Backyard Stream Repair
8000 sf along 200 linear ft (20’ buffer)
800 Boyer Drive, Clemmons, NC
Average Cost = $25 per linear foot
Page 1 of 3
Streambank erosion is a common problem for property owners that live alongside creeks.
Sometimes we accidentally cause our own problems by trying to gain access to our creeks
and removing vegetation or having just grass all the way to the water. Traditional methods
of streambank stabilization (walls, rip rap, gabion baskets, etc.) are failure prone, high
maintenance, labor intensive and cost prohibitive. Regardless of what you decide to do
along your creekbank, you should check to see if an Army Corps of Engineers permit is
needed before moving any soil or adding rock. You don't want to receive a big fine.
One small-scale solution is backyard stream repair. It really involves sloping back the
stream bank (for every foot above the water line, multiply by 3 to see how far back will
provide a 3:1 slope or 45 degree angle) and adding cover seeds, straw, matting, trees,
shrubs and perennials. Plants do an amazing job of holding soil because of their huge the
fibrous root system underground. We usually think of trees having a complicated root
system but shrubs and perennials can have root systems that go more than 10-15 feet into
the ground!
Directions I-40W:
Merge onto I-40 W
Cooperative Extension provides a hands-on workshop on how to do this type of
work, when permits are needed and what types of materials and plants are needed.
Behavior changes included giving up water access and idea of aesthetics but in return they
got peace of mind (ex. stable banks, mower won't fall in creek, runoff can get back in
stream and not cause yard flooding). Downstream neighbors no longer receive so much
soil. Workshops stabilized 3395 linear ft which will annually save and reduce 73 tons soil,
168lbs nitrogen and 84lbs phosphorus (future cost savings: $84,875). Past participants
reported stabilizing 7480 linear ft which will save 217 tons sediment, 499lbs nitrogen and
250lbs phosphorus (future cost savings: $187,000). A landscaper avoided $50,000 in fines
by installing stream vegetation he learned about in the class.
Take exit 184 toward Lewisville Clemmons 0.2 mi
For further information: https://www.bae.ncsu.edu/workshops/stream_repair.php
Turn right onto Lewisville Clemmons Rd 0.4 mi
Turn right onto S Peace Haven Rd 0.3 mi
Turn left onto Knob Hill Dr 0.6 mi
Turn left onto Boyer Dr
Organizations involved:
Forsyth County Cooperative Extension
Forsyth Soil and Water Conservation District
North State Environmental, Inc.
Watershed Science
Wallburg Mulch
Village of Clemmons Stormwater
Neighbor
Amelanchier Canadensis (Serviceberry)
Asimina triloba (PawPaw)
Chionanthus virginicus (Fringetree)
Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green Ash)
Carpinus caroliniana (Hornbeam)
Halesia carolina (Carolina Snowbell)
Platanus occidentalis (Sycamore)
Tsuga Canadensis (Canadian Hemlock)
Shrubs
10.
Aronia arbutifolia (Red Chokeberry)
11.
Callicarpa Americana (Beautyberry)
12.
Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush)
13.
Ilex glabra (Inkberry)
14.
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)
15.
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
16.
Vaccinium corymbosum (Highbush Blueberry)
17.
Lindera benzoin (Spicebush)
18.
Hibiscus coccineus (Red Star Mallow
19.
Alnus serrulata (Tag Alder)
20.
Rhododendron arborescens (Sweet Azalea)
21.
Rhododendron viscosum (Swamp Azalea)
22.
Spiraea tomentosa (Hardhack)
23.
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)
24.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry)
25.
Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel)
26.
Calycanthus floridus (Sweetshrub)
27.
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Herbaceous (Bendy Plants)
28.
Carex spp. (Sedge)
29.
Iris fulva (Copper Iris)
30.
Juncus effuses (Soft Rush)
Perennials
31.
Eupatorium maculatum (Joe Pye Weed)
32.
Solidago spp. (Goldenrod)
33.
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)
42.
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Livestakes
34.
Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood)
35.
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
36.
Physocarpus opulifolius (Ninebark)
37.
Sambucus canadensis (Elderberry)
38.
Salix sericea (Silky Willow)
Seed Mix
39.
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)
40.
Riparian Wildflower Mix
41.
Chaemaecrista fasciculate (Partridge Pea)
Page 2 of 3
Road
Trees
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lawn Area
Backyard Stream Repair
8000 sf along 200 linear ft (20’ buffer)
800 Boyer Drive, Clemmons, NC
Average Cost = $25 per linear foot
Driveway
Page 3 of 3
•96 ac watershed
2 small creeks
joining on property
from culverts to a
single culvert
During
Before
Tributary
2
Tributary
1
Tributary
1
Outlet
Tributary
2
Outlet
Backyard Stream Repair
8000 sf along 200 linear ft (20’ buffer)
800 Boyer Drive, Clemmons, NC
Average Cost = $25 per linear foot
After