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Livin
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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.
Livin
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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.