West Virginia Success Story

Partnership Increasing Recreational Value of Second Creek

Program or Category: Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)

Overview: NRCS was contacted for alternatives to a low-water crossing in Second Creek. Second Creek is noted for its high quality trout fishery. It also contains a diverse non-game fish assemblage.

A section of Second Creek was impacted by heavy rain events resulting in the removal of habitat along sections immediately above and below the crossing. The flooding caused the channel to over-widen severe bank scouring. The low water crossing was partially destroyed and acted almost as a low-water dam. Subsequent high flows impacted the direction and stream channel flow causing significant erosion and impaired aquatic passage.

Accomplishments: The project was completed in 2007 and was a collaborative financially and technically effort by many different organizations and agencies. It included private landowners, NRCS, the local chapter of Trout Unlimited, WV Division of Natural Resources and the WV Conservation Agency.

Program Benefits to Community: The design incorporated measures to insure stability and reduce sedimentation while restoring habitat, therefore increasing the recreational value of the stream. A second phase of this project is being planned for later this summer.

Contact:
Casey D. Shrader, State Biologist
Casey.Shrader@wv.usda.gov
304-284-7581

State Office─Morgantown, WV
75 High St., Room 301
Morgantown, WV 26505
Fax (304) 284-4839

Second Creek following restoration, Summer 2007

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