Davey Tree : Ecological Services : Project Profiles : Ohio University-Zanesville, Muskingham County, Ohio: Stream Enhancement Project


Ohio University-Zanesville, Muskingham County, Ohio: Stream Enhancement Project

Davey Resource Group, with assistance from the Ohio Wetlands Foundation, designed and implemented a stream enhancement project for mitigation on a 62-acre parcel on the Ohio University-Zanesville (OUZ) campus. The site, including 1.731 acres of wetlands and 4,385 linear feet of streams, will be permanently protected by a conservation easement held by the Muskingum Valley Park District. The stream enhancement activities focused on 1,000 linear feet of Joes Run and the adjacent riparian corridor.

The Ohio Wetlands Foundation identified the potential for stream mitigation on the OUZ campus through coordination with Ohio University officials and Muskingum Valley Park District. After coordination with Ohio EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Ohio Wetlands Foundation, Davey developed a design plan, mitigation goals, and objectives. The stream enhancement plan detailed the enhancement activities and included a monitoring plan with reporting requirements to ensure the success of the stream mitigation site for the next five years.

The monitoring goals include:

Improve in-stream habitat
Increase canopy cover and native species diversity
Decrease the presence of Ligustrum spp. (privet)
Increase vegetation cover on barren areas of the streambank

To accomplish these goals, several enhancement activities were completed in spring and summer 2005. Davey planted 63 native trees and 12 native shrubs to improve habitat diversity and increase canopy cover. In addition, 20 plugs of Salix interior (sandbar willow) were planted along a barren area of streambank to reduce erosion.

Stands of privet were removed along the streambank in the enhancement area. The cut-stumps and remaining foliage were treated with Rodeo™.

Logjams, debris, and lumber will be removed from the streambed to promote positive water flow and improve in-stream habitat. A riffle/rock weir structure will be installed within the enhancement area to decrease streambank erosion and increase habitat.

Beginning in fall 2005, Davey biologists will monitor the site annually for five years to assure attainment of the mitigation goals and provide reports to Ohio EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representatives.