Improving Choccolocco Creek

by Jody Burdette, District Conservationist, Anniston Field Office, AL

Choccolocco Creek is Calhoun County’s main waterway. It is the largest tributary stream of one of the most important rivers in Alabama – the Coosa. In order to improve and protect this valuable water source, the Choccolocco Creek Watershed Conservancy District was established on September 10, 1965. The watershed encompasses approximately 246,000 acres (376 square miles) in Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne and Talladega Counties.

An annual grant from the State of Alabama provides funding for Choccolocco Creek projects extending from Calhoun to Talladega Counties. One such project, initiated by the Conservancy District with technical assistance from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Anniston Field Office, involves removing large trees, brush, and other debris from the creek. The photo below clearly shows the improvements made along these portions of the creek.

Improvements such as this produce an increase in the velocity and channel flow of the creek, thereby reducing flood damage due to out-of-bank flow. The reduction of flooding provides benefits to landowners along the creek by keeping the stream clear of downed timber. The recreational value is also increased for those who like to canoe and fish. The removal of large trees and other debris is conducted with the least amount of impact as possible. When practical, the downed timber is used to stop bank erosion by placing the trees along eroding areas. In cases where the trees are removed the root base is set back in place to maintain the existing bank. These areas are also beneficial to wildlife in providing food, shelter and water to both aquatic and terrestrial animals.

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