Streams

Floodplains

Rivers utilize floodplains during high water conditions to reduce streambank pressure, slow the water, and prevent downstream flooding. Building or filling in a floodplain not only puts your property at risk, but also can impact upstream properties if you live in a flood plain. Contact your local town or village for permit info. Visit here to access the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) to better understand flood risks in your area.

Erosion and Stream Dynamics

The most stream erosion occurs during high flow conditions, when large amounts of water produce more energy than the stream is equipped to handle. Streams maintain a dynamic equilibrium in order to keep the system’s energy constant. As conditions shift, the stream adjusts to find a new equilibrium to continually minimize the energy of the system.

Riparian Buffers

Functioning riparian buffers provide extensive water quality benefits including erosion control and stabilization, pollutant filtration, stormwater runoff reduction, flood impact reduction, air quality improvement, aesthetics, and carbon sequestration. Buffers of 10-25 feet are recommended for most streams and using a mix of native woody shrubs and trees, along with a native groundcover will give the best root structure and stability. Maintaining the buffer is important and includes not mowing to the edge of a stream and replacing dead plants in the buffer zone. 

 

 

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