Sullivan Park Stream Restoration

One of the major causes of water quality impairment in the Mud Creek Watershed happened to be habitat degradation. The existing stream runs through the park and has experienced heavy erosion rates from both streambanks at roughly 179 tons of sediment per year. The riparian buffer is dominated by invasive species (Japanese knotweed, kudzu, multiflora rose, Japanese privet).

The restoration project aimed to reduce erosion related to sediment load, estimated to reduce erosion levels of up to 95% establishing a resilient, natural equilibrium riffle-pool stream system with a functional floodplain to dissipate overbank flow energy. Modifications have been made to the previous low head dam to construct a boulder riffle to improve the aquatic organism passage and habitat of the area, improving overall aquatic health. Additionally, the streambanks and floodplain will be vegetated with native riparian shrubs and trees that will manage hydraulic forces, optimize erosion control measures, and establish a healthy forest buffer zone in the stream. This project serves as an educational site for stream erosion impacts and natural erosion control which will inspire future restoration projects.