Have you observed severe stream bank erosion on your property or near it? Did you know that stream bank erosion, while often a natural process, degrades water quality in our streams and rivers?
In 2012, you may have observed efforts to stabilize the banks of Sycamore Creek at the Community Gardens site, just north of State Rt. 256 on Pickerington's east side. This section of Sycamore Creek has seen active erosion for a long time. It is estimated that the 400 linear feet of stabilization, through the use of toe of slope rock and gabion baskets on the embankments, will reduce sediment pollution loads by around 900 tons per year.
As part of the project, the corridor was treated for undesirable plant species – including bush honeysuckle, tree of heaven, multiflora rose and grapevine – several months before construction. As construction wrapped up, native Ohio nursery stock was installed in the disturbed areas to help bioengineer the banks and provide improved shading of the stream and bank stability in the future.
This project was a collaboration of the City of Pickerington, the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District and the Ohio and United States Environmental Protection Agencies. It was financed through a grant from the Ohio and U.S. EPAs, under the provisions of the Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act.
If you would like to learn more about stream bank stabilization and dealing with invasive species, the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District will be co-hosting a workshop at the Pickerington Community Gardens site on Saturday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP your interest in attending to 740-653-8154. Together, we are improving water quality in the Walnut Creek watershed.
By Jonathan Ferbrache, PLA, CPESC, Resource Specialist, Fairfield SWCD
