Anderson & Associates is helping improve water quality, save aquatic life, and prevent flood damage through a new service offering – stream restoration.

The natural stream restoration concept is to stabilize streams using natural vegetation and resources, including logs, rocks, or even the rootwads of large trees.

The first step in stream restoration is to evaluate the watershed of the stream reach to be restored and the factors causing the stream to be unstable. Stream changes result from a variety of sources, including overgrazing, agricultural practices, logging, mining, and urbanization.

Next the A&A team surveys the unstable stream along with stable streams with similar morphological character-istics. This is done to determine the stream’s existing classification and what the classification needs to be to produce a stable stream based on the watershed conditions. A stable dimension, pattern, and profile for the study reach is then established. Efforts are also made to eliminate or reduce the problem source through the creation of buffer zones, public education about watershed activities, and other natural solutions.

Restoration is important not only to water quality in streams needing stabilization, but also to bodies of water downstream. Stream restoration and improved watershed activities can reduce erosion and sediment bedload, reduce flooding, eliminate pollutants, restore vegetation, increase fish populations, and improve outdoor activities.

"Watershed management provides health and safety benefits to communities through cleaner drinking water and reduced flooding," explained Duane Mann, A&A Project Manager. "By using natural resources to save our streams, we also are improving our environment and restoring recreational activities, which in turn provides an economic benefit for state agencies and municipalities."

Congressman Rick Boucher recently joined local officials to break ground at the new site, located on US Rte 58. The facility will include 10,800 square feet of medical office and 2,100 square feet of pharmacy space.

Working in cooperation with Architectural Alternatives, Inc. of Blacksburg, Va., A&A is providing comprehensive site development services for the Clinic.

"The Tri-Area Health Clinic project evolved from expansion of the existing building to development of an entirely new facility," explained Bob Rogers, President of Architectural Alternatives. "We are thrilled to break ground on this important project."

The Tri-Area Health Clinic and Pharmacy is a non-profit facility providing health care for residents of the tri-county area, and is a designated location for veterans’ medical services. The Clinic provides a wide range of medical services and in-office procedures, as well as an on-site pharmacy. Currently under construction, the Clinic is scheduled to be completed by April 2003.