Riparian Buffers

Did you know Washington farmers have voluntarily planted MILLIONS of trees and shrubs along our rivers that help keep water clean and cool? These strips of vegetation are called riparian buffers.

Riparian buffers act as natural water treatment plants. During rain or snow melt, roots from buffer vegetation filter water and trap sediment before it reaches the river. 

Riparian buffers provide structure that helps hold streambanks in place, which can decrease erosion and mitigate flood damage. When riparian vegetation grows taller, the canopy shades the river from sun rays and keeps water temperatures cooler. Adversely, the canopy also shades farmland making that section of the field less productive.

Voluntarily planted riparian buffer in Clark County Credit: Washington State Conservation Commission

It takes time, labor, and money to plant and maintain buffer vegetation. Many farmers have sacrificed profitable and productive cropland in order to establish them. That’s why it’s so important that partners like local conservation districts, the Washington State Conservation Commission, and USDA offer grant funding and work collaboratively with farmers to plant and maintain voluntary buffers. 

Check out this video from Palouse Conservation District to meet some of the farmers and partners who work together on voluntary, farm-friendly solutions to plant and maintain riparian buffers.