According to NRCS, Riparian areas are lands that occur along watercourses and water bodies. Typical examples include flood plains and streambanks. They are distinctly different from surrounding lands because of unique soil and vegetation characteristics that are strongly influenced by the presence of water.

A riparian buffer strip, or grass filter is the last line of defense for preventing surface runoff contaminants from reaching streams or other surface waters. Agronomic Best Management Practices (BMP’s) should still be followed, even where vegetative filters are in place, to maximize the effectiveness of the buffer strips.

Re-establishing riparian buffers along streams may reduce flood damage and streambank erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and filter pollutants, such as nutrients, pesticides, bacteria, and sediments from nearby fields.

Kansas State University Contact:

Charles Barden, Horticulture Forestry & Recreation

Kansas State University

2021 Throckmorton

Manhattan, KS 66506

785.532.1444

Incentive Programs:

USDA Providing Incentives for Planting Riparian Trees 

Kansas Water Quality Buffer Initiative - State Conservation Commission (SCC)

Riparian and Wetland Protection - State Conservation Commission (SCC) 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Publications:

K-State Research and Extension

Assessing the Effectiveness of Various Riparian Buffer Vegetation Types  

Improving the Effectiveness of Filter Strips and Riparian Buffers - Power Point Presentation

Establishing Riparian Buffers

Streambank Revetment

Riparian Area Management 

Protect Streambanks with Trees 

Search for other riparian extension publications.

Other publications:

Best Plants for Riparian Zones - Kansas Forest Service 

Water Quality Improvements of Vegetated Riparian Areas and Buffers - Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE) 

Riparian Areas Environmental Uniqueness, Functions, and Values - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 

KAWS Newsletters - Kansas Alliance of Wetlands and Streams