Restoring waterways and we tl ands 215
Restoring plant life
Plants that grow along waterways help to slow, spread, and sink rainwater
into the ground and hold soil in place.
Rainwater
runoff
Rainwater
runoff
Eroded area:
Rainwater runs across
the surface and carries
soil into the stream.
River
Restored area:
Plants and trees help
rainwater sink into soil,
so less runs into the river.
One way to stop soil erosion along streams and rivers is to plant trees
alongside them. Planting in an area 20 to 50 meters wide on each side of a
waterway will usually reduce erosion.
Trees that like to have wet roots grow easily from cuttings.
Plant 2 or more rows of cuttings, and then pile brush or
branches between the rows. This holds the soil in place
and starts to create the
conditions for other
plants and animals
to return.
Trees, shrubs, and
grasses may begin
to grow on their own
once the sides of the
river or stream
are stable. If they
do not, you may
want to plant them.
If possible, fence the
area to keep animals
out and to prevent
people from gathering
wood in the area until
trees are fully grown.
Preserving and restoring wetlands is
an important part of watershed protection.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012