Dave Demarest, RC&D Coordinator
Extension 102
Email: dave.demarest@sc.usda.gov

Shirley Hester, Administrative Assistant
Extension 120

Oconee County’s Cheohee Creek Restoration Project

by Dave Demarest, Foothills RC&D Coordinator

NRCS Soil Conservationist Shawna Shrecengost assisted in establishing the riparian buffer along the Cheohee Creek.

A major stream restoration project in northern Oconee County, South Carolina, on the Cheohee Creek was recently completed. “While several stream restoration projects have been installed in other Upstate counties, this is the first major stream project in Oconee County,” said NRCS District Conservationist Heather Stephens.

The Cheohee Valley is part of the ancestral lands of the Cherokee Indians, who were located throughout the Southeastern United States. In the 1830’s the Cherokee’s were displaced from North Georgia and the Carolinas because of a rapidly expanding European population. The Cherokees, many by foot, were moved westward to Oklahoma. This mass migration became known as the Trail of Tears.

Because of the rich heritage of the Cherokee Indians in the Cheohee Valley, NRCS Archeologist Jim Errante was called in to ensure that no artifacts would be disturbed during the stream restoration.

Restoration included installation of a riparian buffer on each side of the creek that included a variety of native trees. In addition, this riparian area was fenced out to protect it from livestock. A nearby pond was fitted with a bottom water release in an effort to stop thermal pollution of valuable trout waters. Water troughs and heavy use areas were also installed to provide livestock with reliable water sources.

“In-stream structures were used to stop stream bank erosion, and at the same time provide trout habitat,” explained NRCS Field Engineer Eddie Martin. Some of the structures included j-hooks, footer rocks, kicker rocks, rock vanes, cross vanes, whole tree revetments, and the use of benches to create floodplains. “Hopefully, the trees that were recently planted along the stream bank will restore the area to the way it looked back when the Cherokee’s lived here,” said Martin.

The project was coordinated by Partners for Trout—a conservation partnership in the Upstate dedicated to improving the 250 miles of trout waters in South Carolina. The coalition is spearheaded by Oconee, Greenville and Pickens Soil and Water Conservation Districts, private landowners, Trout Unlimited, Foothills RC&D Council, NRCS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).

The total cost of the project was $105,286, which was provided by USFWS' Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, NRCS’ Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), Trout Unlimited, and donations from private landowners.

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