www.ofah.org/stream
Produced by the Community Stream
Steward Program; a multi-partner
initiative focused on community stream
stewardship development & practices
A healthy riparian buffer will…
riparian - of or relating to or located
on the banks of a river or stream;
The riparian zone is an undisturbed
portion of land that interacts between
the stream channel and the adjacent
land and its uses. Riparian zones are
frequently referred to as buffer zones
to describe the protective nature of its
vegetation to the stream environment.
They are often thin lines-of-green
containing native grasses, flowers,
shrubs and trees. A healthy riparian
area is evidence of wise land use
management.
“The river or stream in your backyard is
telling you something. It’s reminding you
that humans are not the only ones who
prefer river front property. You are
sharing it with a variety of fish and
wildlife. You are responsible for the
quality of the water once it leaves your
land.”
~Unknown~
•
filter field and lawn runoff before it enters the stream
•
help stabilize stream banks, reducing soil erosion and
sedimentation, factors often responsible for the loss of
gravel/cobble fish habitat.
•
trap and absorb excessive nutrients and other pollutants
before they enter the stream, reducing the occurrence of
algal blooms
•
improve water quality & provide safer drinking water
•
decrease sediment loads in the water
•
enhance and create fish & wildlife habitat
•
increase privacy from adjacent land/water users
•
mean less time & money spent maintaining lawn or field
•
increase property values
•
help prevent wind damage to crops
•
slow and absorb floodwaters and rainwater runoff,
preventing potentially damaging floods
3 Aim to have 25 to 100 feet on each
side of the stream re-vegetated as
buffers, however, buffers of any width
will be beneficial to stream health
3 Protect or establish native shrubs,
trees, or other vegetation along
streams to help prevent bank erosion,
trap sediment, filter pollutants and
provide shade
3 Manage livestock grazing in riparian
zones to avoid trampling of existing
plants and prevent nutrient inputs
3 Plan developments, forestry activities
and other disruptions in ways that will
protect riparian zones
For assistance evaluating, designing and
planting a riparian buffer, as well as info on
funding availability or coldwater streams in
general, contact:
The Community Stream Steward
Program Coordinator
c/o Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters
4601 Guthrie Drive
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8L5
(705) 748-6324
[email protected]
2 Removing streamside shrubs, trees and other
vegetation
2 Mowing right up to edge of stream
2 Tilling/cropping right up to edge of stream
Developed and
produced with
funding provided by
The Ontario Trillium
Foundation and the
Oak Ridges
Moraine Foundation
2 Allowing livestock unrestricted access to streams
and riparian zones
2 Operating heavy equipment in the riparian zone
2 Straightening sections of stream