FIFTH YEAR MONITORING REPORT

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3 FIFTH YEAR MONITORING REPORT FOR Project BUT (PID 20330) USACE Nationwide Permit #14 (ID pht) OEPA ID#: STREAM MITIGATION AREA Prepared by The Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Environmental Services 1980 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio August 2010

4 Introduction The BUT (PID 20330) project is located in Wayne Township within Butler County, Ohio (Figure 1). Located in the High Lime Till Plains of the Eastern Corn Belt Ecoregion, the tributary to Sevenmile Creek found within the project area has a drainage area of 0.5 mi5, and an average gradient of approximately 100 ft./mi. The unnamed tributary flows in a westerly direction along the north side of SR 73, and flows south under SR 73 near the western terminus of the project area. Within the mitigation area, the stream is bordered by SR 73, row-cropped fields, and residential properties along the south bank, and a small row of riparian trees and a row-cropped field that is being developed as a residential area along the north bank. The OEPA has not assigned an aquatic life use designation to this stream; however, studies conducted prior to construction indicated that the stream was a Provisional Class II PHWH use designation. This project was constructed to improve a 0.26 mile portion of SR 73 in. The existing 8 ft. x 16 ft. x 43.0 ft. structurally deficient corrugated metal pipe (CMP) arch culvert was replaced with a 10 ft. x 6 ft. x 76.0 ft concrete elliptical culvert, the roadway was widened to two (2) 12 ft. lanes with 6 ft. graded shoulders, and 810 linear feet of the unnamed tributary to Sevenmile Creek was relocated outside of existing ODOT right-of-way to eliminate failing H-pile walls between the roadway and the stream. Stream impacts were mitigated on-site by constructing the relocated channel using natural stream design techniques (Figure 2). In compliance with the Special Conditions of D.A. Permit No pht, this stream mitigation area has been monitored for five years. This report summarizes the findings from the fifth year mitigation field review. Methods As required in the Section 404 Permit and the Section 401 Water Quality Certification, this site was monitored for five years. Stream habitats were monitored using the Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index (HHEI). Any changes in the metric scores are discussed in the report. Basic water chemistry including temperature, dissolved oxygen, ph, and conductivity was taken using field probes. Photo locations were set up in the first year, and photos were taken from the same locations each year. The new photos are presented to show the changes in the stream channel habitats and morphology, and the growth and succession of the riparian corridor plantings and volunteer flora (Figure 3). Plantings were checked for mortality, and volunteer vegetation (especially trees and shrubs) was noted. The dominant plant species found within the riparian zone of the relocated section of the Tributary to Sevenmile Creek were identified using Braun, 1961 and 1967; FNA, 1993; Gleason and Cronquist, 1991; Weishaupt, 1971; and, Newcomb, In-stream Habitats and Water Quality Construction on S.R. 73 and the relocation of this tributary was completed in The fifth year of monitoring the 810 ft. relocated segment of the Tributary to Sevenmile Creek was conducted on June 23, 2010 using the HHEI, basic water chemistry, and photographs. The relocated portion of the channel is predominantly composed of sand substrates with lesser amounts of cobble in the constructed riffles. Some gravel substrates had moved in between 2007 and 2008, but the amount of gravel has remained basically unchanged since More silt and

5 muck have moved into the channel. The muck may be forming from rotting plant material in the stream channel, since much of the channel is vegetated. Photographs of the stream demonstrate that the channel possesses sparse amounts of in-stream cover, although aquatic macrophytes continue to colonize the riffles and other shallow areas, especially in the upstream segment of the relocated area where the stream flows are slower. The trees are growing quickly, especially the volunteer trees. Many of the volunteer willows are over ten feet tall, and are beginning to shade the channel. The designed in-stream features (the constructed riffles) appear to be stable and provide habitat within the channel. Sand and silt has filled most of the spaces between the cobbles in the riffles, allowing the water to flow over the riffles instead of through the rocks. Some of the riffles have formed braiding and are beginning to appear more natural. The first riffle upstream of SR 73 culvert was disturbed by construction personnel who used the material (as well as construction debris) to stabilize the bank in This issue was noted during the monitoring visits and was corrected in Photo 8 shows this area where the corrective actions occurred. In 2007, this bank was sparsely vegetated. The stabilized bank was entirely vegetated by 2008, and the vegetation has continued to mature in 2009 and As with the flow in the original channel, this channel has intermittent flow. The original channel scored a 56 on the HHEI. The stream segment received a HHEI score of 45 in 2006, 40 in 2007, 67 in 2008, and a 69 in The 2008 and 2009 scores were much higher than the 2007 score because the stream channel was flowing during the surveys in 2008 and The sub-score for bank full width remained the same, but the substrate sub-score was two points higher in 2008 and four points higher in 2009 due to the influx of gravel, silt, and RCP chunks into the channel, and the formation of muck in the vegetated shallow areas. This channel scored a 67 in 2010 (Appendix 1). The channel lost three points in the first metric because silt has become one of the dominant substrates over sand. The increase of silt was caused by home construction adjacent to the stream. The houses on the lots closest to the stream have been completed, and the yards were in the process of re-vegetating during the June field review, so the amount of silt entering the stream will probably stabilize. The large amount of vegetation in the shallow areas of the stream may be slowing flows in the upstream portion of the stream, allowing more of the silt to drop out in the pool areas. The percentage of muck remained the same between 2009 and The muck seems to have formed from rotting vegetation and leaves within the channel. The artificial substrate was from the RCP near the culverts that has fallen into the stream channel has also remained the same. The RCP is limestone, and could potentially be classed as boulders, since it is a native rock type. The upstream RCP is preventing the stream from head-cutting near the upstream culvert. The downstream RCP has extended riffle closest to the downstream culvert, and appears to be attenuating the flow through the steeper segment of the stream. This score, and the original score are indicative of habitat characteristics typically associated with the Class II PHWH use designation. Limiting factors observed in the relocated segment include the lack of riparian cover/canopy, the lack of substrate diversity, the lack of instream cover, and the lack of perennial flow. The HHEI sheets have shown improvement in number of habitat types in the stream, and in the amount of in-stream cover. Habitat improvements in the channel should continue to occur over time through the establishment of planted and volunteer vegetation along the banks, and the accumulation of in-stream substrates and cover features (such as gravel/cobble substrates, woody debris, root mats, overhanging vegetation, etc.).

6 Basic water chemistry sampling using hand-held meters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, ph, and conductivity) was conducted on the original channel in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010 (Table 2). No sampling was done in 2006 and 2007 because not enough water was present to sample. All the parameters were within normal range for streams in Ohio in 2005, 2008, 2009, and The dissolved oxygen was higher in 2010 than in 2009 because the sample was taken when the stream was actively flowing. The D.O. was similar to the readings obtained in 2005 and The ph was originally 7.7 prior to the relocation. In 2008, it had fallen to 6.1, but was 6.8 in 2009, and 8.1 in 2010 (possibly increasing because of the added limestone substrates dissolving into the water). Conductivity was higher in 2008, 2009, and 2010 than in the original channel (810, 836, and 900 umhos/cm compared to 645 umhos/cm, respectively). These differences could be contributed to sampling times (2005 sampling occurred in late November, while the 2008, 2009, and 2010 sampling occurred in summer), the timing of rain events, or differences in substrate. Riparian Vegetation and Plantings The banks of the channel are now fully re-vegetated with a mix of woody plants and forbs common to riparian areas and roadside habitat (see Table 1 for vegetation list). All of the stream-side plantings survived through the first year. The planted trees and shrubs were counted during the second year to determine survivability. A total of 251 woods plants were planted within the riparian zone. In 2007, 26 trees and shrubs had died or were missing (7 dead Viburnum dentatum, 1 dead Cornus sericea, 5 dead Viburnum lentago, and 13 missing Celtis occidentalis). An extra 10 Cornus sericea were found where the Celtis occidentalis were supposed to have been planted, and were probably planted as substitutes during the original plantings. Several (over 20) Celtis occidentalis volunteers were found along the banks, as well as numerous Populus deltoides (over 100), Acer negundo (approximately 30) and Salix nigra (approximately 20). The confirmed second year mortality rate of 10% was very low. Only two of the remaining Celtis occidentalis, one Platanus occidentalis, two Viburnum dentatum, and one Viburnum lentago died in This confirmed mortality rate between year two and year three is 3%. The total confirmed mortality is 13%. The volunteer trees noted during the 2007 survey appeared to be surviving well and growing quickly. More small volunteers of the same species listed above were noted. In 2009, 31 shrubs (18 Viburnum dentatum and 13 Cornus amomum) were found mown on the south side of the stream near the roadway. Five additional Viburnum dentatum and three Viburnum lentago were found dead of other causes. An was sent to District 8 on July 10, 2009 requesting Do Not Mow signs to be placed along both sides of the channel to prevent more mowing of the riparian plantings. This represents a 15.5 % mortality for 2009, and a total mortality of 28%, most of which came from the accidental mowing. The volunteers noted in 2007, 2008, and 2009 continue to grow in 2010, and numerous new volunteers of the same species listed above were found growing within and directly adjacent to the channel (well over 100 of each species). Also, several new volunteers of Platanus occidentalis were found within the relocated stream channel and adjacent riparian zone. This species had not been seen as a volunteer until Some of the older volunteers are now over 10 feet tall and are shading the channel through most of the day. In 2010, the Do Not Mow signs had been posted, and some of the mowed shrubs that were considered dead in 2009 were found still alive in Now that this area will no longer be mowed, these shrubs will have a

7 chance to grow and provide cover for the stream banks. No new dead trees or shrubs were found, so the total mortality has remained the same as in Herbaceous species were found throughout the shallow portions of the channel including broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), Soft Rush (Juncus effusus), Water Speedwell (Veronica agnallis-aquatica), and Soft-stemmed Bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens). Some of the native prairie grasses that were part of the seed mix are starting to grow, including Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans), Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparia), Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and Canada Wild-rye (Elymus canadensis). Blackeye Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) were also found from the seed mix. Several asters and goldenrod plants were noted, but could not be identified because they were not flowering. The invasive honesuckles appeared about the same as they did in No further spreading was noted. The riparian plantings have continued to do well, with no further mortality from 2009, and some recovery from the mown plantings. Conclusions This stream mitigation area continues to improve each monitoring year. The riffle areas have stabilized, and appear more natural now that they are mostly vegetated and some have formed braided channel areas. No new erosion areas were noted in 2010, and the banks have remained stable during high flow events. Based on the HHEI score, the channel has recovered its original quality, and the maturing riparian vegetation should eventually create additional shade and instream cover for the stream. Because the stream has an intermittent flow regime, it can never improve beyond the Class II PHWH designation.

8 Literature Cited Braun, E. L The Woody Plants of Ohio. Hafner Press, New York. 362 p. Braun, E. L The Monocotyledoneae: Cattails to Orchids. The Ohio State University Press, Columbus. 464 p. FNA Flora of North America North of Mexico. Flora of North America Committee. Eds. Oxford University Press, New York and Oxford. Volume 23. Magnoliphyta: Commelinidae (in part): Cyperaceae. 608p. Gleason, H.A., and A. Cronquist Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. 2nd ed. New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx, New York. 910 p. Newcomb, Lawrence Newcomb s Wildflower Guide. Little Brown and Company, Boston, MS. 490 p. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Ohio Water Quality Standards. Chapter of the Ohio Administrative Code. State of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Laws and Regulations. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Field Manual for Ohio s Primary Headwater Habitat Streams. Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water - Ecological Assessment Section. Columbus, OH. Reed, P.B National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands. US Fish and Wildlife Service: National Wetlands Inventory. St. Petersburg, Florida. Weishaupt, C.G Vascular Plants of Ohio (3 ed.). Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co., Debuque, IA. 292p.

9 Table 1: Dominant Vegetation within the BUT relocated stream riparian corridor in Common Name Scientific Name Riparian Riparian Roadside Plantings Volunteers Box Elder Acer negundo x Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemesiafolia x Giant Ragweed Ambrosia trifida x Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii x Little Bluestem Andropogon scoparius x Devil s Beggartick Bidens frondosa x Frank s Sedge Carex frankii x Fox Sedge Carex vulpinoidea x Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis x x Chicory Cichorium intybus x Red-osier Dogwood Cornus sericea x Wild Carrot Daucus carota x Rough Barnyardgrass Echinochloa muricata x x Common Spikerush Eleocharis palustris x Daisy Fleabane Erigeron annuus x Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum x Meadow Fescue Festuca pretensis x Soft Rush Juncus effusus x Rice Cut-grass Leerzia oryizoides x Bush Honeysuckle Lonicera sp. x Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia x Alfalfa Medicago sativa x Yellow Sweet Clover Melilotus officinalis x Lance-leaved Plantain Plantago lanceolata x American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis x x Spotted Ladysthumb Polygonum persicaria x Cottonwood Populus deltoides x Curly Dock Rumex crispus x Black Willow Salix nigra x Green Bullrush Scirpus atrovirens Carolina Horsenettle Solanum carolinense x Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans x Dandelion Taraxicum officinale x Alsike Clover Trifolium hybridum x White Clover Trifolium repens x Broadleaf Cattail Typha latifolia x Water Speedwell Veronica agnallis-aquatica x Arrowood Viburnum dentatum x Nannyberry Viburnum lentago x

10 Table 2. Water chemistry data from 2005, 2008, 2009, and Water Chemistry Parameters Water Temp ( C) Dissolved Oxygen (g/ml) ph (S.U.) Conductivity (umhos/cm)

11 Project Area Figure 1: Topographic map of BUT (PID 20330) Project Area. Hamiltion and West Elkton 7.5" USGS Topographic Maps Feet

12 Constructed Riffles Figure 2: BUT (PID 20330) Aerial Photo of the constructed channel. OSIP 1 foot Aerials for Butler County Feet

13 Appendix 1: Data Forms

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16 Appendix 2: Photo Log

17 , Figure 3: BUT (PID 20330) Photo Log

18 Photo Log for BUT (PID 20330) Fifth Year Mitigation Monitoring Photo 1: Looking downstream from the driveway culvert at the upstream (east) end of the relocated channel. This area contained sandy substrates. Photo 2: Looking upstream at the driveway culvert from the first riffle downstream.

19 Photo 3: Looking downstream from the first riffle downstream of the driveway culvert. This riffle has become a braided channel with cobble and gravel substrates. The small islands in the channel are vegetated with typical wetland/riparian plant species. Photo 4: Looking upstream from the fourth riffle downstream from the driveway culvert

20 Photo 5: Looking downstream from the fourth riffle downstream of the eastern project terminus. Note the surviving tree plantings on the Photo 6: Looking upstream from the last riffle before the western project terminus.

21 Photo 7: Looking downstream from the last riffle at the culvert at the western project terminus. Photo 8: Looking downstream at first riffle where the bank failure occurred during construction. The contractor had originally stabilized this area with rocks from the riffle and construction debris. This was corrected in 2007 and has now almost entirely re-vegetated. Some of the RCP in this area has fallen into the stream.

22 Photo 9: Natural channel downstream of the relocated segment. Photo 10: Do Not Mow sign that was installed to protect the riparian tree and shrub plantings.

23 Photo 11: General view looking west through the project area. Note that the south bank of the stream has not been mowed, and vegetation is starting to recover on it. Photo 12: Photo of the home construction that may be causing the additional silt load in the stream