"Best Dog Trainer in the South"

"The REAL Dog Whisperer"

LITTLE HORSE CREEK FARM

Trained at Cornell University

John Quy has worked with

thousands of dogs from all over

the South.

35 Years Experience

336-384-4399

littlehorsecreekfarm.com

 

BEECH ALPEN INN

ALPEN RESTAURANT & BAR

Beech Mountain Elevation 5506ft

It's Better at The Top! 

The MountainView Room offers

the finest mountainview dining

in the High Country. The Old

Fireplace Room & Bar offers

Tasty Appetizers, Angus

Burgers & more, full bar

The In-Place on the Mtn for

Weddings & Parties 

Open now: Bullwinkels

Pizzeria & Sportscafe

Handtossed - baked in a

 Hearthstone Oven,

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Plus NFL Sunday tickets

alpenrestaurant.com

 

CAPEL RUGS OUTLET STORE

We're OVERSTOCKED in Braids

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one of a kind braids and 1st

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$29 for 5x8 braids

$129 8x10 and much more!

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828-295-9979

STEPPING STONE OF BOONE -

A NEW APPROACH TO

ADDICTION THERAPY

If you are addicted to pain

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opiates, contact us today.  

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steppingstoneofboone.com

828-265-7078

HickstravelAgency.com 

We are a full service

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Call Today!

336-667-6472  or

lcornett@vacation.com


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That's Why It's Called a Floodplain!
by National Committee for the New River

Latest Update: April 15, 2010


Along the New River this winter, many landowners saw and felt the results of major winter storms and extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures. In many areas, the river froze in layers of thick ice. Simultaneous events of moderating temperatures and heavy rain caused the river to rise and the ice to crack, forming huge ice floes. The rising waters carried the ice floes up onto the floodplain, the natural area for high-water levels to gravitate. You may remember seeing pictures of this phenomenon on Ray's Weather's Photo of the Day this winter. Contrary to popular belief, flooding is a very good thing for the river to do. This winter the floodplains were doing the important work of allowing the water from snow melt, ice melt, and rain to flow up and out of the river banks, dispersing the energy of that tremendous amount of water entering the watershed. Floodplains hold large quantities of water, which slows the flow of water. They allow the sediment carried by the water to settle out on land where it is needed, instead of in the river. Native plants in the floodplain filter pollutants and chemicals from the water, improving water quality for both humans and wildlife. The water held on floodplains also allows the groundwater to recharge, keeping the water in the area to supply streams and wells. In some cases, flood waters and ice damaged the vegetation along the river but the river banks themselves remain mostly unchanged. This is NOT the time to take advantage of cleared banks and start a lawn to the river. The shrubs, grasses, and trees on the river bank are the important riparian buffer that prevents erosion, absorbs pollutants in stormwater runoff, shades the river to keep it cool for fish, and provides food for wildlife, among other things. Landowners should know that while the vegetation itself was sheared off or flattened, the root systems in most cases remain intact. Inaction is the best action as the root mass in the banks will send up new growth this spring for both grasses and wildflowers and the native shrubs. Mother Nature has used this winter weather to remind us of the importance of floodplains and riparian buffers. All of the snow and ice has replenished the water tables and the flooding will provide nutrients and water for spring growth and rebirth. Just sit back and enjoy the show!