A healthy creek is more than a source of water—it provides habitat for wildlife, supports healthy soils, and connects your property to the larger watershed. Whether you have a small seasonal stream or a year-round creek, a few simple actions can help protect and restore this important habitat.
Remove invasive weeds
Invasive plants can crowd out native vegetation, destabilize streambanks, and reduce habitat for wildlife. Carefully remove invasive weeds along your creek, taking care to avoid disturbing the soil or damaging desirable plants. Because bare soil can quickly become a new home for weeds—and can wash into the creek—plan to replace removed vegetation with appropriate native plants.
Plant for healthy streambanks
Native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers help hold soil in place with their roots, reducing erosion and keeping sediment out of the water. Their leaves and branches also provide shade, cover, food, and nesting habitat for wildlife. Choose native species suited to the moisture and light conditions along your creek, and consider planting a diverse mix of plants at different heights.
Learn which native plants are best for streamsides
Keep trash and pollutants out
Regularly remove litter and other debris from your creek and its banks, but avoid disturbing natural materials such as logs, leaves, and woody debris that provide valuable habitat. Keep fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, motor oil, and other pollutants away from waterways. Even small amounts of pollution can affect aquatic life downstream.
Protect the soil
Avoid mowing, digging, or driving equipment right up to the creek bank. Keeping vegetation and roots intact helps prevent erosion and protects the soil. Where a bank has already been disturbed or eroded, consider restoring it with native plants rather than relying on hard structures whenever appropriate.
Let your creek be a little wild
Healthy streams aren’t necessarily tidy. Fallen branches, leaf litter, native shrubs, and a variety of plant heights can provide important habitat for insects, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. A creek that looks a little wild can be a sign of a thriving ecosystem.
Every creek connects to something downstream. By caring for the waterway on your property, you can help create healthier habitat, protect water quality, and contribute to a more resilient watershed—one creekside at a time.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you live in the city of Corvallis, you can apply for stream restoration funding through the Streamside Plant Grant Program. Each residence can receive up to $300 worth of native riparian plants each fiscal year, delivered right to your home. Learn more at the link.