News

City invites public to join 'live staking' effort to stabilize streambanks

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 20, 2023

Hendersonville’s Stormwater Division and MountainTrue are inviting the community to join a live staking event to help protect Brittain Creek and improve local water quality at 10 a.m. Feb. 7, on Brittain Creek between Patton Park and Mud Creek. Live staking is the process of driving dormant hardwood branches into the ground so they take root and protect streambanks from erosion.

“MountainTrue and The City of Hendersonville are combating sediment erosion in our local waterways,” said Michael Huffman, the city's stormwater manager. “Events like this are a fun way for the community to spend a couple of hours making a big impact on the water quality in our area.” Huffman explained that sediment is a major polluter in the local river basin, clogging fish and aquatic habitats, increasing water temperatures and carrying toxic substances into streams and creeks.

“We are helping to reduce the amount of sediment that flows into our rivers by planting live-stakes along eroding riverbanks,” he said. “These stakes will grow into trees that will stabilize the sides of the rivers and creeks where we plant them and will reduce the overall amount of sediment getting into the river. So, come hop in the creek and help us reduce erosion along our local rivers!”