project brief

Trout Unlimited received $12,000 to restore brook trout habitat in Wolf Creek, TN, by replacing a failing culvert with a bridge, rebuilding the stream bed, enhancing habitat, and engaging volunteers in stabilization and fundraising efforts.

Trout Unlimited

Wolf Creek, Cocke County, TN

Award

$ 12,000

Funding Start Date

Jun 1, 2022

Funding End Date

Dec 31, 2022

Funding Partner

Brunswick Foundation

Project Objectives

  • Restore the stream habitat to help the brook trout population in Wolf Creek

  • Replace a damaged double-culvert with a bridge to reduce sediment buildup

  • Fix the stream bed to make it more natural and better for wildlife

  • Have volunteers help with planting, installing signs, and supporting the project

Project Description

Trout Unlimited was awarded $12,000 to restore stream habitat for brook trout in Wolf Creek, Cocke County, TN. This project replaced a failing double-culvert crossing with a bridge to reduce sedimentation risk, reconnect the brook trout population, reconstructed the impacted stream bed to mimic a natural stream system, placed course wood material to create a better stream habitat and revegetated the stream banks.

TU and partners replaced the culverts with a better structure and rebuilt the stream bed; it is a top priority coldwater conservation project for Trout Unlimited and Cherokee National Forest. Volunteers installed necessary signage and plants on newly constructed stream banks to reduce sedimentation risks, removed silt fence once the banks stabilized, and helped in raising funds.

The original culvert outlets at Wolf Creek. It is easy to see why this was a passage barrier as both outlets are perched and no water is flowing through the culvert on the left side of the image. – Photo by Andy Brown. Taken in 2019.
The outlet side of the new bridge on Wolf Creek. This photo also shows the multiple riffle/pool sequences that were reconstructed based on the upstream reference reach. – Photo by Jeff Wright. Taken 10/25/22
Two volunteers from Cherokee Chapter Trout Unlimited installing live stakes at Wolf Creek in November 2022. These live stakes will help stabilize the reconstructed streambanks and discourage illegal, off-trail vehicle use. – Photo by Jeff Wright. Taken 11/29/22

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