Riparian Restoration

Riparian habitat is crucial for a healthy ecosystem. Trees that grow along a stream, river, marsh, or shoreline form a necessary transition zone between land and water. By acting as a buffer zone, these trees help to filter runoff and groundwater, removing pollutants from the waterway. Although any riparian vegetation is beneficial, forest infiltration is the most effective—infiltrating 10 to 15 times more sediment than grass turf.

These forests also provide important shade to waterways, which helps to moderate water temperature and oxygen. Wooded stream corridors provide diverse habitats for birds, fish, and other wildlife as well.

But urban sprawl has greatly impacted the amount of riparian habitat in the Potomac River watershed. To combat this, the Partnership has held seminars to inform landowners about how they might be able to conserve and restore riparian habitat on their property through conservation easements and other programs. The Partnership has performed stream bank stabilization, riparian plantings, and cattle fencing in several key areas of the watershed as well.