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

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

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!)

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

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

Where does your stream come from???

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?

Floodplains store water for later release NRCS USDA NRCS

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

Why are riparian areas important?  Groundwater recharge A. Miller

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

Why are riparian areas important?  Sediment and pollutants are trapped  Nutrients are cycled 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 USDA NRCS

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

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

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

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

How do streams degrade? Leg 3: If streams don’t sustain, they erode If streams don’t sustain healthy riparian vegetation, they erode Leg 2: If streams don’t, they store little water and erode a lot If streams don’t flood onto their floodplains, they store little water and erode a lot Leg 1: If streamside soils don’t, they don’t grow the right kinds of plants If streamside soils don’t retain enough water, they don’t grow the right kinds of plants

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

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

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

How do streams regain health? A. Miller

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

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

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.)

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

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

Manage livestock near streams Use water gaps or ramps

Manage livestock near streams USDA NRCS Armor for intense use

USDA NRCS Water livestock off-stream Manage livestock near streams

UNR, Reno, Nev. Don’t overgraze – leave some leaf area UNR, Reno, Nev.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 floodplain- altering projects, structures, or activities UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Inventory your resources 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! UNR, Reno, Nev.

Homework  List goals for your creek and floodplain. Examples:  Encourage natural recovery.  Learn to live with floods.

Homework  List specific objectives. Examples:  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.

Homework  List actions to start or stop. Examples:  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.

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

Monitoring  Record what you (or others) do.  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.

Monitoring  Take lots of photos, and date and label them.  Record what happens in the long run.  Example: After the floodplain and willows returned, the stream developed pools where fish like to hide.

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