BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Town of Black Mountain is taking steps to address erosion issues with one creek and help prevent flash flooding conditions.
The town announced in late July that its Stormwater Department had been awarded a $317,054 grant from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Stream Flow Rehabilitation Program (StRAP). The funding will help support a critical stream rehabilitation project focused on addressing erosion issues along Flat Creek.
Town officials say the project area spans approximately 7,900 linear feet of Flat Creek, from US Highway 70 to the upstream limits of the Town of Black Mountain at the Flat Creek Road bridge. While the entire reach will be considered, the primary focus will be on specific areas experiencing severe erosion. This includes private property, sanitary sewer infrastructure, buildings, roads and Flat Creek Greenway. The planned improvements include bank sloping, bank bench excavation, bioengineering bank treatments, instream structures, and buffer planting. This should help improve water quality by reducing sediment load.
“Sediment in streams is a major environmental concern as it degrades water quality by carrying nutrients, heavy metals, and other pollutants,” a news release from the town says. “These substances can harm aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and contaminate recreation surface waters. Reducing sediment helps maintain healthier waterways and supports biodiversity.”
Jessica Trotman, Black Mountain assistant town manager, tells 828newsNOW this is the third round of StRAP program funding they’ve received for stream rehabilitation projects. In 2023, they were able to remove woody debris and snags from the entire length of the Swannanoa River. Trotman says this helps prevent debris jams, which can contribute to flash flooding conditions.
The Town of Black Mountain received $7,000 during their first round of funding and $71,816 in round two of the StRAP grants.
Trotman adds that Flat Creek is a major tributary to the Swannanoa River.
The current project will involve coordination with multiple private property owners and will need to navigate hurricane season, trout moratoriums and other time constraints. Therefore, construction is expected to commence around early November 2025.
Engineers are currently working on conceptual plans for the project and they will soon start working on outreach to property owners in the potentially impacted areas.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Flat Creek project.