October 26, 2016 Amanda Gumbert Extension Water Quality Specialist Backyard Streams October 26, 2016 Amanda Gumbert Extension Water Quality Specialist

Benefits of Healthy Stream Buffers Filter stormwater runoff Protect streambanks from erosion Reduce flood damage Provide wildlife habitat Improve aesthetic value of landscapes Provide shade to streams

Challenges for Urban Streams Impervious surfaces

Challenges for Urban Streams Utilities/infrastructure

Challenges for Urban Streams Historic planning Some communities may have allowed development within or too close to the floodplain. As development increases, causing more impervious surface area in the watershed, more flooding may occur along streams.

Challenges for Urban Streams Expectations Landowners and landusers may have a wide range of expectations for streams. Some may expect streams to simply carry away runoff water, while others may expect them to prevent flooding, provide wildlife habitat, or provide aesthetics.

This homeowner likely expects this stream to carry away runoff without eroding the streambanks.

The installer of this sign expects visitors to stay out of the stream.

These students expect to safely explore and investigate the stream.

Challenged Urban Streams Location of Cane Run Creek daylight.

Location of Cane Run Creek daylight. Example of eroding streambanks and gabion baskets as reinforced bank material.

Tributary to the Cane Run Creek in Fayette Co.

In our own backyards! What Do We Do? Where do we start? How do we start? In our own backyards!

Strategic Initiatives: Addressing Water Issues 1001 - Backyard Streams

Resources New Publication: Backyard Stream Guide Authors: Amanda Gumbert, Carmen Agouridis, Chris Sass Pilot Workshop: Wolf Run Watershed

Step 1: Site Assessment and Evaluation of Your Stream Take a walk along the stream and ask some questions: Are there places where streambanks are eroding? How does your stream look after a rain event? Where are your property lines? What does the stream look like up and downstream of your property lines?

Step 2: Investigate laws, ordinances, and guidance. Regulations: Clean Water Act Section 401: covers impacts of discharges on quality of water; protects physical, biological, and chemical parameters of water Section 404: covers the discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the U.S. Bank Stabilization U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulates and issues permits for streambank stabilization projects State/Local Ordinances Permit to Construct Across or Along a Stream; KPDES General Stormwater Permit; local floodplain permit

Step 3: Make a Plan Simple Steps for a Well-Planned Backyard Stream Ecosystem  2-page spread that can be removed as a “cheat sheet.” Simple Steps for a Well-Planned Backyard Stream

Step 4: Implement Your Plan

Passive – plants naturally establish by no-mow zones Easy, low maintenance Cheap, utilize existing seed bank and seeds dispersed by wind and water Unwanted plants might establish (non-native invasive plants like honeysuckle, wintercreeper, multiflora rose, etc)

Active – deliberate planting of specific trees, shrubs, grasses Create a planting plan Remove undesirable plants Stabilize streams Install erosion control materials Select and install desirable plants Maintain plant communities

Volunteers planting plugs in a buffer that had been treated with herbicide to kill existing grass.

Step 5: Maintain Your Landscape Inspect your stream regularly Remove litter after storm events Remove invasive plants annually Prune trees and shrubs as needed Remove previous year’s growth from perennials in late winter/early spring

Challenges for Urban Stream Buffers Appearance Manicured Wild and wooly Intentional wildness

Challenges for Urban Stream Buffers Cost https://www.wastetimepost.com

Challenges for Urban Stream Buffers Maintenance Some individuals may not accept a wild and wooly appearance that occurs with a no-mow zone.

Amanda Gumbert amanda.gumbert@uky.edu 859-257-6094 Questions? Amanda Gumbert amanda.gumbert@uky.edu 859-257-6094