Adopt-A-Stream

Get Help Restoring Your Favorite Stream

RiverLink is spreading some love to our local waterways who have experienced stress after Hurricane Helene with our Adopt-A-Stream program. We will equip property owners with the resources and knowledge to repair and steward their eroded streams. This program focuses on privately owned waterways in Buncombe, Madison, Henderson, and Yancey counties that need attention in the following ways:

• Litter/small debris removal 
• Minor to moderate streambank erosion repair that does not require grading of vertical streambanks 
• Regular litter collection and monitoring for water quality issues 
• DIY streambank repair resources

There are three ways to get involved with the Adopt-A-Stream program:

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Restoration Resources

Do you have a stream that experienced damage from Helene? Helene unleashed an unprecedented amount of water into our streams, causing erosion along many streambanks. For mild to moderate erosion, installing erosion control cloth and native plants may be enough to address the issue. Below are some helpful resources and general information for the small-scale streambank repairs. 

In some cases, the erosion is so severe that a long-term fix will require an engineered design, permitting, and heavy equipment to do the work. For more involved issues such as this, we recommend checking out this list of funders who can help cover the costs of repairs.  

Strategy to Stabilize

Not all erosion issues are the same. If the issue is mild, you can repair a streambank by installing a biodegradable fabric like coir matting to hold soil in place, and plant native vegetation. For moderate erosion, the streambank may need to be graded to establish a gentle slope to promote stability and plant establishment. Hand tools or a small excavator can be used for grading on small sections of stream. Do not place heavy equipment or hardened structures in the stream without a permit. Army Corps permit information can be found here (quickguide). If the streambanks are vertical and more than 3 feet in height, or if the erosion is threatening infrastructure, an engineered design is recommended. 

Check out the Small-scale Solutions for Eroding Streambanks provided by NC Cooperative Extension for step-by-step instructions on how to address mild-moderate erosion. This strategy is best for streams that are: not prone to major flash flooding, 100 feet or less to be repaired, lack utility easements, 3 ft or less in bank height, not already planted or have erosion control measures in place.

What to Plant

Plants that grow naturally along streams are called riparian plants. Riparian plants have specialized traits that allow them to thrive in these areas, including extensive root systems, flexibility to bend with fast moving water, and tolerate being submerged during flood events. When choosing what to plant, it is important to select species that are native to our area. Native riparian plants are more effective at preventing erosion and serve as an important food source for pollinators, birds, other wildlife. To maximize the benefits, plant a diversity of woody and non-woody native species along your stream. Live stakes—cuttings of woody riparian plants— are the most cost effective way to plant a streambank. The planting of live stakes is limited to the winter months as the cuttings must be made when plants are dormant.

Plant Selection and Identification:

• NC State Extension Riparian Plant Suggestions: Mountain Region
• USDA Plant Database
• Guide to Common Wetland Plants of North Carolina
• Flora of the Southeastern US

Funding Sources:

Make sure to check out this of financial resources that may help cover the cost of streambank repair. Note that most require a non-profit or local government partnership.

Special thanks to our program funders:

James G.K. McClure Education and Development Fund