ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2012
UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) Permit Site #7
Mitigation Site
Yancey County
TIP No. R-2518B
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: ......................................................................... 5
.1 Success Criteria ............................................................................. 5
.2 Stream Description .......................................................................... 5
.2.1 Post Construction Conditions .......................................................... 5
.2.2 Monitoring Conditions ..................................................................... 5
.3 Results of Stream Assessment ....................................................... 6
.3.1 Site Data ......................................................................................... 6
3.0 VEGETATION ............................................................................................ 8
.1 Description of Species ..................................................................... 8
.2 Results of Vegetation Monitoring ..................................................... 8
.3 Conclusions .................................................................................... 8
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS ................................. 8
5.0 REFERENCES: ......................................................................................... 9
FIGURES
Figure 1 – Vicinity Map ........................................................................................ 3
Figure 2 – Hydro Site Map ................................................................................... 4
TABLES
Table 1 – Hydro Site Morphological Summary ..................................................... 6
APPENDICES
Appendix A – Cross Sections
Appendix B – Site Photographs
1
SUMMARY
The following report summarizes the stream monitoring activities that have
occurred during the Year 2012 at the UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) Mitigation
Site in Yancey County. The North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT) completed this project in April 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
UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) Mitigation Site (See Success Criteria Section 2.1).
Based on the overall conclusions of monitoring at UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site),
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
ACOE and NCDWQ agreed with NCDOT on emails sent on April 2, 2012 to
discontinue the longitudinal profile survey for the remainder of the five year
monitoring period due to heavy vegetation within the channel. In lieu of doing the
longitudinal profile, visual inspection of the channel stability throughout the reach
and photo documentation at the permanent photo point locations would be
completed. All other monitoring activities will continue to be completed
throughout the five year monitoring period. The channel throughout the stream
relocation site is stable at this time. The streambank and buffer areas were
planted in March 2012 with live stakes and bareroot seedlings. The planted
vegetation is surviving at this time.
NCDOT will continue stream and vegetation monitoring at the UT to Bald Creek
(Hydro Site) 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 UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) Mitigation
Site. The Hydro Site is located on US 19 in Yancey County at Sta. 133+40 to
Sta. 134+80 -L- (Figure 1). The UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) was constructed
to provide mitigation for stream impacts associated with Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) number R-2518B in Yancey County.
The mitigation site provided approximately 443 linear feet of stream relocation.
Construction was completed during April 2009 by the NCDOT. Stream relocation
involved excavation of a floodplain and channel. In-stream cross vane structures
were used to stabilize the channel pattern. The riparian buffer zone 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 UT to Bald
Creek (Hydro Site) Mitigation Site. Hydrologic monitoring was not required for
this site.
1.3 Project History
April 2009 Construction Completed
October 2009 As-Built Survey Completed
February 2010 Site Planted (Type I only)
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 UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) stream mitigation site was used for the
R-2518B project to compensate for unavoidable stream impacts.
3
Figure 1. Vicinity Map
4
Figure 2. Hydro Site Map
5
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 relocation of UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) Mitigation Site involved
excavation of a floodplain and channel. In-stream cross vane structures were
used to stabilize the channel pattern. The riparian buffer zone was also planted.
2.2.2 Monitoring Conditions
The objective of the UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) stream relocation was to
restore a B 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 (Hydro Site).
6
Table 1. Abbreviated Morphological Summary (UT to Bald Creek - Hydro Site)
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) 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Bankfull Cross
Sectional Area (ft2) 16 4.03 0.89 10.27 0.89 – 10.27
Maximum Bankfull
Depth (ft.) 2 0.57 0.37 1.31 0.37 – 1.31
Width of the
Floodprone Area (ft.) 22 15.6 20.95 22 15.6 – 22
Bankfull Mean Depth
(ft.) 1.33 0.32 0.16 0.82 0.16 – 0.82
Width/Depth Ratio 9 39.59 34.31 15.27 15.27 – 39.59
Entrenchment Ratio 1.83 1.23 3.82 1.76 1.23 – 3.82
Bankfull Width (ft.) 12 12.67 5.49 12.52 5.49 – 12.67
* 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 of the UT to Bald
Creek (Hydro Site) established by NCDOT after construction. 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 are shown in
Appendix A.
UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) Cross-Sections:
¨ Cross-Section #1: Hydro Site, Station 43+00, midpoint of riffle
¨ Cross-Section #2: Hydro Site, Station 67+00, midpoint of pool
¨ Cross-Section #3: Hydro Site, Station 135+00, midpoint of riffle
¨ Cross-Section #4: Hydro Site, Station 240+00, midpoint of pool
¨ Cross-Section #5: Hydro Site, Station 335+00, midpoint of riffle
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.
7
The ACOE and NCDWQ agreed with NCDOT on emails sent on April 2, 2012 to
discontinue the longitudinal profile survey for the remainder of the five year
monitoring period due to heavy vegetation within the channel. In lieu of doing the
longitudinal profile, visual inspection of the channel stability throughout the reach
and photo documentation at the permanent photo point locations would be
completed. All other monitoring activities will continue to be completed
throughout the five year monitoring period. Photo points 1 through 4 showed an
extensive growth of herbaceous and woody vegetation. The channel bed is
stable throughout the stream site at this time. Pebble counts were not required
per the permit conditions and therefore were not completed.
8
3.0 VEGETATION: UT to BALD CREEK (HYDRO SITE)
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 monitoring evaluation.
3.3 Conclusions
NCDOT will continue to monitor the planted vegetation in 2013.
4.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
The UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site) 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 relocation site is stable and the planted vegetation is surviving at this
time. NCDOT will continue monitoring the UT to Bald Creek (Hydro Site)
Mitigation Site in 2013.
9
5.0 REFERENCES
Stream Mitigation Plan, US Highway 19, R-2518B On-Site Mitigation
Yancey County, North Carolina, February 2007.
Stream Mitigation Plan Sheets for R-2518B, US 19 from east of the Madison
County line to SR 1336, Stream Mitigation (Preservation, Enhancement,
and Restoration), Buck Engineering.
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
Hydro Site: Cross-Section #1 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
8.62 6.07 4.03
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.07 0.72 0.57
Width of the Floodprone Area
(ft)
16.72 15.35 15.6
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.71 0.51 0.32
Width/Depth Ratio 17.11 23.53 39.59
Entrenchment Ratio 1.38 1.28 1.23
Bankfull Width (ft.) 12.15 12 12.67
Hydro Site: Cross-Section #2 (Pool) Abbreviated Morphological Summary*
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 16.25 15.46 13.3
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 2.23 1.91 1.55
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 1.19 1.13 0.97
Bankfull Width (ft.) 13.6 13.7 13.73
* 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.
Hydro Site: Cross-Section #3 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
1.03 2.76 0.89
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 0.52 0.81 0.37
Width of the Floodprone Area
(ft.)
23.23 25.2 20.95
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.23 0.41 0.16
Width/Depth Ratio 19.57 16.41 34.31
Entrenchment Ratio 5.16 3.74 3.82
Bankfull Width (ft.) 4.5 6.73 5.49
Hydro Site: Cross-Section #4 (Pool) Abbreviated Morphological Summary*
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area (ft2) 15.15 14.32 13.19
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.74 1.62 1.52
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.94 0.89 0.82
Bankfull Width (ft.) 16.04 16.07 16.16
* 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.
Hydro Site: Cross-Section #5 (Riffle) Abbreviated Morphological Summary
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Bankfull Cross Sectional Area
(ft2)
11.63 10.38 10.27
Maximum Bankfull Depth (ft.) 1.46 1.3 1.31
Width of the Floodprone Area
(ft.)
22 22 22
Bankfull Mean Depth (ft.) 0.91 0.83 0.82
Width/Depth Ratio 14.05 15.13 15.27
Entrenchment Ratio 1.72 1.75 1.76
Bankfull Width (ft.) 12.79 12.56 12.52
APPENDIX B
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
Cross Section #3 at Station 4+95.6
Cross Section #7 at Station 17+75.6
Hydro Site
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
Hydro Site
Photo Point #4 (Upstream) Photo Point #4 (Downstream)
November 2012
Hydro Site
Vegetation Overview Photo
September 2012