Last Updated on June 23, 2025 8:01 pm
Ribbon Cutting for the Lower Hardin Creek Restoration Project behind Watauga High – Monday, June 23, 2025. Video: Kenneth Reece/WataugaOnline
Written by Laney Wise/Town of Boone
On June 23rd, 2025 the Town of Boone held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lower Hardin Creek Restoration Project.
After many years of planning and grant writing, the Town of Boone, in partnership with New
River Conservancy, Watauga County, the Watauga County School System, and the North
Carolina Land and Water Fund, began construction of the Lower Hardin Creek Restoration
Project in June 2024.
The project marked a significant step toward restoring ecological balance
in the area. It successfully restored 2,500 feet of Hardin Creek by stabilizing the stream bed,
reconnecting the stream to its natural floodway, and enhancing aquatic and terrestrial wildlife
habitats.
More than just an environmental initiative, the project also prioritized community resilience and
future sustainability. A key feature of the restoration was constructing a new bridge spanning the
newly created floodway, protecting critical infrastructure from potential flood damage. This
project helped mitigate further flood damage to the area during Hurricane Helene.
“This project not only survived Helene, it has already positively impacted both the local ecosystem and the Boone community. It is a testimony to how resilient natural systems can be in major storm
events.” George Santucci, Sustainability and Special Projects Manager for the Town of Boone
In addition to managing the project, New River Conservancy recruited approximately 50
volunteers to plant more than 6,000 trees and shrubs to ensure a robust and stable habitat.
“Among other problems, unhealthy amounts of sediment from severe erosion brought Hardin
Creek to an unhealthy state. With help and support from great partners we have restored this
tributary of the New River back into a functional stream that is able to mitigate flooding and
provide habitat for fish and wildlife. We look forward to partnering with the Town of Boone and
North Carolina Land and Water Fund on other stream restoration projects to create a more
sustainable and better future for the New River watershed.” – Joe Johnson, Director of
Operations and Programs for the New River Conservancy
Completed in June 2025, with the installation of the bridge, the Town of Boone has opened the
Greenway Trail from the entrance at Daniel Boone Drive Extension to the Watauga High School
Cross-Country field alongside the river.
