Porterhouse Valley Mitigation Bank
Service Areas: Hiwassee, Watts Barr Lake, and Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga
Stream Restoration Site
Porterhouse valley Mitigation Bank
Primary Service Area: Hiwassee (HUC# 06020002)
Secondary Service Areas: Middle Tennessee-Chickamauga (HUC#06020001) and Watts Bar Lake (HUC# 06010201)
Porterhouse Valley Mitigation, LLC (the Bank Sponsor) restored two stream systems totaling 6,790 linear feet that had been severely degraded because of conventional agricultural practices. Over time, the natural vegetation that kept the stream in its healthy course had been removed, and so the stream began to erode. This led to stream bank failure, the loss of aquatic habitats, and poor water quality.
Together with the landowner, the Bank Sponsor designed a system of fences and watering structures that allowed the family to continue farming without interruption. The stream was restored to its natural channel position in the landscape; with native bare root trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plantings that will keep the stream stable and in its natural pattern. A 23-acre conservation easement protects this work and keeps the area protected in perpetuity. The mitigation bank is fully approved and SQT stream credits are available.
