ECWA
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association
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Strayhorn Branch Project

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Strayhorn Branch Project

A stream restoration project to restore water quality in downtown Durham
Located just outside of downtown Durham, Strayhorn Branch is a stream in the Pearl Mill Nature Preserve. The preserve is part of a corridor of wetlands and floodplain woods that surround the East Branch of the South Ellerbe Creek.

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Pearl Mill features several of ECWA’s green infrastructure projects as well as a pollinator habitat restoration.
LEARN MORE

Why do we need this project?  The Strayhorn Branch project will help reinforce the banks, restore a natural riffle-and-pool structure, and reintroduce Strayhorn Branch to its former flood plain in the adjacent woods.

What is Strayhorn Branch? Strayhorn Branch is a tributary which flows into the South Ellerbe Creek. The Strayhorn tributary is located within the Pearl Mill Nature Preserve. 

What is the project? In 2018, ECWA purchased the nearby Soles Property with support from the City of Raleigh Watershed Protection Program and a Durham Open Space and Trails Matching Grant. The Strayhorn Branch, which flows into South Ellerbe just north of Green Street, has also eroded down more than three feet! This project is designed to heal Strayhorn Branch.

​Project Partners and Funders– 
City of Durham Stormwater & GIS Services
City of Raleigh Watershed Protection
Duke Energy Corp
Duke Energy Foundation
Durham Open Space and Trails Matching Grant 
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Management Plan
North Carolina Environmental Enhancement Grant
Upper Neuse Clean Water initiative 


Place Project Map Here



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READ MORE ABOUT PRESERVE PLANTS & ANIMALS »

Plan Your Visit

Preserve trail maps viewable here
​
Opening Hours:
Dawn to dusk year-round.


Directions & Parking: The South Ellerbe Creek Trail runs right through the preserve. This paved greenway runs right through the preserve, which means that the preserve is best accessed on foot or bike via the trail. If you choose to drive,  park near where the trail crosses Green Street, on the 700 block. You will see the Pearl Mill Preserve kiosk on the north side of Green Street. Walking south from the kiosk, notice the pollinator garden on the right side of the path. Continue south a quarter mile to the future location of the South Ellerbe Stormwater Project and another mile to Durham’s city center.

ECWA exists because people believe that it's important to cherish the treasures in our own back yard. 

Help us conserve this wonderful natural resource, and remind the people of Durham that nature is important, even in the heart of a city.​

DONATE

More Nature Preserves

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Glennstone

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Beaver Marsh

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The Rocks

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ECWA​
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association

Mail:  PO Box 2679
Durham, NC 27715
Office: 904 Broad St 
Durham, NC 27705
919.698.9729
info@ellerbecreek.org
​
​OUR WATERSHED

What Is a Watershed?
History of the Watershed
Plants & Animals
Stories from the Watershed
Ellerbe & Me




​OUR PRESERVES

Overview
Glennstone
Beaver Marsh
Pearl Mill
The Rocks
17-Acre Wood
Non-Public Preserves
​
​OUR WORK

Overview
Protect
Restore

Engage
Advocate


​
​ABOUT US

Our People

Our Supporters
History of ECWA
Guiding Documents
​
​GET INVOLVED

Donate
Volunteer
Visit a Preserve
Creek Smart
Attend an Event
Copyright © 2019 ECWA   |   Terms   |   Privacy
  • Our Watershed
    • What is a Watershed?
    • History of the Ellerbe Creek Watershed
    • Plants & Animals
    • Stories from the Watershed >
      • Blog
      • Ellerbe & Me
  • Our Preserves
    • Overview
    • 17-Acre Wood
    • The Rocks
    • Pearl Mill
    • Glennstone
    • Beaver Marsh
  • Our Work
    • Overview
    • Protect
    • Restore
    • Engage
    • Advocate
    • Creek Smart​® >
      • About Creek Smart​®
      • Walking Tours
      • Downspout Disconnection
      • Cisterns
      • Rain Gardens >
        • Siting
        • Designing
        • Installing
      • Support Creek Smart​®
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Our Supporters
    • History of ECWA
    • Guiding Documents
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Volunteer
    • Attend An Event
    • Stewardship
    • Visit a Preserve
    • Creek Watchers
    • Make Your Property Creek Smart
  • Donate