WWRC 86-05l
Hydrologic Impacts In Riparian Zones
Introduction
One dictionary defines riparian as "pertaining to, situated
or dwelling on the bank of a river or other body
of water." Working definitions have typically relied
on plant assemblages that reflect significant water
requirements to indicate riparian areas. A riparian
zone is dependent, implicitly or explicitly, on the
presence of water which is accessible to vegetation.
This requirement for water suggests the very strong
inter-relationship that exist between the hydrologic
character of a stream system and the adjoining riparian
areas.
Within this article inter-relationships between hydrologic
features of the stream-riparian system will be
conceptually reviewed. Significant hydrologic
features will first be identified. Then their relationship
to the riparian zone will be considered in light of
a cycle of riparian zone degradation and regeneration.
Finally, the impact of several hydrologic tools for
managing riparian areas will be discussed.
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