Black Branch 2

Small headwater stream with signs of sediment stress and limited habitat diversity. Adjacent agricultural/pasture land use and lack of riparian buffer on right bank suggest ongoing nutrient and sediment inputs. Stream appears to support some aquatic life but is degraded from reference condition.

Channel appears natural with no direct engineering modifications, but shows evidence of incision likely from upstream watershed changes and adjacent land use. The channel is moderately incised with steep banks relative to its small width, suggesting some downcutting has occurred. No riprap, concrete, or channelization present.

The channel appears moderately incised with banks 3-6 feet high relative to the narrow 3-4 foot wide channel, suggesting the stream rarely accesses its floodplain. Adjacent mowed pasture/grass comes close to the bank edge on the right side, and the channel sits well below the surrounding land surface. Flood frequency is estimated at 5-10 years based on incision ratio.

Some fine sediment (silt/mud) deposition is evident in the channel, particularly in the pool areas visible in the front view. The streambed shows a mix of natural rock fragments and fine sediment accumulation. Approximately 20-30% of the visible bottom appears affected by fine sediment deposition, consistent with agricultural runoff from adjacent pasture.

Given the very shallow depth (under 1 foot throughout) and narrow channel width, the stream is primarily dominated by shallow flow regimes. The front view shows a small pool area (slow-shallow) and the back view shows some riffle character over rocks (fast-shallow). No deep pools or fast-deep areas are present given the limited channel dimensions.

Water is present and flowing but at low levels. Much of the substrate is visible through the shallow water, and some areas show exposed rock and mud at the channel margins. Water fills approximately 50-75% of the channel width, with the edges partially dry.

Some riffle features are visible over the rock substrate in the back view, but the stream is primarily flat or slow-flowing. The limited gradient and fine sediment accumulation reduce riffle development. Riffle spacing appears moderate to infrequent for this small channel.

This small headwater stream shows characteristics of an E-type channel (narrow, deep, low gradient, sinuous) but with degradation from watershed land use changes. The moderate incision and fine sediment dominance suggest the stream may be transitioning toward a more entrenched form. The fine sediment substrate departs from typical E-type streams which usually have gravel/cobble beds, suggesting significant sediment supply from agricultural land use. Classification confidence is low due to the small channel size and difficulty assessing all geomorphic parameters from imagery.

The left bank has moderate vegetative protection from shrubs and tree roots, but the bank is steep and shows some undercutting and root exposure. Dense shrubby growth provides some stabilization. Root systems of mature trees along the bank extend to baseflow elevation providing some protection, but banks are moderately steep (3-6 feet) and show signs of active erosion in places.

The left bank has approximately 70-80% vegetative coverage from dense shrubs, vine growth, and tree canopy (when in leaf). Some invasive vines (suspected Japanese honeysuckle) are present. The bank has a mix of native woody vegetation and some invasive species. Minor bare soil patches visible but overall good coverage.

Left bank has better vegetative cover than right bank due to dense shrub layer and mature trees. Some invasive vine presence (suspected Japanese honeysuckle). Root exposure is moderate in places. The riparian buffer on this side extends at least 25-50 feet before transitioning to agricultural land visible through the bare trees.

The right bank has minimal vegetative protection. Mowed grass extends to near the bank edge with only scattered young trees providing root stabilization. The bank is steep (3-6 feet) with significant bare soil exposure. Without substantial root systems at the bank face, this bank is vulnerable to continued erosion and lateral migration.

The right bank has approximately 50-60% vegetative coverage, primarily from mowed grass at the top of bank with scattered young trees. The bank face itself has significant bare soil exposure and lacks the dense root mat needed for effective stabilization. Mowing to or near the bank edge has compromised the natural vegetative buffer.

Right bank is the weaker of the two banks with inadequate riparian buffer. Mowed grass/pasture extends to near the bank edge with only scattered young deciduous trees providing minimal root protection. Active erosion is evident with bare soil exposure on the bank face. This bank would benefit significantly from riparian buffer establishment.

The left riparian zone has natural vegetation (shrubs and trees) extending approximately 25-50 feet from the channel before transitioning to open agricultural/pasture land visible through the bare trees. For this narrow channel (~4 ft wide), this represents approximately 6-12x the channel width, which would score higher, but the quality is mixed with invasive species and the buffer transitions relatively quickly to altered land use. Scored at 5 considering the moderate buffer quality and invasive presence.

The right riparian zone is severely compromised. Mowed grass extends to within a few feet of the bank edge. Only scattered young trees provide any riparian function. The effective natural buffer is under 10 feet wide. Filtering and bank stabilization functions are severely compromised.

The right bank/floodplain is dominated by mowed grass with scattered young trees - vegetation is not in a natural state. The left bank has more natural vegetation but includes invasive species. Overall, the floodplain vegetation is marginal with significant alteration from reference condition on at least one side.

Currently in early spring with bare deciduous trees, shade is very limited (<25%). Even during full leaf-out, the canopy would provide moderate shade at best, as the right bank has only scattered young trees. The left bank would provide some overhang but the narrow corridor on the right would remain mostly open. Estimated summer shade would be 25-50% at best.

Right bank riparian buffer is severely deficient relative to TDEC 30ft minimum standard. Mowing extends to the bank edge. This is a high priority area for riparian buffer restoration. Left bank buffer is marginal but meets minimum standards. Invasive species management on the left bank would improve buffer quality.

Limited favorable substrate for epifaunal colonization. The channel is dominated by fine sediment (silt/mud) with some limestone rock fragments. Undercut banks and exposed tree roots provide some habitat, but large woody debris, cobble, and boulders are largely absent. Approximately 20-30% of substrate is favorable.

For this low-gradient stream, the substrate is dominated by mud and silt with some rock fragments partially to fully embedded in fine sediment. Some root mats are present along the left bank where tree roots extend into the channel. The substrate is predominantly fine-grained with limited gravel or firm sand areas.

Small shallow pools are present (visible in the front view) but none appear deeper than 1 foot. The entire bottom is discernible throughout the visible reach. Pool frequency is occasional, with most of the channel being shallow runs.

Only 3 cover types are readily identifiable: undercut banks on the left side, root mats from exposed tree roots, and overhanging vegetation (branches/vines from the left bank). Deep pools, large woody debris, boulders/cobble, and macrophyte beds are absent or negligible.

No barriers to fish movement are visible within the reach. However, at low flow conditions the very shallow depth may seasonally inhibit movement of larger fish. The narrow, shallow channel may naturally limit fish community to small-bodied species.

Very little large woody debris is visible in the channel. A few small sticks and branches are present but no significant LWD, debris jams, or pool-forming logs. The right bank's lack of mature trees limits the recruitment of LWD into the channel. The brush pile visible on the right bank in the RIGHT face is on land, not in the channel.

Only 2 habitat types are readily available for macroinvertebrate colonization: undercut banks with root systems on the left bank and leaf packs from the deciduous tree litter. The substrate is predominantly fine sediment which is unfavorable for most EPT taxa. Cobble, coarse gravel, and submerged logs are largely absent.

Score of 6 assigned as a habitat-based estimate. The presence of flowing water, some rock substrate, and bank habitat suggests Group II organisms would be present, though the dominance of fine sediment and limited habitat diversity would limit intolerant species.

No macroinvertebrates were directly observed in the imagery. Score assigned based on habitat assessment - the stream likely supports a community of facultative organisms given the available habitat types and water quality conditions. The fine sediment substrate and limited habitat diversity would favor Group II and III organisms.

Suitable Habitat: No

This small headwater stream with degraded habitat is unlikely to support species of conservation concern. The fine sediment substrate, limited habitat diversity, and small channel size reduce potential for sensitive aquatic species. However, headwater streams can provide habitat connectivity important for overall watershed biodiversity.

No wildlife directly observed in any of the six cube faces. The brush pile on the right bank could provide shelter for small mammals and songbirds. The surveyor presence likely caused any wildlife to retreat.

Water has a slight brownish tint and is slightly turbid but the streambed is visible through the shallow water. In the pool area, clarity appears to be 1-2 feet. No oil sheen, algal mats, or unusual coloration observed. The brown color may be natural tannins from leaf litter or minor sediment suspension.

No significant algal growth or macrophyte abundance is visible. Water is not green-tinged. Some minor algal growth may be present on rocks but it is not conspicuous. The lack of significant nutrient enrichment indicators suggests the stream is not severely impacted by nutrients at this location, though the adjacent pasture could be a source.

No direct evidence of manure or livestock waste in the stream or on the banks. The mowed grass area on the right bank suggests managed pasture/parkland rather than active livestock grazing. No livestock, fencing, paths to water, or waste storage visible. However, the pastoral setting suggests livestock may use the area periodically.

This is a warmwater system with patchy shade from riparian trees primarily on the left bank. Currently during the dormant season, shade is minimal due to bare deciduous canopy. During summer full leaf-out, the left bank trees would provide moderate shade but the right bank with only scattered young trees would remain mostly unshaded. Riparian buffer restoration on the right bank would significantly improve shade conditions and reduce thermal stress during summer months.

The mowing of vegetation to the bank edge on the right bank represents an ongoing disruption to the riparian buffer. While this may not constitute a permit violation per se, it prevents establishment of the minimum 30ft riparian buffer recommended under TDEC MS4 guidelines. The brush pile suggests periodic clearing of riparian vegetation which further compromises buffer function.

Terrestrial Invasives Assessment

Aquatic Invasives Assessment

Green-leafed vines visible in the LEFT face and FRONT face during the dormant season are strongly suspected to be Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), which is one of the few plants that retains green leaves in early spring in middle Tennessee. The vine is common throughout the left bank shrub layer. Some shrubs on the left bank may include bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) based on growth form, but this is lower confidence given the bare condition. Confidence is medium due to early spring dormant conditions limiting positive identification.