Continued Success in Cypress Creek

The Cypress Creek project that began in July 2002 is continuing to achieve great results. The project was initiated to help install practices such as riparian forest buffers that would help improve water quality and control erosion. Along with the buffers, several stream bank stabilization projects have been completed that helps control erosion and sediment entering the creek.

Using riparian forest buffers, the landowners planted trees along the banks of Cypress Creek. Where livestock had access to the creek, the landowners fenced the areas to ensure the lives of the trees and to enhance water quality.

The Lauderdale County NRCS/SWCD, with cooperation from ADEM and Florence Utilities, assisted 18 landowners to plant 538 acres of riparian forest buffers. Due to the reduction of erosion along its banks, Cypress Creek has been removed from the
303 D list of impaired waters in the state.

Another major practice performed along Cypress Creek is stream bank stabilization projects. Landowners who had property, or surrounding facilities along the creek, that had eroded or had a high possibility of erosion could apply for this project. The main goal of the stream bank stabilization was to maintain the flow of the creek. But the secondary goal was to stop the eroding of the creek bank to reduce the amount of sediment in the creek and ultimately help improve fish and wildlife habitat.

At the present time, two landowners have completed stream bank stabilization projects and two others are in the process of obtaining necessary permits.

The stream bank stabilization projects are completed by the Lauderdale SWCD/NRCS in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish America Foundation, Northwest RC&D Council, Lauderdale County Highway Department, FLW Outdoors, and Wal-Mart FLW Tournament.

Before streambank stabilization on Cypress Creek.

After streambank stabilization on Cypress Creek.

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