Mill Pond Creek Stream Restoration

During the summer of 2015 and winter of 2016, approximately 1,000 feet of Mill Pond Creek was restored on the campus of Rugby Middle School. The project was funded by a combination of grants from the Division of Water Resources, the Community Foundation, and Community Conservation Assistance Program cost share funds. The stream had become incised with eroding streambanks. The plant community was dominated by invasive species and there was very little woody debris to inhibit erosion of the streambanks. Additionally, the stream’s dimension, pattern, and profile needed to be adjusted. The instream habitat was also highly impacted due to the lack of proper bed form, prohibiting a diversity of habitat. The existing channel was dominated by runs.

As part of the restoration, a floodplain was constructed which thereby reduced the slope of the stream. The flood prone area was excavated to provide a reduction in the erosive forces of water during high flow events. In order to improve the terrestrial habitat, the riparian area was seeded with native herbaceous plants. Additionally, bare root seedlings were planted to restore the woody vegetation that was removed prior to construction. Live stakes were installed along the stream on both banks to provide quick-rooting woody plants to help secure the banks during the period of vegetation establishment.

Stream Restoration: Community Foundation of Henderson County Grant Received

July 12, 2021

“The Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District has been awarded a grant of $20,000 by the Community Foundation of Henderson County,” Betsy Gerwig, Conservation Engineer for the District, said today.

According to Ms. Gerwig, the grant will be used for the restoration and stabilization of 425 linear feet of the upper portion of Mill Pond Creek at Rugby Middle School. This project will reconnect the stream to a floodplain, properly slope the banks, and establish native and pollinator vegetation. Water quality, aquatic habitat, and wildlife access will be improved. With stable banks, the soil loss from the site will be greatly reduced, which is North Carolina’s main water pollutant. An educational access point will be constructed for use as an outdoor learning laboratory for students, teachers, and the public. The grant from the Community Foundation of Henderson County will provide funds specifically for design and permitting as well as the construction of the educational access point.

The mission of the Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District is to work with federal, state, and local offices to provide educational, technical, and financial assistance to conserve soil, improve water quality, and enhance the natural resources of Henderson County. Andrew Brannon is Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Community Foundation of Henderson County, founded in 1982, supports charitable programs in the greater Henderson County area.

Stream Restoration: Duke Energy Grant Received

October 21, 2020

CHARLOTTE, N.C.  – Duke Energy is proud to announce a $10,000 grant to the Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District to restore and stabilize 425 feet of the upper portion of Mill Pond Creek at Rugby Middle School.

Mill Pond Creek is part of Henderson County’s water supply watershed that also supplies drinking water to Buncombe County. The project will reconnect the stream to a floodplain, slope banks, and re-establish native vegetation. Water quality, aquatic habitat, and animal access will be improved. An educational access point will be constructed for use as an outdoor learning laboratory for students, teachers, and the public.

After construction activities are complete, science teachers will develop lesson plans and long-term projects to allow students to track the stream’s physical, biological and chemical conditions following the restoration. Conditions of the stream will also be documented by staff and other resource specialists annually.

“Working with scientists and conservationists has not only helped our students experience the real application of their studies, it has also helped develop a genuine concern for water quality and the environment,” said Brian Bloxsom, Henderson County Public Schools teacher and supporter of the project.

The project gives students an opportunity to study watershed issues, to understand processes that degrade a stream system, and to learn ways to improve the quality of the stream and the associated habitat. Permanent signage will be installed to explain the project design, on-going evaluations and resources for improvements.

“Water is a shared natural resource that connects us all. We’re is committed to investing resources and working alongside our community partners to ensure we protect and restore our water resources,” said Craig DeBrew, Duke Energy’s district manager for Henderson County. “Not only will this work restore the stream’s eroding bank, it will provide students with a hands-on science project.”

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts, and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the foundation and its Powerful Communities program can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.