West Virginia Success Story

Natural Stream Restoration Demonstration Project

Program: Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

Overview: Flooding in the fall 2004 caused major problems in the Northern Panhandle. Many streams were severely impacted by sediment deposits, blockages, and stream bank erosion. One of the problems areas was streambank erosion on Middle Grave Creek along Eastern Fourth Street, outside of Moundsville.

Accomplishments: Northern Panhandle Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) had the opportunity to partner with the West Virginia Conservation Agency (WVCA), Marshall County Commission, and Marshall County Activities Development Authority to restore and correct the streambank erosion. WVCA supplied technical assistance and labor to correct the problems. The remaining partners contributed financial assistance. Rather than restore the stream using conventional methodology, a process known as natural stream restoration using natural channel design was utilized.

Stream systems normally function within natural ranges of flow, sediment movement, temperature, and other variables, in what is termed "dynamic equilibrium.” When changes in these variables go beyond their natural ranges, dynamic equilibrium may be lost, often resulting in adjustments in the ecosystem that might conflict with social needs. In some circumstances, a new dynamic equilibrium may eventually develop, but the time frames in which this happens can be lengthy, and the changes necessary to achieve this new balance significant.

Natural channel design uses engineering, geological, and biological principles to improve the hydrology, habitat, and aesthetics of a stream, considering current and future watershed conditions. The natural channel design approach uses reference streams as a blueprint (stream shape and biology) to devise a comprehensive project aimed at restoring and maintaining natural stream functions over the long term.

Benefits to the Community: The WVCA has used the work done to repair/restore Middle Grave Creek in Marshall County as a demonstration to promote natural restoration throughout West Virginia.

Contact:
James Ali, RC&D Coordinator
(304) 262-0576 ext. 110
James.Ali@wv.usda.gov

Northern Panhandle RC&D
132 Peters Run Road
Wheeling, WV 26003
Phone: (304) 242-0576 Fax: (304) 242-7039
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/north_rec.html

	Middle Grave Creek before the work was completed.
	Middle Grave Creek after the work was completed. The red structure seen in the photograph is known locally as “The Barn” and is a meeting facilities building operated by the Extension Service.

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