19970616 Ver 1_Year 5 Monitoring Report_20080414

a
MILLER ET AL. MITIGATION SITE ON MEAT CAMP CREEK,
WATAUGA COUNTY
Year 5 Monitoring Report
Period Covered: December 22, 2006 - December 1, 2007
Prepared for the
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program
APR 1 4 2008
DENR -WATER QUALJT1
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North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Watershed Enhancement Group
Raleigh
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2007 5;R44f
This report summarizes the 2007 monitoring data collected from 652 linear feet of Meat
Camp Creek, located on the Miller et al. property in Watauga County (Figure 1), and compares it
with the previous years' monitoring data. Mickey and Scott (2002) described pre-construction
survey methods, site conditions, and project objectives. The purpose of the project was to
improve aquatic habitat, reestablish riparian area vegetation, and reestablish channel stability.
This monitoring report is submitted as partial fulfillment of the off-site stream mitigation
requirements of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the R-0529 (US
421) road improvement project in Watauga County. For that project, a total of 14,814 linear feet
of stream mitigation were required by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Section 404 permit and 7,407 linear feet of mitigation were required by the North Carolina
Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) Section 401 water quality certification.
From 2002 to 2005 all reports associated with this mitigation site were prepared for the
NCDOT stream mitigation program. In 2005, responsibility for this site was transferred from
NCDOT to the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). This document was
prepared using guidelines previously developed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission. This was done to maintain consistency with earlier reports and to facilitate the
comparison of the 2007 data with previous years' data without having to change report formats.
Monitoring
The 2007 monitoring survey was completed on August 22, 2007. These data are compared
with as-built data collected in March 2003 and monitoring data collected in 2003, 2005, and
2006 (Mickey and Hining 2003a; Mickey and Hining 2003b; Mickey and Wasseen 2005;
NCWRC 2007). Monitoring data were not collected in 2004 because hurricane-caused damage
had not been repaired. The 2007 monitoring survey included a longitudinal profile survey,
channel cross-section dimension measurements, channel cross-section photographic log, pebble
counts, woody plant stem counts (planted trees/live stakes), and repair site photographic log
(Appendices 1 and 2).
BwAJ%II Rain Events
Bankfull rain events were monitored through review of the United States Geological
Survey's South Fork New River gage (gage number 03161000) near Jefferson, North Carolina,
and by personal observations of bankfull stage stakes placed on site. BwAfull at the Miller site
corresponded to approximately 1,400 cubic feet per second at the gage station. However, due to
the localization of many rain events, some bankfull events could only be confirmed by direct
observation (visiting the site after a rain event or through contact with the landowner). Since
completion of the project there have been 47 bankfull or greater events at the site (Table 1).
The stream channel and banks have adjusted to these channel forming events and any stream
bank and channel instability should be obvious. Additionally, the mitigation site has exceeded
the criterion of two bankfull events in 5 years as required by the USACE and necessary to
release the mitigation site from further monitoring (USACE 2003).
Longitudinal Profile
The 2007 longitudinal profile data revealed minor changes in the channel thalweg (Figure 2).
The pool at station 0+22 aggraded 0.55 feet from 2005; however this pool is deeper than found
during the 2003 as-built and 2003 monitoring surveys. The channel profile from stations 0+46 to
1+64 remained virtually unchanged; due to the dense vegetation a thalweg elevation reading was
not taken at 1+64. However, based on observations at this location there did not appear to be any
changes in the slope of the riffle. The pool at station 1+73 is 0.23 feet deeper than it was in 2005
and 2006; however it is still shallower than found in the 2003 as-built and monitoring surveys,
by 1.02 feet and 0.53 feet. There was little change in the channel profile from stations 1+83 to
2+89 based on the data and observations. From stations 3+14 to 3+35 the channel has degraded
0.55 feet. The pool at station 3+66 increased in depth by 0.43 feet since 2006 and is now at a
depth found in the as-built survey. It also appears that the pool has shortened by 0.86 feet. From
station 3+97 to the end of the project the longitudinal profile closely resembles that found in
2006. The pool between stations 4+60 and 4+74 has aggraded between 0.49 and 0.82 feet since
2005. At station 4+65 the channel aggraded up to the 2003 monitoring survey elevation. From
stations 4+97 to 5+34, the thalweg increased in maximum depth by 0.85 feet since 2003. These
minor changes in the longitudinal profile appear to be natural occurrences and not because of
instabilities caused by the stream enhancement activities. The comparisons of the longitudinal
profiles suggests that the channel has been relatively stable since the 2004 repairs, and that most
of the changes in the thalweg from 2003 to 2005 were due to the damage of the hurricanes, and
the single storm event in November 2003. Repairs included reshaping the damaged left bank and
adding three rock vanes and one rock cross-vane between station 3+10 and station 3+55; large
boulders were repositioned or installed between station 4+15 and station 4+90. The right stream
bank was reshaped between stations 5+00 and 5+34.
Cross-sections
Five cross-sections were surveyed in 2007 and compared with previous cross-section
measurements (Figure 3; Mickey and Hining 2003a; Mickey and Hining 2003b; Mickey and
Wasseen 2005; NCWRC 2007). Cross-sectional dimension measurements revealed some
channel adjustments occurred following the 2004 hurricanes and November 19, 2004 repairs
when compared with previous years' monitoring survey data (Figure 3). This included minor
adjustments in thalweg depths and minor lateral movement of the channel.
CROSS-SECTION 1+73 - run (Figure 3.1): This cross-section is located below a rock weir
and originally transected a pool. Over the years and with the movement of substrate materials it
has evolved to a run. The channel widened slightly following the three September 2004
hurricanes. The cross-section data indicate the stream channel is stable with no bank erosion or
lateral movement occurring since the 2005 survey.
CROSS-SECTION 3+37 - riffle (Figure 3.2): This cross-section is situated downstream of a
rock vane and traverses a riffle. The channel has remained stable at this location since repairs
were completed in 2004 (Appendix 1). There has been no bank erosion or lateral movement.
Note the pin at location 0+00 was originally positioned in the middle of an overgrazed pasture
and could not be located in 2006. Subsequently, cross-section measurements were taken from a
point starting at original location 0+22, the location of a fence line.
CROSS-SECTION 3+66 - pool (Figure3.3): This cross-section traverses the middle of a
pool just below a rock vane. The pool has deepened at transact location 0+41 since 2006 and
rises sharply (0.37 feet) to transect location 0+42. Cross-section location 0+46 has continued to
aggrade since the 2005 survey (1.42 feet). However, the stream channel is stable with no bank
erosion or lateral movement occurring. Note that the pin at location 0+00 was positioned in the
middle of an overgrazed pasture and could not be located in 2006. Subsequently, the cross-
section measurements were taken from a point starting at original location 0+24, the location of a
fence line.
CROSS-SECTION 4+74 - riffle (Figure 3.4): This cross-section is situated above a rock
weir and traverses a riffle. The point bar on the left bank was lowered during the 2004 repairs
under the assumption that it would increase in height over time (Mickey and Wasseen 2005). To
date, the point bar has not increased in height, but remains stable (Appendix 2). Channel bed
material has not accumulated at this location because boulders were added to upstream rock
vanes (stations 4+14 to 4+53) as part of the 2004 repairs. Those boulders appear to be deflecting
the stream flow toward the left bank (looking downstream) and keeping the point bar at station
4+74 from reforming. The 2006 transect point at location 0+20 was the top of a point bar,
however this year's monitoring shows that this high point has been removed. There has been
some minor substrate material build-up between locations 0+41 and 0+53, when compared to
previous years. The thalweg has moved towards the center of the channel away from the right
bank. The banks are stable and there has been no lateral shift in the stream channel since the
2004 repairs.
CROSS-SECTION 4+97 - pool (Figure 3.5): The point bar between transect locations 0+25
and 0+35 has degraded and not reformed for the same reasons as the point bar at cross-section
4+74. The channel at transect locations 0+36 to 0+44 displays some signs of aggradation. Some
of the woody debris that was caught by the stumps between transact locations 0+45 and 0+50 has
been washed away since the 2006 monitoring survey was completed. The banks are stable with
no bank erosion or lateral movement occurring.
Substrate
Pebble count data were collected from a riffle at cross-section 3+37 (Figure 4). Substrate
analyses indicate fluctuations in most particle size classes when compared to the previous years'
monitoring data. In 2007, there was a slight downward shift of all particle sizes except for D95,
which showed an increase over the 2006 count. Since 2003 the D5o has decreased from very
coarse (47 mm), to coarse (25 mm) gravel (Figure 4). The Dga cumulative distribution has
ranged from 83 mm to 120 mm (small cobble) (Figure 4). The D16 cumulative distribution has
decreased from 18 mm (medium gravel) to 3 mm (very fine gravel). This is a result of an
increase in the percentage of sand and fine gravels since the 2003 as-built survey. There are four
reasons that could explain the decrease in particle sizes:
1. Finer particle sizes are settling out of suspension due to the drought affecting this
portion of North Carolina at the time of sampling.
4
2. Sampling variability.
3. Sediment was transported from disturbed land higher in the watershed.
4. Or a combination of the three.
No signs of active bank erosion were observed during the survey. These changes in particle
sizes are not significant enough to be of concern.
Riparian Improvements
A total of 232 live stakes and bare root nursery trees were planted within the 0.10 acre of
riparian area disturbed during construction and the area repaired during 2004 (Table 2). The
remaining 0.60 acre of the conservation easement contained mature trees. Total stem counts
(trees and live stakes) were made within the disturbed areas. No effort was made to distinguish
between planted stems and naturally regenerated stems. Plantings included tag alder Alnrus
serrulata, silky willow Salix sericea, black walnut Juglans nigra, and black locust Robinia
pseudaacacia The 2007 vegetation survey revealed a total of 78 stems (780 stems per acre)
present on the site. Although this is 330% of the original number planted, the density of counted
stems present in 2007 exceeded the 260 stems per acre required for woody species planted at
mitigation sites through monitoring year five (USACE 2003). Closely grouped stem masses of
silky willow and tag alder were counted as one individual plant instead of several plants. Stem
counts for these species would have been much higher if individual stems were counted.
Seven species of native plants, red maple Acer rubrum (1 stem), tulip poplar Liriodendron
tulipifera (2 stems), sycamore .Platanus occidentalis (I stem), red oak Quercus rubra (2 stems),
sassafras Sa&wfras albidum (2 stems), witch-hazel Hansamelis virginiarra (2 stems), and
elderberry Sambucus ca nadensis (3 stems), were found to be naturally recolonizing the site.
The invasive exotic multiflora rose Rosa mull lora also was present throughout the site and
large colonies were growing on the adjacent upland pastures. Left unchecked, the multiflora rose
could spread throughout the project and threaten the viability of the native species. To prevent
this from occurring, it will be necessary to control it by mechanical grubbing or with the
application of herbicides.
Livestock Exclusion
The livestock management program developed for this project included the installation of a
well with pressurized water lines, two watering tanks, and fencing to exclude cattle from the
riparian zone. These agricultural best management practices, installed as a part of the restoration
management plan, are functioning properly.
Site Repairs
Streambank stabilization work at the Miller et al. mitigation site on Meat Camp Creek was
completed on September 23, 2002. A storm event on November 19, 2003 caused major bank
failures between stations 3+10 and 3+55 (45 linear feet) and 5+00 and 5+34 (34 linear feet).
Before repairs could be made, flooding caused by three hurricanes in September 2004 caused
additional damage to the site, from stations 4+15 to 4+90, (Appendices 1 and 2)_ This damage
was repaired on November 19, 2004 (Mickey and Wasseen 2005).
A photographic log of the damages, 2004 repairs, and 2007 monitoring from station 3+10 to
station 3+55 and station 4+15 to station 4+90 is also provided (Appendices 1 and 2). The repairs
stabilized the stream banks and sediment is accumulating on the upstream side of rock vanes.
Vegetation has become established on the stream banks from station 3+10 to station 3+55.
Vegetation has had a harder time becoming reestablished between station 4+15 and station 4+90
due to the rocky substrate.
Summary
Since completion of the project on September 23, 2002, the Miler et al. mitigation site on
Meat Camp Creek remained stable until the November 19, 2003 flood and the September 8, 13,
27, 2004 hurricanes. As a result of these floods, some damage occurred to streambanks. Repairs
were completed on November 19, 2004. The longitudinal profile and the cross-sections have
revealed some aggradation and degradation of the stream thalweg during the five-year
monitoring period. This is most likely due to substrate being transported from upstream sources
(unstable streambanks, pastures, construction activities, and unpaved roads), repairs to the banks
and structures in 2004, or both. Substrate composition sizes have fluctuated for much of the
same reasons as the longitudinal profile and cross-section, and weather conditions likely play a
role in substrate size variability. The riparian vegetation is flourishing, preserving bank integrity
and channel sinuosity. There have been 47 bankfull events, through the five years of monitoring.
The stream channel and banks are stable and in-stream structures are functioning as designed.
Recommendations
1. Consider this stabilized and release it from further monitoring.
2. Award 652 mitigation credits to EEP for this site as approved by the original USACE and
NCDWQ permits. Note: A subsequent letter from NCDWQ referencing the original
certification (Number 97-0616 dated August 21, 2001) approved this site at a 3:1 mitigation
credit ratio. This disparity needs to be resolved.
3. Implement a multiflora rose control plan to prevent the species from displacing native plants
within the easement area before they have matured.
Acknowledgements
J. Wasseen, II and Todd Ewing of the NCWRC watershed enhancement group collected and
analyzed the field data, J. Wasseen, H prepared this report. M. Fowlkes and J. Borawa improved
the report with their thorough review and thoughtful suggestions.
References
Mickey, J. H. and S. S. fining. 2003x. As-built report for the Meat Camp Creek mitigation site,
Watauga County. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.
Mickey, J. H. and S. S. Hining. 2003b. 2003 monitoring report for the Miller et al. mitigation
site on Meat Camp Creek, Watauga County. North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission, Raleigh.
Mickey, J. H. and S. Scott. 2002. Stream restoration plan, Miller site, Meat Camp Creek,
Watauga County. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh.
Mickey, J. H. and J. A. Wasseen. 2005. 2005 monitoring report for the Miller et al. mitigation
site on Meat Camp Creek, Watauga County. North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission, Raleigh.
NCWRC (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission). 2007. Miller et al. mitigation site
on Meat Camp Creek, Watauga County, year 4 monitoring report, period covered: March
30, 2005 - December 22, 2006. Raleigh.
USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), Wilmington District, U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and the North Carolina
Division of Water Quality. 2003. Stream Mitigation guidelines. Wilmington, North
Carolina.
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FIGuRE 3.-Cross-sectional dimension comparisons at five locations on the Miller et al.
mitigation site, Meat Camp Creek, New River basin, Watauga County, 2003-2007. All views are
looking downstream. The flood prone area (fpa) and bankfull (bkf) elevations are depicted with
red and blue horizontal lines.
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96
95
94
s` 93
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91
90
89
88
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Width (feet)
?- 2003 As-bud[ 2003 Monitoring - is 2005 Monitoring -.-- 2006 Monitoring . 2007 Monitoring - -- fpa --- bkf

3.7--Crossso-sssection at station 1+73, run.
FIGuw 3.--Continued.
95
94
93 _
92
s 91
cu 90
89
88
87
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Width (feet)
?- 2003 Asbury 2003 Monitoring 2003 F" damage s 2005 Monitoring
2006 Monitormg . 2007 Monfonng - fpa bkf
FIGuRE 3.2.-Cross-section at station 3+37, riffle.
FIUuxL.: 3.-Continued.
94
93
92
91
90
.3 89
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88
87
86
85
84
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Width (feet)
-? 2003 As-bulk -.- 2003 Monitoring t 2005 Monioring -.- 2006 Moniorng -+- 2007 Monitoring fpa - bkf
FtGuRE 3.3.-Cross-section at station 3+66, pool.
12
F1Giw, 3.-Continued.
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91
90
_ 89
88
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86
85
84
83
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Width (feet)
+ 2003 As-bulk -.- 2003 Monitoring * 2005 Monitoring -.-- 2006 Monitoring 2007 Monitoring --- fpa -- bkf
FW[1RE 3.4.--Cross-section at station 4+74, riffle.
13
FictrltE 3.--Continued.
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.2 87
mME 86
85
84
83
82
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Wi3th (feet)
-+- 2003 As-bulk -+-- 2003 Monitoring s 2005 Monitoring -*-- 2006 Monitoring 2007 Monitoring fpa - bkf
F1GuRE 3.5.--Cross-section at station 4+97, pool.
14
FIGuRE 4. Pebble count data comparisons, Miller et al. mitigation site, Meat Camp Creek,
New River basin, Watauga County, 2003-2007.
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X2006 Monitoring cumulative %
1 10
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-?-2003 Monitoring cumulative %
+2007 Monitoring cumulative %
100 1000 10000
12005 Monitoring cumulative %
Size Class Particle size (mm) in year sampled
Index 2003 As-built 2003 2005 2006 2007
D16 18 6 10 4 3
D3s 32 19 23 22 17
D50 47 42 32 32 25
D&1 106 120 110 100 83
D95 165 170 170 140 160
15
TABLE 1.-Bankfull stream flow events occurring at the Miller et al. mitigation site as
documented from the United States Geological Survey South Fork New River gage (gage
number 03161000) near Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina and from on-site observations.
Date Gage height (ft) Flows (ft3/s) Comments
2/22-23/03 5.0 2,250 Gage quit working
3/16/03 4.4 1,725 Bankfull event
4/10/03 5.4 2,819 Bankfull event
4/18/03 5.6 3,200 Bankfull event
6/7/03 4.1 1,820 Bankfull event
6/17/03 4.7 2,000 Bankfull event
8/9/03 4.2 1,450 Bankfull event
8/10/03 4.1 1,400 Bankfull event
11/19/03° 5.4 1,880 Bankf ill event
2/7/04 4.8 2,080 Bankfull event
9/2/04 11.7 14,700 Bankfull event (hurricane)
9/13/04 8.6 7,550 Bankfull event (hurricane)
9/28/04 6.3 3,820 Bankfull event (hurricane)
11/25/04 4.2 1,490 Bankfull event
12/23/04 4.6 1,850 Bankfull event
12/24/04 4.6 1,820 Bankfull event
1/14/05 6.5 4,050 Bankfull event
1/15/05 4.5 1,790 Bankfull event
3/28/05 5.0 2,260 Bankfull event
3/29/05 4.5 1,790 Bankfull event
4/2/05 4.5 1,740 Bankfull event
4/3/05 4.3 1,560 Bankfull event
7/8/05 4.6 1,840 Bankfull event
7/16/05 5.0 2,270 Bankfull event
10/7/05 4.0 1,410 Bankfull event
11/29/05 6.5 4,130 Bankfull event
11/30/05 6.4 3,930 Bankfull event
1/18/06 5.2 2,460 Bankfull event
2/5/06 4.4 1,690 Bankfull event
4/22/06 4.3 1,610 Bankfull event
4/23/06 4.2 1,510 Bankfull event
6/25/06 6.8 4,470 Bankfull event
6/26/06 5.3 2,610 Bankfull event
6/27/06 5.7 3,130 Bankfull event
6/28/06 4.2 1,510 Bankfull event
16
TABLE 1.
Date
8/31/06 4.5 1,780 Bankfull event
9/ 1 /06 4.8 2,090 Bankful l event
9/5/06 4.2 1,530 Bankfull event
11/8/06 4.9 2,160 Bankfull event
11/9/06 4.1 1,460 Bankfull event
11/16/06 5.4 2,670 Bankfull event
11/17/06 5.0 2,310 Bankfull event
12/22/06 4.1 1,430 Bankfull event
12/23/06 4.6 1,860 Bankfull event
1/1/07 5.6 2,980 Bankfull event
1/2/07 4.5 1,760 Bankfull event
3/2/07 43 1,620 Bankfull event
this event produced rainfall in excess of 6 inches at the Miller et al. site that resulted in major
localized flooding.
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Appendix 1: Photographs of damage and repairs between station 3+10 and station 3+55 at
the Miller et al. mitigation site on Meat Camp Creek, New River drainage, Watauga
County, November 19, 2003 - August 22, 2007. All photographs were taken facing
downstream.
After November 19, 2003 flood. Notice that 6 ft of the
watering tank drainage pipe is exposed.
Bank damage after the series of hurricanes in September
2004.
March 2005.
April 2006.
Bank after repairs using three rock vanes, one rock weir,
and bank reshaping, November 2004.
August 2007
21
Appendix 2: Pre and Post Photographs of September 8, 13, 27, 2004 hurricane damage
between station 4+15 and station 4+97 at the Miller et al. mitigation site on Meat Camp
Creek, New River drainage, Watauga County. This site was repaired on November 19,
2004. All photographs are looking upstream. Notice the disappearance of the point bar
adjacent to the large brown boulder.
October 2004.
As-built photo before the storm damage, April 2003.
22
March 2005
April 2006
Bank repairs completed, November 2004.
23
August 2007