Woodiebrook

Location: Geauga County, Ohio. View location map
Construction: Summer 2001

Overview of the Problem

Woodiebrook was one of Ohio's few streams that supported reproducing native brook trout populations. Development of the watershed, more specifically the impoundment of one tributary and channelization of the mainstem, adversely impacted flow volumes and water temperatures. The activities associated with constructing the dam, levees and lake disturbed the site, resulting in downstream braiding of the mainstem. As a result of these impacts, instream habitat and riparian values were lost and Woodiebrook was no longer able to support this rare and important fishery.

Restoration Solution

The approach taken to restore Woodiebrook combined holistic ecosystem restoration and adaptive management. This approach involved the disciplines of biology, geology, fluvial morphology and engineering. The process began by utilizing historic aerial photos, several reference reaches, and empirical data as guides to channel location, dimension and pattern. The levees and dam were removed and the valley and stream channels were restored to pre-disturbance pattern, profile and dimension. More than 3200 lf of E type channels were constructed with short sections of B-type channels used as stilling basins immediately downstream of the road culverts. Riffles, pools and undercut banks were constructed, the riffles constructed using substrate native to the area. The design recognized and incorporated fishery habitat requirements such as interstitial and groundwater flows, depth and flow heterogeneity, undercut banks, riparian plantings and overhanging vegetation. Construction of these details provided the necessary habitat to re-introduce and immediately support the trout fishery.

Fish Survey 10 Months After Completion (April 2002)	Earth Day Activities - Macro-Invertebrate Sampling (April 2002)

Project Contacts

Bill Hudson, Chagrin River Land Conservancy
Steve Phillips, Oxbow River & Stream Restoration, Inc.

Additional Details

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