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My Place on a Stream

Discover the benefits of living near a stream and learn about riparian areas, floodplains, and their significance. Find out how to care for your stream and watershed. Developed by Sherman Swanson and Susan Donaldson from the University of Nevada.

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My Place on a Stream

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  1. My Place on a Stream Developed by: Sherman Swanson, University of Nevada, Reno Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  2. Topics • What do you like about living near a stream? • What’s a riparian area and floodplain, and why are they important? • Signs of a healthy stream • Signs of an unhealthy stream • Tips on taking care of your stream and watershed

  3. What’s a stream? • A body of water that flows year-round • Naturally occurring • May have been straightened at some point in the past to deliver irrigation water, but was not originally constructed to convey irrigation water (that’s a ditch!)

  4. Why did you pay more for a property with a stream? UNR, Reno, Nev.

  5. Why should property in a floodplain cost less? Montana Montana UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  6. Where does your stream come from???

  7. Flows vary with time • In your watershed, when are stream flows highest? Lowest? • Can you remember the last flood? Where did the water go? • Where does the water come from during dry weather?

  8. Floodplains store water for later release USDA NRCS NRCS

  9. Riparian areas support water-loving plants NRCS, Bozeman, Mont., adapted by A. Miller

  10. Why are riparian areas important? • Groundwater recharge A. Miller

  11. Why are riparian areas important? • Reduced downstream flooding • Increased stream flows in dry weather USDA NRCS

  12. Why are riparian areas important? • Sediment and pollutants are trapped • Nutrients are cycled USDA NRCS

  13. Why are riparian areas important? • Vegetation provides shade to keep water cool • Stream and bank stability are increased UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  14. Why are riparian areas important? • Provide habitat for fish and other wildlife USDA NRCS

  15. Signs of a healthy stream • Vegetation and roots are present to protect and stabilize banks • There is a high water table with lots of water storage • The water quality is good

  16. Signs of a healthy stream • More consistent water temperature with shade • Longer or more consistent flows • In balance with the water and sediment flowing through the system • Better fish and wildlife habitat

  17. A healthy, functioning stream Add photo Montana UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  18. Which plants knit soil together? UNR, Reno, Nev.

  19. How do streams degrade? Leg 1: If streamside soils don’t retain enoughwater, they don’t grow the right kinds of plants Leg 2: If streams don’t floodonto their floodplains, they store little water and erode a lot Leg 3: If streams don’t sustain healthy riparianvegetation, they erode

  20. How do streams degrade? • If streams erode too much, they lose access to their floodplain Too many have already done so! DNRC, Mont.

  21. Signs of an unhealthy stream • Low water table and less water storage • Little shade and warmer water • Poor water quality • Little vegetation and roots to protect and stabilize banks • Poor floodplain access • Stream shape wrong for the setting

  22. What signs of an unhealthy stream do you see? UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  23. How do streams regain health? A. Miller

  24. How much natural process is right for you? USDA NRCS UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  25. But what if I can’t spare the land? • Make a deal with your stream to give it some floodplain access and riparian vegetation for more long-term stability and less worry • Seek out professionals who understand: • upstream and downstream connections • proper functioning conditions • necessary tools

  26. Legal aspects of working in riparian areas and streams • Federal permits (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits) • State authorities (pollution control, fish and wildlife agencies, etc.) • Local government (special use permits, grading and excavation, dust control plans, buffer zones, etc.)

  27. So what do I do? Tips for: • Managing livestock near streams • Living near a floodplain • Designing in-stream projects • Building or fixing roads and bridges • Controlling pollution • Managing streams for wildlife • Enjoying your stream or riparian area

  28. Manage livestock near streams Keep animal handling facilities away from the stream UNR, Reno, Nev.

  29. Manage livestock near streams Use water gaps or ramps UNR, Reno, Nev.

  30. Manage livestock near streams Armor for intense use USDA NRCS

  31. Manage livestock near streams Water livestock off-stream USDA NRCS

  32. Manage livestock near streams Don’t overgraze – leave some leaf area UNR, Reno, Nev. UNR, Reno, Nev.

  33. Manage livestock near streams Monitor willows for proper grazing UNR, Reno, Nev.

  34. Manage livestock near streams Build fences away from streams UNR, Reno, Nev.

  35. Manage livestock near streams Place salt away from the stream UNR, Reno, Nev. UNR, Reno, Nev.

  36. Living near a floodplain If possible, don’t live in a floodplain UNR, Reno, Nev.

  37. Living near a floodplain If you live in a floodplain, get insurance UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  38. Living in a floodplain Put flood-compatible uses in floodplains • Parks • Recreation • Open spaces • Agriculture • Wildlife habitat • Parking lots UNR, Reno, Nev.

  39. Designing in-stream projects • Before starting a project, consult with others: • Neighbors who will be affected • Agencies: local, state, and federal • Watershed groups • Consultants • Etc.

  40. Avoid in-stream projects that change water flow Designing in-stream projects UNR, Reno, Nev.

  41. Designing in-stream projects Water flows faster along smooth surfaces - consider a bioengineering alternative UNR,, Reno, Nev.

  42. Designing in-stream projects Keep ponds out of the stream channel UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  43. Designing in-stream projects Design water diversion structures carefully UNCE, Reno, Nev. UNR, Reno, Nev.

  44. Building/fixing roads and bridges Design roads carefully UNR, Reno, Nev.

  45. Building/fixing roads and bridges Size bridges and culverts appropriately UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  46. Manage streams for fish and wildlife U.S. FWS A. Miller U.S. Forest Service

  47. Control pollution • Keep soil covered to prevent erosion • Manage manure • Read and follow the label on pesticide containers • Dispose of household hazardous wastes properly (don’t dump in a storm sewer, which often flows directly to a creek) • Maintain a riparian buffer strip

  48. Enjoy your stream/riparian area • Relax near the sights and quiet sounds • Enjoy the wildflowers and other plants • Plant vegetation that attracts wildlife • Learn to identify birds and other wildlife • Orient windows, decks, etc. to see the beauty USDA NRCS

  49. Inventory your riparian area • Identify areas with accelerated erosion • Note places where land use has removed or weakened the vegetation • Learn to identify key riparian plants • Draw or photograph your stream

  50. Inventory your riparian area Learn where flooding helps a stream slow velocity and store water by spreading out UNR, Reno, Nev.

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