restoration involved the installation of rock cross vanes, rock a-vanes and rock
vanes, construction of a new stream channel and construction of the floodplain to allow
for overbank flooding. It also included the installation of coir fiber matting and live
stakes along the streambank and bareroot seedlings in the buffer area.
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 UT to Muddy Creek
Mitigation Site. Hydrologic monitoring was not required for the site.
1.3 Project History
November 2010 Construction Completed
March 2011 Planted Live Stakes and Bareroot Seedlings
July 2011 Vegetation Monitoring (Year 1)
October 2011
September 2012
Stream Monitoring (Year 1)
Vegetation Monitoring (Year 2)
October 2012 Stream Monitoring (Year 2)
1.4 Debit Ledger
The entire UT to Muddy Creek stream mitigation site was used for the R-2606 project to
compensate for unavoidable stream impacts.
3
Figure 1. Vicinity Map
4
2.0 STREAM ASSESSMENT
2.1 Success Criteria
In accordance with the approved mitigation plan, NCDOT will evaluate the success of
the stream restoration project based on guidance provided by the Stream Mitigation
Guidelines disseminated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers-Wilmington
District. The survey of channel dimension will consist of permanent cross sections
placed at approximately seven cross sections (four riffles and three pools). Annual
photographs showing both banks and upstream and downstream views will be taken
from permanent, mapped photo points. The survey of the longitudinal profile will
represent distinct areas of the stream and will cover a cumulative total of 1,370 linear
feet of channel (Main Channel: 1,275 lf. and Tributary: 95 lf). The entire restored length
of stream will be investigated for channel stability and in-stream structure functionality.
Any evidence of channel instability will be identified, mapped and photographed.
Vegetation Success
The success of vegetation plantings will be measured through stem counts. Permanent
quadrants will be used to sample the riparian buffer. Survival of the live stakes will be
determined by visual observation throughout the 5 year monitoring period.
Bareroot vegetation will be evaluated using 4 staked survival plots. Plots will be 50 ft.
by 50 ft. and all flagged stems will be counted in those plots. Success will be defined as
320 stems per acre after 5 years. All vegetation monitoring will be conducted during the
growing season.
2.2 Stream Description
2.2.1 Post-Construction Conditions
The mitigation project covers approximately 1,380 linear feet of stream restoration.
Construction was completed in November 2010 and planted in March 2011 by NCDOT.
Stream restoration involved the installation of rock cross vanes, rock a-vane, and rock
vanes, construction of a new stream channel and construction of the floodplain to allow
for overbank flooding. It also included the installation of coir fiber matting and live
stakes along the streambank and bareroot seedlings in the buffer area.
2.2.2 Monitoring Conditions
The objective of the UT to Muddy Creek Mitigation Site was to restore a C5 stream type
as identified in the Rosgen’s Applied River Morphology. A total of seven cross sections
(four in a riffle, three in a pool) were surveyed. For this report, Table 1 only included
cross sections containing riffles in the comparison of channel morphology.
5
Table 1. Abbreviated Morphological Summary (UT to Muddy Creek Cross Sections #1, #3, #4, & #6)
Variable As-Built
Cross
Section #1
(Riffle)
Main Channel
Cross
Section #3
(Riffle)
Main Channel
Cross
Section #4
(Riffle)
Tributary
Cross
Section #6
(Riffle)
Main Channel
Min. - Max Values
(Riffle Sections Only)
2012 2012 2012 2012 2012
Drainage Area (sq. mi) 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
Bankfull Width (ft.) 11.3 12.75 14.76 7.39 13.79 7.39 – 14.76
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.7 0.94 0.77 0.47 0.67 0.47 – 0.94
Width/Depth Ratio 16.1 13.56 19.17 15.72 20.58 13.56 – 20.58
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft
2
) 8.0 11.93 11.38 3.48 9.21 3.48 – 11.93
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.0 1.82 1.73 0.84 1.1 0.84 – 1.82
Floodprone Area (ft.) 24.9 - 30.5 34.21 47 23.11 39.49 23.11 - 47
Entrenchment Ratio 2.2 – 2.7 2.68 3.18 3.13 2.86 2.68 – 3.18
*Drainage Area, Floodprone Width, and Slope are averaged values only.
*Riffle values are used for classification purposes.
6
2.3 Results of the Stream Assessment
2.3.1 Site Data
The assessment included the survey of seven cross sections and the longitudinal profile
of UT to Muddy Creek established by the NCDOT after construction. The length of the
profile along Muddy Creek Mitigation Site was approximately 1,370 linear feet (Main
Channel: 1275 lf. and Tributary: 95 lf). Seven cross sections were established during
the as-built survey. Cross section locations were subsequently based on the stationing
of the longitudinal profile and are presented below. The locations of the cross sections
and longitudinal profile are shown in Appendix A.
¨ Cross Section #1. UT Muddy Creek, Station 166+00 linear feet, midpoint of riffle
¨ Cross Section #2. UT Muddy Creek, Station 297+00 linear feet, midpoint of pool
¨ Cross Section #3. UT Muddy Creek, Station 371+00 linear feet, midpoint of riffle
¨ Cross Section #4. UT Muddy Creek, Station 19+00 linear feet, midpoint of riffle
(tributary)
¨ Cross Section #5. UT Muddy Creek, Station 713+00 linear feet, midpoint of pool
¨ Cross Section #6. UT Muddy Creek, Station 957+00 linear feet, midpoint of riffle
¨ Cross Section #7. UT Muddy Creek, Station 1160+00 linear feet, midpoint of
pool
Based on comparisons of the monitoring data to the as-built data, all seven 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 there is a slight headcut at
Sta. 75+00 and water was piping under a crossvane at Sta. 88+00. Some minor bank
scouring was noted on the left bank just downstream of Cross Section #5. A bankfull
event has occurred since the last monitoring evaluation in 2011.
7
2.4 Results of Stream and Buffer Vegetation
2.4.1 Description of Species
The following live stake species were planted on the streambank:
Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush
Cornus amomum, Silky Dogwood
The following tree species were planted in the buffer area:
Platanus occidentalis, Sycamore
Quercus lyrata, Overcup Oak
Betula Nigra, River Birch
Liriodendron Tulipifera, Tulip Poplar
2.4.2 Results of Vegetation Monitoring
Table 2. Vegetation Monitoring Results: Four 50 ft. x 50 ft. vegetation plots were set
to determine the trees per acre in the buffer area.
Plot #
Sycamore
Overcup Oak
River Birch
Tulip Poplar
Total (Year 2)
Total (at planting)
Density (Trees/Acre)
1 2 0 6 2 7 3 5 3 8 6 2 6
2 1 2 2 7 2 1 2 1 6 8 0
3 1 9 7 7 6 3 9 4 2 6 3 1
4 1 8 6 6 2 3 2 4 4 4 9 5
6 0 8
A v e ra g e
D e n s ity
(T re e s /A c re )
Site Notes: The buttonbush and silky dogwood live stakes are surviving along the
streambank. Other vegetation noted included, horse-nettle, sweetgum, fennel, briars,
goldenrod, Juncus sp., tear-thumb, baccharis, black willow, pokeberry, cattail, sumac,
winged elm, and various grasses.
8
2.4.3 Conclusions
There were four vegetation monitoring plots established throughout the buffer area. The
2012 vegetation monitoring of the site revealed an average tree density of 608 trees per
acre. This average is above the minimum success criteria of 320 trees per acre after
year two monitoring.
3.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
The UT to Muddy Creek Mitigation Site has met the required monitoring protocols for
the second formal year of monitoring. The channel and structures throughout the
stream are stable at this time. The streambank and buffer area are vegetated for the
second year of monitoring.
NCDOT will continue stream monitoring at the UT to Muddy Creek Mitigation Site for
2013.
4.0 REFERENCES
Stream and Wetland Mitigation Plan for UT to Muddy Creek (CF-16 Site) Randolph
County, NC, August 2006
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 SECTION COMPARISONS
&
LONGTITUDINAL PROFILE
Cross-Section #1 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bankfull Width (ft.) 12.71 12.75
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.85 0.94
Width/Depth Ratio 14.95 13.56
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 10.84 11.93
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.63 1.82
Width of the Floodprone Area (ft.) 32.59 34.21
Entrenchment Ratio 2.56 2.68
Cross-Section #2 (Pool) Abbreviated Morphological Summary*
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 17.95 12.52
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 2.39 1.98
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 1.38 1.15
Bankfull Width (ft.) 13 10.93
* 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.
Cross-Section #3 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bankfull Width (ft.) 14.94 14.76
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.75 0.77
Width/Depth Ratio 19.92 19.17
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 11.18 11.38
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.53 1.73
Width of the Floodprone Area (ft.) 45.62 47
Entrenchment Ratio 3.05 3.18
Cross-Section #4 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bankfull Width (ft.) 8.95 7.39
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.61 0.47
Width/Depth Ratio 14.67 15.72
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 5.42 3.48
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.22 0.84
Width of the Floodprone Area (ft.) 24.84 23.11
Entrenchment Ratio 3.05 3.13
Cross-Section #5 (Pool) Abbreviated Morphological Summary*
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 26.83 27.78
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 2.65 3.19
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 1.5 1.55
Bankfull Width (ft.) 17.9 17.87
* 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.
Cross-Section #6 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bankfull Width (ft.) 15 13.79
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.71 0.67
Width/Depth Ratio 21.13 20.58
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 10.72 9.21
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.33 1.1
Width of the Floodprone Area (ft.) 40.86 39.49
Entrenchment Ratio 2.72 2.86
Cross-Section #7(Pool) Abbreviated Morphological Summary*
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 16.32 15.44
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.85 1.92
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 1.59 1.5
Bankfull Width (ft.) 10.3 10.3
* 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.
APPENDIX B
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS, CROSS SECTION, VEGETATION
PLOT & PHOTO POINT LOCATIONS
Cross Section #3 at Station 4+95.6
Cross Section #7 at Station 17+75.6
UT to Muddy Creek
Photo Point #1 (Upstream) 10-23-12 Photo Point #1 (Downstream) 10-23-12
Photo Point #2 (Upstream) 10-23-12 Photo Point #2 (Downstream) 10-23-12
Photo Point #3 (Upstream) 10-23-12 Photo Point #3 (Downstream) 10-23-12
UT to Muddy Creek
Photo Point #4 (Upstream @ Tributary) 10-23-12 Photo Point #4 (Downstream @ Tributary) 10-23-12
Photo Point #5 (Upstream) 10-23-12 Photo Point #5 (Downstream) 10-23-12
Photo Point #6 (Upstream) 10-23-12 Photo Point #6 (Downstream) 10-23-12
UT to Muddy Creek
Photo Point #7 (Upstream) 10-23-12 Photo Point #7 (Downstream) 10-23-12
Overview (Upstream) 9-13-12 Overview (Downstream) 9-13-12
Overview (Upstream) 9-13-12 Overview (Downstream) 9-13-12
UT to Muddy Creek
Bank scouring on left bank just downstream of XS#5
10-23-12