Stream Management

I ran across this small stream yesterday and thought it would be a good example for a stream management blog.  This stream has grass filter strips on both sides.  The filter strips help to filter out sediment, nutrients, and crop protection products from the run off.  This filter strip looks very stable, so it is also helping to stabilize the stream bank.  Keeping trees off the bank is not really a bad thing here.

I also want to point out that the stream has not been channelized in any way.  It looks like all the natural meanders are still there.  Farmers are often tempted to try to prevent bank cutting by straightening the stream.  Straightening will make the flowline steeper and can cause erosion  miles upstream.  If you straighten the stream, you will not only have stream bank erosion, but the bottom of the stream will also eroded.  stream barbs and bendaway weirs can help.  Sometimes rock weirs can work.  Cedar tree and willow revetments have been used.  Get professional advice before you try any of these.  Most stream stabilization work requires multiple permits.  Virgina has a nice guide.

The only stream stabilization work you should attempt on your own is removal of obstructions such as fallen trees.  Obstruction removal is best done as soon as possible to prevent destabilization.