Work is well underway for the new South River Preserve. Innovative design elements have combined aesthetically pleasing landscapes with valuable environmental function. Consider the area of low ground transformed into a flooded forest (pictured above). During heavy or long-term rain events, water runoff will accumulate in this lowland area and be filtered naturally by the planted trees and wildflowers before following its natural path into the South River. That’s clever planning! Here are some more progress details:
Steps Completed
- Approximately five acres of asphalt have been removed.
- The surface has been re-graded for the flooded forest area that has been seeded with meadow mixes.
- The river theater has been created by carving out a section of the bank for a clear river view with easy access.
- Two river access trails have been cut in to aid anglers in getting to popular fishing holes. These will also decrease bank erosion.
- The greenway has been realigned through the site and includes a new pedestrian bridge over the in fall to the flooded forest.
- In-stream fish habitat improvements have begun. Several of the existing cross vanes have been reworked to create deeper pools, and rock and wood snag clusters have been added in the river to provide shelter and hiding places for fish.
Next Steps
- Over 200 large trees will be planted across the site this spring and fall.
- Parking areas and shared-use paths will be paved this spring.
- A mix of various native tree whips (e.g., small caliper and bare root trees) will be planted in the flooded forest.
- Restoration on the Rockfish Run Streambank, just opposite the preserve, will proceed once work on the west side is complete.
To find out more, click here.
