Bank restoration complete along Catfish Creek
Courtesy of Joan Jesson
An area of Catfish Creek where restoration work was performed in 2014.
Examples of root wads placed along Catfish Creek
An eroding stream bank along Catfish Creek in Washington was recently restored with the help of several area agencies.
On Oct. 27 and 28, Chartiers Creek Watershed Association, Washington County Watershed Alliance, Washington County Conservation District and the city worked to restore a part of Catfish Creek near Elm Street.
Volunteers from the watershed groups spent the weekend digging out the stream bank, regrading the slope of the banking, planting shrubs and trees and adding root wads to slow the water current.
Jennifer Dann, watershed specialist with the Washington County Conservation District, said the opposite side of the bank was stabilized last year.
In addition to the root wads, which are fallen trees that still have their roots attached and are fastened into the bank with rebar and stones, Dann said large stones were placed around the bank.
“We are trying to keep it as natural as possible without putting up retaining walls,” she said of the restoration.
Grant money paid for the materials.
Dann said the restoration project was done with the hope of limiting flooding in the surrounding area.
“Catfish Creek is notorious for flooding,” she said. “We had to make the necessary changes to help land and homeowners and to keep the stream healthy. The changes will slow down the water coming through there and will help to stabilize the bank.”
Lynn Galluze, the administrative coordinator for the city, said the restoration is part of the Integrated Stormwater Assessment and Watershed Rehabilitation for Catfish Creek. Catfish Creek is eight miles in length and runs through North Franklin, South Strabane, Canton, East Washington and the city. A study was done in 2010 that identified 12 problem areas along the creek. Galluze said that as additional funding becomes available, the other sections of the creek will be addressed.