Floodplain Restoration Project Completed in Escambia County, FL
Escambia County, Florida has completed the Jackson Creek Floodplain Restoration Project, restoring a section of Jackson Creek and the surrounding floodplain, along with planting 4,100 trees in the area.
The project included significant ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal, which improved wetland habitat and provided natural stormwater treatment for the Bayou Chico watershed. A floating litter trap was also added to catch trash and other debris and help prevent it from flowing into connecting waterways including Bayou Chico.
“Enhancing the quality of our local waterways is essential to continuing to improve our overall quality of life in Escambia County,” District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler said. “The restoration of Jackson Creek has numerous benefits, from stormwater treatment and flood mitigation to habitat restoration and water quality improvements. I’m excited to complete this incredibly important project, and I look forward to continuing to make stormwater and water quality improvements throughout District 2.”
Approximately 5,700 cubic yards of earth were excavated through the restoration project, and the creek’s bank was restored through the addition of 197 feet of toe wood and a clay core berm. Plant cuttings were also used to provide erosion control and help stabilize the soil as the cuttings grow into mature plants.
Through the project, Jackson Creek was restored to its original wetland state, providing for increased nutrient removal of stormwater flows prior to discharge into Jackson Creek and ultimately Bayou Chico.
The Jackson Creek Floodplain Restoration Project was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, which includes funding designated for projects that benefit the natural resources of the Gulf Coast that were impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This project was one of five projects selected for funding as part of the Bayou Chico Restoration Project, with a goal of increasing biodiversity and productivity along with improving habitat and water quality within the Bayou Chico watershed. The Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department managed the project.
Visit the MyEscambia YouTube channel to watch a video highlighting the Jackson Creek Floodplain Restoration Project.
