Projects

Shelton Branch Stormwater Control

Description: The project addresses stormwater along Shelton Branch, a tributary to Richland Creek, as well as improving greenspace. A grass swale and a stormwater wetland were constructed that capture runoff entering Shelton Branch, delaying discharge peaks and filtering out pollutants and sedimentation.

This project complements multiple projects completed or in progress along Shelton Branch,  guided by the Shelton Branch Watershed Action Plan (2022).

  • relocating & restoring 900 lf of stream bank at Vance Street Park
  • restoring 700 lf at Vance Street Park downstream
  • relocating and restoring 550 lf of streambank at East Street Park
  • restoring 1,000 lf section at East Street Park
Partner: Haywood Co Soil and Water Conservation District, Salvation Army
Grant: $50,750
Jun 2023 – Aug 2024

Upper Pigeon Flood Planning

Description: The project team developed a Flood Risk Reduction Plan for the Cruso – Canton – Clyde corridor in the Upper Pigeon watershed. McGill & Associates completed the plan, mapping the river post Fred using H&H modeling techniques to produce inundation and hydraulic flow scenarios and best practices to reduce flood risk.

The plan was completed November 2024 and is being presented to grant partners December 2024, with likely adjustments needed due to Helene; available to the public in early 2025. The findings have led to additional funding opportunities and is a highly useful technical document to guide future conversations with community members to reduce flood risk along the Pigeon.

Partners: Haywood County, Town of Canton, Town of Clyde, Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
Grant: $204,000
Sep 2022 – Dec 2024

Upper Pigeon Flood Risk Reduction

Description: Our largest grant since we formed in 1998, this project will deploy conservation opportunities identified and prioritized in the Flood Risk Reduction Plan along the Pigeon River from Clyde to Cruso.

To secure and preserve flood storage along a river corridor prone to devastating floods (three historic events in the past 20 years) is the goal, using community input to shape a more resilient future. These priorities have not changed post Helene and will continue to increase over time. This project is currently underway, projected to end May 2026.

Partners: Town of Canton, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Haywood County Soil and Water Conservation District, Town of Clyde
Grant: $2,000,000
Feb 2023 – May 2026