Stream Buffer Information Page
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Streambanks should be protected from
erosion
that may be caused by water and by humans and animals crossing the banks.
Typically, such banks need protection when there is no longer sufficient
vegetation to hold the soil in place. Tree roots form a protective net
for
the soil. Without this, erosion may result in unacceptable sediment load.
Several kinds of improvements and protection are possible.
- Removing channel obstructions such as a fallen tree or a bar that
is deflecting flow into the bank. Such factors should be considered
before deciding on expensive structural protection.
-
Implement a Livestock
Exclusion
and Livestock Watering Facility. This should be done to avoid wear on the
banks by large animals.
- Vegetative Protection in areas where grass or
trees will provide adequate protection, species should be selected that
are
well suited to soil conditions and can withstand periodic flooding.
- log bundles
- planting of willows or other plants withstanding high
velocity flow.
- Structural Protection Cost can be very high. In
such situations the benefits of expensive structural streambank protection
may not justify the cost.
- rock
- riprap
- interlocking
concrete blocks
- formed concrete
Leaving a buffer zone of
uncut vegetation around the shoreline to aid in building up nutrients that
would otherwise run into a body of water. Also leaving a buffer zone of
natural vegetation around the edges of the wetland will help protect the
wetland from damage due to storm water run off, fertilizers, or
pesticides.