Pine Valley Stream Restoration
Pine Valley Country Club, Wilmington, NC
Pine Valley is a first-order tributary on a golf course in Wilmington, N.C. This coastal stream, a tributary to the main stem of Hewlett's Creek, drains a 0.5 square mile watershed comprised of the golf course and single-family residential development. Historically, the stream was channelized through the golf course and more recently piped through the residential area upstream of the golf course. As a result, the stream was severely entrenched. The floodplain was substantially widened to slow the water and reduce erosive forces at high flow. The stream was re-meandered through the new floodplain to dissipate energy, restore natural bed features, and improve the aesthetics of the stream. To prevent future erosion, improve streamside habitat, and provide shade, the floodplain and banks were planted with a mix of native wetland plants, grasses, low growing shrubs, and trees that can survive periodic inundation. The vegetation was located keeping the golf course in mind with taller trees being placed on the edge of fairways. Log cross vanes and root wads were installed for grade control, to help prevent future erosion in meander bends, improve aquatic habitat, and protect two cart bridges.
Project Length: |
900 ft. |
|---|---|
Date of Construction Completion: |
Spring 2001 |
Project Cost (Construction only): |
$125,000 |
Designer: |
NC Sea Grant and NC State University |
Contractor: |
Intracoastal Diving |
Funding: |
NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund |
Partners: |
New Hanover County Tidal Creeks Program, City of Wilmington, NC Sea Grant, NC State University, Pine Valley Country Club, Cape Fear Resource Conservation and Development, NC Cooperative Extension Service |
