If you've ever visited the Henry Fork, a tributary that merges with the Jacob Fork to create the South Fork River of the Catawba, you know what a hidden gem it is. With some locations designated as outstanding water resources (OWR) by the state of NC, the Henry Fork has some of the most pristine habitats of the entire South Fork Watershed. However, an old logging bridge located on the Henry Fork in Morganton, NC has, over the years, collapsed and filled in with sediment and debris, consequently becoming an obstruction detrimental to the health of the river.

As time and incorrect usage turned the low bridge into a blockage, the river's flow was directed into the riverbank, causing extreme erosion that cut almost 15 feet into the bank. The erosion increased the sedimentation in the water, which, in turn, decreased water quality and made the habitat much less hospitable for aquatic critters (including four state-threatened fish species) that rely on clear water to find food and shelter. Additionally, the segmentation of the river caused by this blockage has hindered the passage of a variety of creatures, from native fish to recreational kayakers wanting to paddle through this gorgeous stretch of water.

Identified as a potential restoration site in our South Fork Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan, Catawba Riverkeeper is excited to announce that the old logging bridge barrier on the Henry Fork has now been removed! Thanks to the hard work of our South Fork Watershed Manager, Jenn Dunn, collaborative efforts with local landowners, generous funding from the Rostan Family Foundation, and in partnership with Foothills Conservancy of NC, we have been able to take a big step toward a healthier habitat by restoring the natural flow of this segment of the river.

Though the barrier has been removed, our restoration efforts do not end there. Concrete pieces from the barrier will be used as armoring on the bank to help reduce future erosion. Later this month, our staff will also plant live stakes and native seeds along the bank to stabilize the shoreline further.

Through this project, water quality will improve as less sediment is eroded into the water. Native aquatic animals, including threatened species such as the Seagreen Darter, Thick Lip Chub, Santee Chub, and the South Mountains Crayfish (found only in the Henry and Jacob Forks), will have greater mobility to seek conditions needed for survival. Residents of the area will no longer need to worry about erosion encroaching on the nearby road, and recreational paddlers will flow easily from Foothills Conservancy's Corbitt River Access down this beautiful free-flowing stretch of the Henry Fork.

Join us in celebrating this restoration win in the South Fork Watershed, and consider exploring the Henry Fork for yourself this summer! You can support the ongoing monitoring and improvement of this site and other projects like this by donating today.