News

'Trash Trout' installed to catch Mud Creek debris

A Trash Trout on Mud Creek at Balfour catches trash before it reaches the French Broad River.

By Bill Moss, Published: June 12, 2017

Mud Creek, the main waterway through Hendersonville, is a big bearer of trash floating through Henderson County and into the French Broad River.

Aquatic trash presents a challenge to water quality and habitat protection, in addition to causing aesthetic blight, ecological effects, economic impacts, and possible public health risks.

Lsted as impaired since 2006, Mud Creek is the largest conveyor of water-borne trash to the French Broad River in Henderson County. After a heavy rain, the creek can explode in volume as it sheds over 200 square miles of urban and rural areas. To address the trash in higher flowing creeks, Asheville GreenWorks developed a device capable of withstanding greater volumes of water, while not impairing the local ecology.
City stormwater staff in partnership with non-profit organizations Asheville GreenWorks and Mountain True have installed a trash collection device on Mud Creek in an effort to reduce floating trash in Mud Creek. This project will offer opportunities for public education and outreach as well as generate public involvement in water quality and stormwater management.
The device, named the "Trash Trout" was designed and built by the Asheville GreenWorks organization. Its purpose is to sit in a flowing waterway and collect floatables as they move downstream with the current. Similar devices have been successfully installed in other municipalities including Waycross, Georgia, Evansville, Indiana and several locations in Washington D.C. The device helps reduce the amount of trash in our waterways and improving overall water quality for our community. Mountain True, Asheville GreenWorks, the city of Hendersonville Stormwater Department and various community groups are partnering to maintain the device, which is located at Balfour Bridge on Mud Creek.
Asheville GreenWorks is seeking volunteers to maintain the device. Contact Eric Bradford / 828-232-7144 or Michael Huffman / 828-458-5693, mhuffman@hvlnc.gov if you're interested in helping out with the Trash Trout.