Infosheet #21  Stream, Ditch and Floodplain Management

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Streams and Ditches
  • 21-1 Buffer strips for stream and ditch bank stabilization
  • 21-2 Entry of surface water
  • 21-3 Tile outlets
  • 21-4 Bank conditions (streams and ditches)
  • 21-5 Stream and ditch inspection
  • 21-6 Extensive livestock production system (low density)
  • 21-7 Intensive livestock production system (high density)
• Floodplain
  • 21-8 Extensive livestock production system (low density)
  • 21-9 Intensive livestock production system (high density)
  • 21-10 Cropping of floodplain area

Introduction

This infosheet provides background to Worksheet #21 of the Environmental Farm Plan Workbook. It outlines options you could adopt to address problem areas in your operation. In most cases you'll need more information before implementation: please refer to the resource materials listed in the infosheet, and consult OMAFRA Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Technical Advisors.

All options are classed as Actions, Compensating Factors or Monitoring. Actions are options which address the areas of concern identified and will change the EFP rating to (3) or Best (4). Compensating Factors are alternatives that will adequately address the concerns, but will not change the rating in the EFP worksheets. Monitoring is an alternative only in special circumstances and is explained in the infosheet when and how it can be used.

At the request of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, consisting of Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, AGCare, and the Ontario Farm Animal Council, the following people contributed to the development of Infosheet #21:

Bob Stone, OMAFRA (Chair)
John Westwood, MOEE
Sid Vander Veen, OMAFRA
Jim Magee, OCA
Joan McKinlay, OMAFRA
Raymond Biette, MNR
John Field, OMAFRA

Technical Editing Committee:
Brent Kennedy, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA

The following people contributed to the revisions (2004) to Infosheet#21

Bob Stone, OMAFRA (Co-Chair)
Jack Kyle, OMAFRA (Co-Chair)
Adam Hayes, OMAFRA
Sid Vander Veen, OMAFRA
Scott Abernethy, MOE
Kim Sytsma, OCA
Jim Magee, OCA
Donna Wales, MNR
Jim Elliott, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Dave Pridham, OSCIA
Tracey Ryan, GRCA
Jackie Fraser, AgCare
Mary Jane Conboy, OFA

Technical Editing Committee:
H.J. Smith, OMAFRA
Jim Myslik, OMAFRA
Bob Stone, OMAFRA

| Top of Page |

Streams and ditches

Issue: 21-1Buffer strips for stream and ditch bank stabilization

Buffer strips stabilize stream/ditch banks and to a lesser degree filter sediment and pesticides. Without them, the chances of bank erosion, slumping, and the entry of sediment, pesticides and nutrients into watercourses increase dramatically.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Establish a permanently vegetated buffer strip:

• minimum width of more than 10 feet from top of ditch bank into field area
• natural vegetation (trees, shrubs, grasses) is preferred, due to ease of maintenance
• approval from local municipality may be required to plant trees along a municipal drain
• during establishment of the buffer strip, cattle access should be restricted.

For More Information:

• Fencing of Watercourses to Control Erosion, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-049
• Best Management Practices Books: Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 77-78; Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, pp. 120-121; Farm Forestry and Habitat Management, Order No. BMP 01, pp. 19-21

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-2 Entry of surface water

Washouts and bank damage can occur when surface water, in concentrated flows, enters streams and ditches at unprotected locations. Sediment is lost to the watercourse as a result.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Direct surface water to protected outlets such as chute spillways or drop pipe inlets:

• where surrounding lands are flat, vegetated earthen berms will be needed alongside the watercourse to direct water to the protected outlets.

Option #2 - Action

Construct a water and sediment control basin:

• will intercept the flow of surface water, storing it for up to 24 hours and slowly releasing it through a perforated riser pipe
• requires careful examination of surrounding topography, and typically can handle no more than 50 acres of surface water.

For More Information:

• Gully Erosion Control, OMAFRA Factsheet 88-059
• Water and Sediment Control Basins, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 89-167
  Best Management Practices Books: Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15, page 6;
  Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, page 79; Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, pp. 118, 121

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-3Tile outlets

By protecting tile outlets, you will reduce sedimentation of streams and ditches. Water quality will improve and drains will require less maintenance.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Prevent erosion at tile outlets:

• provide erosion protection for all tile outlets, e.g., use rock riprap
• reduce the number of tile outlets to a minimum by installing a main header tile to intercept lateral tile lines
• seek approval from the appropriate authority for all activities in or along watercourses.

For More Information:

• Tile Drainage Outlets, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 90-233
• Best Management Practices Books: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, page 61;
  Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, page 123; Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15, page 6

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-4Bank conditions (streams and ditches)

When banks are in poor condition with little vegetation, soil sediment is lost to the watercourse. This reduces water quality and increases maintenance for you and other landowners.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Maintain a vegetative cover on the bank:

• bank side-slopes should be very flat, i.e., 2 horizontal:1 vertical
• vegetative cover should be selected with consideration for longevity and maintenance requirements (native species preferred)
• where excessive scouring occurs along ditch bends, erosion protection may be required.

For More Information:

• Best Management Practices Books: Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15, page 6;
  Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, page 77; Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, pp. 120-121

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-5Stream and ditch inspection

If you don't regularly inspect streams and ditches, problems can become expensive and difficult to address.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Do regular inspections:

• inspect in the spring and fall for signs of erosion on the banks
• pay close attention to tile outlets and surface water entry points
• tile outlet water quality should be checked for colour, odour and foaming
• if any damage or problems are found, take action as soon as possible
• in the event of spills or major water quality problems, contact MOE.

For More Information:

• Tile Drainage Outlets, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 90-233
• Maintenance of the Drainage System, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 87-062
• Handbook of Drainage Principles, OMAFRA Publication 73, pp. 22-23
• Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, page 61

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-6Extensive livestock production system (low density)

Livestock grazed or pastured on a low density system (extensive) should be discouraged from entering streams and ditches. Increased sediment loading and manure deposits may impair water quality and negatively impact fish habitat.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Maintain a good vegetative cover on the stream and ditch bank and discourage livestock from entering watercourses:

• repair any damage to stream and ditch banks immediately
• provide a clean water supply, salt and shade away from the watercourse
• this is not an option for intensive livestock operations.

For More Information:

• Alternative Livestock Watering Systems, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 04-027
• Best Management Practices Books: Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15, page 6; Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, pp. 123-124; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 82-84

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-7Intensive livestock production system (high density)

In high density systems (intensive), allowing livestock access to streams and ditches will increase herd health problems, increase sediment loading to the watercourse, and increase bacteria levels from manure deposits.

An example of intensive livestock use is a drylot system where the area is used mainly as an exercise yard for cattle, and feed is brought in from an outside source.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Fence livestock from watercourse:

• fence all livestock from the ditch or stream
• provide a buffer zone between the fence and watercourse
• provide an adequate water supply away from stream or ditch
• approval from local municipality may be required to fence along a municipal drain
• if necessary, provide a mid-level, high level/high flow or bed-level crossing to allow cattle access to other side of watercourse
• explore all options re: suitable water system and water course crossing
• approval from the appropriate agency is required to install crossings.

For More Information:

• Fencing of Watercourses to Control Erosion, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-049
• Low Flow, Mid-Level Stream and Ditch Crossings with Culverts, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 92-143
• Best Management Practices Books: Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15, page 6; Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, pp. 123-124; Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 82-84; Farm Forestry and Habitat Management, Order No. BMP 01, page 21

| Top of Page |

Floodplain

Issue: 21-8Extensive livestock production system (low density)

Livestock that spend considerable time on a floodplain may trample it and damage the vegetation. This increases the risk of sediment and manure reaching a watercourse during high flood periods.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Maintain vegetative cover on floodplain:

• provide a clean water supply, shade, salt, etc., at a distance from the stream and floodplain area
• maintain a good cover of natural vegetation on floodplain and provide a well-managed grazing system
• during wet periods, try to keep livestock away from floodplain area where trampling is likely to occur
• option only applies to low-density operations
• this is not an option for intensive livestock operations.

For More Information:

• Alternative Livestock Watering Systems, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 04-027
• Best Management Practices Books: Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15, page 6;
  Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, page 125

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-9Intensive livestock production system (high density)

Livestock at high density levels should not be allowed free access to floodplains. Livestock can severely trample the area. They will also deposit manure, which, during high flood periods, will be flushed into the watercourse, impairing water quality.

An example of intensive livestock use is a dry lot system where the area is used mainly as an exercise yard for cattle, and feed is brought in from an outside source.

What can you do?

Option - Action

Fence livestock from the floodplain:

• all livestock must be fenced from the floodplain
• a wide buffer zone along the floodplain edge assists in filtering out the manure flowing from any outside lot for livestock
• provide adequate water supply away from floodplain area.

For More Information:

• Fencing of Watercourses to Control Erosion, OMAFRA Factsheet Order No. 00-049
• Best Management Practices Books: Buffer Strips, Order No. BMP 15, page 6;
  Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, pp. 123-125

| Top of Page |

Issue: 21-10Cropping of floodplain area

Intensively cropping a floodplain will result in sediment, nutrients, and pesticides moving to the watercourse, contaminating surface water.

Grazing is an acceptable use of the floodplain.

What can you do?

Option #1 - Action

Limit cropping on floodplain:

• crop floodplain in a way that causes minimal disturbance to soil
• limit crops to woodlot or forage hay; add minimal nutrients
• when planning floodplain use, consider frequency and duration of floodplain flooding and adjust activities or uses accordingly.

Option #2 - Action

Leave floodplain idle (with vegetative cover).

For More Information:

• Best Management Practices Books: Field Crop Production, Order No. BMP 02, page 125;
  Farm Forestry and Habitat Management, Order No. BMP 01, page 8

Infosheet Table of Contents

| Top of Page |