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Davey Resource Group, teaming with Oxbow River and Stream Restoration, Inc., assisted Metro Parks, serving Summit County, with a restoration project for a segment of Yellow Creek located in O’Neil Woods Metro Park. The central project goals of the restoration were to restore ecosystem attributes and improve water quality of Yellow Creek. Natural Channel Design concepts (a physical geomorphological approach) in harmony with vegetation and landscape features (a more aesthetic approach) were the key principles used to accomplish these goals in this urban park setting.
Key tasks included:
- Improve the physical aquatic habitat features by utilizing large woody debris to stabilize the steep eroding banks and slopes.
- Provide a naturally stable stream channel by reducing the bank height to channel relationships, creating a stable channel width and depth and reconnecting the stream to a floodplain or benched area.
- Restore the riparian area by re-vegetating the slope area with native grasses, shrubs, and trees.
Approximately 200 linear feet of Yellow Creek was stabilized utilizing techniques such as bio-engineering, bank shaping, seeding and tree planting, and construction of channel and instream habitat features. Minimization of impacts to the riparian corridor and floodplain was achieved by using staged construction techniques and low ground pressure equipment. Use of Best Management Practices (BMP) minimized and prevented unnecessary damage, soil erosion, sedimentation, and non-point source pollutants to Yellow Creek and the riparian corridor throughout the construction process. The end result was a more stable and attractive stream system.
In addition to the physical restoration, the Davey/ Oxbow team provided the following educational services to Metro Parks staff and park users:
- Public presentation of the conceptual and final design.
- Public workshop with Metro Park staff to further the science of natural channel design in Ohio.
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