Here’s the press release from the U.S. Forest Service:
PISGAH FOREST, N.C., April 23, 2014 – The U.S. Forest Service will replace a low water ford on Courthouse Creek Road (Forest Service Road 140), located in the Pisgah Ranger District off Highway 215 in Transylvania County just north of Balsam Grove, NC, starting on May 5th. The road will be closed to motorized vehicle traffic from May 5th until late October. Non-motorized traffic is allowed, however crossing the low water ford will not be an option.
The ford, which in the past has become both blocked by large boulders and washed out from storm events, will be replaced with a bridge that will improve passage for aquatic species and allow a more natural stream flow during storm events.
Courthouse Creek is a class C trout stream, designated by the NC Department of Natural Resources, Water Quality Division. This classification is intended to protect freshwaters which have favorable conditions for the year-round survival and the propagation of stocked trout.
The construction of this new crossing is designed to have minimal impacts on the spawning of the rainbow trout in Courthouse Creek, and the brown and brook trout in the North Fork of the French Broad River. Work will occur outside of the stream bed while bridge abutments are installed. The only “in-stream” disturbance will occur when the existing ford is removed after both abutments for the bridge are complete.
If you have any questions about the project please contact the Pisgah Ranger District at 828-877-3265.
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