• Maintain or restore streamside vegetation.
• Plan new construction away from streams and minimize paved areas.
• Do not alter the stream channel or stream banks.
• Leave wood and other natural materials in streams and on banks.

• Inspect septic systems annually and repair as needed.
• Direct gutters away from streams, pavement, and septic fields to areas where water can seep into soil slowly.
• Do not pour soapy water, oil, household chemicals or pesticides down storm drains, as these are often connected to streams.

Learn more about how you can protect the stream in your backyard.

• Use native plants that tolerate low rainfall and insects.
• Water at night or early in the day.
• Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
• Use chemicals cautiously.
• Maintain a vegetative, riparian buffer between your lawn and the stream.
• Mow grass to a height of 2 to 3 inches and leave it taller closer to the water.
• Do not dump grass clippings or other materials in the stream or on the bank.

We are here to help

Many of these actions to protect streams and shorelines you can do yourself. If you do need technical assistance, have questions about regulations, or just want to talk about an idea you have in regards to your streamside property, give us a call.

The Conservation District provides FREE streamside assessments and can recommend actions to improve and restore the habitat and function of your shoreline. We may even have a program to help pay for some of these activities.

Contact Walt Edelen at (509) 535-7274.