 |
| OSU HOME | EXTENSION HOME | ONLINE CATALOG | ORDERING INFORMATION |
| Extension Service |
Stream*A*Syst
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||
| 1. Water pollution | A. Are there ever any signs of pollution such as soap bubbles, oil sheen, unusual odors, or trash in or along the stream? | NO | YES |
| B. Can you smell or see any evidence that manure or sewage might be entering the stream? | NO | YES | |
| 2. Algae | A. Is the water green? | NO | YES |
| B. Is there a green scum or thick, stringy, green clumps? | NO | YES | |
| C. Is there a heavy, dirty-brownish, slimy material coating underwater objects? | NO | YES | |
| 3. Muddy water | A. Does the stream become muddy after storms and then take a long time to clear up again? | NO | YES |
| B. Is the stream water muddier or cloudier when it leaves your property than when it enters? | NO | YES | |
| 4. Long-term data | A. Do long-term data show that your stream is limited in any water quality measurements? (The Oregon 303(d) stream segment database is available on DEQ’s Web site and at most libraries.) | NO | YES |
| B. Is water quality information unavailable for your stream? | NO | YES | |
| 5. Barriers to fish or water flow | A. Are there any culverts, dams, or other artificial structures in your stream that could block fish passage? | NO | YES |
| B. Are bridges or in-stream culverts inadequate in size to be able to convey high, overbank flood flows? | NO | YES | |
| 6. Ditches and drainage | Are there any irrigation ditches, tile lines, drainage ditches, or other artificial waterways connected to the stream? | NO | YES |
| 7. Water removal | A. Do water withdrawals or upstream dams ever result in extremely low water levels? | NO | YES |
| B. Is water removed from the stream for any reason without a Water Right? | NO | YES | |
| 8. Flood and erosion-control structures | A. Are there any berms, dikes, or riprap along the stream? | NO | YES |
| B. Has the stream been straightened? | NO | YES | |
| 9. Floodplain | Are there any buildings or chemical storage facilities within the 100-year floodplain? (Find the 100-year floodplain on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps available at SWCD or county development offices.) | NO | YES |
| 10. Channel condition | A. Is the channel much wider and
shallower than in the past? |
NO | YES |
| B. Are gravel, sand, or silt bars noticeably building? | NO | YES | |
| C. Are there high, vertical banks in straight sections? | NO | YES | |
| 11. Changes after large flows | Are there major changes to the stream after large flow events? For example, are pools filled in, riffle areas moved, streambanks greatly eroded, or the whole channel moved? | NO | YES |
| 12. Streambank protection | Are there areas of bare soil along the stream that will come into contact with water during high or overbank flows? | NO | YES |
| 13. Vegetation along the streambank | Have activities such as construction, grazing, landscaping, or tilling within 35 feet of the top of the streambank disturbed the permanent vegetation? | NO | YES |
| 14. Type of streamside plants |
A. Are there very few trees along the stream? | NO | YES |
| B. Are there large areas with plants considered to be weeds, such as blackberry, scotch broom, reed canarygrass, English ivy, thistle, cheatgrass, or others? | NO | YES | |
| C. Do bare soil or thin stands of grass dominate the area? | NO | YES | |
| 15. Other | Do you have other concerns about the condition of your stream? | NO | YES |
|
||
| Area of Concern | What You Can Do | Who to Call |
|
1. Water pollution A. Chemical odors, oil sheen, or other signs of water pollution. |
1. Use Home*A*Syst Petroleum Tank, Hazardous Waste, or Pesticide Storage Worksheets to check for leaks, spills, or waste disposal on your property. 2. Check with upstream neighbors. 3. Report pollution to DEQ. Record of your actions: |
1. Home*A*Syst 2. Watershed council, 3. DEQ |
| B. Evidence of manure or sewage entering the stream. |
1. Use Home*A*Syst Septic System and/or Manure Management Worksheets to evaluate your situation. 2. Have your septic system pumped and inspected. If problems are found, make needed repairs. 3. Have someone help you evaluate your manure management practices and make recommended changes. Record of your actions: |
1. Home*A*Syst 3. OSU Extension, |
|
2. Algae Green water, mats of algae, or heavy slime on rocks. |
Determine whether nutrients
from fertilizer or manure runoff are entering the stream from
your property. If so, take steps to prevent it. If not, check
with upstream neighbors.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS Watershed council OSU Extension Your neighbors |
|
3. Muddy water A. Water is very muddy after storms or takes a long time to clear. |
If the source of sediment
is not found on your land, check with upstream neighbors. Look
into upstream land-use practices that might be causing muddy
runoff.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS Watershed council Your neighbors |
| B. Stream becomes cloudy or muddy on your land. | Determine whether sediment
is entering the stream from your property; look for runoff from
unpaved roads, fields, severe bank erosion, or other sources.
When you find the problem, take steps to prevent it.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS Watershed council |
|
4. Long-term data A. Data show that your stream is water quality limited. |
1. Search for your stream on the Web (waterquality.deq.state.or.us/WQLData/SelectBasin98a.asp) or in the bound copy of DEQ’s 1998 303(d) database at most libraries. Ask listed contacts for information. 2. Learn more about the specific limiting factor and its connection with activities on your land. 3. Get involved with local efforts to improve water quality. Record of your actions: |
1. Watershed council, DEQ, SWCD/NRCS 2. SWCD/NRCS, 3. Watershed council |
| B. There is inadequate water quality data for your stream. | Check with your watershed
council to determine how you can help gather needed data.
Record of your actions: |
Watershed council |
|
5. Barriers to fish or water flow A. Barriers might block fish passage. |
Get ODFW form and evaluate
the barrier. If the barrier prevents fish passage, modify it
as needed.
Record of your actions: |
ODFW |
| B. Culverts or bridges not sized adequately. | Measure culvert and
contact forestry expert to help determine size of culvert required.
Record of your actions: |
Oregon Dept. of Forestry OSU Extension forestry agent |
|
6. Ditches and Waterways are connected directly to the stream. |
1. Create grass filter strips or other means to remove contaminants before drainage water enters the stream. 2. Screen ditches. Record of your actions: |
1. SWCD/NRCS 2. ODFW or SWCD for technical and financial assistance |
|
7. Water removal A. Water withdrawals cause low water levels. |
1. Improve efficiency of water use on your property. 2. Take advantage of financial incentives for returning allocated water to the stream. Record of your actions: |
1. SWCD/NRCS, OSU Extension 2. WRD |
| B. Water is removed
from the stream without a Water Right. |
Do not withdraw water
without a Water Right. Ask Watermaster about Water Rights for
your stream.
Record of your actions: |
Local Watermaster or state office of WRD |
|
8. Flood and A. Riprap, dikes, berms, etc. are present along the stream. |
With the help of an
expert, determine how these structures are affecting the condition
of the stream. If a problem, modify as recommended by the expert.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRS |
| B. Stream has been straightened. | With the help of an
expert, determine whether straightening the stream is causing
any functional problems with the stream.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS |
|
9. Floodplain Chemicals, fuel, or manure are stored on the 100-year floodplain. |
1. If on your property, remove the source of future pollution to floodwaters. 2. If on your neighbors’ land, discuss your concerns with them. 3. If a spill has occurred, report it to DEQ and clean up according to their guidelines. Record of your actions: |
1. Home*A*Syst for information on storage facilities for fuel, manure, fertilizer, or pesticides 2. Your neighbors 3. DEQ for information on disposing of hazardous chemicals, to report a spill, or for guidance with cleanup. |
|
10 & 11. Channel condition/ There are high, vertical banks; or the channel is getting wider and shallower; or gravel, sand, or silt bars are building; or there are major changes after large flows. |
Do not be tempted to “fix” on your own. Work with an expert to determine causes and possible solutions. The stream might be out of balance with the amount of water and sediment it is carrying. Ask about changes you can make or possible restoration efforts. Keep in mind that changes might be needed up- and downstream, so plan coordinated efforts with neighbors. Record of your actions: |
Watershed council SWCD/NRCS Your neighbors |
|
12.Streambank Streambanks are not protected from erosion during high flows. |
Provide natural, long-term
streambank protection with plantings that will introduce large
wood and/or add stability from roots. Determine whether artificial
protection measures are needed while plants are becoming established.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS Watershed council |
|
13. Vegetation along the streambank Vegetation near the stream has been disturbed. |
Identify streamside
area that needs to have vegetation and commit to management changes
within that area. If the area is grazed by livestock, develop
and follow a prescribed grazing program, build off-stream watering
facilities, and establish fencing as necessary.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS Watershed council OSU Extension |
|
14. Type of A. Trees are not surviving or reproducing in the streamside area. |
Determine whether the water level has dropped or the channel has deepened. If so, roots of young trees might not be able reach the water table. If water level is not the problem, remove brush that might be shading young conifers. Protect young trees from browse damage with tubes. Plant only trees recommended for your site. Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS OSU Extension Watershed council |
| B. Invasive weeds are evident in the streamside area. | Identify the most appropriate
method for removing the weeds. Determine whether grazing management
changes are needed.
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS OSU Extension Watershed council |
| C. Bare soil or thin stands of grass dominate the streamside | Identify reason for
lack of vegetation and take care of it. Restore vegetation to
the streamside area. Make sure to plant trees and shrubs suited
to your location and follow through with the project to ensure
survival. Ask about financial assistance
Record of your actions: |
SWCD/NRCS Watershed council |
| 15. Other concerns |
Record of your actions: |
|
Oregon Statewide Resources for the Stream*A*Syst Action Plan
The contacts listed below correspond to the Who to Call column of the Stream*A*Syst Action Plan. While this list seems fairly long, it is not a complete listing of agency contacts available to help landowners with stream and streamside issues. Staff from various agencies often work together and know each other’s special area of expertise, so you might be referred from one office to another in an effort to get you to the best local person to handle your situation.
| Abbreviation | Contact Information |
| SWCD/NRCS |
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service & Soil
and Water Conservation District Local phone:___________________ |
| OSU Extension |
Oregon State University Extension Service Local phone:___________________ |
| ODFW |
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Local phone:___________________ |
| DEQ |
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Local phone:___________________ |
| WRD |
Oregon Water Resources Department Local phone:___________________ |
| Watershed councils |
State-recognized stakeholder groups based on stream or river
Local phone:___________________ |
Development of Stream*A*Syst was coordinated by Gail Glick Andrews, Home*A*Syst-Farm*A*Syst coordinator, Oregon State University; and Lyn Townsend of the USDA NRCS Watershed Science Institute at the University of Washington, Seattle. Funding was provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. There was extensive input and review from staff of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oregon State University, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and others.
Published June 2000. Reprinted March 2001. Updated online October 2007.
|
Produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran's status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Copyright © 1995- Oregon State University. Disclaimer. |