A Caswell County WRP project has restored a section of creek that was straightened in the early fifties to increase drainage and to align fields for crops. The site, which lies in the floodplain of the Dan River, was used for crop production until 1995. Even with the drainage improvements in place, this site continued to flood. NRCS District Conservationist, Warren Mincey said, “We’ve been out here a time or two and seen carp swimming in some of the lower areas of the fields.” Jacob Crandall, North Carolina’s WRP manager, adds, “This is the first WRP project where we have used Fluvial Geomorphology to restore hydrology on a WRP site in North Carolina. We are very excited about using this new technology in WRP.”

The restoration design imitates nature by restoring a natural meandering pattern to the creek and has resulted in the creation of 26-acres of prime wildlife habitat. Engineers predicted that restoring the stream’s channel would create a wide zone of soil saturation and surface water ponding across the fields. Recent observations have proven those predictions to be accurate. Today, heron tracks, crayfish chimneys, and wetland wild flowers can be found where the plow once passed.

Mincey described the history of the project. He said, “The original creek meandered through this property somewhat similar to what we have constructed here. [The restoration project has] a few more bends than what the original alignment had. There is evidence in the woods of an old oxbow lake. The channel must have shifted its location at times because during construction we hit veins of sand that imply other channel locations.”

Mincey explained that the site’s permanent WRP easement existed before the current owner bought the land. The owner is a “wildlife enthusiast” who is highly interested in the development of wildlife habitat. Mincey said the site is in step with the owner’s wildlife objectives.

Mincey further explained that the restoration will involve a couple of shallow pools to provide a marshy habitat. The pools will range in size from a quarter to a third of an acre. Once the stream restoration work is complete, NRCS plans on doing some further wetland enhancement away from this channel. The enhancement will include installing additional ditch plugs and building some low dikes to get more water over some of the low lying areas.

The project includes the planting of both upland and lowland trees, with attention to site factors that promote the success of these food and cover species. Mincey explained that Walnut trees, a native species to this site, and some Bald cypress trees were planted to give the site some diversity. “We tried to accommodate the landowner’s intentions with some structures for waterfowl and the planting of hardwoods.” Black walnut, Willow oak and Persimmon will be planted on the higher elevations. Cherry Bark oak will be planted in the lower areas along with Swamp Chestnut oak.

According to North Carolina NRCS Biologist, Matt Flint, “This project has enhanced wildlife habitat for the broadest array of fish and wildlife that I can imagine. Permanent habitat is provided for freshwater fish and shellfish, all kinds of songbirds, waterfowl, amphibians, wild turkey, and white-tailed deer.”

Story submitted by Jeff Raifsnider, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist