Alberta Conservation Association

Riparian Conservation Project
Landowner Guide

What is a Riparian Area?

“Riparian areas” are the transition zones of vegetation between water bodies and the surrounding drier uplands. These areas are linked to water quality and function to:

• Reduce erosion
• Recharge the water table
• Stabilize the streambank
• Provide wildlife habitat
• Filter sediment

Riparian Management Techniques

1) Streambank Fencing
Fencing is a management tool that allows riparian areas to be managed as buffers.
Riparian pasture is a stream corridor that has controlled grazing so that the riparian vegetation can perform its normal duties.
Exclusion fencing means the livestock access is prohibited from the riparian area.
Alberta Conservation Association offers funding to landowners that covers up to 75 per cent of streambank fencing project costs.

2) Off-Site Watering
An alternate watering source eliminates the need for livestock to access the stream and may result in an overall improvement in herd health.
Dugouts, nose pumps, gravity fed systems and portable solar-powered systems are all alternatives to watering livestock in a natural water body.
Alberta Conservation Association offers watering systems for riparian landowners to use for demonstration purposes and offers funding of 50 per cent toward the purchase of systems.

3) Bank Stabilization
Bioengineering refers to a method of bank stabilization using only natural materials. Regeneration of tree cuttings (in the structures), produces roots that bind the stream bank together. Click links below to view examples:

Live Staking | Wattle Fences | Brush Layers

For more information, contact toll free: 1-877-969-9091.

For Beaverlodge River, contact:
John Hallett
Alberta Conservation Association
1st Floor, Rm. 116, 9621 - 96 Avenue
P.O. Box 900-26
Peace River, AB  T8S 1T4
Phone: 780-624-7117
e-mail:  john.hallett@ab-conservation.com

For Bearberry Creek, contact:
Kelly Hooey
Alberta Conservation Association
P.O Box 336
1st Floor, Provincial Building, 4919 – 51 Street
Rocky Mountain House, AB  T4T 1A3
Phone: 403-845-8372
e-mail: kelly.hooey@ab-conservation.com