Stream Care Tip 10: Create a Healthy Stream Buffer

Here’s where a stream side property owner can really shine! A stream or riparian buffer is the vegetation along a stream. Natural, undisturbed streams are lined with a community of native plants that shade and stabilize the stream banks. But for many stream side properties in the Tualatin River Watershed, mowed lawn and invasive or exotic plants line the stream banks instead of a healthy buffer. While grass may be pretty, its shallow roots can’t hold soil to prevent erosion.

“Create a healthy buffer of native plants along your stream or wetland to protect your property and water quality.” A healthy riparian buffer offers many environmental, social and economic benefits, including:

• Protects property from bank erosion; native plant roots stabilize the banks, trees and stumps slow water velocity
• Attracts wildlife; provides habitat, food and cover while connecting wildlife corridors
• Enhances enjoyment by reducing traffic noise and providing a cool, shady place for picnics and bird watching
• Saves time spent mowing and maintaining lawn
• Saves money spent on fertilizers and pesticides
• Avoids costs of repairing eroded streambanks (engineering design, permits, bank stabilization, etc.)
• Protects the water supply, filters pollutants and sediment, absorbs water to replenish the water table Clean Water Services partners with others to enhance streams and wetlands throughout the Tualatin River Watershed. Visit www.cleanwaterservices.org for more information.


Get started on your healthy stream buffer

Step 1 - Identify Your Buffer Area
A healthy buffer will take some time and work, but once it’s established it requires
only occasional maintenance. The buffer begins at the streambank and, depending on
the site, is 25 to 75 feet wide. Study your yard and visualize the buffer area, considering steep slopes, yard size, property lines, utilities, sensitive habitat and features you wish to preserve.

Measure the buffer area to be planted. To measure the width, stand at the top of the streambank and walk to the outer edge of your future buffer. Next, measure the length, ideally the entire length of stream on your property. Length x Width = Area in square feet to be planted.

Step 2 - Create Your Planting Plan
An effective buffer will have enough plants to hold soil, filter pollutants and provide shade.

Calculate plant needs
Square footage x 0.01 = Number of trees
Square footage x 0.05 = Number of shrubs

Identify plant species: Select plants appropriate for the site, considering the soil moisture, sunlight and the appearance you desire. Native plants require less water than non-native plants and do not need fertilizer or pesticides. Birds and wildlife prefer native plants for their habitat. Many attractive native plants will grow well in your buffer.

Follow these tips in choosing your plants:

Use the Native Plant Finder at www.cleanwaterservices.org/gonative
• Look for native plants growing nearby to know what is best adapted to your area.
• Diverse plants ward off pests and diseases and provide habitat diversity.
• Be aware of soil drainage and choose plants suited to dry or wet conditions.
• Place plants with similar watering needs together.

Sample planting and care schedule
September - November Prep site
January - April Plant site
May - August Water, weed as needed


Step 3 - Prepare Site for Planting
Remove invasive, non-native plants from the site by cutting and pulling. For advice, go to www.cleanwaterservices.org. Replant areas that have been cleared with native grass seed before invasive species take over again.

Identify and remove invasive species
The plants listed below are just a few that should be removed from riparian and wetland areas. Many of these species can be controlled by regular cutting, mowing, or pulling before seeds set. In some cases, successful control may require herbicides by licensed applicators. For information, see www.cleanwaterservices.org.

To remove these plants: Pull the entire plant and roots out of the ground. Dispose of where seeds and roots cannot re-establish.

For the following species, you can also mow and cover with weed barrier cloth:

Noxious Weeds
If you spot Japanese Knotweed, Giant Knotweed or Garlic Mustard, please report them to Clean Water Services. These species are so invasive that regional eradication resources may be available.

Tools Checklist
You will need these tools and equipment:

Research nurseries and plant availability
A current list of nurseries that sell native plants is posted at www.cleanwaterservices.org.

If possible, choose plants grown from local seeds adapted to local conditions.
You may have access to local plants that you can take cutting from or transplant.
For example, willow cuttings quickly stabilize streambanks.

Common Teasel
Dipsacus sylvestris
Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Bindweed
Convovulus arvensis
Gloves Pruning Shears
Shovel Pitchfork
Wheelbarrow
Buckets

Research nurseries and plant availability
A current list of nurseries that sell native plants is posted at www.cleanwaterservices.org. If possible, choose plants grown from local seeds adapted to local conditions. You may have access to local plants that you can take cutting from or transplant. For example, willow cuttings quickly stabilize streambanks.

Step 4 - Plant Your Site
You probably know what to do with potted plants, so here are simple tips for
bare root and pole cuttings. Native willows are excellent for pole cuttings, and
you can make your own if you have permission to cut them. Be sure to plant
when soil is moist and easy to dig. The hole must be deep enough for roots to
spread.


Bare Root Plants

Pole Cuttings
Find native willows with branches ½ to 1 inch in diameter at the base.

Mulch and watering
Apply up to 5 gallons of mulch, compost or grass clippings around each plant to suppress weeds and hold moisture. Water during dry weather until plants are established. Water only as much as the ground can absorb.

Step 5 - Maintain the buffer
Congratulations, you now have a riparian buffer with beautiful native plants!
To ensure the successful establishment of your plants, inspect regularly during
the first few years. Native trees and shrubs do not need pruning, but grasses and
other weeds may be cut or pulled to reduce competition for moisture and sunlight.


Get Legal—need a permit?
If you plan any of the activities listed below, please contact the city or county
where you live to find out what type of permit you will need.

• Modify a river, stream, creek, or wetland
• Grade, clear, excavate, or any activity that may cause soil erosion
• Build a permanent structure or home addition
• Develop property
• Construct, modify or connect to the public sanitary and surface water management systems


Common Buffer Problems and Solutions


Problem: Leaf litter, fallen branches
Solution: Leave on the ground for beneficial insects

Problem: Disease
Solution: Remove plants; dispose to prevent spread to healthy plants

Problem: Pests
Solution: Remove by hand or flush with water; use barriers, traps, approved biological controls, or least-toxic chemical controls

Problem: Aggressive weeds
Solution: Remove by hand or least-toxic chemical methods before they take over; prevent from going to seed

Problem: Fallen tree
Solution: Leave for fish cover unless certain that it will cause flooding

Problem: Erosion
Solution: Seed bare soil with native or non-invasive grass seed. Call Clean Water Services for suggestions

Problem: Stressed plants
Solution: Plants may need more or less water or sun; learn about the species to identify common problems

Problem: Animal damage
Solution: See www.cleanwaterservices.org for nutria and beaver management

Problem: Drought
Solution: Water 1 inch or less per week