To achieve multiple objectives

The question that landholders and other river managers ask most frequently when discussing riparian areas is "How wide does it need to be?" In this Fact Sheet, we have tried to respond to this question by bringing together information from a variety of sources about the different widths of riparian vegetation required to achieve different purposes or management objectives. Although there is a broad consistency about the general widths recommended for riparian areas, there are differences depending on the aims being sought, location and the regulatory framework that governs the area. This Fact Sheet provides approximate guides for achieving different management objectives in riparian areas, as well as highlighting where to go for further information and technical expertise.


The full fact sheet is available in Adobe Acrobat format:

   Fact Sheet 13 - Managing Riparian Widths (facts13.pdf, 1Mb)

Topics covered

• Management objective: Improve water quality
• Management objective: Reduce erosion of streambanks
• Management objective: Maintain natural light and temperature levels within streams
• Management objective: Provide food inputs and habitat for aquatic ecosystems
• Management objective: Provide terrestrial habitat
• Management objective: Manage stock to prevent damage to riparian areas
• Management objective: Manage riparian areas to enable agricultural production
• Management objective: Land clearing for agricultural or urban development
• Summary table
• Widths for wetlands
• Variations on recommended widths
• Useful government websites

This Fact Sheet is the thirteenth in a series dealing with the management of riparian land.