Kanawha State Forest

Decota was contracted to design, permit, and manage the construction of a stream mitigation project located on a portion of Davis Creek within Kanawha State Forest on behalf of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and the West Virginia Division on Natural Resources (WVDNR). Decota’s responsibilities included permitting, natural channel design, construction management, and annual mitigation monitoring. Appalachian Stream Restoration (ASR) was contracted to complete the construction phase of this project.

 

FISH HABITAT

The primary goal of the project was to create fish habitat and ultimately convert Davis Creek into a put-and-take trout fishery within Kanawha State Forest. The project goal was achieved by 1) the removal of the Ellison Pond Impoundment by means of lowering the Davis Creek Dam; 2) restoring the Davis Creek stream channel through the former Ellison Pond area; 3) stabilizing and enhancing sections of Davis Creek upstream of the former Ellison Pond; and 4) planting native vegetation within the floodplain and riparian buffer zone of Davis Creek.