Ohio River Foundation

TO INCREASE FUNDING AND EXTEND THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

GREASY CREEK FISH BARRIER REMOVAL

THIS PROJECT IS TO REMOVE THE CHAPEZE LOW HEAD DAM, LOCATED ON LONG LICK CREEK ALSO KNOWN AS LONG LICK RUN THE DAM IS AN OBSOLETE ROCK PILE DAM WITH A CONCRETE CAP AND SHEET PILING UPSTREAM FACE THE DAM S PRIOR USE WAS FOR INDUSTRIAL WATER SUPPLY THE UPSTREAM IMPOUNDMENT STRETCHES APPROXIMATELY 3 4 MILES THE DAM IS IN POOR CONDITION, IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPEDIMENT TO FISH PASSAGE, AND THE UPSTREAM IMPOUNDED WATER IS PRONE TO ALGAL BLOOMS IS OF POOR WATER QUALITY THE DAM S OWNER, JIM BEAM, SUPPORTS REMOVAL OF THIS STRUCTURE

THIS PROJECT WILL RESTORE CREATE AN OFF CHANNEL WETLAND BASIN USING TECHNIQUES SIMILAR TO THE H2OHIO SPRING CREEK CONFLUENCE AND TIPP CITY OFF CHANNEL WETLAND PROJECTS COMPLETED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS), PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE (PFW) PROGRAM. MOVING FORWARD WITH NEW OFF CHANNEL WETLAND RESTORATIONS, THE USFWS WOULD LIKE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECTS IN A TWO PHASE PROCESS. PHASE I WILL REQUEST FUNDS THROUGH H2OHIO TO COMPLETE THE EXCAVATION AND RE-VEGETATION OF THE BASIN IN THE ADJACENT FLOODPLAIN OF EACH PROJECT. ONCE THE BASIN EXCAVATION IS COMPLETED, THE USFWS WILL COMPLETE FINAL LAND ELEVATION AND BATHYMETRIC SURVEYS OF THE BASIN SO THE CONNECTOR CHANNEL TO THE RIVER CAN BE DESIGNED. ONCE DESIGN AND COST ESTIMATES ARE COMPLETED, THE USFWS WILL SUBMIT A NATIONAL FISH PASSAGE PROGRAM (NFPP) PROPOSAL TO COMPLETE THE CONNECTOR CHANNEL INSTALLATION.PRIMARY BENEFITS: OFF CHANNEL WETLANDS ARE A CRITICAL RESTORATION TECHNIQUE TO ADDRESS NUTRIENT AND SEDIMENT LOADS IN OUR WATERWAYS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THIS RESTORATION TECHNIQUE ALSO CREATES ADDITIONAL FLOODPLAIN STORAGE WHICH REDUCES STREAMBED AND BANK SCOUR IN OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO NUTRIENT AND SEDIMENT IMPAIRMENTS THROUGHOUT OHIO. THOUGH THE PRIMARY BENEFITS OF OFF CHANNEL WETLAND RESTORATIONS ARE WATER QUALITY, AND PEAK DISCHARGE (FLOOD MITIGATION), THEY ALSO PROVIDE SECONDARY BENEFITS: CRITICAL HABITAT FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SPECIES THAT REQUIRE THESE OFF CHANNEL WETLAND HABITATS. THE REDUCTION OF STREAM VELOCITIES DOWN STREAM OF THE EXCAVATED BASINS, ALSO PROVIDE STABLE STREAM BED WHICH PROVIDES CRITICAL HABITAT FOR FRESHWATER MUSSELS AND SMALL BODIED FISH WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO THE MUSSELS COMPLETING THEIR LIFE CYCLE. OVERTIME, THE INCREASE IN MUSSEL HABITAT AND RECOVERY OF THESE SPECIES, WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WATER QUALITY BENEFITS FROM THE FILTRATION OF BACTERIA AND NUTRIENTS FROM OHIO STREAMS THAT PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO OHIOANS.

GREAT MIAMI RIVER WATERSHED

THIS PROJECT WILL PROTECT AN INTACT HEALTHY RIVER THAT HAS A MIX OF EXCEPTIONAL AND DEGRADED HABITAT. THE WHITEWATER RIVER DRAINS 144 SQUARE MILES AND SEDIMENTATION IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. WE WILL INSTALL 5,500 LIVE STAKE TREES AND FORBS ALONG 3.3 MILES TO REDUCE SLUMP AND EROSION, AND CREATE FISH HABITAT. A PORTION OF THE PLANTED AREA WILL BE STUDIED FOR SUCCESS OF BARE ROOT VERSUS LIVE STAKE SPECIMENS. WE WILL ENGAGE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE LIVE STAKES AND PRODUCE A WEBINAR.