Review of Riparian Function Riparian Management Riparian Monitoring

Review of Riparian Function Riparian Management Riparian Monitoring

Water Shed Water Catchment

Water catching creek Water shedding creek

Properly functioning riparian area

Properly Functioning Riparian Area Adequate vegetation to: Dissipate stream energy Stabilize banks Reduce erosion Trap sediment Build / enlarge floodplain Store water Floodwater retention Groundwater recharge Sustain baseflow Water quality Water quantity Forage Aquatic habitat Wildlife habitat Recreational value Aesthetic beauty Physical Processes Values

If you want the values, manage for function

Fixing the Creek

1981 Burro Creek 2000

Nueces River 2007 2012

Bear Creek 1977 1986

A Change in Grazing Management Continuous growing-season grazing Initial Rest to jump-start recovery Short term grazing during dormant season

Bear Creek : Change In Channel Profile (1977 2001) 1977 1983 2001 2001 1983 1977 240 235 230 225 220 215 210 205 200 195 190 185 180 175 170 165 160 155 150 145 140 135 130 125 120 115 110 105 100

Vegetation is the key to a healthy, functional riparian area

Root Length; Miles per Cubic Foot Curlymesquite Sideoats grama 0.5 0.8 Upland plants Deergrass Baltic rush Knotgrass 7.2 8.7 Riparian plants 18.8 Spikerush 67 feet per cubic inch 22 0 5 10 15 20 25

Rootmass; Pounds per Acre Curlymesquite Sideoats grama Big bluestem 3,100 4,100 11,000 Upland plants Knotgrass Spikerush Baltic rush Deergrass 24,000 27,000 Riparian plants 47,000 65,000 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000

Key Functions of Riparian Vegetation Dissipate Energy / Reduce Erosion Trap Sediment / Build Floodplain Increase Water Storage - Riparian Sponge Slow Down the Water

Plant Vigor-Leaves and Roots Caring for the Green Zone, Riparian Areas and Grazing Management Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Project, Cows and Fish Project

How to Maintain or Restore Riparian Areas: Creeks / Riparian Areas are special places; they need preferential treatment Identify the factors that inhibit recovery; Manage to overcome those barriers

Hindrances to Healthy / Functional Riparian Areas: Farming too close to the bank Mowing, spraying close to the creek Manicured landscapes next to the creek Chronic grazing concentrations in creek areas Excessive deer, exotics, hogs in creek areas Removal of large dead wood Artificial manipulation of banks / sediment Excessive vehicle traffic in creek area Excessive recreational foot traffic in creek area

Grazing Management

Riparian Grazing Management

Overcoming Disproportional Grazing

Reduce Animal Numbers by 50%?

Alternate Water Development

Riparian Pasture

Bear Creek, Oregon 12 inch 1977 1986

Results of Good Riparian Management Clean Water Reliable Supply of Water Abundant Livestock Forage Fish and Aquatic Habitat Wildlife Habitat Natural Beauty/Recreation

Monitoring Riparian Health

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Excellent Energy Dissipation on Bank

Poor Energy Dissipation on Bank

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Good Energy Dissipation on Floodplain

Poor Energy Dissipation on Floodplain

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Some Colonization of New Deposits

No Colonization of New Deposits

Good Colonization of New Deposits

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

High Coverage of Stabilizing Vegetation

Low to Moderate Coverage of Stabilizing Vegetation

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Look for Young Trees / Shrubs

Excellent Reproduction Sycamore

No Reproduction

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Expansion of colony forming species

Mature switchgrass plants Young, new switchgrass plants

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Poor Woody Plant Diversity

Elm Ash Mulberry Oak Pecan Good Tree Diversity

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Good Grass / Sedge Diversity

Poor Grass / Sedge Diversity

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Extreme Browsing

Good Vigor

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Plant Vigor-Leaves and Roots Caring for the Green Zone, Riparian Areas and Grazing Management Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Project, Cows and Fish Project

Plant Vigor / Grazing

Plant Vigor / Wildlife

Good Vigor

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Abundance of Wetland Plant Species Indicate Water Storage

Lack of Wetland Plant Species Indicate Poor Water Storage

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Little or No Bank Erosion

Extreme Bank Erosion

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Abnormal Sediment Deposition in Channel

Sediment is Being Processed / Transported

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Riparian Bullseye Monitoring Worksheet Sediment Deposition 14 Active Floodplain 1 2 Energy Dissipation; Channel & Banks Bank Erosion 13 3 Energy Dissipation; Floodplain Wetland Plant Abundance 12 4 New Colonization Fresh Sediment Plant Vigor Grass / Sedge 11 5 % Bank Coverage Stabilizing Veg Plant Vigor Woody Plants 10 6 Reproduction Woody Plants Diversity Grass / Sedge 9 8 Diversity Woody Plants 7 Reproduction Grass / Sedge

Steve Nelle 325-942-9566 nelleangelo@suddenlink.net