Land Use
Land use practices in the watershed and the health of surface waters are fundamentally connected. We can make land use and land management choices that improve the health of waterways. For example, areas of natural vegetation supported by healthy soils allow the most water to soak into the ground. In turn, this reduces the likelihood of local flooding and protects streams from large volumes of stormwater that can erode streambanks. Natural areas of vegetation also filter some pollutants from stormwater runoff before soils become saturated and water can no longer soak into the ground.
The land areas that affect surface waters the most are the areas right next to streams, rivers, wetlands and lakes. These areas are called “riparian zones” or “buffer zones”. Leaving these zones intact may be the single most beneficial action we can take on behalf of surface waters. The roots of riparian vegetation stabilize banks and shorelines and prevent excessive erosion, which helps protect nearby properties and the stream itself. The vegetation also shades the water, which can drastically impact summer water temperatures in small streams. These zones also filter runoff and remove pollutants before they can enter the stream and provide a corridor for wildlife to move between protected areas.
Many of the alterations we make to the landscape are necessary and beneficial. How we plan development, however, can have a profound impact on the health of waterways. We can leave riparian areas intact, plan developments with buffer strips between imperious surfaces and streams and rivers, build up instead of out to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces present in our cities, and use best management practices to encourage water to soak into the ground rather than run off into nearby streams. Examples of practices that encourage water to soak into the ground include infiltration basins, rain gardens, native plantings and permeable pavement. We can also remove imperious surfaces that are no longer useful (such as abandoned buildings or parking lots) and replant these areas with native vegetation. By doing so, we increase the amount of water that can soak into the ground and provide a place for both urban wildlife and people to enjoy.
Pictured: Land use in a watershed.
