Overview
Hatchery Creek is the outlet for the Wolf Creek Trout Hatchery located immediately
downstream of the Wolf Creek dam, which forms Lake Cumberland. Water level
fluctuations below the dam impaired trout spawning. Using in-lieu fee funding, the
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources hired the Design-Build team of EcoGro/Ridgewater/Stantec to design and build a one-mile extension downstream to create one of Kentucky’s first self-sustaining trout stream capable of supporting spawning.
Stantec’s responsibilities included completing a geomorphic assessment, preliminary
and final design, permitting, hydraulic modeling, jurisdictional waters determinations,
construction observation services, as-built survey, and post-construction monitoring.
The project design focused on supporting all trout life stages and included a variety
of stream types including A, C, and D channels. In the braided D-channel sections, a
variety of wetlands and vernal pools were constructed to provide rearing habitat. The
lower portion included a step pool system designed to promote fish passage from the
Cumberland River up into Hatchery Creek. A fish migration barrier on the upper portion
of the project was also designed to separate areas with different fishing restrictions.
The design consisted of approximately 6,000 linear feet of channel with dozens
of oxbow features, and numerous in-stream structures including toe wood, lunker
structures, step pools, and a variety of riffles. Wood harvested from the site was used
throughout to help create a natural looking stream system and provide habitat.
Quick Facts
Project Location:
Wolf Creek Dam, Kentucky, USA, 36.8683, -85.14749999999998
Geographic Region:
North America
Country or Territory:
United States of America
Biome:
Freshwater
Ecosystem:
Freshwater Rivers & Streams
Area being restored:
1.2 River miles
Project Lead:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Organization Type:
Governmental Body
Project Partners:
US Fish & Wildlife
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
EcoGro Inc.
Ridgewater
Location
Project Stage:
Monitoring & Evaluation
Start Date:
2013-08
End Date:
2015-12
Primary Causes of Degradation
Dams & Hydrology, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Mining & Resource Extraction, Urbanization, Transportation & IndustryDegradation Description
This project was funded through the need to mitigate for roadway construction and mining impacts through an In-Lieu Fee Program. Under an In-Lieu Fee Program, mitigation funding is pooled together to pursue larger more comprehensive funding. Prior to restoration, the site was subject to erosion, resulting in sedimentation to the Cumberland River.
Defining the Reference Ecosystem
The reference ecosystem is based on diverse sources of information (e.g. multiple extant reference sites, field indicators, historical records, predictive data).Reference Ecosystem Description
Reference reaches used for the project were selected based on desired stream type and aquatic habitat. The project included a high and low gradient C channel, a DA channel and a step pool system (A channel). The site was also challenging, because the amount of flow in the channel was influenced by the trout hatchery and was larger than what would normally occur relative to the contributing drainage area. This was a factor in determining appropriate reference streams.
Project Goals
- Create a sustainable trout stream
- Generate stream mitigation credits
- Stream stability
- Enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitat
- Enhance surrounding wetlands and create new wetlands
Monitoring
Monitoring Details:
The stream restoration and wetland restoration components of the project are being monitored for 5 years. Monitoring includes geomorphic data collection, photographic documentation, groundwater level readings, vegetation surveys, hydric soil surveys, and wetland delineations. The site is also being monitored over a three year period for macroinvertebrates and fisheries.
Start date, including baseline data collection:
2015-12
End Date:
2021 -12
Stakeholders
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife
US Fish and Wildlife
US Army Corps of Engineers
Public
Numerous stakeholder meetings were held before and during the project to address issues/concerns. Since the project has been completed, numerous field tours of the site have been completed.
How this project eliminated existing threats to the ecosystem:
The project focused on eliminating a sediment source to the Cumberland River and elimination of invasive plants.
How this project reinstated appropriate physical conditions (e.g. hydrology, substrate)",:
The project raised groundwater in the vicinity of the site, which enhanced existing and restored wetlands. The project also significantly increased riffle habitat.
How this project achieved a desirable species composition:
Habitat features worked into the project were designed for three species of trout. Terrestrial habitat features for a variety of mammals were also included in the project.
How this project reinstated structural diversity (e.g. strata, faunal food webs, spatial habitat diversity):
The project greatly increased complexity within the channel bed and added to diversity within the stream channel and surrounding areas.
How this project recovered ecosystem functionality (e.g. nutrient cycling, plant-animal interactions, normal stressors):
Ecosystem function was greatly enhanced over the impaired channel which previously existed. This was achieved through added complexity, raising the groundwater, increasing the quality and amount of fringe habitat around the channel, creating macro-invertebrate habitat, etc.
How this project reestablished external exchanges with the surrounding landscape (e.g. migration, gene flow, hydrology):
The project focused on reestablishing hyporheic flow within the channel and overall ground water/surface water interaction.
Activities were undertaken to address any socio-economic aspects of the project:
The project resulted in a robust fishery which has increased tourism to the community.
Ecological Outcomes Achieved
Eliminate existing threats to the ecosystem:
Erosion has been successfully eliminated by the project.
Reinstate appropriate physical conditions",:
Based on groundwater readings at the site, the project has raised groundwater in the vicinity of the stream, which has enhanced existing and restored wetlands. The project also significantly increased riffle habitat.
Achieve a desirable species composition:
Vegetation throughout the restoration project is in the process of being monitored. Results indicate a diverse composition of species is being established at the site. With respects to diversity of species of trout at the site, over time the restored reach is exhibiting an increase in rainbow trout, which is also occurring in areas outside of the restoration.
Reinstate structural diversity:
The project greatly increased complexity within the channel bed and added to diversity within the stream channel and surrounding areas.
Recover ecosystem functionality:
Ecosystem function was greatly enhanced over the impaired channel which previously existed. This was achieved through added complexity, raising the groundwater, increasing the quality and amount of fringe habitat around the channel, creating macro-invertebrate habitat, etc.
Reestablish external exchanges with the surrounding landscape:
The project focused on reestablishing hyporheic flow within the channel and overall ground water/surface water interaction. Results of ground water monitoring indicate that the overall interaction has been enhanced.
Socio-Economic & Community Outcomes Achieved
Economic vitality and local livelihoods:
The project has increased tourism to the area. The project continues to attract trout fisherman, which has increased tourism to the area.
Provision of basic necessities such as food, water, timber, fiber, fuel, etc.:
N/A
Cultural dimensions such as recreational, aesthetic and/or spiritual:
The project has increased recreation in the watershed.
Regulation of climate, floods, disease, erosion, water quality, etc.:
The project has eliminated a source of erosion and has improved water quality.
Has the project had any negative consequences for surrounding communities or given rise to new socio-economic or political challenges?:
No
Key Lessons Learned
Due to weather conditions and on-site coordination challenges, construction took place over two construction seasons, which created some challenges and resulted in excavations for the project being left open longer than originally intended.
Long-Term Management
The project is being monitored for 5 years. The contractor is responsible for some maintenance tied to project warranties. The Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife is doing some maintenance on the project related to invasive species management and the establishment of vegetation on site.
Sources and Amounts of Funding
The project was funded through an In-Lieu Fee Mitigation program and was paid for by funds used to off-set impacts to streams and wetlands.
Other Resources
Stantec Website: https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/h/hatchery-creek-stream-restoration
KDFWR: https://fw.ky.gov/Fish/Pages/Hatchery-Creek-Stream.aspx
Related Research
Fisheries response is being studied.Primary Contact
Name:
J. George Athanasakes
Affiliation:
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
City:
Louisville
State:
KY