​About SRWA

​The Soque River Watershed Assocation (SRWA) is a non-profit organization working to protect and restore the Soque River in Northeast Georgia. The Soque River is the only river in Georgia to begin and end all within one county, Habersham. It is a major headwater tributary to the Chattahoochee River which serves as the primary drinking water supply for the city of Atlanta. The organization, founded in 1998, is governed by a community-oriented board of directors, and has two staff members. Primary activities of the Association include: organization of a community watershed partnership; grant management of a Federal 319 project to complete a watershed assessment and draft a watershed protection plan; coordination of a community greenway project; and collaboration with local officials on conservation policy and planning improvements.

S​TREAM Bank Protection & Restoration for Home Owners

Many stream and riverbanks in the Soque River watershed are rapidly eroding. Stream bank erosion is a natural process, but it can be accelerated by human activity. Swift erosion can be ugly, a threat to property, and damaging to aquatic life.
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Accelerated erosion happens for two primary reasons: 1) streams are adjusting to bigger, faster flows during storm events, and 2) there are not enough plant roots to hold soil in place. Both of these are results of land use, increasing as forest is cleared and impervious surfaces are added in the Soque River watershed. Streambank erosion is much harder to fix than it is to prevent, but this page provides resources for all homeowners interested in being good stewards of their portion of stream or river, regardless of its current condition.

Resources

Streamside Management for Landowners

This SRWA document provides some brief background on stream behavior and the value of wooded riparian buffers.

Small-scale Solutions to Eroding Streambanks

This publication by the NC Cooperative Extension Service provides recommendations and more detailed instructions on how to address eroding banks, including how to evaluate your streambank, multiple options for addressing erosion, and plant recommendations

Guidelines For Streambank Restoration

This publication includes a greater variety of streambank restoration methods (besides grading and planting) such as live crib walls and branchpacking. Using these methods would require consulting a professional and receiving permits.

Before Restoration
During Restoration

FAQ

Why is bank erosion a problem?

Property owners are usually concerned about eroding stream banks for economic and aesthetic reasons. A rapidly eroding stream can threaten property close to the banks edge, or reduce the area they can build on in the future- as a stream moves, so does its protected riparian buffer. Steep, bare mud banks are also unattractive.
Ecologically, erosion is a problem because sediment suspended in the water and settled on the bottom is unhealthy for many types of aquatic organisms. Sediment in the water column reduces visibility, increase water temperature, and prevents aquatic plants from growing. Lots of stream organisms, including trout, need cold clear water. Muddy, fine sediment that settles on the bottom of streams removes habitat for the many macroinvertebrates that live on rocky substrates. Unhealthy invertebrate populations affect the health of all the other animals in their food chain.

Why are vegetated stream banks healthy?

Roots hold soil in place and can help combat erosion. They also shade streams and rivers, keeping water temperatures lower in the summer.

I have grass up to the edge of my stream. Is that enough?

Over and over again, we see streambanks eroding at the edge of pastures and lawns. Preventing erosion requires a deeper, more complex web of root types. Grasses form dense but shallow root mats that can be quickly undercut as streams erode outward. The best strategy is to have a variety of plants- shrubs, trees, and groundcover.

How can I have a healthy riparian buffer and a view of the river?

There is a lot you can do with selective trimming. Often you can trim away branches to get “viewing windows” down to the stream or river with only very minor disturbances to the buffer. Keep in mind the potential of your actions to cause erosion or reduce shading on the stream

What sorts of plants should I use to prevent erosion?

We recommend you select native species and use a variety of plants- trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Different plants have different rooting depths and patterns, so variety is good!. Specific recommendations are listed in “Small-scale Solutions to Eroding Streambanks” and in the appendix of “Guidelines For Streambank Restoration,” above.

There are trees and piles of debris in the stream. Should I remove them?

Woody debris in streams actually stabilizes them and improves aquatic habitat, so its removal is discourages. Sometimes large woody debris in streams does increase erosion if it directs current toward the banks. However, even in this case removal may cause more damage than it prevents if serious streambed or riparian disturbances are required to remove debris.

Will rip-rap stop my bank from eroding?

Rip rap can be a useful last resort when erosion threatens structures, but it comes at the cost of the stream’s natural beauty, function, and your neighbors downstream. While it will stop erosion on your portion of bank, it increases the velocity of water flow and worsens erosion downstream.

Do I need to apply for a Riparian Buffer variance permit?

The law regarding riparian buffers is The Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act and the portion that discusses exemptions can be read here. Contact the EPD’s Erosion and Sedimentation branch for clarifications. SRWA cannot give definitive advice on this matter, but in our experience, planting and other landscaping activities conducted with hand tools don’t require permits. Keep in mind the potential of your actions to cause erosion or reduce shading on the stream.