Project Summary

A 700 linear foot stretch of West Creek in Parma, sandwiched between a power equipment retailer and a senior living center, was severely impaired to the point of retaining minimal ecological value. The stream channel was severely channelized with an unnatural 90-degree angle, and was inundated with invasive species. No signs of viable wildlife habitat could be found prior to West Creek Conservancy’s restoration of the stream channel in 2018.

West Creek Conservancy, founded initially as a steward for natural areas within the West Creek watershed, engaged project partner BioHabitats to relocate and re-meander this impaired segment of West Creek. The naturalized stream channel was connected to a robust floodplain, created for stormwater retention as well as wildlife habitat in an otherwise highly urbanized environment. Newly constructed riffle structures and step pools allowed for oxygenation of water within West Creek, with plantings along the stream bank helping to further filter sediment and nutrients from the water on its way downstream.