Kalamazoo Conservation District

Lake and Stream Corridor Owners’ Guide for
Riparian Buffer Establishment

Water Quality Improvement, Wildlife Habitat and Stream Bank Stabilization

This guide was produced by the Davis Creek Watershed Project of the Kalamazoo Conservation District and The Forum of Greater Kalamazoo, through a Section 319, federal clean water act grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Riparian Buffers

Landowners who are fortunate enough to own property on the banks of a stream or lake (known as riparians) can have a tremendous influence on the health of the waterbody. Any of the variety of chemicals, fertilizers, detergents, household wastes, sediments, etc., that riparians use often end up in the adjacent water. Once these substances enter waterways they can cause a variety of problems ranging from fish kills to nuisance plant growth and algal blooms.

Perhaps the easiest method to prevent these substances from reaching the waterbody is to leave a strip of vegetation between the problem area and the water. These areas, known as buffer strips have long been recognized as critically important for maintaining water quality. Buffers perform many functions: they provide shade that reduces water temperature; filter sediments and other contaminants; reduce nutrient loads to lakes; stabilize stream banks with vegetation; provide riparian wildlife habitat; discourage geese congregation; maintain and protect fish habitats; form aquatic foodwebs; and provide a visually appealing greenbelt and recreational opportunities.

Figure 1. Riparian Buffer Zones Illustrated.

Buffer Basics

All buffers, as a minimum, must consist of two (2) management zones and must include a third if the buffer is intended to trap sediment, nutrients and pesticides leaving developed lands, croplands or sparsely vegetated or erosive areas. Zone 1 is adjacent to the water (figure 1) and contains the trees and shrubs needed to provide shade, insect habitat, bank stability and large woody debris for instream habitat. The complex root structures of woody plans are highly desirable for holding soil in place (see figure 2). To promote the production of large woody debris, improve bank stability and to maintain a natural riparian ecology, no harvesting, livestock grazing or other resource extraction should be permitted within Zone 1.

Figure 2. A dramatic example of how woody vegetation will hold soil together, while the adjacent grass cover around this pond has allowed the banks to completely fail, thereby adding to the state’s largest water quality pollutant of concern – soil erosion and sedimentation

Zone 2 is inland of Zone 1 and contains trees and shrubs and other vegetation needed to filter runoff and provide uptake of nutrients and pollutants. Zone 2 combined with Zone 1 will provide a travel corridor and habitat for wildlife in addition to producing shelter, shade and large woody debris. Dominant vegetation should consist of existing or planted trees and shrubs suited to the site and purpose. Livestock should not be permitted in zone 2, but forest management and tree harvesting is permitted as long as the purpose of the zone is not compromised. Tree harvesting allows the landowner to maintain the land’s productive value while providing water quality benefits at the same time.

Zone 3 is landward of Zone 2 and consists of a strip of tall grasses or herbaceous cover to spread and filter runoff which may be transporting sediment, nutrients and pesticides off urban land, cropland, or erosive or sparsely vegetated areas. The establishment of this zone is critical where the control of sediment, nutrient, pesticide or nonpoint source pollution is necessary, as is the case in urban and agricultural situations.

Minimum Buffer Widths

Where soil erosion, nutrient or pesticide pollution is a concern the riparian buffer must consist of Zones 1, 2 and 3. The combined width of these zones should be a minimum of 55 feet. Zone 1, which begins at the normal water line, or at the upper edge of the active channel must be at least 15 feet wide, measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to the watercourse. Zone 2 extends for a minimum of 20 feet upslope from Zone 1. Zone 2 is managed to function as a zone of nutrient uptake and pesticide and pollutant entrapment. Zone 3 must extend a minimum of 20 feet upslope from zone 2. On steeper slopes (>15%) the minimum width of Zone 3 must be 40 feet or more. The widths of each zone listed is the minimum necessary for the buffer to be effective. Increasing the width of any of the zones is strongly encouraged.

Buffers intended to provide wildlife habitat, maintain or restore water temperatures and provide large woody debris must be at least 100 feet wide. Zone 2 must be a minimum of 85 feet wide, and Zone 1 a minimum of 15 feet wide. If Zone 3 is present, the width of Zone 2 can be reduced to 65 feet. Generally speaking, wider is usually better when designing buffers with wildlife in mind. Some wildlife species will benefit from relatively narrow buffers while other species may require very wide buffers to meet their needs. The newest Conservation Standard for riparian buffers (391 MI) recommends a 600 foot buffer as the minimum habitat for some of Michigan’s native, threatened species. A good rule of thumb to remember is that wide buffers will attract the greatest variety of wildlife.

Plant Materials Selection

Dominant vegetation in all buffer zones should consist of native existing or planted trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs suited to the site. Non-native species should not be planted and should be eliminated prior to planting. Select native species having multiple values such as those suited for timber, biomass, nuts, fruits, browse, nesting habitat, aesthetics and tolerance to locally used herbicides. Species that resprout are preferred when establishing new vegetation nearest to watercourses subject to flooding or ice damage. Plantings should consist of a minimum of two species. Multi-species plantings will attract more wildlife and contribute to local biodiversity. Refer to the plant materials list included with this form to help guide plant material selection. The species listed are recommended by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for use in Michigan riparian buffers.

Plant List for Riparian Buffers

VH=very high; H=high; M=medium; L=low; W=wet; WD=well drained; D=dry; A=all

Flood Tolerance: General capacity of the plant to withstand standing water.
Large (woody) Debris: Potential for the plant to produce trunk and limbs larger than 10 inches in diameter before death.
Soil Drainage: Adaptability of plant to varying soil moisture conditions.
Shade Value: The density or fullness of shade provided by an individual plant’s crown in full leaf-out condition.
Wildlife Value: The potential for the plant to provide cover, useful cavity sites and/or quality fruit production.
Height: Potential height at maturity.

Additional Sources of Information

Further information on design and plant selection for riparian buffers can be obtained from the following resources:

Organizations

Kalamazoo Conservation District: 1911 W. Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49024. (616) 327-1258.
The Forum for Greater Kalamazoo: 217 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006. (616) 337-7002.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: 1911 W. Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49024. (616) 327-1258.
Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy: 6851 Sprinkle Road, Portage, MI 49002. (616) 324-1600.
Kalamazoo River Watershed Council: 132 N. Burdick, Suite 203, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. (616) 373-1157.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality: 621 N. 10th Street, Plainwell, MI 49080. (616) 685-6851.
Michigan State University Extension: 201 W. Kalamazoo Avenue, Room 201, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. (616) 383-8830.

Publications

Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality. Carrol Henderson. 1999. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, MN. Available from the Minnesota Bookstore at (651) 297-3000. An excellent reference for both stream and lake riparians.

Aquascaping, a Guide to Shoreline Landscaping. C.J. Dindorf. 1993. Hennepin Conservation District, Minnetonka, MN.

Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes and Practices. 1998. The Federal Interagency Stream Restoration Working Group. Washington D.C. Contains a wealth of information on riparian buffer function, design and planning, however it is not widely available. Check with local Natural Resources Conservation Service offices for availability.

Protecting Inland Lakes: A Watershed Management Guidebook. J.D. Warback, M.A. Wyckoff and K. Williams. 1990. Planning and Zoning Center, Inc. Lansing, MI. (517) 886-0555. Directed towards lake riparians, but has many applications to stream riparians. Available from Mich. Department of Environmental Quality.

An Adobe Format PDF copy of this guide is also available for download by clicking here.

Internet Sites

USDA National Agroforestry Center-Riparian Buffers for Agricultural Land: http://www.unl.edu/nac/pubs/afnotes/rip-2 Contains buffer design criteria; explains buffer functions; and has excellent graphics of buffer zones.

National Conservation Buffer Initiative-Natural Resources Conservation Service: http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/Buffers.html Contains buffer design criteria & function; describes the NRCS’s national buffer initiative.

Iowa State Agroforestry Research Team: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/departments/forestry/Forestry.html The internal link to Extension Programs, Common Topics, contains many before and after pictures of severely eroded and overgrazed stream banks; includes buffer design criteria and revegetation techniques.

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