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Stream Restorations

Haw Creek - Charlie Bullman Athletic Facility

Swannanoa River - Azalea Park

Rhododendron Creek - West Asheville Park

Hominy Creek - Malvern Hills Park

Charlie Bullman Athletic Facility Haw Creek

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Watershed: Swannanoa
Location: Haw Creek Community
Major Goals:

• Demonstrate stream restoration techniques and reduce the amount of sediment depositing into Haw Creek from athletic field stormwater


• Reconfigure the flow pattern of Haw Creek, stabilize banks with native riparian plantings, and reduce sediment loading through treatment of stormwater runoff from fields utilizing bio-retention cells and vegetated swales

Project Brief:

Sections of Haw Creek were previously straightened to accommodate development, eliminating much of the natural pool and riffle structure that occurs naturally adding oxygen to the stream. The first phase of this project reconfigured the flow pattern of a section of Haw Creek, creating a more meandering pattern to allow more pools and riffles. This not only provides for a more stable stream but also increases biodiversity of habitat for associated aquatic species. Following reconstruction, native riparian plants were planted to help stabilize the stream bank.

The second phase of this project will address sediment runoff from the athletic fields. Sediment is the number polluter in the French Broad River Watershed. This past season approximately 6-8 dump truck loads of clay were needed to maintain the ball fields. This project will eliminate much of the sediment that is currently reaching Haw Creek by using vegetated swales and bio- retention cells to filter the sediment before it reaches the stream.

This site has excellent educational possibilities with students from Haw Creek Elementary and Evergreen Community Charter School within walking distance. This project will provide educational signage and access points for stream related learning experiences.

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Swannanoa River at Azalea Park

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Azalea Park and the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex is a 155 acre city owned property in East Asheville on Azalea Road. It is sure to be one of the most utilized parks within the city. With four soccer fields already installed and a master plan that includes baseball fields, it’s important to recognize there is another side to Azalea Park that attracts fishermen, birders, runners and bikers.

RiverLink participated on the park design committee and felt a need to enhance and protect the natural resources that exist in this semi - rural setting within the city limits of Asheville. A logical choice was the Swannanoa River. The main stem of the river flows through the Blue Ridge Parkway property and dissects the park for over a mile. Unfortunately, over time, the river has been abused. It was moved over time to make way for agriculture in the valley, its riparian buffer has been severely diminished in size, and upstream development have taken its toll by adding to the amount of stormwater runoff received.
These changes over time have resulted in severe bank erosion increasing the amount of sediment input to the stream, while lack of sufficient riparian buffers has caused steam temperatures to warm in these hatchery supported trout waters. Both of these have significantly impacted the ability of trout to reproduce in the Swannanoa River. RiverLink received grant monies from the North Carolina Clean Water Mangement Trust Fund to help stabilize banks and improve riparian habitat throughout Azalea Park.

RiverLink, City of Asheville, Wolf Creek Engineering, and North State Environmental are finishing up a large scale restoration project The goal of the restoration project is to improve water quality and enhance both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Much of the in stream work will focus on redirection of stream flows from eroding banks and to create, a series of pools and riffles in appropriate sequences. This will decrease the amount of sediment entering the stream and increase the amount of oxygen in the water. This along with the root wads and logs that will placed in the stream will greatly enhancing aquatic habitat. Once construction is complete updated before and after pictures will be posted.

A conservation easement along both sides of the Swannanoa will help to preserve new buffer plantings and protect them until maturity. A 7.8 acre wetland is also located at Azalea Park, an old oxbow of the Swannanoa cutoff many years ago. This is an excellent sight for birders looking for migratory fowl as well as waders. This area will also be protected with a conservation easement preserving it for future generations.
Plans for greenways throughout the park will offer opportunities for walking and running along the river connecting to the Mountains to Sea Trail. These trails will eventually to be incorporated into the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan, seventeen miles of greeways planned along both the Swannanoa and French Broad River.

RiverLink will have future restoration projects along the Swannanoa at Warren Wilson and Black Mountain Recreation Park.

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