Scioto Bend Preserve

Scioto River Floods Reconnected Bottomlands at AOA’s Scioto Bend Preserve for the First Time in 100 Years

An AOA Re-Wilding and Re-Hydration Project.  AOA’s 309-acre Scioto Bend Preserve received floodwaters from the Scioto River this past February for the first time since levees were constructed on the property.  Located on a large bend in the river channel adjacent to the City of Circleville in Pickaway County, this property includes about 2.62 miles of Scioto mainstem river frontage.   This property was acquired as part of AOA’s Scioto River Flyway Corridor Initiative and will accommodate many of the thousands of waterfowl and migratory birds that use this corridor during the early spring and fall migration periods.

Existing Conditions.  Even though the Preserve lies almost entirely within the Scioto River floodplain, an old levee extending the length of the river frontage separates the river channel from most of its floodplain zone, which impairs effective riparian performance and the floodplain’s ability to filter and store floodwaters.  In addition, impacts related to decades of heritage uses such as clearcutting, row cropping, cattle grazing and loss of wetlands, diminished the natural water quality functions of the site.

Design and Implementation.  AOA worked with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. to design and implement a comprehensive series of restoration and enhancement activities to reconnect the natural floodplains to the Scioto River and restore wetlands and natural habitats on the site.   Phase one of this project was recently completed with a second phase proposed pending future funding. 

Constructing a Levee Breach.  A large breach of the levee was constructed to reconnect the Scioto River to the floodplain on the Preserve, allowing flooding to occur multiple times per year on average.  Beaver dam analogs were constructed, and vernal pools excavated to increase wetlands area and help retain floodwaters on the property, which help improve natural filtration of nonpoint pollutants and removal of nutrients, et al.  Edges of an existing pond were regraded to naturalize steep slopes and woody debris was placed in the pond and restored wetlands to create habitat and structure.

Restoration Work.  AOA installed erosion control fabric over the graded areas and planted prairie and wetland seeds to reestablish native vegetation.  We also worked to remove large debris and trash piles, remove 11 miles of fencing and conduct extensive and ongoing invasive species treatments.  Thousands of new trees and live stakes were also planted in the restored areas to reforest the site.

Floodplain Restoration and New Wetlands. This project vastly improved the on-site aquatic and riparian system function and habitat while providing profound positive benefit to downstream property owners and communities from cleaner water and flood water control and retention.  Floodplain restoration and new wetlands will greatly enhance the wildlife habitat available for migrating waterfowl, songbirds, bats, butterflies and the many other species that utilize the Scioto River Flyway Corridor.  Beaver, mink, muskrats, pheasants, bald eagles, and numerous migrating waterfowl have already been observed on the Preserve.

The Scioto Bend conservation and restoration project is a continuation of AOA’s efforts to protect and restore water quality in the Scioto River and its tributaries as part of our Scioto River Flyway Corridor Initiative.