Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
TEKOA — Along State Route (SR) 274, east of Tekoa, passersby will find construction along the roadway as a project goes underway to expand Hangman Creek.
The Spokane Conservation District is working with the Department of Ecology to create a designed, engineered floodplain.
“Essentially, we are stabilizing the banks by grading them back and planting them with woody native plants and shrubs to help stabilize those banks for a longer time,” said the Department of Ecology’s Water Implementation Lead, Mitch Redfern. “A side benefit of that is by pulling the dry land agriculture land use off the edge of the stream to prevent future erosion.”
The Department of Ecology received large funding from a grant of approximately $250,000 to support the project, reports say.
Due to the sediment movements and the creek’s disconnection from the flood plain, Redfern reports that agencies working on the ground will slope the banks back. After this, planting along the banks will remove some property from the current landowner.
However, the Department of Ecology has compensated the landowner in return for the loss of farmland.
“These types of projects aren’t uncommon, but in Tekoa, it’s my first time being involved in a project of this scale and quality on dry ground. We are hoping this is a successful project because many sites will benefit from this,” he said.
Redfern explained that the project had been in the works for several years, with plans to break ground last summer. The project is expected to begin the majority of construction in August and begin planting this fall and spring.
“After that, they are going to monitor and do work as needed. Most of the earthwork will be finalized by the end of fall,” Redfern stated.
The project on the land began after water quality concerns were raised to the Department of Ecology, reports Redfern.
“There is a lot of sediment movement, and what you get is a stream that is disconnected from its flood plain,” he said.
Redfern noted that designs for the newly engineered floodplain have already been created by a consultant hired to survey the property.
“I think these types of projects can really go a long way in helping the land owner stop losing land and soil and help put a permanent fix on the stream. We hope this project can serve as a model for other landowners,” said Redfern. “We do a lot of bank stabilization, but this type of project is the best type of scenario to restore watershed health while protecting the viability of health.”
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
Reader Comments(0)