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15. Vegetative filter strips
Strips of vegetation, which may include grass, shrubs or trees that filter runoff and retain contaminants before they reach water sources.
| How it works |
Vegetative strips of grass, shrubs and/or trees slow or intercept water flow capturing or providing temporary retention of pollutants like sediment. pesticides or nutrients, Vegetative uptake of nutrients or retention of other pollutants protects adjacent water supplies. Trees and shrubs used along a waterway also provide habitat and reduce stream temperature, providing wildlife and fisheries benefits.
| How it helps |
Grass, trees and shrubs provide cover for small birds and animals.
Ground cover reduces soil erosion.
Vegetation prevents contaminants from entering water bodies and provides shade, food, and habitat for aquatic life.
Increases stream stability
| Planning ahead |
Are adequate soil conservation measures installed above filter strips?
Are plants adapted to your soil types?
Have you selected the correct species of vegetation? For example, are you establishing the filter strip around a sinkhole, controlling runoff from a feedlot or filtering runoff from cropland?
What are the conditions upstream?
How will seasonal weather variations affect filter strips?
| Tech notes |
Vegetative filter strips are most effective on slopes of'5 percent or less.
Check with NRCS for width requirements for specific field conditions.
Riparian vegetative filter strips or buffers should be 1/3of the floodplain or a minimum of 35 feet for water quality benefits. Comprehensive habitat and stream protection benefits may require a wider strip.
Do not use a vegetative filter strip as a roadway.
Vegetative filter strips will be less effective under snow or when frozen.
Weed control may be required periodically.
Periodic grazing may occur to control woody vegetation in grass filter strips if they are firm and dry.
Avoid drift when applying herbicides on surrounding cropland.
| Maintenance |
-Protect filter strips from damage caused by farm equipment traffic, herbicides, and livestock. § Repair rills and small channels that may have developed.
-Grazing may need to be controlled if livestock have access to filter strips.