DAPHNE, Ala.—TJuly 20 is the city’s set completion date for a watershed restoration project affecting eight sites. The deadline is firm unless inclement weather delays reconstruction efforts.

The city, working with the National Resource Conservation Service, had identified trouble spots in the D’Olive Bay Watershed impacted by long-standing effects of erosion and sedimentation.

The sites—three located on Tiawasee Creek, two on Yancey Branch, two on D’Olive Creek and one on an unnamed tributary—require maintenance to correct several health and safety hazards.

“Two sewer lines are exposed on Tiawasee,” city site containment inspector Ashley Campbell said. “These could affect the city’s wildlife,” including the health of fish that inhabit the watershed’s ecosystem.

The other sites are dealing with drainage issues resulting from sedimentation buildup and highly erodible soil.

Some inlets have failed during recent heavy rains, causing burst pipes and exposed underground power and phone lines.

“Basically, the pipe was in the ground and was released,” Campbell said.

She added that safety is the No. 1 priority, with the exposed utility lines being a threat to public health.

“You also have the impact to our water quality,” she said.

The plan is to separate the project into two phases, Campbell said, to help organize the efforts of multiple parties’ involvement.

“It also helps with cost control,” she said, referring to the two-phase system’s limited overhead, paperwork and permits.

Campbell plans to correct some of the troubled areas by planting vegetation to relieve stormwater runoff.

“There’s a lot of storm water runoff issues we’re fixing each year,” Campbell said.

One of the main catalysts of the watershed’s current condition is the overwhelming amount of sedimentation, or dirt, building up in the streams and then flowing out into the bay during heavy rains.

“My goal is to make sure the vegetation is established,” Campbell said. “We want to plant some native shrubs. Instead of relying on just grass to revive it, we’re going to assist it.”

Last fall, representatives from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program met with city officials and residents to coordinate a long-term plan of action to correct the watershed.

The city of Daphne has since collected bids from environmental engineers and is currently narrowing down its selection.

“We’re getting close on our watershed plan,” Campbell said. “People don’t realize how much the city is spending on fixing this. We’re really moving forward on this.”

Campbell added that if anyone has questions regarding the watershed maintenance plan or if new erosion sites are found,  contact the Public Works Department at 621-3182.

“There’s a lot of stormwater runoff issues we’re fixing each year,” Campbell said.

One main catalyst of the watershed’s current condition is the overwhelming amount of sedimentation, or dirt, building up in streams and then flowing out into the bay during heavy rains.

“My goal is to make sure the vegetation is established,” Campbell said. “We want to plant some native shrubs. Instead of relying on just grass to revive it, we’re going to assist it.”

Last fall, representatives from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program met with city officials and residents to coordinate a long-term plan of action to correct the watershed.

The city has since collected bids from environmental engineers and is narrowing its selection.

“We’re getting close on our watershed plan,” Campbell said. “People don’t realize how much the city is spending on fixing this. We’re really moving forward on this.”

Campbell added that anyone with questions regarding the watershed maintenance plan, or a tip on new erosion sites, may contact the Public Works department at 621-3182.