North Stirrup Run

– PROJECT –

Overview

Ecotone, in partnership with the landowner and the Harford County Soil Conservation District, assessed an existing degraded reach of North Stirrup Run. Part of the overall restoration concept, as concerned about the stability of the stream and difficulty excluding cattle from the stream system was re-aligned to a more stable planform using natural channel design. Salvaged materials found on-site were incorporated into the restoration project, including brush, sod, root fans and logs, and stream gravels. The design incorporated a naturally sinuous stream pattern with adjacent wetlands which are flooded and kept wet. The wetland hydrology minimizes the growth of invasive vegetation, such as multiflora rose. Deep pools and fast running riffles have created ideal habitat for aquatic species. Ecotone incorporated livestock exclusion fencing and hardened stream crossings for livestock into the design.