Hendersonville officials cut the ribbon this week on a restored stretch of floodplain along Mud Creek, marking the completion of a project meant to give rising water somewhere to go before it reaches homes and businesses. The Lower Mud Creek Floodplain Restoration and Flood Risk Reduction Project is expected to add about 20 acre-feet, or roughly 6.5 million gallons, of additional flood storage, and officials say it could help reduce flood risk for as many as 93 nearby properties.
As reported by WLOS, the City of Hendersonville celebrated completion of the first phase of the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and walking tour. The event marked the project’s official opening to the public, and attendees included city council members, community supporters, funding partners and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson, per the station’s report. A photo caption identified Oct. 30, 2026 as the date of the ceremony.
What the Restoration Actually Changes Along the Creek
The project reconnects Mud Creek and its tributaries with the surrounding floodplain, creating more room for floodwater to spread out rather than push into nearby streets and structures, according to WLOS. Officials say the work is also designed to improve water quality, aquatic habitat and recreational access along the corridor. According to EIN Presswire, the project transforms 27 acres of city-owned floodplain along Mud Creek into restored wetlands, streams, floodplain habitat and publicly accessible green space.
The scope of the work is substantial. WLOS reports the project includes about 2,300 linear feet of tributary stream restoration, 1,500 linear feet of channel restoration on Mud Creek, 8.5 acres of wetland restoration and roughly 9.2 acres of riparian floodplain restoration and enhancement. EIN Presswire separately describes the effort as restoring more than 2,000 linear feet of streams while stabilizing 1,500 linear feet of Mud Creek streambank, along with 2,500 linear feet of paved greenway and 1,600 linear feet of natural-surface trail. The new trails are accessible from South Grove Street and Greenville Highway, according to WLOS.
State Funding and the Helene Connection
DEQ has contributed more than $2.8 million to the project through three of its programs, per the EIN Presswire account. That state investment fits into a larger push: DEQ has awarded funding to 86 Flood Resiliency Blueprint projects across six river basins statewide, totaling $45 million, the same report notes…