State Forest Stream & Wetland Restoration
Chesterhill, Ohio | Stream Restoration | Wetland Reestablishment | Floodplain Reconnection | Habitat Enhancement
Environmental Remediation Contractor (ERC) is the ecological contractor on a watershed-scale mitigation project in a state forest near Chesterhill, Ohio.
The project will restore degraded streams, reconnect channels to their floodplains, improve aquatic habitat, and bring back wetland function. Planned work covers approximately 15,000 linear feet of stream and 7.8 acres of wetland.
Construction is about 20% complete. ERC has installed riffles and woody toe stabilization in the first stream and finished seeding on three streams as work moves reach by reach.
Project at a Glance
- Location: Chesterhill, Ohio
- Client: National conservation nonprofit
- Engineer: Engineering firm
- Ecological Contractor: Environmental Remediation Contractor (ERC)
- Status: In progress, approximately 20% complete
- Contract Value: over $3 million
Key Project Results
- Approximately 15,000 linear feet of stream restoration planned
- 7.8 acres of wetland reestablishment planned
- Riffles and woody toe stabilization installed in Stream 1
- Seeding completed on Streams 1, 3, and 4
- Approximately 20% complete
What Does Watershed-Scale Restoration Involve?
Instead of fixing one short stretch of stream, a watershed-scale project restores multiple streams and wetlands across a larger area. The improvements work together to benefit water quality and habitat throughout the system.
How Are the Streams Being Restored?
ERC is completing channel restoration earthwork, reconnecting streams to their floodplains, and building constructed riffles and rock and log grade-control structures.
Natural materials are built into the channels to set grade, stabilize banks, and create habitat.
What Is Woody Toe Stabilization?
Woody toe stabilization uses logs, root wads, and branches at the base of a streambank to protect it from erosion. Over time, the wood also provides cover and habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
ERC has installed it along the restored Stream 1 channel.
How Are the Wetlands Being Reestablished?
ERC is grading wetland areas and finishing them with coir matting, live staking, native seeding, and tree planting to establish native plant communities.
Why Was This Project Complex?
ERC had to manage several conditions at once:
- Multiple stream reaches across a large site
- Floodplain reconnection
- Rock and log grade-control structures
- Natural channel materials
- Wetland grading and reestablishment
- Work sequenced reach by reach
Who Performs Large Stream Restoration Projects in Ohio?
Multi-reach stream restoration needs contractors who can keep quality consistent over long distances and build with natural materials to design.
ERC performs stream restoration, wetland reestablishment, and floodplain reconnection for conservation organizations, public agencies, and engineers across Ohio and the region.
What Services Did ERC Provide on This Project?
- Stream Restoration
- Wetland Restoration
- Floodplain Reconnection
- Constructed Riffles and Grade-Control Structures
- Woody Toe Streambank Stabilization
- Coir Matting and Live Staking
- Native Seeding and Tree Planting
Planning a Watershed-Scale Restoration?
Environmental Remediation Contractor provides ecological construction for large, multi-reach stream and wetland projects.
ERC works with conservation organizations, public agencies, park districts, engineers, and ecological consultants to turn restoration designs into working habitat.