Stream Stabilization and Habitat Improvement
While AMD is the major source of pollution in the watershed many tributaries and the main stem of Anderson Creek lack the needed habitat for fish and other stream life. As the water quality of these streams improves it will become increasingly more important to improve habitat to support new fish populations. Many streams in the watershed also have eroding banks. As banks erode they pose a risk to infrastructure and personal property. The soil that is eroding also pollutes the stream with fine particles of soil which results in sedimentation of the stream. These fine particles fill in the spaces where invertebrates live in the stream, clog fish gills, and smoother the eggs of fish and other life.
Anderson Creek bares many scares from past industry. Most obviously these are from historic mining. However historic timbering, and agriculture also impact the watershed. Much of the watershed was clear cut of all trees in the 1800's. The logs that were removed where floated down the streams to lumber mills. Loggers build dams to allow for this practice, and removed many large boulders from the stream. Loggers also worked to straighten the stream to allow for easier movement of timber. Historic farms also took advantage of the large open areas to have pastures. These pastures often times keep overhanging trees from shading the stream, and increase erosion by not supporting stable root structure which holds soil.
All of these practices have left their mark on the stream today. The stream is relatively wide in sections, this makes the waters slow and shallow. The waters warm in these conditions making it harder for fish to utilize these stream segments. In flood conditions, the water flows rapidly and eats away more of the bank. The streams have few hiding or resting places for fish, and over all do not support the reproduction of fish.
ACWA has worked to decrease these problems in the watershed. These projects utilize structures that help direct the stream away from eroding banks, and increase the habitat for fish. These projects have helped to decrease erosion, improve habitat and provide a healthier stream.
Anderson Creek bares many scares from past industry. Most obviously these are from historic mining. However historic timbering, and agriculture also impact the watershed. Much of the watershed was clear cut of all trees in the 1800's. The logs that were removed where floated down the streams to lumber mills. Loggers build dams to allow for this practice, and removed many large boulders from the stream. Loggers also worked to straighten the stream to allow for easier movement of timber. Historic farms also took advantage of the large open areas to have pastures. These pastures often times keep overhanging trees from shading the stream, and increase erosion by not supporting stable root structure which holds soil.
All of these practices have left their mark on the stream today. The stream is relatively wide in sections, this makes the waters slow and shallow. The waters warm in these conditions making it harder for fish to utilize these stream segments. In flood conditions, the water flows rapidly and eats away more of the bank. The streams have few hiding or resting places for fish, and over all do not support the reproduction of fish.
ACWA has worked to decrease these problems in the watershed. These projects utilize structures that help direct the stream away from eroding banks, and increase the habitat for fish. These projects have helped to decrease erosion, improve habitat and provide a healthier stream.