GUILFORD COUNTY
ENVIRONMENTAL
BULLETIN
RIPARIAN BUFFERS
What are Riparian Buffers?
The term riparian means related to the banks of streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries or other waters. A riparian buffer is simply
a strip of forested or vegetated land bordering a body of water. A buffer may be any combination of trees, shrubs, native
grasses and herbs, although deep1rooted, woody vegetation is best for removing nutrients and stabilizing streambanks.
Do Riparian Buffers affect your site?
In the Jordan Lake, Randleman Lake, Polecat Creek, Sandy Creek Watersheds riparian buffers are required on all surface
waters, including intermittent and perennial streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs. These features must be present on one of
the following to be subject:
•
Most recent printed version of the soil survey maps prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; or
•
1:24,000 scale quadrangle topographic map prepared by U.S. Geologic Survey; or
•
Map approved by the Geographic Information Coordinating Council and the EMC.
WATERSHED
LOW DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
Perennial Streams,
Lakes and Ponds
Perennial Streams,
Lakes and Ponds
Intermittent
Streams
Intermittent
Streams
Water Supply District WS1III
30 ft.a
30 ft.a
100 ft.c
30 ft.a
Polecat Creek, Sandy Creek
Randleman Laked, Jamestownd
50 ft.b
50 ft.b
100 ft.c
50 ft.b
d
d
High Point , Lower Randleman
Haw Rivere
Jordan Lake
50 ft.b
50 ft.b
50 ft.b
50 ft.b
NPDES, non1water supply districts
30 ft.a
30 ft.a
30 ft.a
30 ft.a
a
The first 20 feet from the top of the bank, landward designated as a Water Quality Conservation Easement and the
remainder of the stream buffers shall be a vegetated area.
b
Zone 1 is 30 feet of undisturbed vegetation from the top of the bank or edge of water body. Development is severely
restricted in this zone. Zone 2 is 20 feet of vegetation from the outer edge of zone 1. Development restrictions are strict in
this area.
c
The first 50 feet of stream buffers shall conform to the requirements of Zones 1 and 2, the remainder shall be vegetated.
d
Ditches and manmade conveyances that delivers untreated stormwater runoff from an adjacent source directly to an
intermittent or perennial stream shall have a buffer based on density.
e
Jordan Lake Buffer Rules apply the Haw River Watershed.
Buffer Zones on
Streams and Ponds
Top of bank or
normal water level
Zone 2: 20’
managed
vegetation
Zone 1: 30’
undisturbed
forest vegetation
Stream
or Pond
50’
Diffuse flow is required before stormwater runoff enters the buffer from any new ditch or manmade conveyance. It is
required on all bufferd streams, regardless of property size or type of land use. Periodic corrective action to restore
diffuse flow shall be taken if necessary by the property owner to impede the formation of erosion gullies.
If landowner or other affected party believes that the maps have inaccurately depicted surface waters, he or she shall
request Guilford County make an onsite determination. For buffer rules including allowable uses and restrictions see
Guilford County Development Ordinance section 711.9 and 712.3.
No. E24
November 2012