Eve-Brantley-Auburn-CSES-headshot-photo

Eve Brantley

Professor and Extension Specialist (Water Resources)

Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences

(334) 844-3927 

  brantef@auburn.edu 

  

Get In Touch

Address:
238 Funchess Hall
Auburn Univ, AL 36849

Biography

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D., Auburn University (School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences) (2008)
  • M.S., Clemson University (Forest Resources) (1995)
  • B.S., Berry College (Biology) (1993)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Associate Professor, Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Water Resources Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (2014-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Water Resources Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (2009-2014)
  • Agriculture Program Associate, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Water Program (2002-2009)
  • Agriculture Program Associate, Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center & Alabama Sea Grant (2000-2002)

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Cahaba River Society Watershed Conservation Development Award, “Trussville Civitan Park Restoration Projec” (2016)
  • Auburn University College of Agriculture Dean’s Grantsmanship Award (2015)
  • Auburn University Spirit of Sustainability Faculty Award (2015)
  • Auburn University College of Agriculture Dean’s Grantsmanship Award, Auburn University (2014)
  • Governor’s Conservation Award, Water Conservationist of the Year, Alabama Wildlife Federation (2014)
  • National Finalist, Communication Award, Bound Book, National Association of County Agricultural Agents (2014)
  • National Extension Education poster finalist, National Association of County Agricultural Agents (2014)
  • Director’s Award for Extension Excellence, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (2012)
  • Auburn University College of Agriculture Dean’s Grantsmanship Award, Auburn University (2012)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Alabama Section, American Water Resource Association, Incoming President
  • Soil and Water Conservation Society
  • Alabama Association of County Agriculture Agents and Specialists

Research

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Applied research to support needs of Alabama and the southern region includes riparian buffer systems, stream enhancement assessment, and innovative stormwater management.

Courses

COURSES TAUGHT

  • CSES 5080/6080 –  Soil Resources and Conservation

Publications

SELECT PUBLICATIONS

  • Helms, B., J. Zink, D. Werneke, T. Hess, Z. Price, G. Jennings and E. Brantley. 2016. Development of Ecogeomorphological (EGM) Tools for the Piedmont of Alabama, USA. Water Special Issue: Stream Ecosystems and Restoration: Linking Bioassessments to Improved Planning and Design Strategies. Water, Vol. 8, Issue 4, 161.
  • Turner, I., E. Brantley, C. Anderson, J. Shaw, and B. Helms. 2015. Floristic composition of Alabama Piedmont floodplains across a gradient of stream channel incision. American Midland Naturalist. Vol. 174, Issue 2, pp. 238-253.
  • Simpson, A., I. Turner, E.F. Brantley, and B. Helms. 2014. Bank erosion hazard index as an indicator of near-bank aquatic habitat and community structure in a southeastern Piedmont stream. Ecological Indicators. Vol. 43, pp. 19-28.
  • Hunolt, A., E.F. Brantley, J.A. Howe, A.N. Wright, C.W. Wood. 2013. Comparison of native woody species as live stakes in streambank stabilization in the southeastern USA. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Sept/Oct Vol. 68, No. 5, pages 384-391.
  • Christian, K., A. Wright, J. Sibley, E.F. Brantley, J. Howe, M. Dougherty, and C. LeBleu. 2012. Phosphorus uptake by Muhlenbergia capillaris, a rain garden plant, under flooded and non-flooded conditions. Journal of Environmental Horticulture Dec 2012
  • Mitchell, J, B.G. Lockaby, and E.F. Brantley. 2011. Influence of Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) on Decomposition and Nutrient Availability in Riparian Forests. Invasive Plant Science and Management: October-December 2011, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 437-447.
  • Conner, W.H.; Inabinette, L.W.; Brantley, E. F. 2000. The use of tree shelters in restoring forest species to a floodplain delta: 5-year results. Ecological Engineering 15 (2000) S47-S56.

EXTENSION

Extension water resources covers a broad area of interest that includes agricultural, urban, personal, and community wide concerns. We coordinate watershed restoration and management workshops in Alabama and southern region. More than 200 workshops have been conducted on watershed restoration, innovative stormwater management practices, and watershed management. An estimated 3,000 natural resource professionals have participated in these hands-on trainings. In partnership with the ACES Water Program, over 30 demonstration stormwater practices have been implemented and more than 10,000 linear feet of stream have been enhanced or restored.

PEPPERELL BRANCH WATERSHED PROJECT

About the Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership:

Goal:

The goal of the Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership is to develop a plan to establish and implement best management practices that will improve the water quality in Pepperell Branch by reducing pollution sources throughout the watershed. The ultimate goal is for the creek to meet water quality standards all year long.

Project: 

This citizen directed project will result in the production of a watershed management plan (WMP) that has been developed with insight from local stakeholders and governmental entities. The WMP will identify implementable best management practices that are based on the goals of water quality improvement and watershed protection. A comprehensive watershed approach will be used with concentrations on the most significant sources of pollution contributing to the impairments. Public engagement is encouraged. Please contact Laura Bell (Alabama Cooperative Extension) if you are interested in participating!

Sections of the Pepperell Branch Watershed Management Plan (PDFs available by request)

  • Pepperell WMP Table of Contents
  • Pepperell WMP Intro 1 and 2
  • Pepperell WMP Chapter 3 Ecology
  • Pepperell WMP History Section
  • Pepperell WMP Historical Water Quality
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 4 Partnership
  • Pepperell WMP signs
  • Pepperell WMP Public Outreach part 2
  • Pepperell WMP Trainings
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 5 Characterization
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 6
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 7 Pollutant Sources
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 8 Management Measures
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 8 part 2
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 9 Outreach
  • Pepperell WMP Ch 10 and 11

Past Events

Pepperell Branch Alabama Watershed Steward Trainings:

  • Alabama Watershed Steward Training on July 16, 2019 at the CASIC Building, Auburn University.
  • Alabama Watershed Steward Training on August 8, 2019 at the Opelika Sportsplex, Opelika.
  • See the promotional video here on Facebook!
  • Approved for 5.5 CEUs from Auburn University and 5 Certified Crop Advisor soil and water points.
  • July 18, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • July 16, 5:30-6:30 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Public Meeting about the Watershed Management Plan at the Opelika City Hall Council Chambers.
  • June 27, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • June 13, 5:30-7:30 pm, Storm Drain Marking Event in Opelika – Please join us in downtown Opelika for a volunteer event to install storm drain markers in areas around town on Thursday evening, June 13 at 5:30 – 7:30 pm. We will meet at the Frog Pocket Park in downtown Opelika for sign in,  supplies, and brief instructions. We will split into teams and disperse to multiple locations around town to install the markers.
  • May 23, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • April 25, 2:00-4:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • March 28, 3:00-5:00 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • Saturday, March 2, 2019, 8:00-10:00 am  Creek Cleanup and Environmental Fair, Shady Park, Opelika, AL. Please join us March 2! We will have breakfast snacks along with our booths with fun water related activities, recycling, and even make a fish print! It will be great fun for all ages. After you enjoy a few booths there will be an opportunity to help pick up litter to protect our streams.
  • February 14, 3:00-4:15 pm – Open to the Public- Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • Monday, February 4, 2019 9:00am- 5:00pm  Introduction to Watershed Modeling Course  for water and natural resource professionals.  Participants will gain an understanding of what model is needed for watershed protection planning, how modeling fits into 9 Elements, and the resources needed to take the next steps. The models and tools the course will cover include: load duration curves (LDC), Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load (STEP-L), Generalized Watershed Loading Function (GWLF), P8 urban catchment model (P8-UCM), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), AGricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model (AGNPS), Hydrologic Simulation Program – FORTRAN (HSPF), Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS) and Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Cost: $20. Location: Center for Science, Innovation, and Quality, Conference Room 301, 559 Devall Dr. Auburn, AL 36830
  • January 24, 3:00-5:00 pm – Public Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • January 25, 5:00-8:00 pm  Free Alabama Water –  Bacteriological Monitoring Workshop, Description: Detect levels of E.coli and other coliform bacteria in water as indicators of contamination. Determine if water is safe for drinking, swimming and aquatic life. Contact Email: awwprog@auburn.edu Workshop Contact Phone: 334-844-4785 Workshop Location:  CASIC Building 559 Devall Drive Auburn, AL 36849 
  • January 26, 9:00am-4:00 pm  Free Alabama Water Watch Water Chemistry Monitoring Workshop, Description: Test physical and chemical characteristics of water to determine pollution sources and long-term trends in water quality. Six variables are measured with a customized test kit, and results can be compared with water quality standards that define conditions for healthy waterbodies. Contact Email: awwprog@auburn.edu Workshop Contact Phone: 334-844-4785 Workshop Location:  CASIC Building 559 Devall Drive Auburn, AL 36849
  • December 13, 3:00-4:30 pm – Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership Meeting  at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • November 29, 3:00-5:00 pm – Pepperell Branch Watershed Partnership Meeting  at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail.
  • November 8, 3:00-5:00 pm – Public Pepperell Branch Watershed Bus Tour. Meet the bus at 2:45 pm at Southern Union parking lot and the tour will begin at 3 pm. We will drive along roads close to the watershed boundary so that everyone can get a feel for the area within the watershed. Stops at Monkey Park, Cunningham Bridge, and downtown.
  • Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8 am – Storm Drain Marking Volunteer Event
  • October 18, 3-5 pm – First Pepperell Branch Partnership Meeting at the Opelika Planning Commission Chamber, Public Works Building, 700 Fox Trail. (Agenda)
  • September 18, 2018 Kick off Public Meeting – Opelika City Council Chamber

Previous power point presentations:

  • Watershed Management Plan for Pepperell Branch
  • Project Overview and Partners
  • Basics of Watersheds and Water Quality
  • The Creekline Greenway Project – Shealy Langley
  • Alabama Water Watch – Sydney Smith
  • Educational Signs – Laura Bell

Pepperell Branch Watershed Updates (PDFs available by request)

  • Pepperell Branch Data (ADEM + AWW)
  • Pepperell Powerpoint 4-H Water Watch – Gina Nimmo
  • Pepp_Implementation Presentation_6.27
  • WPP presentation_Pepperell Updates July 2019

Publicity on Pepperell Branch Watershed:

  • August-7-2019-Educational-Signs-Installed at Opelika Parks and Schools
  • OPELIKA-PUBLIC-MEETING-FOR-PEPPERELL-BRANCH-WATERSHED-MANAGEMENT-PLAN-DRAFT–
  • PEPPERELL-BRANCH-WATERSHED-PARTNERSHIP-INSTALLING-STORM-DRAIN-MARKER-PROGRAM-June-13-2019
  • PEPPERELL BRANCH environmental fair and pet waste station installation March-11-2019-Update
  • Pepperell Branch Watershed Project in Opelika Underway
  • New grant funds research to improve water quality in Opelika 
  • Opelika Officials Work to Improve Water Quality
  • Storm Drain Marking Event, October 27
  • City of Opelika Pepperell Branch Watershed Management Plan Springs Into Action
  • City of Opelika Public Meeting for Pepperell Branch Watershed Management Plan Set For September 18
  • WSFA News TV interview 9/30/18
  • Opelika Auburn News (OANOW.com) 09/31/18

    *This project was fully funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 4

    Watershed Plan, Middle Tennessee River Valley

    To request a copy of the most updated draft watershed plan, please send a request to brantley@auburn.edu

    PROJECT OVERVIEW

    This project is a team effort between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee with technical assistance from Auburn University and the University of Alabama-Huntsville to increase agricultural irrigated acres to maximize local economic benefit, minimize environmental and cultural resources impacts and improve rural communities.

    The proposed project would assist in providing cost-share for a range of irrigation technologies (ex: center pivot, microirrigation, plasticulture, tow-traveler) and diverse farm sizes, types and demographics. Irrigation practices may be partially funded through the NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL 83-566).

     

    PURPOSE AND NEED

    Through the Watershed Program authorized by Public Law 83-566, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to local organizations for planning and carrying out watershed projects that help solve natural resource and related economic problems in a specific watershed. These issues can include watershed protection, flood prevention, erosion and sediment control, water supply, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, and wetlands creation.

    In accordance with the provisions of the NRCS’s Watershed Program, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee is eligible for funding to address agricultural water needs. The purpose of this project is to provide cost-share funding to expand irrigation.

     

    WE WANT YOUR INPUT!

    NRCS invites all interested parties to review the Draft Watershed Plan-EA and attend the public meeting to learn more about the project. We are asking for your comments and suggestions to develop a Final Watershed Plan-EA. Paper copies of the draft watershed plan are available at NRCS offices in Cullman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan Counties, Alabama.

    Written comments are highly encouraged and will be accepted in person at the public meeting or via U.S. Mail or email at:

    Please email comments to Vernon Abney, USDA NRCS, Vernon.Abney@al.usda.gov

    Comments may be sent by US Mail:
    Mr. Vernon Abney, State Conservation Engineer
    Natural Resources Conservation Service
    P.O. Box 311
    Auburn, Alabama  36831-0311

    Coastal Restoration Technology Workshop

    GULF COAST WATERSHED SUSTAINABILITY AND MODELING SYSTEMS WORKSHOP

    December 3-4, 2019

    City Hall Meeting Room
    1705 Main Street
    Daphne, AL 36526

     

    PURPOSE:
    Build capacity in local communities to manage and restore coastal watersheds for long-term sustainability. The first day will focus on lessons learned from the past five years of implementing restoration projects in the D’Olive watershed to reduce sediment transport and peak flows during runoff. The second day will focus on application of Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis products to improve City/County stormwater management.

    2019 Urban Stream Assessment & Restoration

    Urban Stream Assessment & Restoration Workshop:

    May 1-2, 2019
    Auburn University
    109 CASIC Building
    559 Devall Drive, Auburn, Alabama

    Auburn University Parkerson Mill Creek Rugby Reach: Stream Workshop Assessment Site

    Instructor:  Greg Jennings, PhD, PE, Jennings Environmental PLLC

    This 2-day workshop includes classroom and field learning experiences on the topics of applied fluvial geomorphology and stream restoration.  Participants will learn field stream assessment to evaluate channel and floodplain morphology, stability assessment, and restoration potential.  Presentations and field tours of local stream restoration projects will describe restoration techniques for urban streams and how to measure post-restoration geomorphic conditions.  Participants will gain an understanding of key design parameters including bankfull channel dimensions, entrenchment ratio, riffle-pool sequences, and hydraulic parameters including discharge and shear stress.  Other restoration components to be evaluated on local projects include in-stream boulder and log structures, stream bank revetments, and native riparian vegetation.

    Thank you to our sponsors: Motz Enterprises, Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System

    This workshop is in support of the Moores Creek Watershed Implementation project partially funded by a Section 319 grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and US Environmental Protection Agency Region IV

    Presentations & Resources: (PDFs available by request if not linked)

    • Introduction
    • AU 1 Stream Morp
    • AU 2 Stream Classifcation and Stability
    • AU 3 Restoration
    • AU Vegetation Planning

    Resources:

    • Stream-Survey-Data-Sheets
    • BEHI-NBS
    • Stream-Condition-Rapid-Assessment
    • Regional-Curve-Piedmont

    2018 Stream Assessment

    Stream Assessment Workshop:

    April 18-19, 2018
    CASIC Building
    559 Devall Drive, Room 109
    Auburn, Alabama

    Resources:

    This 2-day workshop introduces concepts of fluvial geomorphology and stream processes related to channel and floodplain formation, bankfull stage identification, regional hydraulic geometry curves, applications of the Rosgen classification system for natural streams in the Southeast, and assessment tools for stream morphological and ecological conditions. Morning classroom sessions are followed by afternoon field sessions where students work in small groups to measure stream physical and ecological conditions. Students will learn to calculate stream morphology relationships for channel dimension, pattern, and profile by hand and using a spreadsheet. Students will also learn about field techniques for measuring streambank erosion, pebble count techniques for substrate analysis, and channel assessment of reference and impaired streams. These assessment techniques provide a basis for determining a stream system’s departure from reference conditions and opportunities for restoration. Students should bring field gear, waders, calculator, and a laptop for Excel spreadsheet calculations. This workshop is open to individuals from all backgrounds interested in learning to assess stream conditions. Future workshops on stream restoration techniques will be based on the concepts learned in this fundamental workshop.

     

    INSTRUCTORS

    Greg Jennings, PhD, PE, Jennings Environmental, LLC, NC State University Professor Emeritus
    Justin Barrett, PE, Five Smooth Stones Restoration, PLLC
    Eve Brantley, PhD, Auburn University, Associate Professor, Dept of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences

     

    PARTNERS

    Sponsored by: Auburn University, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, City of Auburn, Auburn University Water Resources Center (PDFs available by request if not linked)

     

    Presentations (PDFs available by request)

    2017 Stream Design

    Presentations: (PDFs available by request)

    • Stream Design
    • Coastal AL Case Study
    • City of Auburn Project Objectives
    • Vegetation Overview

    Workshop Resources:

    2016 Stream Resources

    Assessment Documents:

    Presentations (PDFs available by request):

    Resources: