The Stream Wise Process
What is Stream Wise?
Stream Wise is a voluntary, free assessment program that seeks to connect landowners with opportunities to improve streamside buffers. Our team works with the Lake Champlain Basin Program and partnering organizations to implement the Stream Wise program.
What is a buffer?
Streamside buffers are areas of land and water near the edge of a stream or river. These areas are critical transition zones for wildlife and humans alike. Although buffers might look different depending on where you live, a healthy buffer usually contains lots of intact native vegetation that stabilizes the soil. As rivers or streams rise due to heavy precipitation events, the buffer area can help absorb some of the flood water and reduce streambank erosion, limiting the impact to property and residential structures. Under the guidance of Stream Wise, a healthy buffer is at least 50 linear feet of intact native vegetation from the edge of the mean high-water mark of the stream or river.
How does the process work?
We receive lots of inquiries from landowners who want to learn more about the Stream Wise program. The initiative is designed for landowners who have property along a stream or river in the Lake Champlain watershed. AWI is specifically offering the program in the Saranac River watershed – but if you don’t live in this subwatershed, there might be another organization to assist you. If you’re interested in the program and have property in the Saranac River watershed, the next step is getting in contact with a member of our team (info@adkwatershed.org). Our team will then review your property using public spatial data to determine whether your property is a fit for the program. If your property fits the program, our team will then schedule a time to visit your property.
Field Visits
Our team specializes in watershed science and looks forward to connecting with landowners. While assessing properties in the field, we are looking at vegetation, the width of the buffer, and for signs of erosion or flooding impact. These field visits take approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the size of the property. Following the visit, our team reviews information collected in the field, and prepares a personalized report with recommended next steps.
Why should I participate?
There’s lots of reasons to protect and promote healthy stream buffers – but we encourage you to find your why. For some, this program can offer steps to encouraging more of a wildlife presence on their property. If you go fishing, or simply like fish, healthy vegetated buffers can reduce the temperature of surrounding water – keeping water cool for species like brook trout. Some enjoy the program because it helps them think about flood risk and impacts. Although Stream Wise isn’t designed to help recover from flooding, it can help you prepare your property for future heavy precipitation events. Landowners often express an interest in returning their property to a more natural state, to benefit pollinators or even enhance their view. Whatever your reason is for participating or learning more – we'd love to hear it. One goal of Stream Wise is to connect neighbors to opportunities that benefit the greater watershed, and we’re thrilled that you’re on board!
Learn More
If you want to review information on the program, visit Stream Wise. This website will share information on best practices, solutions, and give you a better idea of what the program looks like.
