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My Place on a StreamMy Place on a Stream

Developed by:Developed by:

Sherman Swanson, University of Nevada, RenoSherman Swanson, University of Nevada, Reno

Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionSusan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionUNCE, Reno, Nev.

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TopicsTopics

What do you like about living near a stream?What do you like about living near a stream?

What’s a riparian area and floodplain, and What’s a riparian area and floodplain, and why are they important?why are they important?

Signs of a healthy streamSigns of a healthy stream

Signs of an unhealthy streamSigns of an unhealthy stream

Tips on taking care of your stream and Tips on taking care of your stream and watershedwatershed

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What’s a stream?What’s a stream?

A body of water that flows year-roundA body of water that flows year-round

Naturally occurringNaturally occurring

May have been straightened at some May have been straightened at some point in the past to deliver irrigation point in the past to deliver irrigation water, but was not originally water, but was not originally constructed to convey irrigation water constructed to convey irrigation water (that’s a ditch!)(that’s a ditch!)

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Why did you Why did you pay more for a pay more for a property with a property with a

stream?stream?

UNR, Reno, Nev.

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Why should property Why should property in a floodplain cost less?in a floodplain cost less?

Montana

Montana

Where does your stream come from???

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Flows vary with timeFlows vary with time

In your watershed, when are stream In your watershed, when are stream flows highest? Lowest?flows highest? Lowest?

Can you remember the last flood? Can you remember the last flood? Where did the water go?Where did the water go?

Where does the water come from Where does the water come from during dry weather?during dry weather?

Floodplains store water for Floodplains store water for later releaselater release

NRCS

USDA NRCS

NRCS, Bozeman, Mont., adapted by A. Miller

Riparian Riparian areas areas

support support water-loving water-loving

plantsplants

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Why are riparian areas important?Why are riparian areas important?

Groundwater rechargeGroundwater recharge

A. Miller

Why are riparian areas important?Why are riparian areas important?

Reduced downstream floodingReduced downstream flooding

Increased stream flows in dry weatherIncreased stream flows in dry weather

USDA NRCS

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Why are riparian areas important?Why are riparian areas important?

Sediment and Sediment and pollutants are pollutants are trappedtrapped

Nutrients are cycledNutrients are cycled

USDA NRCS

Why are riparian Why are riparian areas important?areas important?

Vegetation Vegetation provides shade to provides shade to keep water coolkeep water cool

Stream and bank Stream and bank stability are stability are increasedincreased

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

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Why are riparian areas important?Why are riparian areas important?

Provide habitat for fish and other Provide habitat for fish and other wildlife wildlife

USDA NRCS

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Signs of a healthy streamSigns of a healthy stream

Vegetation and roots are present to Vegetation and roots are present to protect and stabilize banksprotect and stabilize banks

There is a high water table with lots There is a high water table with lots of water storageof water storage

The water quality is goodThe water quality is good

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Signs of a healthy streamSigns of a healthy stream

More consistent water temperature More consistent water temperature with shadewith shade

Longer or more consistent flowsLonger or more consistent flows

In balance with the water and In balance with the water and sediment flowing through the systemsediment flowing through the system

Better fish and wildlife habitatBetter fish and wildlife habitat

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Add photo

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

A healthy, functioning streamA healthy, functioning stream

Montana

Which plants knit soil together?Which plants knit soil together?

UNR, Reno, Nev.

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How do streams degrade?How do streams degrade?

Leg 3:Leg 3:If streams don’t sustain If streams don’t sustain healthy riparian

vegetation, they erode, they erode

Leg 2:Leg 2:

If streams don’t If streams don’t flood onto their floodplains, , they store little water they store little water

and erode a lotand erode a lot

Leg 1:Leg 1:If streamside soils If streamside soils

don’t don’t retain enough water, they don’t , they don’t

grow the right kinds grow the right kinds of plantsof plants

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How do streams degrade?How do streams degrade? If streams erode too much, they If streams erode too much, they

lose access to their floodplainlose access to their floodplain

DNRC, Mont.

Too many have already done so!

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Signs of an unhealthy streamSigns of an unhealthy stream

Low water table and less water storageLow water table and less water storage

Little shade and warmer waterLittle shade and warmer water

Poor water qualityPoor water quality

Little vegetation and roots to protect Little vegetation and roots to protect and stabilize banksand stabilize banks

Poor floodplain accessPoor floodplain access

Stream shape wrong for the settingStream shape wrong for the setting

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

What signs of an unhealthy What signs of an unhealthy stream do you see?stream do you see?

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How do streams regain health?How do streams regain health?

A. Miller

How much natural process How much natural process is right for you?is right for you?

UNCE, Reno, Nev.USDA NRCS

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But what if I can’t spare the land?But what if I can’t spare the land?

Make a deal with your stream to give it some Make a deal with your stream to give it some floodplain access and riparian vegetation floodplain access and riparian vegetation for more long-term stability and less worry for more long-term stability and less worry

Seek out professionals who understand:Seek out professionals who understand:

upstream and downstream connectionsupstream and downstream connections

proper functioning conditions proper functioning conditions

necessary toolsnecessary tools

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Legal aspects of working in Legal aspects of working in riparian areas and streamsriparian areas and streams

Federal permits (U.S. Army Corps of Federal permits (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits)Engineers 404 permits)

State authorities (pollution control, fish State authorities (pollution control, fish and wildlife agencies, etc.)and wildlife agencies, etc.)

Local government (special use permits, Local government (special use permits, grading and excavation, dust control grading and excavation, dust control plans, buffer zones, etc.)plans, buffer zones, etc.)

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So what do I do? So what do I do?

Tips for:Tips for:

ManagingManaging livestock near streams livestock near streams Living near a floodplainLiving near a floodplain Designing in-stream projectsDesigning in-stream projects Building or fixing roads and bridgesBuilding or fixing roads and bridges Controlling pollutionControlling pollution Managing streams for wildlifeManaging streams for wildlife Enjoying your stream or riparian areaEnjoying your stream or riparian area

Manage livestock near streamsManage livestock near streams

Keep animal handling facilities Keep animal handling facilities away from the streamaway from the stream

UNR, Reno, Nev.

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Manage livestock near streams

Use water gaps or rampsUse water gaps or ramps

Manage livestock near streamsManage livestock near streams

USDA NRCS

Armor for intense use

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Water livestock Water livestock off-streamoff-stream

Manage livestock near streamsManage livestock near streams

Manage livestock near streamsManage livestock near streams

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Don’t overgraze – Don’t overgraze – leave some leave some leaf arealeaf area

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Manage livestock near streamsManage livestock near streams

Monitor willows Monitor willows for proper for proper grazinggrazing

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Manage livestock near streamsManage livestock near streams

Build fences away Build fences away from streamsfrom streams

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Manage livestock near streamsManage livestock near streams

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Place salt Place salt away from away from the streamthe stream

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Living near a floodplainLiving near a floodplain

If possible, If possible, don’t live in don’t live in a floodplaina floodplain

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Living near a floodplainLiving near a floodplain

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

If you live in a If you live in a floodplain, floodplain, get insuranceget insurance

Living in a floodplainLiving in a floodplain

Put flood-compatible uses in floodplains

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Parks

Recreation

Open spaces

Agriculture

Wildlife habitat

Parking lots

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Designing in-stream projectsDesigning in-stream projects

Before starting a project, consult with Before starting a project, consult with others:others:

Neighbors who will be affectedNeighbors who will be affected

Agencies: local, state, and federalAgencies: local, state, and federal

Watershed groupsWatershed groups

ConsultantsConsultants

Etc.Etc.

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Avoid in-stream Avoid in-stream projects that projects that change water change water

flowflow

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Designing in-stream projects

Water flows faster along smooth surfaces Water flows faster along smooth surfaces - consider a bioengineering alternative- consider a bioengineering alternative

Designing in-stream projects

UNR,, Reno, Nev.

Keep ponds out of the stream channelKeep ponds out of the stream channel

Designing in-stream projects

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

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Designing in-stream projects

Design water diversion structures Design water diversion structures carefullycarefully

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Design roads carefullyDesign roads carefully

Building/fixing roads and bridges

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Size bridges and culverts appropriatelySize bridges and culverts appropriately

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Building/fixing roads and bridges

Manage streams for fish and Manage streams for fish and wildlifewildlife

U.S. FWS

U.S. Forest Service

A. Miller

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Control pollutionControl pollution

Keep soil covered to prevent erosionKeep soil covered to prevent erosion

Manage manure Manage manure

Read and follow the label on pesticide Read and follow the label on pesticide containerscontainers

Dispose of household hazardous wastes Dispose of household hazardous wastes properly (don’t dump in a storm sewer, properly (don’t dump in a storm sewer, which often flows directly to a creek)which often flows directly to a creek)

Maintain a riparian buffer stripMaintain a riparian buffer strip

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Enjoy your stream/riparian areaEnjoy your stream/riparian area Relax near the sights and Relax near the sights and

quiet sounds quiet sounds

Enjoy the wildflowers and Enjoy the wildflowers and other plantsother plants

Plant vegetation that attracts Plant vegetation that attracts wildlifewildlife

Learn to identify birds and Learn to identify birds and other wildlifeother wildlife

Orient windows, decks, etc. to Orient windows, decks, etc. to see the beautysee the beauty

USDA NRCS

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Inventory your riparian areaInventory your riparian area

Identify areas with accelerated Identify areas with accelerated erosion erosion

Note places where land use has Note places where land use has removed or weakened the removed or weakened the vegetationvegetation

Learn to identify key riparian plantsLearn to identify key riparian plants

Draw or photograph your streamDraw or photograph your stream

Inventory your riparian areaInventory your riparian area

Learn where flooding helps a stream slow Learn where flooding helps a stream slow velocity and store water by spreading outvelocity and store water by spreading out

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Inventory your riparian areaInventory your riparian area

Note any Note any channel- or channel- or floodplain- floodplain- altering altering projects, projects, structures, structures, or activitiesor activities

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

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Inventory your resourcesInventory your resources

Make a list of the watershed groups Make a list of the watershed groups or other sources of local expertise or other sources of local expertise about streams and floodplains in about streams and floodplains in your area. If there are none, start your area. If there are none, start one! one!

UNR, Reno, Nev.

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HomeworkHomework

List goals for your creek and List goals for your creek and floodplain.floodplain.

Examples:Examples:

Encourage natural recovery.Encourage natural recovery.

Learn to live with floods.Learn to live with floods.

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HomeworkHomework List specific objectives. List specific objectives.

Examples:Examples:

Allow the stream to become lined with Allow the stream to become lined with willows.willows.

Give the stream room to move and Give the stream room to move and flood on my property.flood on my property.

Help the watershed group with their Help the watershed group with their cleanup project.cleanup project.

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HomeworkHomework List actions to start or stop.List actions to start or stop.

Examples:Examples:

Graze the pasture only until livestock Graze the pasture only until livestock begin grazing on the willows, then move begin grazing on the willows, then move them.them.

Move the road away from the edge of the Move the road away from the edge of the stream.stream.

Attend public meeting about flood Attend public meeting about flood management projects.management projects.

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MonitoringMonitoring

List questions you have about your List questions you have about your creek and the effects of your creek and the effects of your management. management.

Examples:Examples:

Are these plants surviving?Are these plants surviving?

What will happen to my creek when they What will happen to my creek when they build the subdivision upstream?build the subdivision upstream?

Is the erosion caused by my bridge about to Is the erosion caused by my bridge about to stop?stop?

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MonitoringMonitoring Record what you (or others) do.Record what you (or others) do.

Example: Three horses grazed from Example: Three horses grazed from April 1 to May 1 and from mid-June to April 1 to May 1 and from mid-June to mid-July.mid-July.

Record the effects. Record the effects.

Example: Moving stock out of the Example: Moving stock out of the pasture in mid-July allowed the willows pasture in mid-July allowed the willows to grow.to grow.

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MonitoringMonitoring

Take lots of photos, and date and Take lots of photos, and date and label them.label them.

Record what happens in the long run. Record what happens in the long run.

Example: After the floodplain and Example: After the floodplain and willows returned, the stream developed willows returned, the stream developed pools where fish like to hide.pools where fish like to hide.

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Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy your Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy your place on a stream for years to come.place on a stream for years to come.

UNR, Reno, Nev.