My Place on a Stream Living n Developed by: Sherman Swanson, University of Nevada, Reno Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension the Land.
Download ReportTranscript My Place on a Stream Living n Developed by: Sherman Swanson, University of Nevada, Reno Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension the Land.
My Place on a Stream Living n Developed by: Sherman Swanson, University of Nevada, Reno Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension the Land Topics What do you like about living near a stream? Living n 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 the Land What’s a stream? Living n 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!) the Land Living n Why did you pay more for a property with a stream? the Land UNR, Reno, Nev. Living n Montana the Land Why should property in a floodplain cost less? Where does your stream come from??? Flows vary with time In your watershed, when are stream flows highest? Lowest? Living n Can you remember the last flood? Where did the water go? Where does the water come from during dry weather? the Land Floodplains store water for later release USDA NRCS Riparian areas support water-loving plants NRCS, Bozeman, Mont., adapted by A. Miller Why are riparian areas important? Groundwater recharge Living n A. Miller the Land Why are riparian areas important? Reduced downstream flooding Increased stream flows in dry weather USDA NRCS Why are riparian areas important? Living n Sediment and pollutants are trapped Nutrients are cycled the Land USDA NRCS Why are riparian areas important? Vegetation provides shade to keep water cool Stream and bank stability are increased UNCE, Reno, Nev. Why are riparian areas important? Provide habitat for fish and other wildlife Living n the Land USDA NRCS Signs of a healthy stream Vegetation and roots are present to protect and stabilize banks Living n There is a high water table with lots of water storage The water quality is good the Land Signs of a healthy stream More consistent water temperature with shade Living n Longer or more consistent flows In balance with the water and sediment flowing through the system Better fish and wildlife habitat the Land A healthy, functioning stream Living n Add photo the Land Montana UNCE, Reno, Nev. Which plants knit soil together? UNR, Reno, Nev. How do streams degrade? Living n Leg 1: If streamside soils don’t retain enough water, they don’t grow the right kinds of plants Leg 2: If streams don’t flood onto their floodplains, they store little water and erode a lot Leg 3: If streams don’t sustain healthy riparian vegetation, they erode the Land How do streams degrade? If streams erode too much, they lose access to their floodplain Living n Too many have already done so! DNRC, Mont. the Land Signs of an unhealthy stream Low water table and less water storage Little shade and warmer water Living n Poor water quality Little vegetation and roots to protect and stabilize banks Poor floodplain access Stream shape wrong for the setting the Land What signs of an unhealthy stream do you see? UNCE, Reno, Nev. How do streams regain health? Living n the Land A. Miller How much natural process is right for you? USDA NRCS UNCE, Reno, Nev. 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 Living n Seek out professionals who understand: upstream and downstream connections proper functioning conditions necessary tools the Land Legal aspects of working in riparian areas and streams Federal permits (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits) Living n State authorities (pollution control, fish and wildlife agencies, etc.) Local government (special use permits, grading and excavation, dust control plans, buffer zones, etc.) the Land So what do I do? Tips for: Managing livestock near streams Living n 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 the Land Manage livestock near streams Keep animal handling facilities away from the stream UNR, Reno, Nev. Manage livestock near streams UNR, Reno, Nev. Use water gaps or ramps Manage livestock near streams Armor for intense use USDA NRCS Manage livestock near streams Water livestock off-stream Living n the Land USDA NRCS Manage livestock near streams Don’t overgraze – leave some leaf area UNR, Reno, Nev. Manage livestock near streams Monitor willows for proper grazing UNR, Reno, Nev. Build fences away from streams UNR, Reno, Nev. Manage livestock near streams Manage livestock near streams UNR, Reno, Nev. UNR, Reno, Nev. Place salt away from the stream If possible, don’t live in a floodplain UNR, Reno, Nev. Living near a floodplain Living near a floodplain If you live in a floodplain, get insurance UNCE, Reno, Nev. Living in a floodplain Put flood-compatible uses in floodplains Parks Recreation Open spaces Agriculture Wildlife habitat Parking lots UNR, Reno, Nev. Designing in-stream projects Before starting a project, consult with others: Living n Neighbors who will be affected Agencies: local, state, and federal Watershed groups Consultants Etc. the Land Living n the Land UNR, Reno, Nev. Avoid in-stream projects that change water flow Designing in-stream projects Designing in-stream projects UNR,, Reno, Nev. Water flows faster along smooth surfaces - consider a bioengineering alternative Designing in-stream projects UNCE, Reno, Nev. Keep ponds out of the stream channel Designing in-stream projects Living n Design water diversion structures carefully the Land UNCE, Reno, Nev. UNR, Reno, Nev. Building/fixing roads and bridges UNR, Reno, Nev. Design roads carefully Building/fixing roads and bridges Size bridges and culverts appropriately UNCE, Reno, Nev. Manage streams for fish and wildlife U.S. FWS A. Miller U.S. Forest Service Control pollution Keep soil covered to prevent erosion Manage manure Living n 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 the Land Enjoy your stream/riparian area Relax near the sights and quiet sounds Enjoy the wildflowers and other plants Living n Plant vegetation that attracts wildlife Learn to identify birds and other wildlife Orient windows, decks, etc. to see the beauty the Land USDA NRCS Inventory your riparian area Identify areas with accelerated erosion Living n Note places where land use has removed or weakened the vegetation Learn to identify key riparian plants Draw or photograph your stream the Land Inventory your riparian area Learn where flooding helps a stream slow velocity and store water by spreading out UNR, Reno, Nev. Inventory your riparian area Note any channel- or floodplainaltering projects, structures, or activities UNCE, Reno, Nev. Inventory your resources Living n Make a list of the watershed groups or other sources of local expertise about streams and floodplains in your area. If there are none, start one! the Land UNR, Reno, Nev. Homework List goals for your creek and floodplain. Living n Examples: Encourage natural recovery. Learn to live with floods. the Land Homework List specific objectives. Examples: Living n Allow the stream to become lined with willows. Give the stream room to move and flood on my property. Help the watershed group with their cleanup project. the Land Homework List actions to start or stop. Examples: Living n Graze the pasture only until livestock begin grazing on the willows, then move them. Move the road away from the edge of the stream. Attend public meeting about flood management projects. the Land Monitoring List questions you have about your creek and the effects of your management. Living n Examples: Are these plants surviving? What will happen to my creek when they build the subdivision upstream? Is the erosion caused by my bridge about to stop? the Land Monitoring Record what you (or others) do. Living n Example: Three horses grazed from April 1 to May 1 and from mid-June to mid-July. Record the effects. Example: Moving stock out of the pasture in mid-July allowed the willows to grow. the Land Monitoring Take lots of photos, and date and label them. Living n Record what happens in the long run. Example: After the floodplain and willows returned, the stream developed pools where fish like to hide. the Land Living n Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy your place on a stream for years to come. the Land UNR, Reno, Nev.