Escambia County has completed the Jackson Creek Floodplain Restoration Project, restoring a section of Jackson Creek and the surrounding floodplain, along with planting 4,100 trees in the area.
The project included significant ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal, which improved wetland habitat and provided natural stormwater treatment for the Bayou Chico watershed. A floating litter trap was also added to catch trash and other debris and help prevent it from flowing into connecting waterways including Bayou Chico.
“Enhancing the quality of our local waterways is essential to
continuing to improve our overall quality of life in Escambia County,” District
2 Commissioner Mike Kohler said. “The restoration of Jackson Creek has numerous
benefits, from stormwater treatment and flood mitigation to habitat restoration
and water quality improvements. I’m excited to complete this incredibly
important project, and I look forward to continuing to make stormwater and
water quality improvements throughout District 2.”
Visit the MyEscambia YouTube channel to watch a video highlighting the Jackson Creek Floodplain Restoration Project.
The Jackson Creek Floodplain Restoration Project was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, which includes funding designated for projects that benefit the natural resources of the Gulf Coast that were impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This project was one of five projects selected for funding as part of the Bayou Chico Restoration Project, with a goal of increasing biodiversity and productivity along with improving habitat and water quality within the Bayou Chico watershed.
Approximately 5,700 cubic yards of earth were excavated through the restoration project, and the creek’s bank was restored through the addition of 197 feet of toe wood and a clay core berm. Plant cuttings were also used to provide erosion control and help stabilize the soil as the cuttings grow into mature plants.
Through the project, Jackson Creek was restored to its original wetland state, providing for increased nutrient removal of stormwater flows prior to discharge into Jackson Creek and ultimately Bayou Chico.
This project was managed by the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department. For more information about active projects throughout Escambia County, visit MyEscambia.com/projects.
A section of Jackson Creek that was restored through the Jackson Creek Floodplain Restoration Project.
The floating litter trap at Jackson Creek, which catches trash and prevents it from flowing into connecting waterways including Bayou Chico.
Osprey Initiative staff clean out the floating litter trap at Jackson Creek.
Trash and debris collected from the litter trap at Jackson Creek.
Osprey Initiative staff collect trash near the Osprey floating litter trap at Jackson Creek.