Chattahoochee River Headwaters Stream Restoration

Below you will find information information regarding a 319 request that will be submitted for this funding cycle on the Upper Chattahoochee. I spoke with Nathan and Dale about trying to replicate some of the 319 work we’ve been doing here in Habersham County. Much of our success can be directly attributed to establishing formal collaborative partners on key projects. In the next few days you’ll be receiving information about how to connect with this project. Please consider joining the effort.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks in advance for your help!

Steven Patrick
Agriculture & Natural Resources
County Extension Coordinator
University of Georgia Extension
Habersham County, Northeast District
(706) 754-2318 stevep@uga.edu



Dale Caldwell
Headwaters Watershed Protection Specialist
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
C: 770-530-3961
www.chattahoochee.org
Keeping Watch Over Our Waters Since 1994!
 

Nacoochee Valley, Sautee Nacoochee

Summary and Site Location: In the Appalachian foothills of northeast Georgia, the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River flow through Sautee Nacoochee, an unincorporated community in the eastern central part of White County. Within the Nacoochee Valley and approximately 550 feet downstream of the confluence of Sautee Creek, a 250-foot section of a highly eroded and unstable outer bank of the Chattahoochee River results in heavy sediment pollution, negatively impacting habitat for desirable flora and fauna in a “303(d) listed for biotic impairment (Bio F)” section of the river, which is also located in a “Priority HUC-12 Watershed”. This erosion also causes channel deepening and widening, prohibiting floodplain connection. This disconnection starves the adjacent wetlands of water and exacerbates downstream flooding.

Proposal: Conduct a stream restoration project with the following goals:

·         Improve water quality by eliminating bank erosion and resulting sedimentation, contributing to the possible delisting of an impaired segment of the Chattahoochee River

·         Improve habitat for desirable flora and fauna

·         Reconnect the stream channel with its floodplain in order to reduce further instream channel erosion and downstream flooding, and to preserve adjacent wetlands

·         Restore an aesthetically pleasing landscape to its natural and pre-impacted state

This project will restore 500 linear feet of stream, using Natural Channel Design (versus hard armoring or rip-rap installation). Natural Channel Design techniques use best available science and engineering in order to effectively remedy streambank erosion rather than diverting the problem elsewhere in the channel, a result typically seen when hard armoring banks. This design will incorporate:

·         Appropriate channel dimension (cross-section), pattern (plan view), and profile (bedform)

·         Stable streambanks constructed at a low slope, with appropriate matting and native vegetation

·         In-stream structures (e.g., offset boulder cross vane, boulder cross vane, log vane, log/boulder J-hook, brush toe) to provide bank protection, grade control, streambed diversity, and improved habitat

·         Riffles and pools in the streambed to promote habitat and energy dissipation

·         Off-line pools constructed in portions of the remnant channel, in order to provide riparian habitat and flood storage