Often landowners are not aware of the ways they can be good stewards of their precious river and stream-fronted lands. Many well-intentioned owners plant lawns, remove vegetation and mow down to the water’s edge. While we admire the rugged beauty of the mountains from afar, it is a natural tendency to want to “clean up” our particular piece of the mountains. But, the river and stream banks depend on the root systems of native shrubs and trees (the riparian buffer) to hold onto the soil and keep it from washing away, not only in times of severe flooding, but also during normal rain events. Rain softens the banks and without deep root systems these banks will eventually break off and go downstream. And, more significant rain produces fast flowing waters that scour unprotected banks, both on your own property and your neighbors’ downstream. Landowners often find themselves watching portions of their valuable land float downstream!

And, both the river and wildlife suffer when the riparian buffer is removed as well:

It’s really a case of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” It seems many of us are learning that nature pretty much knew what she was doing all along -- the beauty of a walk to the river through a forest, the beauty of a float down the river and seeing the ducks fly from the brush, catching sight of an otter or trout or a hellbender near the water’s edge…. These are the delights of the beauty of nature and also, by the way, primary indicators of the health of a river. We can all certainly appreciate the beauty of water quality.

Native shrubs such as silky dogwood, silky willow, ninebark, and elderberry make excellent shade, shelter, and food source, and have an extensive network of roots that hold the banks and prevent erosion. Further up the bank rhododendron and mountain laurel provide shade and shelter throughout the year. Trees provide deeper root systems and shade, and there are many varieties that thrive along the riverbank. A 30 to 50 foot riparian buffer is ideal, but as little as 10-15 feet is helpful -- especially on smaller streams.

If you have questions about how you can be a good steward of your river or stream-front property, and want to learn more about how to create and retain the value of your riparian landscape, check out the National Committee for the New River’s (NCNR) website at www.ncnr.org. There you’ll find information about our River Builder and restoration projects, and email Lynn Caldwell, NCNR’s Restoration Director, at lynn@ncnr.org for more information.

The National Committee for the New River (NCNR) works to permanently protect the New River as a treasured natural resource. The mission of NCNR is to advocate for successful protection of the river, to restore eroding river and stream banks and enhance riparian habitat, and to permanently protect land along the River. NCNR works in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia’s New River watershed. Over the last 31 years, the organization has protected nearly 5,000 acres of land important to the River’s water quality, scenic and natural values, and has restored over 56 miles of river and stream bank.