Protection and Restoration

The before and after photos above are from our recent Lick Log Creek Restoration Project which was completed in July 2015.

The goal of this program is to protect and restore existing waterways to their best operational form through “on the ground” projects. Once restored existing riverbank areas, streams and creeks better address the central causes of impairment to the Soque Watershed. Key causes of impairment are:

• the result of flooding and water run-off which leads to riverbank soil removal and collapse
• the uprooting of needed riparian buffer vegetation and trees, which is normally the 15-25 feet of ground on each side of a riverbank
• increased water run-off from livestock and sod farm fields carrying high levels of bacteria and chemicals into local waterways
• the lack of properly sloped landscapes bordering the waterways, that act as natural absorption areas for excessive water run-off

The red and brown color of our waterway after heavy rains or flooding is evident of this type of impairment.

The active effort of “on the ground” restoration projects are an ongoing effort by the SRWA. Three to four times per year, the SRWA funds programs to property repair waterways that are badly broken. The projects are costly, but they are some of the most important environmental works that the SRWA completes. Most projects involve bank restoration efforts like the one in the above picture. The SRWA Team also does the replanting of riparian buffer zones, the cleaning out of high-volume storm drains and culverts, and the visiting of key development sites to correct unmanaged erosion issues.

Other effective “on the ground” restoration projects involve the moving of livestock a viable distance away from key river run-off areas with the use of additional fencing. Working with agricultural and sod farming operations concerning the use of certain chemicals and fertilizers is another important step in managing bacterial and chemical impairment issues.
If you see or know of any of the above impairment situations within Habersham County, please the SRWA office directly at 706-754-9382 or by email at srwa@soque.org. The watchdog efforts by our local citizens truly make a difference in keeping our wonderful Soque River, its tributaries and watershed protected. It takes a village!