Buffer Strips for Riparian Zone Management
Abstract
This study provides a review of technical literature concerning the width of riparian buffer strips needed to protect water quality and maintain other important values provided by riparian ecosystems. Under most circumstances (20 to 30 meter wide) buffers appear adequate to remove suspended sediments from surface flows. Narrow buffers may also reduce nitrogen levels in surface runoff and groundwater. There appears to be insufficient information available in the literature to formulate a matrix which completely relates appropriate buffer strip width to stream characteristics, upland land use, and riparian functions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA336633
Entities
Organizations
- New England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers