Environmental projects move forward in Killbuck Watershed

With many exciting projects underway, here’s an update on several initiatives that have been rolled out in the last year to assist the people and natural features of the Killbuck Watershed:

In the village of Killbuck, the construction phase of our Appalachian Community Grant is underway. One of the early stages of the project was to cut many of the large trees along Main Street. This will enable street and sidewalk work to take place, which is part of expanding usability for bikes and pedestrians.

While it can be very difficult to adapt to this new look, the silver lining of this will be the old trees will be replaced with transplants focused on “Right Tree, Right Place.” This means the replacements will be adapted to urban conditions that will allow them to thrive for a long time, causing fewer issues for the village and residents. It also is an opportunity to remove many Callery pear individuals (an invasive tree plaguing Holmes County) and replace them with native species instead.

Other elements of the Appalachian Community Grant award include the construction of two new features. A boardwalk along County Road 621 will allow for safe observation of the Turtle Pond Preserve (a portion of the Killbuck Swamp Preserve, owned and managed by the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust and the Arc of Appalachia) and connect to the Quarry Bluff Trailhead along 520. Additionally, after long last, the first boat launch on the Killbuck will be installed at the Turtle Pond Preserve as part of this grant program. Get your kayaks ready for a float on the Killbuck this year.

Across the street on the opposite corner of Turtle Pond, the newest addition to the Killbuck Swamp Preserve includes the confluence of Black Creek and the mainstem of Killbuck Creek. This site was purchased in November with a grant partnership between the Clean Ohio program, dedicated to preserving green spaces for communities to enjoy passive recreation, and the H2Ohio Rivers program, an initiative designed to improve water quality, ensure community health, protect wildlife, and provide opportunities for recreation in and along Ohio’s rivers. This site includes a heron rookery and is an excellent water quality improvement feature, filtering the discharge from Black Creek before it enters the Killbuck.

Downstream, along state Route 60 near the Coshocton County line, the wetland properties also owned by the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust and the Arc of Appalachia are under restoration. Actually, they are under about a foot of snow, but once we get another break in the weather, the crews will return to excavating deeper wetland pools, breaking old tile lines and returning flow to the lower Laurel Creek.

The design for this site, funded by the H2Ohio program and administered by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, specifically for wetland projects, is meant to increase the amount of water held on the property. This will naturally improve vegetation management, encouraging the native species that can handle the seasonal rise and fall of ponded water, which in turn attracts the wildlife species looking for certain habitat niches.

One important aspect is the old railroad grade that extended south from the village will be maintained as a mowed trail to access the preserve. It is not an official extension of the Holmes County Trail but will be open for the community to enjoy walking and nonmotorized use.

It’s a lot to keep track of, but those involved in the various aspects of design and construction are excited about the potential improvements these initiatives will bring to our community. Stay tuned for ongoing updates. If you have questions, feel free to reach out and ask. If you have an interest in wetland projects for your own property, that’s something your partners at Soil and Water Conservation Districts would love to help you implement.

Karen Gotter is watershed coordinator for Killbuck Creek.