| The Importance of Riparian Buffers
 What Are Buffers?
A streamside or riparian buffer is an area of transition between a stream, lake or wetland and an upland area. A buffer consists of trees, shrubs, and other plants that are dependent on moist soils.
In general, the bigger the buffer the more benefit it provides. But even a narrow riparian buffer can provide many benefits. The size required to achieve maximum benefit depends on the combination of slope, soil type, size of stream or lake, uses of the area, and other factors. For many locations, the height of the tallest native tree in the area is a good width for riparian buffers.
What Are The Benefits of Buffers?
Buffers provide many desirable benefits to you and the environment.
- Protect property from floods and erosion by holding soil in place with plant roods.
- Keep water clean by filtering sediment, animal wastes and pollutants and preventing them from entering the water.
- Reduce maintenance by minimizing the need for dredging and clean outs.
- Provide wildlife habitat with cover, food and shelter for wildlife and shade to keep water cool for fish.
- Enhance water supplies by improving water absorption and storage. The riparian area slowly releases the water during the dry season.
- Create windbreaks and reduce noise.
Shoreline Plants Healthy riparian areas consist of a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses and other groundcovers. A few of the common riparian plants in this region are:
- Black cottonwood
- Ponderosa pine
- Quaking aspen
- Willows
- Red-osier dogwood
- Golden currant
- Snowberry
- Woods' rose
- Alder
- Bunchgrass
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How are buffers created?
Protecting the natural shoreline buffer is the best approach. But where this buffer has been removed, a new buffer can be developed. One option is to simply protect the area from intrusion by livestock or people and do not mow the bank. Gradually, grasses, shrubs, and trees will grow. A buffer can be created more quickly, especially in highly erodable areas, by planting native vegetation.
what kind of maintenance is required?
Once a buffer is established, very little maintenance is required. Newly established buffers do require some maintenance for the first few years, such as replanting of vegetation that dies, providing water during July and August, and pulling weeds to reduce competition. Protecting buffers to prevent damage from livestock is crucial for all buffers.
What assistance is available?
The Spokane County Conservation District can provide technical assistance through free streamside assessments and can recommend actions to improve and restore the riparian buffer. The District may also have funding available through the Water Quality Improvement Cost-Share Program to help pay for some of these activities. Call (509) 535-7274.
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