Riparian Buffers in Rockbridge County, Virginia

A Study of the Maury River Watershed 

            Riparian Forest buffers are areas of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation found next to stream channels and other waterways.  Conversion of these riparian communities to other land uses has contributed to many ecological problems in our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay including sedimentation, nutrient and toxic chemical pollution, and reduction of fish habitat.

  -Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping Virginia Coastal Program

             As part of Washington and Lee University’s 2002 senior capstone course in environmental studies, we have investigated different strategies for the assessment, design, and implementation of riparian buffers in the Maury River watershed in Rockbridge County, Virginia.  The Maury lies in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, therefore having a direct impact on the water quality of both the James River and the Chesapeake Bay.  The Chesapeake Bay Program is committed to saving over 2,000 miles of riparian shoreline by the year 2010; however, many of the watersheds directly contributing to the health of the Bay have received less attention.

             Forested riparian buffers provide seven major benefits:

1)      reducing surface runoff through root absorption and thereby lowering flood levels

2)      improving water quality by filtering runoff and promoting sediment deposition

3)      providing canopy cover which shades and cools the stream, improving habitat   conditions for in-stream organisms and providing relief from extreme heat for terrestrial animals

4)      providing habitat, food, and nesting sites for a variety of birds and mammals

5)      providing great opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and camping

6)      increasing the aesthetics of the area surrounding the stream

7)      developing root masses that stabilize stream banks against erosion

 - Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology. NC State University

             Currently, efforts are under way to restore riparian buffers in the Maury River watershed.  However, there are still many areas where a riparian buffer would help to improve water quality. Our class has completed ten projects investigating different aspects of riparian buffers that can be used as a resource in the future planning of restoring riparian buffers.  Below are the topics each individual addressed.