Some of our West Creek residents

Site 14

Site 14 is located immediately north (downstream) of West Pleasant Valley Road. The extent of the project reach is approximately 1000 feet. The majority of the Site is owned by the West Creek Preservation Committee. The upstream extent, immediately adjacent to West Pleasant Valley Road, is both laterally and vertically confined by high banks. Approximately 160 feet downstream of West Pleasant Valley Road, the bank height decreases dramatically and the channel opens to a wide floodplain. Throughout the floodplain and the remainder of the reach, the ground water appears to be elevated. This is in large part associated with a large debris jam that has either produced or supports a very active wetland throughout the floodplain. This is located approximately 900 feet from Pleasant Valley Road and is composed principally from discarded grocery carts. As the carts have accumulated, they have served to collect finer and finer debris, creating a nearly complete obstruction to flow. The debris jam backs up water, promotes floodplain access, results in sedimentation and attenuates flood flows. This results in the bottomland wet forest habitat seen through most of the reach. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) dominate the understory of the floodplain, although there are patches dogwood and willow. Channel degradation and bank erosion are minimal due to the back watering in the reach.

Site 14 is largely a stable stream that is influenced by the backwater caused by the accumulation of a debris jam. The proposed concept involves enhancing the wetland floodplain by regrading high banks immediately downstream of West Pleasant Valley Road and constructing a meandering channel within the existing floodplain. This would include demolishing an abandoned house on the east bank and maintaining a driveway and parking pad to function as a trailhead. The alignment of the channel will require consideration of a sewer line which runs along the west side of the property. Outside banks will be stabilized using bioengineering and natural channel design techniques, including vanes and rootwads. Great emphasis will be placed in creating varying hydraulic habitats as well as good cover and shading. Extensive grading within the floodplain itself will impact existing vegetation, however parts of the existing channel may be constructed as oxbow wetlands. This will enhance the existing palustrine habitat. The shopping cart debris jam will be removed and replaced with an engineered log jam. This jam will continue to function in a similar way as the existing jam but have a greater aesthetic and natural appeal. A program for invasive species control will be implemented to control the multiflora rose and other invasive species. Native wetland plants will be installed to enhance existing riparian and floodplain vegetation. Due to the high deer population, some measure of protection is recommended for any plants installed.

Benefits

• Expand wetlands
• Enhance sediment retention, nutrient uptake and improve water quality
• Attenuate flood flows
• Support and enhance wetland vegetation
• Enhance amphibian and macroinvertebrate habitat
• Remove unsightly grocery carts and debris
• Limit grading to high bank areas
• Create a formal trail head
• Build the first engineered log jam in Cleveland metropolitan area
• Collect garbage at discrete location – Community Clean-Up, education
• Remove invasive species

Risks and Constraints

• Collect garbage at discrete location
• Extensive disturbance to floodplain during construction
• Failure of dam, sediment export

Maintenance

• Invasive species management
• Collect garbage and litter at discrete location
• Replace the dead or inadequately established vegetation within the first year

Project Maps and Photos

These maps are large, so download time may take a while - especially for dial-up connections. You will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you do not already have it, you can download it for free at the Adobe Acrobat website.

West Creek Site Overview Project 14

West Creek site 14 concept plan

West Creek Site 14 photos