USC Stream Team Products

1 – WATERSHED BACKGROUND REPORT

A comprehensive overview of the watershed and stream channel. The report is an exhaustive search of existing information and data on the watershed and influences on water quality and quantity. The report provides a “first step” in determining needed research and data collection in order to make informed decisions for management and corrective actions. Topics may include such items as:

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

  • Tributaries
  • Stream Order

HYDROLOGY

  • Low Flow Gaging Stations

CLIMATE

  • Climate Data Chart 1961-2003

GEOLOGY / SOILS

GEOLOGY

SOIL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Relationship Between Geology, Soils and the Sugar Creek Watershed Streams
  • Soils in the Sugar Creek Watershed Chart
  • Prime Farmland Soils in the Sugar Creek Watershed Chart
  • Soils of Statewide Importance in the Sugar Creek Watershed
  • Sugar Creek Watershed Hydric Soils Chart
  • Sugar Creek Watershed Soils Containing Hydric Components

WETLANDS

FLOODPLAINS

  • Protected Uses

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

  • Electrofishing Data
  • Physical-Chemical Data
  • Fish Species Captured

LAND USE

  • Land Use Chart
  • Land Use Chart – by Subwatershed
  • Municipalities
  • Chart of Municipalities and Area in Watershed
  • Local Land Use Regulations
  • Land Use Regulations by Municipality Chart
  • Census Data
  • Agricultural Importance – Sugar Creek Watershed

TRANSPORTATION

  • Dirt/Gravel Road Sites Impacting Water & Air Quality Chart

WATER QUALITY – Point Sources

WATER QUALITY – NonPoint Sources

  • Typical Nonpoint Source Pollution Loadings Nationally
  • NonPoint Source – Row Crops
  • Potential Pollution Index Chart – Sugar Creek
  • Pollution-Index Assessment

WATER QUALITY – MACROINVERTEBRATES

  • Water Quality Data from SRBC
  • SRBC Macroinvertebrate Ratings
  • SRBC Water Chemistry Evaluation
  • SRBC’s Habitat Evaluation

WATERSHED ASSOCIATION HISTORY

  • Documentation/Studies/Reports Available

BIBLIOGRAPHY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

2 – STREAM CHANNEL &/OR BANK STABILIZATION DESIGN PACKAGE

A design for specific stream sites based on sound engineering and hydrologic principles with a consideration for re-establishing stable channel conditions and natural stream functions. Designs are developed through requests by USC members for municipalities and landowners. A typical design package would include:

  A: Project Overview

  • Narrative
  • Design Procedures
  • Project Information Summary
  • Location Information and Maps
  • Operation and Maintenance Plan
  • Permit
  • PNDI
  • Landowner Consent Form

B: Design Information

  • Survey Information
  • Design Calculations
  • Design Specifications – NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (580)
  • Quantity Computations
  • Project Cost Estimate
  • Quality Assurance Plan

C: Construction Information

  • Pre-construction Checklist
  • PA One-Call
  • Installation Sequence and Contractors Notification List (i.e. Before starting construction, install rock construction entrance.)
  • E&S Plan
  • Construction Specifications (additional conditions)
  • Drawings – Cover Sheet, Plan View, Proposed Cross Section, Typical Rip-Rap Installation

3 – A STREAM REACH / WATERSHED TRIAGE REPORT

A comprehensive analysis of identified stream channel problems that includes a description of causes and effects, an analysis of potential strategies to address the identified problems and a cost estimate for each strategy. The Triage Report provides a solid basis for prioritizing sites and distributing resources. Reports also can be utilized to assess needed resources and providing a structured proposal for potential funding sources in addressing watershed needs.

Report findings would include:

Summary —
Purpose —
Methodology —
Data Recording
General Note —
Remediation Costs —
Observations on Common Causes of Instability, such as:

  1. Alteration and Removal of Vegetative Cover
  2. Channel Encroachment / Floodplain Restriction
  3. Debris Jams
  4. Anthropogenic Channel Alteration
  5. Transitional Areas
  6. Geology and Soils

Impairment Findings and Potential Recommendations —

  1. Lack of Riparian Vegetation
  2. Culvert Outlets
  3. Entrenchment / Channel Straightening / Lack of Floodplain Access
  4. Mid-Channel Deposition
  5. Bank Saturation
  6. Road / Structure Encroachment
  7. Debris Jams
  8. Rip-Rap

Streambank / Stream Channel Rehabilitation Strategies

The following is a listing is an example of remediation strategies considered at each site during the assessment and triage phases of the project.

  • Natural Stream Channel Design
  • Toe Protection
  • Deflectors
  • Gabions
  • Vanes / J-hooks
  • Bank grading
  • Bankfull Bench
  • Cribbing
  • Channel Block / Curb
  • Stone / Block Wall
  • Gabion with Plantings
  • Plantings
  • Bank Drains (French drain system)
  • Energy dissipation
  • No Action
  • Combination of various practices

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