DWM Publications > Table of Contents > Chapter Four

THE CLEAN WATER BOOK:
CHOICES FOR WATERSHED PROTECTION

The shoreline of a lake or river, where water meets lands, is a dynamic area, subject to flooding and erosion as well as the effects of wind, waves and ice. This sensitive area is significantly influenced by what happens on the surrounding land. Not only can pollutants be flushed by stormwater into the stream; the shoreline can also become unstable if there is no vegetation to hold the soil or the flow of stormwater runoff increases. Protecting the shoreline helps protect the quality of the stream, river or lake.

Is the stream receiving runoff from lawns, fields, highways or parking lots?

Are the banks of the stream unstable?

Is there a build-up of silt in the stream?

Are the channels of the stream becoming wider and deeper?

If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions, your stream is in danger. Sediment from eroding shorelines can smother aquatic life, clog fish gills and cut off needed light to underwater plants.

Shoreline erosion is typically found in areas where roads, parking lots, rooftops, compacted soil and other impervious surfaces prevent rain from filtering down into the soil. Instead, rain is carried into the creek directly, increasing the volume of water and sediment in the stream and causing the shorelines to erode due to the increased flow of water.

An important erosion prevention measure is to make sure your stream is surrounded by plenty of trees, shrubs and other plants. Plants are very important to both the stability of the shoreline and the health of the stream itself. If you have a buffer strip of vegetation along the shoreline, maintain or improve it. Improvement can be accomplished by expanding the width of the buffer or adding appropriate vegetation. For example, adding trees to a buffer strip that has none.

Wetlands along the shoreline should be maintained and preserved. In addition to their value as plant and wildlife habitat, wetlands can reduce certain type of pollutants. Plants will use nutrients and some microbes are capable of degrading certain pesticides to non-toxic components. Wetlands also provide protection from flooding, acting like a sponge by holding back large volumes of water.

If a shoreline lacks any vegetation, plants can be used to stabilize stream banks and eroding shorelines. Before you plant trees or other vegetation on the banks of your neighborhood creek, call your local Soil Conservation Service or Extension Agent to see which types will do well in your area.

In addition to their value as food and habitat sources for wildlife, streamside forests serve a valuable function in reducing nonpoint source pollution impacts on their associated streams and rivers. A buffer strip of forest can reduce the amount of nutrients, pesticides and sediment that enters waterways or shallow ground water. Forests increase the diversity and productivity of aquatic plant and animal communities through improved habitat and food supply.

Acre for acre, forests contribute less pollutants than any other land use. Forest ecosystems, from trees to microbes, remove pollutants in a number of ways. Trees and other plants can filter out sediments and use nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Microbes can break down some pesticides to non-toxic components. Forests are considered an effective way to improve water quality and are a vital component in protecting our streams and rivers. As part of an overall nonpoint source pollution reduction plan, restoring streamside forests has a great potential for reducing nonpoint source pollution.

Remove debris and trash from your creek, marsh or stream. Keep people, cars and grazing animals away from the edge of the water.

Build steps or a ramp between the top and bottom of the bank if you need access to the water.

Avoid heavy loads on the top of stream banks or shorelines.

Plant and protect vegetation on the slopes of the shorelines and on the areas adjacent to the slope.

Encourage adoption of county and municipal stormwater management ordinances.

Sometimes stream bank erosion has progressed too far for simple measures, and structural restoration may be necessary. Structural restoration of a shoreline requires the assistance of a trained professional. Consult a trained engineer about structural solutions for controlling erosion. Free advice on structural solutions is available from the Soil Conservation Service. A State stream encroachment permit is required for any activity affecting streams and other water bodies, including structural restoration. Contact NJDEP Land Use Regulation for information at 609-984-3444, if you are considering this option.