Reviewed by: Michael Seale
Village Creek restoration gains $2.6M + Alabama recognized for its biodiversity
Reading time: 2 minutes
Some good news for the Black Warrior River watershed here in Birmingham.
Village Creek receives $2.6 million for floodplain restoration
Village Creek is slated to receive $2.6 million to support floodplain restoration efforts.
Folks may not know that Village Creek runs 44 miles through Birmingham and Jefferson County, all within the Black Warrior River watershed.
For 50 years, it has suffered from flooding events resulting in more than 17 federally declared disasters, impacting 30,000 homes since 1970.
Last week, Senator Katie Britt with the unanimous support of Mayor Randall Woodfin and the Birmingham City Council secured the monies to combat the persistent problem.
“For decades, the City of Birmingham has worked to restore the Village Creek floodplain and implement a long-term solution to flooding. The more than $2.6 million I secured in FY26 Homeland Appropriations funding will significantly advance these efforts, particularly by reducing flooding during major storm events in Ensley and ensure residents and their communities remain safe.”
Senator Katie Britt
In more good news about Alabama’s rivers, another national publication has recognized Alabama for its biodiversity.
Alabama called the epicenter of endangered species
Vox, the popular digital news site, called our Alabama “the unexpected epicenter of endangered species,” according to their analysis of government data.
Vox’s conclusion? Alabama has more threatened and endangered species than any other state aside from California which is three times larger.
Their lengthy story about Alabama’s biodiversity, especially its freshwater critters features Dr. Paul Johnson with Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center and his work to protect the state’s 180 mussels, 70 which are federally listed endangered or threatened.
They also highlighted the work of local scientists conducting research on Jefferson County’s very rare watercress, rush and vermilion darters.
Vox advocates for greater spending on behalf of the fish, mussels, snails and crayfish in Alabama.
Fun fact: Alabama ranks first in the nation with the most kinds of freshwater fish, turtles, crayfish, mussels and snails.
Considering Senator Britt’s recent support of Village Creek maybe she can help out our rare darters, salamanders and mussels.
