About the Project

The Little Alamance & Travis/Tickle Creek Local Watershed Plan will identify potential sites along the creeks of Little Alamance Creek, Travis Creek, and Tickle Creek for conservation and restoration.  The purpose of this plan to clean the waters of these creeks and restore their full use to the communities and ecosystems that rely upon them.  The health and function of these lands and waters will be restored through a number of approaches, including:

·                     Improving natural conditions for people living in the watershed;

·                     Restoring and protecting streams and wetlands;

·                     Protecting water quality and habitat through conservation partnerships;

·                     Identifying needed improvements to stormwater and wastewater systems; and

·                     Working with community leaders to foster stewardship in our watershed.

Watershed planning is guided by local governments, non-profits, and citizens.  Various agencies and organizations are already working to protect the watershed, led by the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments (PTCOG) and the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP).  Maintaining strong partnerships amongst these groups, and between them and the larger watershed community, is critical for success.  The communities that impact and rely upon these streams include Burlington, Elon, Gibsonville, Graham, and parts of Alamance and Guilford Counties.

Watershed planning relies upon methods that are proven to work.  Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows us to use complex computer analysis to determine which areas of the watershed are having the most negative effects on water; ordinance reviews allow us to work closely with community planning and administrative staffs to discuss possible local solutions to water quality issues; and good old-fashioned stream walks and field work let us get a close look at the worst areas of the streams, and plan out some possible projects to restore these areas.  Solutions to the water quality issues of all three creeks include "traditional" mitigation tools such as stream and buffer restoration projects, and more "flexible" approaches, such as urban and agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) that control the flow of water over land.  There are a number of county, state, and federal partnership opportunities for agricultural landowners to help improve the waters on their lands, preserve their agricultural identity, and possibly receive compensation for their contributions.  The PTCOG developed watershed-specific presentations about the planning process and voluntary landowner options to improve watershed health and function.

Little Alamance & Travis/Tickle Creeks are located in the Upper Cape Fear River Basin.  The Cape Fear River Basin is the largest and longest in North Carolina.

Stream Preservation – Protection of valuable untouched streams is a goal of this watershed plan.  This can include both protection the stream itself and “upland” areas that are good biological habitat and may serve the community, like a park.  There are different solutions for preservation projects.  Some areas are very sensitive and will be protected strictly, while others may be in your back yard and are habitats you can receive compensation for not disturbing.  Generally, stream preservation should be in combination with restoration or enhancement projects.

Stream Enhancement & Restoration - The process of converting an unstable or degraded stream, including its riparian buffers and floodplain, to its natural condition.  This process is intended as a long-term solution, and requires partnership with landowners.  Stream restoration decreases the amounts of sediment and pollutants in the water – the vegetated buffer filters these out; improves the streambank – stronger streambanks won’t collapse; increases fish habitat in the water; increases the shade and native plant life, making it better for animals, plants, and people; and improves the stream’s function, which will then clean the water better and prevent flash flooding.  A healthy streambank in the same watershed as the LATT creeks will be used as a model in these projects.

Streambank Stabilization – The reinforcement of a failing and eroding streambank.  Stabilization techniques use primarily natural structures and revegetate the riparian buffers for improved stability and habitat.  This decreases the sediment (“cloudiness”) and pollution in the water.  Stable streambanks also slow streamflow such that flash flooding is decreased and they become better areas for people to enjoy.  There are different solutions for city and country streams, and each project is designed individually.

Stormwater Management – Urban areas (like downtown Burlington or Graham) have unique water quality issues.  Compared to suburban neighborhoods or farmland, there is little or no plant cover or grassy areas, but, instead, these areas are covered in pavement and cement.  These are the centers of communities and very active, so there are also a lot of people and cars.  This means there is also a lot more pollution, including litter, oil, and pet feces.  These pollutants are carried over the land by water and directly into the streams and creeks; normally, they would be filtered by plants and grass cover.  There are a number of solutions to these stormwater problems, including using Best Management Practices (BMPs), designing areas to slow and trap overland water flow and filter out pollutants, and educating the public on how they can reduce their water quality impacts.  The PTCOG has a Stormwater SMART program set up for education, and has materials for teachers, parents, and kids to help them clean up their streams at home!

Conservation Easements – Easements are a partnership solution to protecting and restoring water quality.  There is frequently financial compensation for landowners who donate lands to easements.  Landowners can partner with county or state agencies on projects and manage lands to improve water quality.  Non-profit organizations and land trusts are also great easement partners for restoration and preservation projects.  The Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC) and the Haw River Trail have both been good partners on this watershed plan, and may be the right partner for you!