Tropical Storm Chantal brought significant damage to many natural areas in our region, and the Duke Forest was no exception. All six divisions of the Forest sustained damage, with the Korstian Division hit hardest due to intense flooding along New Hope Creek. Water levels there rose to heights not seen since Hurricane Fran in 1996. The surge dislodged several major culverts, washed out forest roads and trails, damaged teaching and research infrastructure, and flattened large areas of trees and understory vegetation. It also swept away erosion control measures that had been installed just the week before as part of our New Hope Creek Restoration Projects.
In the days following the storm, our team, alongside a few dedicated volunteers, focused on two critical tasks. First, we began work to rebuild two major culverts, including the double culvert under Concrete Bridge Road inside Gate 25 to restore vehicle access to the first restoration site. Second, we worked to clear debris and sediment from around 30 culverts and ditch lines throughout the Korstian Division to help prevent further road and culvert damage from the rains that have continued to fall since TS Chantal.
Despite the setbacks, we are almost back on schedule with our restoration projects. Our construction contractors reinstalled erosion control measures as soon as the flood waters receded, and then just this week, our team was able to finish the removal of remaining trees from the construction zone. These steps will allow the construction crew to begin siting essential equipment and materials for the construction of the new clear-span bridge over New Hope Creek.
This recent event is a powerful reminder of the need to design infrastructure that can withstand the effects of a changing climate and minimize environmental degradation. The future bridge will have a clear span over the creek, meaning that no structures will be within the banks of the main channel. It will be free of any human-made obstructions. This clear-span design is actually specified to sit well above average water heights and exceeds the current mark for 100-year flood events.
While storm assessment and clean-up have already required a significant investment of staff time and financial resources, this work will continue in the weeks and months ahead. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community and the dedication of our volunteers, advocates, and donors. You help us respond to challenges like this and ensure the Duke Forest remains a resilient and thriving resource for generations to come.
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Please note: We are recommending that recreational visitors avoid the Korstian Division while clean-up is underway. We encourage visitors to explore the Durham Division, which has seen less storm-related damage.