Purpose of the project: This project is located on a spring-fed tributary that drains into Hillabahatchee Creek, which feeds into the Chattahoochee River. Restoration activities will reduce sediment inputs, increase resiliency to alterations of hydrology and protect critical habitat to benefit fish and wildlife populations as well as address 303d impairments on the Hillabahatchee Creek. The portion of the Hillabahatchee Creek is listed as a 303d impaired waterbody from increased nutrient concentrations and fecal coliform. Frolona Farms is a 600-acre multi-generational family farm dating back to the Georgia land lottery in the early 19th century. Previously, the springs and creeks on this property served as water sources for livestock. Lack of fencing and alternative water sources degraded streambanks, destroyed riparian habitat and resulted in significant alterations to hydrologic function.
Purpose of the project: This project is located on a spring-fed tributary that drains into Hillabahatchee Creek, which feeds into the Chattahoochee River. Restoration activities will reduce sediment inputs, increase resiliency to alterations of hydrology and protect critical habitat to benefit fish and wildlife populations as well as address 303d impairments on the Hillabahatchee Creek.
Human Interest/Community Benefit: The portion of the Hillabahatchee Creek is listed as a 303d impaired waterbody from increased nutrient concentrations and fecal coliform. Frolona Farms is a 600-acre multi-generational family farm dating back to the Georgia land lottery in the early 19th century. Previously, the springs and creeks on this property served as water sources for livestock. Lack of fencing and alternative water sources degraded streambanks, destroyed riparian habitat and resulted in significant alterations to hydrologic function. By utilizing fencing practices, the landowner will reduce both sediment and direct nutrient inputs to the local tributary as well as downstream into Hillabahatchee Creek. This area of the Creek was previously known to support a thriving shoal bass population which has been extirpated due to habitat degradation. Shoal bass spawn in fast-flowing shallow stretches of the river (shoals) which can be adversely impacted through increased sedimentation and reductions in water quality and quantity. The proposed restoration activities will reduce sediment inputs and improve water quality through implementation of best management practices providing one step closer to restoring portions of the Hillabahatchee Creek to support shoal bass and other populations that once existed in this location.
Project Timeline:
Survey Work completed: 06/2016
Ongoing work start (fencing, water wells, and panels installation, etc.):
Phase I construction start: 03/2018 Phase I construction complete: 06/2019
Phase II construction and maintenance start: 03/2019
Phase II construction and maintenance complete: 12/2019 (estimated) Entire project completion: Projected 12/2019
Partners: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Landowner, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Georgia Power Company, United States Fish and Wildlife Service,