Volunteers received a big “Thank you” recently for their efforts to restore wetlands around Uplands Village.
A celebration was held Sept. 28 to mark the conclusion of the project, which began in 2017 when residents noticed flooding in the area.
The flooding followed logging activities the year before.
They reached out to the Obed Watershed Community Association, hoping they could help improve local stream conditions.
After multiple assessments and the realization that several projects were needed, OWCA received funding from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The project encompassed Uplands Lake Laura, Frey Branch of Wilkerson Creek and the surrounding areas.
Work began in 2020 and continued through August 2023. The projects, including beaver dam level control devices, bank stabilization, installing a new culvert at Yonside Dr., constructing observation platforms, establishing rain gardens, litter removal, removal of invasive species, planting native plants, and installing 130 education signs, began in 2020 and lasted until August of 2023.
“Without the help of numerous volunteers, these projects would not have been possible,” said OWCA President Andy Linville. “A project of this size deserves to be celebrated; one body of water affects all bodies of water. Without your help, our water cycle could have been severely damaged,” he added.
During the celebration, Uplands Village resident Margret Weirich donated a print of the Obed River to Linville in appreciation of the hard work and dedication of OWCA.