The first component of this strategy is to reestablish the riparian buffer. A riparian buffer is a permanent area of trees, shrubs and other vegetation, along the banks of a river, stream or lake and its tributaries. The riparian buffer reduces the impact of upland sources of pollution by trapping, filtering, and converting sediments, nutrients and other chemicals contained in water runoff. Adequate riparian buffers are estimated to be nearly 70 to almost 100 percent effective at filtering nutrients and sediment from runoff. Riparian buffers also moderate the rate of runoff and protect the streambank.

In the parts of the watershed where agriculture is the main land use, riparian buffers need to be supplemented by measures to protect the streams from livestock. These measures could include providing alternative water sources, such as spring fed watering toughs, and fencing cattle out of the streambed.  

In the urbanized portion of the watershed, the use of bioretention and biofiltration facilities or rain gardens is being encouraged. Biofiltration and bioretention beds and rain gardens are man-made depressions in the ground designed for landscaping as well as improving water quality.  These measures are suitable for residential, commercial and industrial land uses. They collect water runoff and store it, permitting it to be slowly filtered and absorbed by the soil. Their purpose is to reduce the volume and improve the quality of water entering conventional storm drains and nearby streams.  

It is important that homeowners become aware of the implications of the use of house and yard chemicals. Improperly applied or excessive lawn fertilization is a significant source of nutrient runoff pollution. Runoff that carries excessive nitrogen increases the growth of algae and reduces water clarity, which affects water temperature and stresses underwater plant and animal life.  

What You Can Do

In order to ensure the improved and continuing health of Woods Creek, everyone needs to acknowledge that no matter where we live in a watershed our activities can and do affect the water quality in our streams.   Here are a few ups for how you can help out at home:

State, County, City and other Organizational Implementation

It is the responsibility of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Natural Bridge Soil and Water Conservation District and the Rockbridge County Extension Agent to work with farmers to implement the strategies proposed for the agricultural areas in the upland portions of the watershed. Cost sharing is available to assist those farmers who choose to participate.