Black Branch 2

Small headwater stream in agricultural setting. Significant sedimentation and incision observed. Channel narrowness and silt-dominated substrate indicate impairment. Adjacent agriculture is primary land use influence.

Channel shows evidence of incision with moderate-high banks relative to its small size. Broken concrete has been placed along banks as crude stabilization. Channel appears moderately altered but retains some natural characteristics. Downcutting evidence visible from bank heights relative to apparent bankfull indicators.

Channel appears moderately to deeply incised with 3-6 foot banks on this narrow stream, suggesting disconnection from its floodplain. The incision is likely driven by agricultural land use changes and increased runoff from surrounding fields. Flooding of the adjacent field appears infrequent.

Significant fine sediment (silt and mud) visible on channel bed. The substrate appears heavily embedded with fine sediment. Pool areas appear partially filled. Agricultural runoff is the likely sediment source. Estimated 30-50% of channel bottom affected.

Only slow-shallow and slow-deep regimes visible. The low gradient and fine substrate do not support fast-water habitat types. Channel uniformity limits velocity-depth diversity.

Water is present and flowing but does not fill the full channel width. The incised banks extend well above the water surface. Estimated 50-75% of the low-flow channel contains water.

No riffles visible in this view. The channel appears dominated by uniform slow-flowing runs and pools. The low gradient and silt substrate do not support riffle development. This is expected for a low-gradient silty stream but reduces habitat diversity.

This stream exhibits characteristics of a Rosgen F-type channel — entrenched, low gradient, with fine substrate and high bank erosion potential. The incision has disconnected the stream from its floodplain. The crude concrete bank stabilization suggests awareness of erosion problems. The channel is likely adjusting to increased runoff from agricultural land use changes. Without intervention, continued downcutting and widening is expected.

Left bank (visible in right face view) is obscured by dense vegetation but appears moderately steep with some stability provided by root mass of invasive shrubs. The dense brush thicket provides some bank stabilization through root networks even though it is invasive species. Bank height appears moderate at 3-6 feet.

Dense invasive shrub growth (likely bush honeysuckle and Japanese honeysuckle) provides approximately 70-80% coverage but these are non-native species. While the density provides some bank protection, the invasive species composition reduces the score. The root structure of invasive shrubs is generally shallower than native species.

Left bank protected primarily by dense invasive shrub growth. Bank stability is moderate but dependent on invasive species root mass. Any invasive removal program should include a bank stabilization component.

Right bank (visible in left face view) shows moderate instability with steep banks, exposed bare soil, and broken concrete blocks placed as crude bank stabilization. The narrow riparian buffer to the agricultural barn and field means limited root network for stability. Active erosion and scour visible. The concrete rubble is not functioning effectively as stabilization.

Vegetation coverage on right bank is approximately 50-60%. Sparse trees and grass provide some protection but significant bare soil and exposed bank visible. The narrow buffer to the agricultural barn limits vegetation establishment. Concrete rubble occupies space where vegetation should be rooted.

Right bank is the more impaired bank with limited buffer, agricultural encroachment, and informal concrete dumping used as stabilization. Bank is moderately unstable with active erosion. Agricultural barn is within approximately 25 feet of the stream channel.

Left riparian buffer appears to extend approximately 25-50 feet with dense woody/shrub vegetation (albeit largely invasive species). The buffer is thicker on this side compared to the right bank. However, much of the vegetation is invasive species, reducing its ecological value.

Right riparian buffer is extremely narrow — the agricultural barn is approximately 20-25 feet from the channel with only sparse trees and grass between. The effective native buffer is under 10 feet in places. Agricultural field extends directly to within a few feet of the channel in some areas visible in the back face.

Right bank floodplain vegetation is severely compromised by agricultural land use. Left bank has vegetation but dominated by invasive species. Overall floodplain vegetation is marginal — not in natural state on either side.

In winter dormancy, the bare deciduous canopy provides minimal shade currently. During growing season, the mature trees visible in the up face would provide moderate shade (estimated 40-60%). However, the one-sided nature of the canopy (primarily from left bank trees) limits full channel shading. Score reflects growing season potential.

Right bank buffer is severely deficient. Agricultural barn and field encroach within the 30-foot buffer zone. Buffer restoration on the right bank would require setback of agricultural activities. Left bank buffer exists but requires invasive species management to restore native riparian function. Per TDEC MS4 permit section 4.2.5.4, buffer compliance is not met on the right bank.

Limited favorable substrate for epifaunal colonization. The silt/mud-dominated bed provides poor substrate. Some undercut banks and root exposure offer limited habitat. Broken concrete rubble in channel is poor quality habitat. Estimated 20-30% favorable substrate.

Substrate is dominated by silt and mud. Any gravel or coarser material is heavily embedded in fine sediment. The channel bed appears to be >75% fine sediment. Limited root mat development visible. Agricultural runoff is the likely sediment source.

Some shallow pooling visible in the front face view where water collects behind debris. However, pools appear shallow (under 1 foot) and partially filled with fine sediment. No deep pools observed. Pool habitat quality is poor due to sedimentation.

Limited fish cover types available. Overhanging vegetation (winter-dormant branches), some undercut banks, and minor root exposure provide approximately 3 cover types. No deep pools, minimal woody debris of suitable size, and limited cobble/boulder present.

No barriers to fish movement visible in this scene. However, the small channel size and low flow may seasonally limit fish passage during dry periods. The concrete rubble in the channel does not appear to form a complete barrier.

Some woody debris visible in the channel, particularly in the front face where fallen branches and vines create minor debris accumulations. However, most pieces are small diameter. One minor jam visible spanning the narrow channel. The debris appears to be mostly fresh or moderately decayed fallen branches rather than large functional LWD.

Only 2 invertebrate habitat types readily identifiable: undercut banks and some fine woody debris. The silt-dominated substrate is poor for most macroinvertebrates. Lack of clean cobble, leaf packs in stable locations, and submerged logs limits invertebrate colonization. The channel is heavily silted.

Score of 2 assigned based on habitat quality rather than direct observation. The silt-dominated substrate, low habitat diversity, and agricultural sediment inputs suggest a tolerant-dominated community would be expected.

No macroinvertebrates directly observed in the imagery. Habitat assessment only. The silty substrate and turbid water suggest the community would likely be dominated by tolerant taxa (Group III) such as midges and aquatic worms if sampled. Score based on habitat quality assessment.

Suitable Habitat: No

Degraded habitat conditions with heavy sedimentation, invasive species dominance, and limited buffer make this reach unlikely to support species of concern. The narrow, incised channel with silt substrate provides poor habitat for sensitive aquatic species.

No wildlife directly observed. Dense brush thickets provide cover for small mammals and nesting birds in growing season. The incised channel and agricultural setting limit habitat quality for most aquatic wildlife.

Water is turbid with brown coloration. Visibility appears to be approximately 0.5-1 foot. The turbidity may be partially due to recent precipitation but the silt substrate likely maintains elevated turbidity. Slightly better than the worst category as some bed features are visible in shallow areas.

No obvious algal blooms, mats, or excessive macrophyte growth visible. Water is brown but not green. However, winter dormancy may mask nutrient enrichment that would be apparent in growing season. The proximity of agricultural fields suggests nutrient loading potential. Score reflects winter conditions — summer re-assessment recommended.

No direct evidence of manure or waste discharge visible. Agricultural land adjacent appears to be crop field rather than pasture. However, the barn structure on the right bank is close to the stream and could be a potential livestock shelter, though no livestock are visible. No manure or waste pipes observed.

Currently in winter — shade assessment reflects growing season potential based on canopy structure. The one-sided canopy (primarily left bank) provides moderate but not full shade. Right bank agricultural land use limits shade on that side. The shallow, low-flow nature of this stream makes it susceptible to thermal heating in summer. Buffer restoration on the right bank would improve shade.

Concrete debris dumping along stream bank likely constitutes unpermitted fill material in the stream buffer zone. TDEC ARAP permit may be required for bank stabilization activities. The informal concrete rubble placement does not constitute an engineered bank stabilization and may exacerbate erosion by redirecting flow. Agricultural buffer encroachment on the right bank does not meet TDEC minimum buffer requirements.

Terrestrial Invasives Assessment

Aquatic Invasives Assessment

Dense thicket of invasive shrubs dominates the left bank riparian area. The growth pattern visible in the right face — dense tangled woody stems with retained green leaves in winter — is highly characteristic of bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), which retains leaves longer than native species. Japanese honeysuckle vines also appear present throughout the understory. Some privet and multiflora rose may also be present but are harder to distinguish in winter dormancy. Confidence is medium as winter conditions limit positive species identification. The invasive shrub layer is providing some bank stability but at the cost of suppressing native understory regeneration.