Thursday, March 20, 2008

Water Ways Part 1

Several readers asked where the photo in the previous post (March 14) was taken. It is from the lowest southern point of our campus. This is the flat bottom that is adjacent to the Greenway trail near the Third Bridge.

We have amazing water ways around and through our property. We connect to the South Fork of the New River on the south east side.

The South Fork New River Aquatic Habitat is part of the headwaters of oldest river in North America. It is biologically significant for a cluster of over fifteen rare animal species, including three fishes endemic to the New River drainage. It is noted for high water quality by the N.C. Division
of Water Quality. Species of stoneflies, caddisflies, mayflies, and mussels which are ecological indicators of high water quality are present. It is designated a National Wild and Scenic River, a North Carolina Scenic River, and one of 13 American Heritage Rivers.
This creek follows the south west side and defines the limiting boundary of our developed area in that direction. We will not and have not disturbed this creek and watershed.

Hopefully, we will find it to be a remarkable study area for its riparian habitat, forested watershed, and accessibility for earth science, biology, and ecology class field work. We will protect this area and will not build upon it. However it does have the potential to be a valuable resource area for environmental studies, nature habitat analysis, outdoor recreation in nature, outdoor program group initiatives, organic gardening plats, wildflower, tree, and forest study.

Whatever we put there will have to be above the surface, no footers, retaining walls, etc.


It could be a potential site for an "Alpine Towers" rope course and team initiave structure.