Serving Elk County, Pennsylvania since 1962! Call Us: 814-776-5373
Elk
County
Conservation
District
Habitat Improvement
Stream habitat is important for not only our fish, but the other creatures that live in and around our streams. The Elk County Conservation District works to implement projects that improve in-stream habitat, while also providing other benefits to the stream ecosystem as whole. Below are some examples of projects completed by the District.
This project includes the installation of mudsills, which are the logs you see running parallel to the stream in the above photo. Mudsills act as an artificial overhanging streambank, providing fish with additional in-stream cover. Mudsills also help to prevent streambank erosion by armoring the streambank. Also included in this project were rock cross vanes. Rock cross vanes help to direct water to the center of the stream channel, which helps to create deeper pockets of water known as pools.
Although these projects look messy, they provide significant environmental benefits. These types of projects are known as large wood addition projects. Essentially, constructors use chainsaws to direct-fell trees into the stream to create artificial debris jams. These types of projects are constructed in areas where there is no infrastructure. The artificial debris jams help to encourage the stream to use its floodplain during high flow events, resulting in less flooding downstream. In addition to this, these structures collect leaf litter, which macroinvertebrates (stream bugs) feed on. Another important function of these structures is they trap sediment, preventing it from going downstream. These structures also encourage streams to use side channels, which serve as great habitat for young trout.
This project consisted of installing root wads, which are the root balls from trees. The "stem" of the root wad is dug back into the streambank and secured with rebar. Large stone is then placed on top of the "stem." Root wads are another type of instream structure that helps to armoring an eroding streambank, which also providing great habitat benefits. Since root wads are wood, macroinvertebrates can feed on them. When angled like in the above photo, they can also create a small backwater effect, which provides habitat for young trout. Adult trout can also hide in and around the root wads to escape predators.
Interested in Learning More?
Contact our watershed specialist, Micaela Lefever, to learn more about habitat improvement and other similar projects!
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Contact info: watershed@elkconservationdistrict.com
814-776-4609