HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170887 Ver 1_Bethel Branch Monitoring Year 4 Report - Reduced_20221212ID#* 20170887
Select Reviewer:
Erin Davis
Initial Review Completed Date 12/14/2022
Mitigation Project Submittal - 12/12/2022
Version* 1
Is this a Prospectus, Technical Proposal or a New Site?*
Type of Mitigation Project:*
Stream Wetlands Buffer Nutrient Offset
(Select all that apply)
Project Contact Information
Contact Name:*
Jason Lorch
Project Information
O Yes O No
Email Address:*
jlorch@wildlandseng.com
ID#:* 20170887 Version:* 1
Existing ID# Existing Version
Project Type: DMS • Mitigation Bank
Project Name: Cane Creek Umbrella Mitigation Bank -
Bethel Branch
County: Chatham
Document Information
Mitigation Document Type:*
Mitigation Monitoring Report
File Upload: Bethel Branch Monitoring Year 4 Report -
8.75MB
Reduced.pdf
Please upload only one PDF of the complete file that needs to be submitted...
Signature
Print Name: * Jason Lorch
Signature: *
[adOYt6 cG
December 12, 2022
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District, Regulatory Division
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Attention: Kimberly Isenhour
Subject: Action ID No. SAW-2016-02365
Cane Creek Umbrella Mitigation Bank – Bethel Branch Site
Sixth Credit Release (Monitoring Year 4 Completion)
Dear Ms. Isenhour:
This correspondence is in reference to the Bethel Branch Mitigation Site, part of the Cane Creek Umbrella Mitigation
Bank. The 16.30-acre site is in the Cape Fear 02 Cataloging Unit (03030002) and is located at 227 RE Wright Road,
near Snow Camp, in Chatham County, NC. The purpose of this letter is to request the sixth release of credits (Year 4
Monitoring Complete) for this mitigation site.
Monitoring Year 4 (MY4) data collection and site visits were completed in November 2022. Vegetation has become
well established along the stream banks and desirable volunteer tree species have begun to fill in. Survival and growth
of planted trees appear to be on track meet interim success criteria. Visual assessment indicated that all stream
reaches within the Site are geomorphically stable and functioning as designed. Bank pins show minor scour on the
downstream end of UT3. Bankfull events were recorded on all three tributaries.Bankfull events have occurred on site
during MY1, MY2, MY3, and MY4; therefore, the site has met the stream bankfull standard for the seven year
monitoring period. The flow gauge on UT3 showed baseflow for 37 consecutive days and a total of 105 days. Five
groundwater gauges met the success criterion and the sixth was short by one day. No easement encroachment or
stream crossing issues have been identified in MY4. Overall, the Site is on track to meet MY7 success criteria.
Pursuant to the Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument and the site-specific Bethel Branch Final Mitigation Plan,
successful completion of MY4 activities and demonstration that interim performance standards are being met within
the bank allows for five percent (5%) of the mitigation site’s total stream and five percent (5%) of the total wetland
credits to be available for sale. The stream bankfull standard has been met allowing for an additional release of ten
percent (10%) of the total stream credits. Therefore, we are requesting 780.30 stream credits and 0.157 riparian
wetland credits be released.
Please contact me at 919-851-9986 x103 if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jeff Keaton
Project Manager
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. phone919-851-9986312 West Millbrook Road, Suite 225Raleigh, NC 27609
Comments
Release 1. Bank Establishment. 15%Release 2. As-built Release. 15%Release 3. Year 1 Monitoring Release. 10%Release 4. Year 2 Monitoring Release. 10%Release 5. Year 3 Monitoring Release.
10%
780.30
1,560.602,080.802,601.002,595.002,539.003,059.202,613.20
2,613.20
Available
6.00
56.00
446.00
Total
Withdrawn
6.00
342.00446.00
Impact
Quantity
HUC
Impact
030300020303000203030002
Credit WarmWarmWarmWarmWarmWarmWarmWarm
Classification
00746
00446
--
Permits
(SAW #)20172020
-
-
SAW-2021-01617SAW
SAW
6.00
56.00
780.30 780.30 520.20 520.20 520.20 446.00
Credits
Project Name
Use Destination Center
-
Stream Credit Ledger
Cape Fear (HUC 03030002)
Date Last Updated: 12-8-2022
USACE Action ID No. SAW-2016-02365
Green Level MixedThe Courtyards at Southerland residential developmentChatham Park North Village
Total Credits Released To Date: 3,121.20
Cane Creek Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument: Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Permittee
Duke University Health System, Inc.Epcon Communities, Inc.Chatham Park Investors
Date
6/4/2021
2/25/20201/28/20212/15/20223/18/20225/23/2022
10/21/201910/21/2019
Jurisdiction
Wake CountyWake CountyChatham County
SMUSMUSMUSMUSMUSMUSMUSMU
Type
Comments
Release 1. Bank Establishment (15%). Release letter incorrectly showed the release as 0.47Release 2. As-built Release (15%). Release letter incorectly showd the relase as 0.47Release
3. Year 1 Monitoring Release (10%). Release letter correctly showed the total release as 1.256 Partial sale. Needed 0.96 credits Release 4. Year 2 Monitoring (10%)Completed 0.96 credits
needed from 5-28-20Release 5. Year 3 Monitoring (15%)
0.4710.9421.2561.1241.1140.9140.0040.3180.2680.1080.0080.4790.4280.132 0.132
Available
0.1400.1500.3501.260
1.3100.1600.1000.0510.296
Total
Withdrawn
0.0660.0040.1000.4800.4800.1510.1300.0510.296
Impact
Quantity
HUC
Impact
030300020303000203030002030300020303000203030002030300020303000203030002
Credit Classification riparian riverine riparian riverine riparian riverine riparian riverine riparian non-riverineriparian non-riverineriparian non-riverineriparian riverine riparian
non-riverineriparian riverine riparian non-riverineriparian riverine riparian non-riverineRiparain non-riverine
0044600746
--
Permits
(SAW #)2018-020752016-19932018-020382018-015512018-0155120172020
-------
SAWSAWSAWSAWSAWSAWSAW-2019-02348SAWSAW-2019-01283
0.05 0.16 0.10
0.471 0.4710.3140.132 0.010 0.200 0.910 0.314 0.471 0.051 0.296
Credits
Use Destination Center
-
Project Name
Cape Fear (HUC 03030002)
Date Last Updated: 12-8-2022
Riparian Wetland Credit Ledger
PNG Gas Line ProjectLinden - Lot 22McConnell Center Lot 9Courtyards at HoltCourtyards at HoltGreen Level MixedThe Park of WimberlyChatham Park North VillageCarpenter Fire Station Apartments
Total Credits Released To Date: 2.041
USACE Action ID No. SAW-2016-02365
Cane Creek Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument: Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Permittee
Piedmont Natural GasDan Ryan BuildersGoria Youngs Mill, LLCEpcon Holt Road LLCEpcon Holt Road LLCDuke University Health System, Inc.Envision Homes, LLCChatham Park InvestorsWP East
Acquisitions, LLC
Date
6/4/2021
2/25/20204/27/20205/11/20205/14/20205/28/20201/28/20214/29/20216/10/20213/18/20225/23/2022
10/21/201910/21/201911/29/2022
Jurisdiction
Guilford CountyWake CountyGuilford CountyWake CountyWake CountyWake CountyWake CountyChatham CountyWake County
Type
WMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMUWMU
Date
2/25/20201/28/20213/18/2022
10/21/201910/21/2019
Actual Release
Date
Projected
Release Date
February 2023February 2024February 2025February 2026February 2023
NANANA
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Coastal
Credits
NANANA
15%15%10%15%20%10%15%
Releases
Scheduled
Non-Forested Wetland
Chatham 03030002201612-Dec-21
NA
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
N/AN/A
Credits
Coastal
Wetland
Non-Riparian
Non-Forested
NA
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
N/AN/A
Riparian
Non-RiparianNon-Riverine
County:8-Digit HUC:Year Project Instituted:Date Prepared:
NA
N/AN/A
0.4710.4710.3140.3140.4710.1570.4710.1570.314 2.041
Forested Wetland Credits
RiparianRiverine
Riparian
Non-Riverine
Forested Wetland Credits
NA
5%5%
65%
3.1415%15%10%10%15%15%10%
3.107
Riverine
Riparian
Releases
Scheduled
Current and Future Credit Releases
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
N/AN/A
Cold Cold
WaterWater
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
N/AN/A
Cool Cool
WaterWater
Wilmington District Mitigation Bank Credit Release Schedule
Total Potential Credits
Stream Credits
5,2285,202
Warm Warm
WaterWater
Stream Credits 780.30780.30520.20520.20520.20260.10520.20260.10520.20520.20
3,121.20
5%5%
10%60%
15%15%10%10%10%10%10%
Releases
Scheduled
Cane Creek UMBI - Bethel Branch Mitigation SiteWildlands Holdings IV, LLCSAW-2016-023652017-0887v1
Signature of Wilmington District Official Approving Credit Release
1, 2
4
3
Credit Classification
2 (Year 0/As-Built)
3 (Year 1 Monitoring)4 (Year 2 Monitoring)5 (Year 3 Monitoring)6 (Year 4 Monitoring)7 (Year 5 Monitoring)8 (Year 6 Monitoring)9 (Year 7 Monitoring)
Potential Credits from As-Built Survey
Potential Credits from Mitigation Plan
Credit Release Milestone
Stream Bankfull Standard
Total Credits Release to Date
1 (Bank/Site Establishment)
Project Name:Sponsor Name:USACE Action ID:NCDWQ Action ID:Contingencies (if any): None 1 - The first credit release milestone is based on the potential credits stated in the approved
mitigation plan.2 - The first credit release shall occur upon establishment of the mitigation bank, which includes the following criteria: 1) Execution of the MBI or UMBI by the
Sponsor and the USACE; 2) Approval of the final Mitigation Plan; 3) Mitigation bank site must be secured; 4) Delivery of the financial assurances described in the Mitigation
Plan; 5) Recordation of the long-term protection mechanism and title opinion acceptable to the USACE; 6) 404 permit verification for construction of the site, if required.3
- The second credit release is based on the credit totals from the as-built survey, and may differ slightly from the credit totals stated in the mitigation plan.4 - A 10% reserve of
credits to be held back until the bankfull event performance standard has been met.
CANE CREEK UMBRELLA MITIGATION BANK
MONITORING YEAR 4 REPORT
BETHEL BRANCH MITIGATION SITE
Chatham County, NC
Cape Fear River Basin
HUC 03030002
USACE Action ID Number 2016-02365
Data Collection Period: January - November 2022
Submission Date: December 12, 2022
PREPARED FOR:
The North Carolina Interagency Review Team (IRT)
USACE Project Manager: Kimberly Isenhour
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
PREPARED BY:
Wildlands Engineering, Inc.
312 West Millbrook Road, Suite 225
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 851-9986
December 2022
BETHEL BRANCH MITIGATION SITE
Monitoring Year 4 Report
Section 1: PROJECT OVERVIEW .....................................................................................................1-1
1.1 Project Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................... 1-1
Section 2: MONITORING YEAR 4 DATA ASSESSMENT .....................................................................2-1
2.1 Vegetation Assessment .............................................................................................................. 2-1
2.2 Vegetation Areas of Concern ..................................................................................................... 2-1
2.3 Stream Assessment .................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.4 Stream Areas of Concern ........................................................................................................... 2-1
2.5 Stream Hydrology Assessment .................................................................................................. 2-2
2.6 Wetland Assessment .................................................................................................................. 2-2
2.7 Adaptive Management Plan ...................................................................................................... 2-3
2.8 Monitoring Year 4 Summary ...................................................................................................... 2-3
Section 3: METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................3-1
Section 4: REFERENCES .................................................................................................................4-1
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 General Figures and Tables
Figure 1 Vicinity Map
Figure 2 Project Component/Asset Map
Table 1 Project Components and Mitigation Credits
Table 2 Project Activity and Reporting History
Table 3 Project Contact Table
Table 4 Project Information and Attributes
Appendix 2 Visual Assessment Data
Figure 3 Integrated Current Condition Plan View Map
Table 5a-c Visual Stream Morphology Stability Assessment Table
Table 6 Vegetation Condition Assessment Table
Stream Photographs
Vegetation Plot Photographs
Groundwater Well Photographs
Appendix 3 Vegetation Plot Data*
Table 7 Vegetation Plot Criteria Attainment Table
Table 8a Fixed Plots: Planted and Total Stem Density
Table 8b Random Plots: Planted and Total Stem Density
Appendix 4 Morphological Summary Data and Plots
Table 9 Morphology and Hydraulic Summary (Dimensional Parameters – Cross-Section)*
Cross-Section Plots*
Table 10 Bank Pin Exposure
Appendix 5 Hydrology Summary Data and Plots
Table 11 Verification of Bankfull Events
Monthly Rainfall Data
Table 12 In-Stream Flow Gauge Attainment Summary
Recorded In-Stream Flow Events Plot
Table 13 Wetland Gauge Attainment Summary
Groundwater Gauge Plots
Soil Temperature Probe Plot *Content omitted from Monitoring Year 4 Report
Section 1:PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Bethel Branch Mitigation Site (Site) is located in northern Chatham County, approximately 5.5 miles
southeast of Snow Camp, NC (Figure 1). The Site is within the Cape Fear River Basin 14-digit Hydrologic
Unit Code (HUC) 03030002050050 and North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) Sub-basin
03-06-04. The Site is within the Jordan Lake watershed which is classified as Water Supply (WS) IV, and a
Nutrient Sensitive Water (NSW) needing additional nutrient management due to excessive growth of
microscopic or macroscopic vegetation.
Project streams consisted of restoration and enhancement on three unnamed tributaries (UT1, UT2, and
UT3) for a total of 6,696 linear feet of stream. A total of 3.22 acres of riparian wetlands were re-
established, rehabilitated, and enhanced. Riparian and wetland areas were planted with native
vegetation to improve habitat and ecosystem function. The Bethel Branch Mitigation Site Mitigation
Plan (Wildlands, 2018) was submitted in October 2018 and approved by the North Carolina Interagency
Review Team (NCIRT) in November 2018. Site construction was completed by Land Mechanic Designs,
Inc. in April 2019. Planting and seeding activities were completed by Bruton Natural Systems, Inc. in April
2019. Baseline monitoring (MY0) and Monitoring Year 1 (MY1) were completed in April and November
2019 respectively. Annual monitoring and reporting will continue for seven years with close-out
anticipated in 2026 given success criteria are attained. Appendix 1 provides detailed project activity,
history, contact, and site background information.
A conservation easement was recorded on 16.30 acres. The project is expected to yield 5,202 stream
mitigation units (SMUs) and 3.14 wetland mitigation units (WMUs). Project components and assets are
illustrated in Figure 2 and credit allocation is provided in Table 1 of Appendix 1.
1.1Project Goals and Objectives
Prior to construction, the primary causes of degradation were livestock impacts and the in-line pond
which encompassed much of UT3. The project is intended to provide numerous ecological benefits
within the Cape Fear River Basin and maximize ecological and water quality uplift within the watershed.
While benefits such as habitat improvement and geomorphic stability primarily benefit the Site, reduced
nutrient and sediment loading affect downstream waters. The table below describes expected outcomes
to water quality and ecological processes and provides specific goals and objectives. These project goals
and objectives were developed as part of the Bethel Branch Mitigation Site Mitigation Plan (Wildlands,
2018) considering the goals and non-point stressors listed in the Cape Fear River Basin Restoration
Priorities (Drostin and Herrmann, 2009).
Goals Objectives Expected Outcomes
Exclude cattle from streams and
buffers by installing fencing around
Reduce pollutant inputs to streams
conservation easements adjacent to Reduction in pollutant loads to
including fecal coliform, nitrogen,
cattle pastures and providing streams caused by cattle access.
and phosphorus.
alternative water sources or removing
cattle from sites.
Reconstruct stream channels with
Reduce inputs of sediment into
stable dimensions. Add bank Reduction in sediment loadings
streams from eroding stream
revetments and in-stream structures to to streams from bank erosion.
banks.
protect restored/enhanced streams.
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 4 Annual Report 1-1
Goals Objectives Expected Outcomes
Construct stream channels that will
Return networks of streams to a maintain a stable pattern and profile
Reduce shear stress on channel
stable form that is capable of considering the hydrologic and
boundary. Support all stream
supporting hydrologic, biologic, and sediment inputs to the system, the
functions above hydrology.
water quality functions. landscape setting, and the watershed
conditions.
Increase and diversify available
Install habitat features such as
habitats for macroinvertebrates,
constructed riffles, cover logs, and
fish, and amphibians leading to
Improve aquatic habitat in project brush toes into restored/enhanced
colonization and increase in
streams. streams. Add woody materials to
biodiversity over time. Add
channel beds. Construct pools of
complexity including LWD to
varying depth.
streams.
Raise stream bed elevations and
Raise water table and hydrate
allow for more frequent overbank Reconstruct stream channels with
riparian wetlands. Allow flood
flows to provide a source of appropriate bankfull dimensions and
flows to disperse on the
hydration for floodplain wetlands. depth relative to the existing
floodplain. Support geomorphic
Reduce shear stress on channels floodplain.
and higher-level functions.
during larger flow events.
Create and improve riparian and
Reduce sediment inputs from
wetland habitats by planting native
bank erosion and runoff.
vegetation. Provide a canopy to
Increase nutrient cycling and
shade streams and reduce thermal
Plant native tree and shrub species in storage in floodplain. Improve
loadings. Create a source of woody
riparian zone and wetland areas. riparian habitat. Add a source of
inputs for streams. Reduce flood
LWD and organic material to
flow velocities on floodplain and
stream. Support all stream
improve long-term lateral stability
functions.
of streams.
Restore riparian wetlands by raising
Restored wetland hydrology,
stream beds, plugging existing ditches,
Restore wetland hydrology, soils,
formation of hydric soils, and
removing fill material over relict hydric
and plant communities. establishment of wetland
soils, and planting native wetland
vegetation.
species.
Protect the Site from
Ensure that development and
encroachment on the riparian
agricultural uses that would Establish conservation easements on
corridor and direct impact to
damage the Site or reduce the the Site.
streams and wetlands. Support
benefits of project are prevented.
all stream functions.
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 4 Annual Report 1-2
Section 2:MONITORING YEAR 4 DATA ASSESSMENT
Monitoring Year 4 site assessment was conducted between January and November 2022. Vegetation,
stream geomorphology and hydrology, and wetland hydrology success criteria were approved in the
Mitigation Plan. Monitoring features and locations are shown in Figure 3.
2.1Vegetation Assessment
Detailed vegetation inventory and analysis is not required during MY4. Visual assessment during MY4
indicated that vegetation is performing adequately to attain interim success criteria of 260 planted
stems per acre at the end of MY5 and terminal success criteria of 210 planted stems per acre averaging
ten feet in height at the end of MY7. Vegetation plot photographs taken in September 2022 can be
found in Appendix 2.
2.2Vegetation Areas of Concern
In July of Monitoring Year 4, resprouts of small populations of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) along
UT2 in the enhancement II areas and resprouts of scattered populations of Chinese privet (Ligustrum
sinense) along UT1 received follow up treatments. Both were treated using glyphosate in a cut stump
herbicide application.
The percent cover of vegetation in the previously bare area along the downstream left side of UT3
continues to increase each year. The area is no longer a concern as herbaceous vegetation is present
and the hillslope is stable.
Additionally, soil amendments were added to the base of the trees along sections of UT2 to help them
outcompete thick herbaceous vegetation, mainly pasture grasses, in March 2022. Wildlands will
continue to monitor the health of planted stems throughout the project.
As was requested by NCDWR, Wildlands will look at sweet gum densities when vegetation plot data is
collected again in MY5. Only two sweetgums were recorded in two separate random plots during MY3.
Wildlands is not expecting sweetgums to dominate the site and is expecting multiple species to continue
to flourish.
Specific actions being taken to address the issues mentioned above are included in section 2.7 below.
2.3Stream Assessment
Detailed morphological survey and analysis is not required during MY4. Visual monitoring indicated that
the stream channel is performing as designed. No deposition or erosion exceeding approximate natural
levels, or indicators of channel instability, were observed.
Bank pins on UT1 and UT2 show stability in the streambanks. The bank pin measurements on the lower
portion of UT3 show minor scour (Appendix 4, Table 10). The stream appears to be stable, but the area
will continue to be monitored.
2.4Stream Areas of Concern
No stream areas of concern were identified in MY4.
As was requested by NCDWR, herbicide control of in-stream vegetation has been discontinued on UT3
so the IRT can properly evaluate how the system is trending. Live stakes will be encouraged to grow and
shade the stream channel.
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 4 Annual Report 2-1
2.5Stream Hydrology Assessment
At the end of the seven-year monitoring period, fourbankfull events must have occurred in separate
years within the restored reaches. During MY4, three bankfull events were recorded on UT1, four were
recorded on UT2, and one was recorded on UT3. Data was collected from January through November
29, 2022. Bankfull events have occurred on site during MY1, MY2, MY3, and MY4 (Table 11); therefore,
the site has met the stream bankfull standard for the seven year monitoring period.
In addition, the presence of baseflow must be documented on UT3 for a minimum of 30 consecutive
days during a normal precipitation year. Results from the flow gauge on UT3 show baseflow for 37
consecutive days and a total of 105 days. Every other month, rainfall totals dropped below normal
depleting both surface and groundwater levels. This most likely caused inconsistent stream flow across
the winter and spring months when intermittent streams tend to meet the success criterion. Although
37 days of consecutive flow were recorded on UT3, the Recorded In-Stream Flow Events Plot (Appendix
5) shows many more days of flow throughout much of January to April with occasional drops below
thalweg. Monitoring Year 4 monthly rainfall totals and a graph of UT3 in-stream flow are shown in
Appendix 5.
2.6Wetland Assessment
Four groundwater monitoring wells with pressure transducers were installed during baseline monitoring
in wetland re-establishment zones. A barotroll logger was also installed to measure barometric pressure,
which is used in the calculations of groundwater levels with pressure transducer data from groundwater
well gauges. At the request of the IRT, two additional groundwater monitoring wells with transducers
were installed on January 9, 2020 (groundwater gauges 5 and 6). All gauges were installed at
appropriate locations so that data collected provides an indication of groundwater levels throughout the
wetland area. The performance criterion for wetland hydrology is groundwater within 12 inches of the
ground surface for 8.0% (21 days) of the growing season consecutively. To determine the start of the
growing season at the Site, one soil temperature probe was installed.
Soil temperature stayed above 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 12 inches of the soil surface for most of
2022, only dipping below 41 degrees from mid-January through mid-February. The last reading below 41
degrees was recorded on February 17. Bud burst of red maple (Acer rubrum) was observed in Chatham
County on February 22, confirming the earliest accepted growing season start date of March 1. Refer to
Figure 3 in Appendix 2 for the groundwater well gauge locations and Appendix 5 for groundwater
hydrology data and plots.
Five of the six groundwater gauges met the success criterion and the sixth was short by one day. The
growing season in this area began on March 1 according to bud burst observations and ended on
November 17 (261 days) according to the Applied Climate Information System (ACIS) website (NOAA-
RCC, 2020). Groundwater gauge hydroperiods ranged from 7.6% (20 days) to 13.7% (36 days). As was
mentioned above, every other month, rainfall totals dropped below normal depleting groundwater
levels. February had well below average rainfall and the dip in groundwater can be seen at the beginning
of March, which coincides with the beginning of the growing season (Appendix 5). Additionally, the
National Integrated Drought Information System shows abnormally dry conditions in all of Chatham
County in most of November 2021 through mid-January 2022, with the entire county being in moderate
drought in December 2021 (NOAA, 2022). Parts of Chatham County were abnormally dry all the way
through most of March. Despite the abnormally dry conditions and inconsistent rainfall, gauges
recorded groundwater above 12 inches for much of March and parts of April.
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 4 Annual Report 2-2
2.7Adaptive Management Plan
Wildlands recognizes that multiple treatments are typically needed for effective invasive plant control.
Lingering sporadic invasive species will be treated using various methods of herbicide application
including foliar, cut stump, hack and squirt, and stem injection. Intermittent re-sprouts of Chinese privet
(Ligustrum sinense) will be treated in MY4 and because of their persistent nature, the small population
of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) will receive an additional treatment via cut stump and basal bark
application in the winter of 2022/2023. The site will continue to be monitored and invasives treated as
necessary.
Soil amendments and/or ring sprays will be applied around tree stems as necessary to help them
outcompete thick herbaceous vegetation.
2.8Monitoring Year 4 Summary
Vegetation has become well established along the stream banks and desirable volunteer tree species
have begun to fill in. Survival and growth of planted trees appear to be on track meet interim success
criteria. Visual assessment indicated that all stream reaches within the Site are geomorphically stable
and functioning as designed. Bank pins show minor scour on the downstream end of UT3. Bankfull
events were recorded on all three tributaries, and the flow gauge on UT3 showed baseflow for 37
consecutive days and a total of 105 days. Five groundwater gauges met the success criterion and the
sixth was short by one day. No easement encroachment or stream crossing issues have been identified
in MY4. Overall, the Site is on track to meet MY7 success criteria.
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 4 Annual Report 2-3
Section 3:METHODOLOGY
Geomorphic data was collected following the standards outlined in The Stream Channel Reference Site:
An Illustrated Guide to Field Techniques (Harrelson et al., 1994) and in Stream Restoration: A Natural
Channel Design Handbook (Doll et al., 2003). Integrated Current Condition View mapping was recorded
using a Garmin GLO receiver with 3-meter accuracy and processed using ArcGIS. Pressure transducers
were installed in riffle cross-sections to measure bankfull events and were monitored throughout the
year. Hydraulic monitoring instrument installation and monitoring methods are in accordance with the
Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update, released by the North
Carolina Interagency Review Team (NCIRT, 2016). Vegetation monitoring protocols followed the Carolina
Vegetation Survey-EEP Level 2 Protocol (Lee et al., 2008).
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 4 Annual Report 3-1
Section 4:REFERENCES
Doll, B.A., Grabow, G.L., Hall, K.A., Halley, J., Harman, W.A., Jennings, G.D., and Wise, D.E. 2003. Stream
Restoration A Natural Channel Design Handbook.
Drostin, R., and Herrmann, M. 2009. Cape Fear River Basin Restoration Priorities 2009. North Carolina
Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Accessed at:
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Mitigation%20Services/Watershed_Planning/Cape_Fear_River_Basin/RB
RP%20CapeFear%202009%20Revised%20032013.pdf
Harrelson, C.C; Rawlins, C.L.; Potyondy, John P. 1994. Stream Channel Reference Sites: An Illustrated
Guide to Field Technique. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-245. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Accessed at:
https://www.fs.fed.us/biology/nsaec/fishxing/fplibrary/Harrelson_1994_Stream_Channel_Reference
_Sites_An_Illustrated.pdf
Lee, M.T., Peet, R.K., Roberts, S.D., & Wentworth, T.R. 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation
Version 4.2. Accessed at: http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/protocol/cvs-eep-protocol-v4.2-lev1-2.pdf
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Climate Centers (NOAA-RCC). 2020. Applied
Climate Information System. Accessed at: http://agacis.rcc-acis.org/
NOAA. 2022. National Integrated Drought Information System. Drought Conditions for Chatham County.
Accessed at: https://www.drought.gov/states/north-carolina/county/chatham
North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). 2005. Cape Fear River Basinwide Water Quality
Plan. Accessed at: http://h20.enr.state.nc.us/basinwide/draftCPFApril2005.htm
North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). 2011. Surface Water Classifications. Accessed at:
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/planning/classification-
standards/classifications
North Carolina Interagency Review Team (NCIRT). 2016. Wilmington District Stream and Wetland
Compensatory Mitigation Update. Accessed at: https://saw-
reg.usace.army.mil/PN/2016/Wilmington-District-Mitigation-Update.pdf
Rosgen, D. L. 1994. A classification of natural rivers. Catena 22:169-199.
Rosgen, D.L. 1996. Applied River Morphology. Pagosa Springs, CO: Wildland Hydrology Books.
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. 2018. Cane Creek Umbrella Mitigation Bank: Bethel Branch Site Mitigation
Plan. USACE, Raleigh, NC.
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 4 Annual Report 4-1
APPENDIX 1. General Figures and Tables
Table 1. Project Components and Mitigation Credits
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
PROJECT COMPONENTS
Mitigation
Existing Mitigation As-Built
PlanMitigationRestoration
Comments
Reach ID
Footage/Priority LevelRatioFootage/
Footage/CategoryLevel
Acreage(X:1)Acreage
Acreage
STREAMS
Full Channel Restoration, Grade Control
UT1 Reach 12,514WarmR2,514
2,398P1 & P21.0
Structures, Planted Buffer
No credit, no buffer on right side of channel
UT1 Reach 2 114Warm114
114EIIN/A2.5
Conservation Easement, Planted Buffer
UT2 Reach 11,242Warm1,242
1,242EIIN/A2.5
Full Channel Restoration, Grade Control
UT2 Reach 21,180Warm1,180
1,364RP11.0
Structures, Planted Buffer
Full Channel Restoration, Grade Control
UT2 Reach 3411Warm411
440RP11.0
Structures, Planted Buffer
No credit, no buffer on right side of channel
UT2 Reach 4434Warm434
434EIIN/A2.5
Pond Removed, Full Channel Restoration, Grade
UT3801Warm801
461RP11.0
Control Structures, Planted Buffer
WETLANDS
Hydrologic Restoration, Conservation Easement,
RE1 and RE23.03Riparian3.03
3.03N/ARe-estab1.0
Planted
Hydrologic Restoration, Conservation Easement,
RH1 - RH4 0.07Riparian0.07
0.07N/ARehab1.5
Planted
Hydrologic Restoration, Conservation Easement,
2
0.12RiparianN/A0.12
0.12E2.0
E1
Planted
PROJECT CREDITS
StreamRiparian WetlandNon-Riparian
Restoration Level
Coastal Marsh
1
Wetland
CoolColdRiverineNon-Riverine
Warm
Restoration4,703
Enhancement I
Enhancement II499
Preservation
Re-Establishment3.03
Rehabilitation0.05
2
0.06
Enhancement
Creation
Totals 5,2023.14
1
As in the Mitigation Plan, credits have been adjusted to reflect reduced buffer width.
2
Acreage and credits have been adjusted to correct a miscalculation in the Mitigation Plan.
Table 2. Project Activity and Reporting History
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
Data Collection Completion or Scheduled
Activity or Report
CompleteDelivery
Mitigation Plan
October 2018November 2018
Final Design - Construction Plans
December 2018December 2018
Construction
April 2019April 2019
1
April 2019April 2019
Temporary S&E mix applied to entire project area
1
April 2019April 2019
Permanent seed mix applied to reach/segments
Bare root and live stake plantings for reach/segments
April 2019April 2019
Stream Survey
May 2019
Baseline Monitoring Document (Year 0)
July 2019
Vegetation Survey
April 2019
October 2019
Bare Area Seeded
Year 1 MonitoringStream Survey
November 2019
December 2019
Vegetation Survey
November 2019
March 2020
Supplemental Tree Planting
March, June, October 2020
Invasive Vegetation Removal
April and October 2020
Bare Areas Seeded and Soil Amendments Added
2
Year 2 Monitoring
May and June 2020
Competitive Vegetation Treatment
June and August 2020
In-Stream Vegetation Removal
Stream Survey
June 2020
December 2020
Vegetation Survey
September 2020
January 2021
Supplemental Live Stakes planted along stream banks
June and July 2021
Invasive Vegetation Removal
Year 3 Monitoring
July 2021
In-Stream Vegetation Removal
Stream Survey
May 2021
December 2021
Vegetation Survey
September 2021
March 2022
Soil Amendments added to base of planted trees along UT2
Year 4 Monitoring
July 2022
Invasive Vegetation Treatment
Visual Assessments
December 2022
Stream Survey
2023
Year 5 Monitoring
December 2023
Vegetation Survey
2023
Visual Assessments
December 2024
Year 6 Monitoring
Stream Survey
2025
Year 7 Monitoring
December 2025
Vegetation Survey
2025
1
Seed and mulch is added as each section of construction is completed.
2
Herbicide ring sprays around the base of planted stems.
Table 3. Project Contact Table
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
Wildlands Engineering, Inc.
Designer
312 West Millbrook Road, Suite 225
Greg Turner, PE
Raleigh, NC 27609
919.851.9986
Land Mechanic Designs, Inc.
Construction Contractor
126 Circle G Lane
Willow Spring, NC 27592
Bruton Natural Systems, Inc
Planting Contractor
P.O. Box 1197
Fremont, NC 27830
Nursery Stock Suppliers
Dykes and Sons Nursery and Greenhouse
Bare Roots
ruton Natural Systems, Inc & Foggy Mountain Nurser
Live Stakes
Monitoring PerformersWildlands Engineering, Inc.
Jason Lorch
Monitoring, POC
919.851.9986
Table 4. Project Information and Attributes
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project NameBethel Branch Mitigation Site
CountyChatham County
Project Area (acres)16.30
Planted Area (acres)8.10
Project Coordinates (latitude and longitude)35° 49’ 45.56” N, 79° 22’ 11.37” W
PROJECT WATERSHED SUMMARY INFORMATION
Physiographic ProvincePiedmont
River BasinCape Fear
USGS Hydrologic Unit 8-digit03030002
USGS Hydrologic Unit 14-digit03030002050050
DWR Sub-basin03-06-04
Streams UT1UT2UT3
48520749
Drainiage Area (acres)
CGIA Land Use Classification
CGIA Land Use Classification
70%
Pasture
26%
Forested
1%
Unmanaged herbaceous
3%
Impervious
REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
RegulationSupporting Documentation
Applicable?Resolved?
Waters of the United States - Section 404
YesYes
USACE Nationwide Permit No. 27 and DWQ 401 Water Quality Certification No. 4134.
Waters of the United States - Section 401
YesYes
Bethel Branch Mitigation Plan; Wildlands determined "no effect" on Chatham County
listed endangered species. The USFWS responded on June 22, 2016 and concurred with
Endangered Species Act
NCWRC stating that “the proposed action is not likely to adversely affect any federally-
YesYes
listed endangered or threatened species, their formally designated critical habitat, or
species currently proposed for listing under the Act at these sites.”
Correspondence from SHPO on July 1, 2018 indicating they were not aware of any historic
Historic Preservation Act
YesYes
resources that would be affected by the project.
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)/Coastal Area Management Act
N/A
NoN/A
(CAMA)
FEMA Floodplain Compliance
N/A
NoN/A
Essential Fisheries HabitatN/A
NoN/A
APPENDIX 2. Visual Assessment Data
Table 5a. Visual Stream Morphology Stability Assessment Table
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
UT1 (2,514 LF)
Number Number with Footage with Adjust % for
Number of Amount of % Stable,
Major Channel Stable, Total Number Stabilizing Stabilizing Stabilizing
Channel Sub-CategoryMetricUnstable Unstable Performing as
CategoryPerforming as in As-BuiltWoody Woody Woody
SegmentsFootageIntended
IntendedVegetationVegetationVegetation
1. Bed
Aggradation00100%
1. Vertical Stability
(Riffle and Run Units)
00100%
Degradation
3737100%
2. Riffle Condition Texture/Substrate
Depth Sufficient3636100%
3. Meander Pool
Condition
3636100%
Length Appropriate
Thalweg centering at upstream of
3636100%
meander bend (Run)
4. Thalweg Position
Thalweg centering at downstream of
3636100%
meander bend (Glide)
2. Bank
Bank lacking vegetative cover resulting
00100%n/an/an/a
1. Scoured/Eroded simply from poor growth and/or scour
and erosion.
Banks undercut/overhanging to the
extent that mass wasting appears likely.
00100%n/an/an/a
2. Undercut Does NOT include undercuts that are
modest, appear sustainable and are
providing habitat.
00100%n/an/an/a
3. Mass Wasting Bank slumping, calving, or collapse.
Totals
00100%n/an/an/a
3. Engineered
1
Structures
Structures physically intact with no
2121100%
1. Overall Integrity
dislodged boulders or logs.
Grade control structures exhibiting
11100%
2. Grade Control
maintenance of grade across the sill.
Structures lacking any substantial flow
11100%
2a. Piping
underneath sills or arms.
Bank erosion within the structures
2020100%
3. Bank Protection extent of influence does not exceed
15%.
Pool forming structures maintaining
2020100%
4. Habitat
Rootwads/logs providing some cover at
baseflow.
1
Excludes constructed riffles since they are evaluated in section 1.
Table 5b. Visual Stream Morphology Stability Assessment Table
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
UT2 (1,591 LF)
Number Number with Footage with Adjust % for
Number of Amount of % Stable,
Major Channel Stable, Total Number Stabilizing Stabilizing Stabilizing
Channel Sub-CategoryMetricUnstable Unstable Performing as
CategoryPerforming as in As-BuiltWoody Woody Woody
SegmentsFootageIntended
IntendedVegetationVegetationVegetation
1. Bed
Aggradation00100%
1. Vertical Stability
(Riffle and Run Units)
00100%
Degradation
2929100%
2. Riffle Condition Texture/Substrate
Depth Sufficient2828100%
3. Meander Pool
Condition
2828100%
Length Appropriate
Thalweg centering at upstream of
2828100%
meander bend (Run)
4. Thalweg Position
Thalweg centering at downstream of
2828100%
meander bend (Glide)
2. Bank
Bank lacking vegetative cover resulting
00100%n/an/an/a
1. Scoured/Eroded simply from poor growth and/or scour
and erosion.
Banks undercut/overhanging to the
extent that mass wasting appears likely.
00100%n/an/an/a
2. Undercut Does NOT include undercuts that are
modest, appear sustainable and are
providing habitat.
00100%n/an/an/a
3. Mass Wasting Bank slumping, calving, or collapse.
Totals
00100%n/an/an/a
3. Engineered
1
Structures
Structures physically intact with no
1616100%
1. Overall Integrity
dislodged boulders or logs.
Grade control structures exhibiting
00N/A
2. Grade Control
maintenance of grade across the sill.
Structures lacking any substantial flow
00N/A
2a. Piping
underneath sills or arms.
Bank erosion within the structures
1616100%
3. Bank Protection extent of influence does not exceed
15%.
Pool forming structures maintaining
1616100%
4. Habitat
Rootwads/logs providing some cover at
baseflow.
1
Excludes constructed riffles since they are evaluated in section 1.
Table 5c. Visual Stream Morphology Stability Assessment Table
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
UT3 (801 LF)
Number Number with Footage with Adjust % for
Number of Amount of % Stable,
Major Channel Stable, Total Number Stabilizing Stabilizing Stabilizing
Channel Sub-CategoryMetricUnstable Unstable Performing as
CategoryPerforming as in As-BuiltWoody Woody Woody
SegmentsFootageIntended
IntendedVegetationVegetationVegetation
1. Bed
Aggradation00100%
1. Vertical Stability
(Riffle and Run Units)
00100%
Degradation
2121100%
2. Riffle Condition Texture/Substrate
Depth Sufficient2020100%
3. Meander Pool
Condition
2020100%
Length Appropriate
Thalweg centering at upstream of
2020100%
meander bend (Run)
4. Thalweg Position
Thalweg centering at downstream of
2020100%
meander bend (Glide)
2. Bank
Bank lacking vegetative cover resulting
00100%n/an/an/a
1. Scoured/Eroded simply from poor growth and/or scour
and erosion.
Banks undercut/overhanging to the
extent that mass wasting appears likely.
00100%n/an/an/a
2. Undercut Does NOT include undercuts that are
modest, appear sustainable and are
providing habitat.
00100%n/an/an/a
3. Mass Wasting Bank slumping, calving, or collapse.
Totals
00100%n/an/an/a
3. Engineered
1
Structures
Structures physically intact with no
1515100%
1. Overall Integrity
dislodged boulders or logs.
Grade control structures exhibiting
00N/A
2. Grade Control
maintenance of grade across the sill.
Structures lacking any substantial flow
00N/A
2a. Piping
underneath sills or arms.
Bank erosion within the structures
1515100%
3. Bank Protection extent of influence does not exceed
15%.
Pool forming structures maintaining
1515100%
4. Habitat
Rootwads/logs providing some cover at
baseflow.
1
Excludes constructed riffles since they are evaluated in section 1.
0%
0%
% of
0.00%
0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
AcreageAcreage
Easement
% of Planted
00 0 0 0 0
0.00
AcreageAcreage
Combined Combined
00 0 0 0 00
PolygonsPolygons
Number of Number of
Total
0.1
0.1
(SF)
(Ac)
none
1,000
0.25 Ac
Mapping Mapping
Threshold Threshold
Cumulative Total
DefinitionsDefinitions
Areas with woody stems of a size class that are obviously small given the monitoring year.16.30
8.10 Very limited cover of both woody and herbaceous materialWoody stem densities clearly below target levels based on MY3, 4, or 5 stem count criteria.Areas of points (if too small
to render as polygons at map scale).Areas of points (if too small to render as polygons at map scale).
Vegetation Category
Vegetation Category
Table 6. Vegetation Condition Assessment Table Bethel Branch Mitigation SiteUSACE Action ID No. 2016-02365 Monitoring Year 4 - 2022Planted AcreageBare AreasLow Stem Density AreasAreas
of Poor Growth Rates or VigorEasement AcreageInvasive Areas of ConcernEasement Encroachment Areas
STREAM PHOTOGRAPHS
PHOTO POINT 1UT1Reach 1–upstream(03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 1UT1Reach 1–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 2 UT1Reach 1 –upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 2 UT1Reach 1 –downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 3 UT1Reach 1 –upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 3 UT1Reach 1 –downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 4 UT1Reach 1–upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 4 UT1Reach 1–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 5 UT1Reach 1 –upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 5 UT1Reach 1 –downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 6 UT1Reach 1 –upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 6 UT1Reach 1 –downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 7 UT1Reach 1–upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 7 UT1Reach 1–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 8 UT1Reach 1 –upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 8 UT1Reach 1 –downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 9 UT1Reach 1 –upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 9 UT1Reach 1 –downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 10 UT1Reach 1–upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 10 UT1Reach 1–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 11 UT2Reach 1– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 11 UT2 Reach 1 – downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 12 UT2Reach 1– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 12 UT2 Reach 1 – downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 13 UT2Reach 1–upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 13 UT2Reach 1–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 14 UT2Reach 1– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 14 UT2 Reach 1 – downstream (05/12/2022)
PHOTO POINT 15 UT2Reach 2– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 15 UT2 Reach 2 – downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 16 UT2Reach 2–upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 16 UT2Reach 2–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 17 UT2Reach 2– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 17 UT2 Reach 2 – downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 18 UT2Reach 2– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 18 UT2 Reach 2 – downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 19 UT2Reach 2–upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 19 UT2Reach 2–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 20 UT2Reach 2– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 20 UT2 Reach 2 – downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 21 UT2Reach 2– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 21 UT2 Reach 2 – downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 22 UT2Reach 3–upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 22 UT2Reach 3–downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 23 UT2Reach 3– upstream (03/29/2022) PHOTO POINT 23 UT2 Reach 3 – downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 24 UT3 – upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 24 UT3 – downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
PHOTO POINT 25 UT3 –upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 25 UT3 –downstream (03/29/2022)
PHOTO POINT 26 UT3 – upstream (03/29/2022)PHOTO POINT 26 UT3 – downstream (03/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Stream Photographs
VEGETATION PLOT PHOTOGRAPHS
FIXED VEG PLOT 1 (09/06/2022)FIXED VEG PLOT 2 (09/06/2022)
FIXED VEG PLOT 3 (09/06/2022)FIXED VEG PLOT 4 (09/06/2022)
FIXED VEG PLOT 5 (09/06/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Vegetation Plot Photographs
GROUNDWATER WELL PHOTOGRAPHS
GROUNDWATER WELLGAUGE1–(11/29/2022)GROUNDWATER WELL GAUGE 2 –(11/29/2022)
GROUNDWATER WELL GAUGE 3 – (11/29/2022)GROUNDWATER WELL GAUGE 4 – (11/29/2022)
GROUNDWATER WELL GAUGE 5 – (11/29/2022)GROUNDWATER WELL GAUGE 6 – (11/29/2022)
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
Appendix 2: Visual Assessment Data – Groundwater Well Photographs
APPENDIX 3. Vegetation Plot Data
MY7
MY6
MY5
0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
(Date Observed)
0.881.25
MY4
0.0 (in)
(11/29/2022)
0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
0.500.630.75
MY3
0.0 (in)
Monitoring Year
(11/19/2021)
0.00.00.00.00.00.03.50.50.0
0.350.88
MY2
0.0 (in)
(11/24/2020)
0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
MY1
0.0 (in)
(11/19/2019)
Pin
UpstreamUpstreamUpstreamUpstream
MidstreamMidstreamMidstreamMidstream
DownstreamDownstreamDownstreamDownstream
UT1 UT1 UT2 UT3
Reach 1Reach 1Reach 2
Location
(112+00)(122+30)(220+70)(307+50)
Table 10. Bank Pin Exposure Bethel Branch Mitigation SiteUSACE Action ID No. 2016-02365 Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
APPENDIX 5. Hydrology Summary Data and Plots
Table 11. Verification of Bankfull Events
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
Summary of Recorded Bankfull Events for Monitoring Years 1 through 7
Date of Occurrence
Reach
12
MY2 (2020)MY3 (2021)MY5 (2023)MY6 (2024)MY7 (2025)
Method
MY1 (2019)MY4 (2022)
2/6/20201/3/2022
UT1
None Recorded9/22/2021
6/11/20203/17/2022
Reach 1
11/12/20207/9/2022
1/24/20201/3/20211/3/2022
2/6/20201/31/20213/12/2022
UT2
6/11/20202/16/2021
12/20/20193/17/2022Pressure
Reach 2
11/12/20203/31/2021
Transducer
12/16/20208/20/2021
7/9/2022
12/24/20209/22-23/2021
1/24/2020
1/3/2021
2/6/2020
UT3 None Recorded3/17/2022
6/11/20202/16/2021
1
Gauges were not installed until April 19, 2019. No data was collected for January through mid-April.
2
Data was collected through November 29, 2022. The remainder of MY4 data will be updated in MY5.
Monthly Rainfall Data
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
Bethel Branch 30-70 Percentile Graph for Rainfall in Siler City, NC 2022
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Jan-22Feb-22Mar-22Apr-22May-22Jun-22Jul-22Aug-22Sep-22Oct-22Nov-22
Date
2022 Rainfall30th Percentile70th Percentile
1
2022 monthly rainfall data collected through November 29, 2022 from Siler City Airport (SILR) weather station, NC (NC Climate Office, 2022).
2
30th and 70th percentile rainfall data collected from Siler City 2 N weather station, NC (USDA, 2022).
Table 12. In-Stream Flow Gauge Attainment Summary
Bethel Branch Mitigation Site
USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365
Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
Summary of In-Stream Flow Gauge Results for Monitoring Years 1 through 7
Max Consecutive Days/Total Days of Baseflow*
Reach
12
MY1 (2019)MY2 (2020)MY3 (2021)MY4 (2022)MY5 (2023)MY6 (2024)MY7 (2025)
3 Days/ 74 Days/106 Days/37 Days/
UT3
19 Days144 Days143 Days105 Days
*Success criterion is presence of baseflow for a minimum of 30 consecutive days.
1
Flow gauge was installed May 3, 2019. No data was collected January-April 2019.
2
Data collected through November 29, 2022.
Precipitation (in)
Elevation (ft)
MY7 (2025)
MY6 (2024)
MY5 (2023)
(7.6%)
(8.0%)(9.2%)(8.4%)
(13.7%)(10.3%)
MY4 (2022)
No/20 Days
Yes/21 Days Yes/24 Days Yes/36 Days Yes/27 Days Yes/22 Days
/Max Consecutive Days During Growing Season (Percentage)
1
(15.3%)(18.7%)(15.3%)(23.7%)(16.8%)(17.2%)
MY3 (2021)
Yes/40 Days Yes/49 Days Yes/40 Days Yes/62 Days Yes/44 Days Yes/45 Days
(6.1%)(5.7%)(6.9%)
(14.1%)(13.0%)(16.8%)
MY2 (2020)
No/16 Days No/15 Days No/18 Days
Yes/37 Days Yes/34 Days Yes/44 Days
Success Criterion Achieved
Summary of Groundwater Gauge Results for Monitoring Years 1 through 7
(9.4%)
(10.2%)(13.9%)(19.2%)
Installed
MY1 (2019)
During MY2
Yes/25 Days Yes/34 Days Yes/23 Days Yes/47 Days
123456
Gauge
Success criterion is presence of a free groundwater surface within 12 inches of the soil surface for a consecutive 8.0% (21 days) of the growing season.
Table 13. Wetland Gauge Attainment Summary Bethel Branch Mitigation Site USACE Action ID No. 2016-02365 Monitoring Year 4 - 2022
1
Precipitation (in)
11/17/2022
End of Growing Season
3/1/2022
Start of Growing Season
Water Level (in)
Precipitation (in)
11/17/2022
End of Growing Season
3/1/2022
Start of Growing Season
Water Level (in)
Precipitation (in)
11/17/2022
End of Growing Season
3/1/2022
Start of Growing Season
Water Level (in)
Precipitation (in)
11/17/2022
End of Growing Season
3/1/2022
Start of Growing Season
Water Level (in)
Precipitation (in)
11/17/2022
End of Growing Season
3/1/2022
Start of Growing Season
Water Level (in)
Precipitation (in)
11/17/2022
End of Growing Season
3/1/2022
Start of Growing Season
Water Level (in)
11/17/2022
Nov
Start of Growing Season
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
3/1/2022
Start of Growing Season
Feb
Jan
Temperature (F)