At a Glance
The project has been a pacesetter in the restoration field locally, and has exceeded expectations in species richness and biodiversity.
Project Description
Terry’s Branch drains a 2.8-square-mile watershed that is covered by rugged hills and hollows typical of Eastern Kentucky. Over the years, it has experienced the effects of logging, relocation, and straightening. The stream would have remained in a degraded condition were it not for the efforts of the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). Through an agreement with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, KDFWR restores streams to offset impacts caused by activities such as road construction or mining.
Biohabitats was selected by KDFWR to design, oversee, and monitor the restoration of the lower 2,900-foot reach of Terry’s Branch. Biohabitats’ work included field collection of morphological and vegetative data for the existing reach and two reference reaches; design development including revegetation; 50%, 90%, and 100% plan submittals; and permitting and coordination with regulatory agencies. Biohabitats also developed additional enhancement plans involving bank stabilization and planting for Balls Fork, of which Terry’s Branch is a tributary. Biohabitats provided oversight of the stream restoration construction to ensure the project was implemented properly and to troubleshoot any obstacles encountered. Biohabitats is currently performing the fifth year of post-construction monitoring, and the project continues to yield desired benefits. Species have been recorded utilizing the site that were not previously recorded.