Stream Buffers
-Riparian Buffer & Rain Garden
-Buffer Evaluation Handbook
-Buffer Evaluation Data Sheet
-List of Native Plants
-Sources of native plants
Upper Thornton River Watershed Study
RappFLOW is a member of the Orion Grassroots Network
Ways to Protect Our Watershed
We are continually discovering more ways to help protect our watershed, and more resources to assist individuals and groups. In each of the following sections, you will find people, ideas, and how-to-do-it information to assist you in your efforts to protect and benefit from your land, streams, ponds, groundwater, and other natural resources.
Rain Gardens
A “rain garden” is just what it sounds like: a specially designed garden area created to capture and filter rainwater that runs off from hard surfaces such as parking lots, roads, driveways and rooftops. Rain gardens perform a dual role:
- They filter pollutants picked up when stormwater flows across an impervious surface
- They help to maintain the hydrologic balance of the area by slowing the stormwater and giving it a chance to absorb into the soil, adding to our groundwater supply rather than rushing away, causing damage further downstream
During the spring and summer of 2008, RappFLOW constructed a Rain Garden at The Link in Sperryville, VA, wrote an article in the local paper, collected publications, and held a workshop for home owners interested in rain gardens.
Virginia Dept. of Forestry Rain Garden Technical Guide
Understanding Nutrients and the Environment
To help educate local citizens on watershed issues, RappFLOW held a presentation on how nutrients affect our waterways. The presentation mainly discusses the affects of nitrogen and phosphorus on aquatic ecosystems and human health. We also discuss what landowners, farmers and the community can do to prevent excessive nutrients from entering our streams and ponds.
“Understanding Nutrients and Their Effects on the Environment” Presentation
VA Cooperative Extension Soil Sampling Publication
USDA-NRCS Publication “Soil Sampling to Save Money”
Pond Management
Ponds are an important resource in this county. Rappahannock County alone has over 540 ponds used for agriculture, recreation or aesthetics. As part of a National Fish and Wildlife Grant obtained by RappFLOW and in coordination with the Culpeper Soil and Water District and the Virginia Cooperative Extension, we held a workshop in the fall of 2008 for landowners interested in building ponds or just looking for information on improving ponds for wildlife or water quality. Topics discussed were:
- Pond usages
- Construction and placement
- Regulations
- Hydrology
- Pond ecology
- Wildlife habitat
We had a large turnout of citizens and we will be having more workshops in the future as well as more reference materials about ponds.
“Ponds in Your Landscape” Presentation
- Part I, Pond usages, Pond Construction, Placement, Regulations and Maintenance
- Part II, Hydrology, Pond Ecosystems and Habitat, Pond Plants, Pond habitat for Amphibians and Frogs
"Nuisance and Native Aquatic Vegetation Management" Presentation
CSWCD Resource List for Pond Information
Pond Management Quick References
Culpeper Soil and Water District’s Pond Planning Brochure
Culpeper Soil and Water District's Pond Construction Brochure
Farm Pond Maintenance - Ponds and Buffers
Native Aquatic Plant Habitat Continuum
Recommended Species for Enhancement of Aquatic Areas in Virginia (1) (2)
Plant Zones for Ponds and Buffers
Promote Streamside Vegetation
The single most important action a landowner can take to protect the watershed is to promote and enhance vegetation (trees, shrubs, tall grasses) along their streams and ponds. Beginning with our workshop on this topic in July 2003, we have been gathering information to assist landowners in understanding the benefits of streamside vegetation, getting help, and implementing best practices.
Stop Erosion Now
One of the most important actions we can take to protect our watershed is to prevent and control erosion and sedimentation from driveways, roads, and other earth-disturbing activities. Beginning with our workshop on this topic in November 2003, we have been gathering information to assist landowners, excavators, and developers in understanding the benefits of erosion control, getting help, and implementing best practices.
Sustainable Forestry
One of the most important actions we can take to protect our watershed is to manage our forested lands carefully. Beginning with our workshop on this topic in July 2004, we have been gathering information to assist landowners, foresters, and local woodworkers in understanding the benefits of sustainable forestry, getting help, and implementing best practices.
Sustainable Agriculture
One of the most important actions we can take to protect our watershed is to manage our agricultural lands carefully and help to sustain farming as a key industry in our County. Beginning with our workshop on this topic in August 2004, we have been gathering information to assist landowners, farmers, and the general citizenry in understanding the benefits of sustainable agriculture, getting help, and implementing best practices.