Introduction to Stream Restoration - Hydro-Environmental Analysis: Freshwater Environments - page 241

3. Techniques to restore the natural low regime (distribution of low over time)
a. Remove dam, modify dam impoundments, or modify the water release management
plan
b. Restore base low (as outlined earlier)
c. Restore peak low magnitude and frequency (as outlined earlier)
8.4.12 G radInG -b ankS
Grading refers to the balance of cut and ills on-site to avoid off-site stockpiling and further dam-
age to the natural topography. Surface grading is critical to establishing a long-term, stable slope.
Grading of the slope surface will enhance its aesthetics and will also improve its ability to establish
and maintain good vegetative cover. The cover will reduce the concentration of runoff on slopes
and promote sheet low, which is less erosive and enhances the iniltration of water needed for
plant growth. Bank-grading techniques include terracing, cutting and/or illing, keying, and counter
weighting (see Figure 8.26; NRCS 1996a).
8.4.13 I rrIGatIon (I ncreaSed e ffIcIency )
Increased irrigation eficiency, as deined based on the ratio of water in the crop root zone to
that added, is one of a number of methods commonly used to reduce usage and aid in meeting
instream low goals. Examples of the methods used to improve eficiency include using irrigation
ditch piping (rather than earthen ditches), irrigation ditch lining, and eficient scheduling and
monitoring.
8.4.14 L and a cquISItIon or p urcHaSe
The effectiveness of restoration efforts is often impeded by fragmented public/private ownership
patterns. Therefore, land acquisition is often required for restoration projects to proceed. This prac-
tice refers to obtaining the legal rights to land, by (but not limited to) leases, fee simple purchase,
or conservation easements, usually for streamside or watershed management. The land is usually
acquired for the purposes of the preservation or protection of critical habitats, the removal of causes
of degradation, or to facilitate restoration projects. Some funding sources, such as North Carolina's
Clean Water Management Trust Fund, require as a condition a recorded conservation easement or
a recorded option agreement to restrict uses and activities in buffer areas. However, while stream
restoration is motivated by environmental degradation, often the selection of stream reaches as
targets for restoration is based on their availability, rather than the potential beneits of restoration
(Sudduth et al. 2007).
8.4.15 L IVeStock e xcLuSIonS and G razInG c ontroLS
One tool for the protection of riparian zones is through control of their use by livestock (see
Figure 8.27). One alternative is to use one of a variety of grazing alternatives, such as described
in “Riparian area management, grazing management processes and strategies for riparian-wet-
land areas” (Wyman et al. 2006). Another alternative is to exclude livestock or inhibit their
use of riparian zones. For example, fencing may be used to protect riparian zones from live-
stock, and to keep livestock from wading or using streams and rivers (turning creeks into cricks,
Chapter 2). The fencing will not only protect riparian plants and allow their recovery, but it will
also reduce creek down-cutting, eroded banks, trampled and hummocky areas, and increase the
overall stability of the creek banks and channel (see Figures 8.27 and 8.28). A consideration