NC State University Stream Restoration Program

Davidson River Restoration

Sycamore Flats Picnic Area, Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, NC

The Davidson River is a stocked trout stream flowing through the Pisgah National Forest. The Sycamore Flats Picnic Area is a highly used visitation area near the town of Brevard where many come to wade and swim in the stream. Constant and uncontrolled visitor access to the river had resulted in severe bank erosion, loss of vegetation, mid-channel sediment bar development, and the over-widening of the stream channel. The project included channel reconfiguration, in-stream boulder structures, streambank stabilization, and riparian buffer planting. The goals of the project were to improve stream sediment transport, stabilize the stream banks, enhance natural bank vegetation, improve aquatic habitat, and provide human access to the stream channel with minimal impact.

Along the left bank in the Sycamore Flats Picnic Area, 3 boulder j-hook vanes were installed to direct flow energy away from unstable banks, concentrate energy to create scour holes in the streambed to improve habitat and provide low impact visitor access. Native grasses, shrubs, and trees were planted along the bank for stability, shade, and aesthetics.