Little Contentnea Creek Snagging Project
Pitt County received a grant from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources for the clearing and snagging of Little Contentnea Creek located along the shared border of Greene and Pitt Counties. The purpose of the project was to alleviate obstructions that impeded stream flow or navigation. Both Greene and Pitt Counties contributed $5,000.00 each to this project, for a total project budget of $55,000.00 when combined with the grant funds.
The project began at the confluence of Little Contentnea Creek and Contentnea Creek and continued upstream on Little Contentnea Creek approximately 13.2 miles, past the crossing on NC 903 at Scuffleton and on to the intersection of Little Contentnea Creek and SR 1125 (Pocosin Road) east of Willow Green. The work began in October, 2007 and was completed in January, 2008.
The contractors hired to remove the debris used chainsaws and a boat with a mechanical winch capable of removing trees that had fallen across the channel. Care was taken to avoid damaging standing trees when possible. The debris was placed on the banks in a manner which would prevent potential movement of the debris back into the drainageway during high water flows.
On April 19, 2008, staff from Pitt County were invited by the Cypress Chapter of the Sierra Club to paddle Little Contentnea Creek. Fourteen paddlers attended the trip which began near Roundtree Road and ended at NC 903. Prior to the clearing and snagging project, this trip would have been nearly impossible. Those in attendance remarked of how much more accessible the creek was now due to the debris removal project.
The Pitt County Planning Department has applied to the North Carolina Division of Water Resources for a grant for a similar clearing and snagging project along Chicod Creek.
Workers use chainsaws and boats with winches to remove debris from Little Contentnea Creek.
Members of the local chapter of the Sierra Club and Pitt County Staff paddle Little Contentnea Creek in April.
