Phase 1 involved a partnership between multiple organizations to implement 2,800 linear feet — or a little more than seven-and-a-half football fields — of river restoration. Now, the NRC is partnering with Watauga County, town of Boone, Brushy Fork Environmental Consulting and a potential private land owner to expand the project another 1,700 — or four-and-a-half football fields — linear feet upstream.
“Both of these projects are aimed at improving water quality and habitat, while also providing recreational opportunities,” said Chelsea Blount, the project lead. “A river restoration project like this one is designed to prevent erosion by installing engineered rock and log structures which mimic the natural environment known as Natural Stream Channel Design.” Once those structures are installed, Blount said the contractor slopes the banks to a more gentle grade to allow the river to get up into the floodplain during rain events.
To learn more, please read the full article, New River Conservancy Working on Phase 2 of a River Restoration Project Near Brookshire Park (PDF)