Grant’s Creek flows through the heart of Rowan County. Originating near Landis, the Creek bisects China Grove, Salisbury, and Spencer before emptying into High Rock Lake. Previous years have witnessed the decline of the Creek’s water quality to critical levels. DENR’s Division of Water Quality lists Grant’s Creek as threatened due to both fecal coli form and turbidity. Today, there is hope that Grant’s Creek will be restored and protected into the future.
After hiring Rowan County native Kevin Redding to spearhead the now 2 year old Grant’s Creek Corridor project, the LandTrust completed its first purchase of property last fall. This 50 acre tract, formerly owned by Clyde Hall, was originally identified as a cornerstone for the entire project. Through the coorporation of Mr. Hall, the Land Trust was able to permanently protect over a mile of Grant’s Creek riparian buffer. The property houses a dense stand of bottomland vegetation and provides an invaluable buffer against adjacent development. Our sincere thanks go out to Mr. Hall for his patience and cooperation in the protection of this land.
A few other Grant Creek projects completed in 2001 were made possible through the assistance of Mr. & Mrs. Mike Rusher, Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Owens and Rowan county. Together, they represent 60 acres fronting the Rowan County waterway that are now permanently protected.
The Grant’s Creek restoration and protection project is an ongoing restoration effort made possible through a $2.2 million dollar grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. To date, approximately 25,000 feet of creek frontage have been protected with another 30,000 expected to come under protection in the next several months.