Stream Restoration
HARP has approximately 15 years of experience in stream restoration and enhancement for mitigation of impacts set forth by CWA 404/401 IP projects. HARP has led stream design efforts for approximately 46,000 linear feet of streams and rivers for NC State DOT and EEP agencies, for various County and Municipal agencies (e.g. CMUD, and Forsyth/Winston Salem Utilities), and for private clients. HARP's early restoration projects (mid 1990's) were some of the first stream restoration projects in North Carolina undertaken using a natural reference reach approach and provided a test-bed for the NC DWQ's interim stream restoration protocols that were the predecessor to the current interagency North Carolina Guidelines for Stream Restoration. Urban watersheds particularly presented some unique restoration challenges over rural streams, and from 2000 to 2003 HARP undertook to instrument a number of urban watersheds in Mecklenburg County to better define rating curves, return intervals, and bankfull and regime relationships such that designs would reliably meet the strict stability thresholds needed for restoration projects undertaken within built out urban watershed conditions. Thus far none of the restoration projects that have been constructed have failed monitoring criteria, a number of them have been closed out and two were recently closed out successfully after their 5th year of monitoring, two more a schedule for closeout in 2012. A couple of detailed examples of past work where HARP independently provided initial assessments, design, construction oversight and monitoring are highlighted below.
HARP has performed more than 128 individual stream restoration and bioengineering projects, many in Mecklenburg County and Charlotte NC. HARP's scientists can locate streams for restoration and possibly mitigation, collect geomorphic and biological data, analyze the data and prepare restoration plans and designs based on reference reach data. HARP can provide design build services for stream restoration, wetland restoration and storm water BMPs. We can perform the earth work and stream channel excavation, construction oversight on our projects as well as others and often provides these services to other firms. HARP has been studying the watersheds of Mecklenburg County and adjacent areas for more than 20 years. We possess a reference reach data base for stream restoration of the area that is unrivaled. Our hydrologists, geologists and botanists understand stream geomorphology, watersheds and botanical communities and their interdependence. HARP's design staff lead by Dr. Randall Forsythe is of the most innovative in their field. Our understanding of the science behind restoration coupled with decades of experience and dedication to solving stream and wetland restoration challenges is unparallel. HARP's stream assessment and design team utilizes Dr. Dave Rosgen's methodologies as well as methodologies specific to stream geomorphology in Mecklenburg County which is a highly developed urban setting. HARP's team continually provides innovative solutions to complicated hydrologic challenges faced by clients when restoring streams and wetlands.