Project Description
The West Harpeth River is 303(d) listed for E. coli, habitat alteration, nutrients, siltation, fecal coliforms, and low dissolved oxygen. The project reach was initially destabilized following realignment for road building near Highway 96 in the 1960’s. Increased urbanization in the watershed and vegetation buffer management have also had an impact on channel morphology and bank stability. In 2002, a tornado hit the project area, which has had a considerable impact on downstream stability and the riparian community of the floodplain. The debris, which largely remains in the upper portion of the project reach, has caused significant bank instability and has allowed the channel to over-widen in places. The primary goal of the project is to restore a stable channel dimension to the West Harpeth River throughout the project reach. This will include bank excavation to correct the bank-full cross sectional area of the channel, stabilize vertical/unstable banks, and to reestablish a lower flood prone bench. In-stream structures will be constructed to improve in-stream habitat and reduce near bank shear stress in conjunction with the stabilization of banks and enhancement of the riparian community.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|