Improvement of riparian areas

Improvement of agricultural riparian areas can occur by implementing the following practices:

• Plant new vegetation
• Control invasive weeds in upland areas
• Encourage a diverse mix of plant species and age that:
  • are adapted to the climate, soil and water conditions
  • fosters a good rooting system for bank stability 
• Protect vegetation from livestock overgrazing or trampling through a grazing management plan by:
  • considering grazing duration and density in relation to plant growth
  • considering stream bank soil moisture content
  • improving water supply for livestock by providing an off-stream water system or a restricted watercourse access
• Protect vegetation from harmful pesticide or nutrient management application 
• Improve stability with erosion control structure by:
  • contouring terraces with earthworks and seeding
  • stabilizing gullies and waterways with erosion control mating, silt fencing, seeding
  • stabilizing banks through bank shaping, revetment, gabions, riprap, crib walls, re-vegetation, and blanketing
  • utilizing drop inlet and in-channel control structures
  • improving infiltration of concentrated water flow with filter trenches, filter wells, diffusing wells, etc.
  • installing or upgrading retention ponds and erosion control dams

Riparian habitat restoration

Planting and maintaining agricultural riparian areas can be very beneficial for both the farm and for the watercourse.

Learn more:

• Factors to Consider when Planting Agricultural Riparian Areas (PDF)
• Planning the Agricultural Riparian Planting (PDF)
• Selecting Plants for Agricultural Riparian Plantings (PDF)
• Monitoring and Maintenance of Agricultural Riparian Plantings (PDF)
• Riparian Plant Acquisition and Planting (PDF)
• Weed Management in Agricultural Riparian Areas (PDF)
• Economics of Agricultural Riparian Planting (PDF)

Livestock watering in riparian areas

It is important to consider access to water for livestock while also protecting riparian areas.

Learn more:

• Improved Livestock Access to Water Using Geogrids (PDF)
• Geosynthetic Materials - What are They?  How are They Used ?  (PDF)
• Using Geosynthetics - in Building Roads, Alleyways, Stream Accesses (PDF)
• Building with Reinforced Soil  (PDF)
• Offstream Watering to Reduce Livestock Use of Watercourses and Riparian Areas (PDF)