Stream Care Guide:

Management Tips for Streamside Property Owners

Introduction

Streams — large or small — touch the lives of every resident of the Sierra Nevada foothills. No one lives too far from a creek, stream, or river.

By providing water supply, wildlife habitat, a conduit for flood waters, and a host of aesthetic and recreation values, our waterways comprise an invaluable resource — one that can be easily damaged by careless human actions or improper land use.

Since the great majority of streamside acreage is in private ownership, much of the responsibility for the life and health of our streams lies with you, the streamside resident or property owner. Proper management of your streambank and its vegetation can prevent or minimize erosion, preserve water quality, contribute to the survival of the area's fish and wildlife, and help avoid flood losses.

The stream you share lies within one of several major watersheds, or natural drainage basins within the western Sierra Nevada foothills.

Even if you don't live along one of these larger waterways, the streamside management you practice will likely affect a much greater area than you think. The health of your waterway will reflect your efforts to minimize erosion and pollutants and help protect or enhance the natural stream habitat.

The principles of proper stream care are simple, but they require your active participation.

This booklet seeks to stimulate that participation and to guide you towards stream stewardship. With a little care, you can protect and enhance your streamside environment and help preserve the heritage of productive streams, flowing free and clear.

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