My Place on a Stream

Developed by:Sherman Swanson, University of Nevada, RenoSusan 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.

Why should property

in a floodplain cost less?

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

NRCSUSDA NRCS

NRCS, Bozeman, Mont., adapted by A. Miller

Riparian areas support water-loving plants and help recharge groundwater

Why are riparian areas important?

Reduced downstream flooding Increased stream flows in dry weather 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

Provide habitat for fish and other wildlife

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Signs of a healthy stream Vegetation present to protect and stabilize banks There is a high water table with lots of water

storage The water quality is good More consistent

water temperature with shade

Longer or more consistent flows

Balance of water and sediment flowing through the system

Add photo

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

A healthy, functioning stream

Montana

How do streams degrade?

Leg 3:If streams don’t sustain healthy riparian

vegetation, they erode

Leg 2:If streams don’t flood onto their

floodplains, they store little water and erode a lot

Leg 1: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

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.

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

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

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.

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Design water diversion structures carefully

UNR, Reno, Nev.

Design roads carefully

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 Learn where flooding helps a stream slow velocity and store water by spreading out

Inventory your riparian areaNote any channel/floodplain-

altering projects, structures, or activities

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Know your watershed groups and local experts about streams and floodplains in your area.

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

List specific objectives. 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. 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. 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? Record what you (or others) do.

Three horses grazed from April 1 to May 1 and from mid-June to mid-July.

Record the effects. Moving stock out of the pasture in mid-July

allowed the willows to grow.

Monitoring Take lots of photos, date and label them. Record what happens

in the long run. 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.

So You Think You Want a Pond?

Developed by:Susan DonaldsonUniversity of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionUSDA NRCS

What we’ll cover What is a pond? Why have a pond? Types of ponds Pond requirements and issues Site considerations Water quality, vegetation and fish Maintaining your pond

What’s a pond?

Lake: more than 10 acres Pond: less than 10 acres Pond: manmade Arbitrary distinction - smaller

than a lake!

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Why do you want to have a pond? Irrigation water storage (is it legal?) Stock watering Aesthetics Wildlife habitat Fish production Recreation Fire suppression, etc.

USDA NRCS

Pros and cons of pond ownership

Aesthetics versus ugliness Water storage versus legal issues Livestock watering versus water quality Recreation versus public health, safety,

risk management Habitat versus nuisance species

USDA NRCS

Ponds are a lot of work!

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Contemplating a pond? Consider water sources

◦Surface runoff◦Streams◦Springs◦Groundwater

Wells Seeps

USDA NRCS

Water use Do you have the right to an adequate

amount of water to keep the pond filled during hot weather?

How much evaporation will occur from the water surface?

No water, no pond!

USDA NRCS

Laws and liabilities Check on local and state

laws regarding liability and other issues

Check your CC&Rs Check with your insurer

USDA NCRS

Permits Obtain needed permits

◦ Water rights◦ Div. of Water Resources◦ Army Corps of Engineers◦ County

Neighboring issues

USDA NRCS

You still think you want a pond?

USDA NRCS

There is more to consider!

Soil typeBottom soils and seepage: Fine-textured clays and silty clays work best Sandy soils won’t hold water If bottom materials are not suitable, the

rate of water loss may be unacceptable

Consider -potential hazards

www.earthponds.com

More site considerations Keep pond at least 100 feet from a

septic leach field Don’t build on top of buried

pipelines, cables or utilities Site should be accessible for

maintenance Pond should fit into the design for

the rest of your landscaping

USDA NRCS

Depth and size issues A deeper pond has less nuisance weed

growth and less temperature fluctuation For fish habitat, a pond should be deep

enough to avoid winter freezing issues Keep pond at least 3 feet deep to avoid

cattail encroachment Size of the pond depends on water

availability, CC&Rs, risk and insurance costs, etc.

Health issues

Flow rate and stagnation Mosquito habitat Disease

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Water quality issues

Ponds may be a source of water quality impairment ◦ Sediment◦ Nutrients◦ Temperature

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Safety issues Emergency spillway:

how much water does the spillway hold?◦ More severe events

may destroy a dam◦ Will the failure threaten

your home or someone else's home?

USDA NRCS

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Vegetation issues

Identify your plants Select species for

revegetation Learn about plant

management needs and longevity

Manage invasive species

USDA NRCS

Fish-stocking issues When stocking, consider water quality

needs◦ Temperature◦ Dissolved oxygen◦ pH◦ Nutrients Permit requirements – contact CPW or U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Appropriate species Fish needs Stocking rates Best time to stock

Maintaining your pondConsider all the

concerns

Sedimentation accumulationMuddy waterLeaksAlgae

Excessive vegetationWildlife damageMosquitoesFish killsEtc.

USDA NRCS

Tips for preventing pond problems Don’t build one in the

first place! Fence livestock out of

the pond and provide an alternate freeze-proof, year-round watering source USDA NRCS

Maintain deep pond edges to deter the growth of aquatic weeds (3 to 4 feet)

Maintain healthy vegetation around the pond Manage your pond to minimize problem algae

that may shelter mosquitoes. Nutrient control will help reduce algae blooms.

Homework Inventory your pond.

◦ What’s growing on the banks?◦ What’s growing in the water?◦ How deep is the pond?◦ What temperature is the water?

Do the jar test. If you don’t have a pond, write your own

personal pro and con list.