Download (Trench Diagram)

Riparian Areas
A riparian area is an area next to a steam or water body. The riverbank along the site is a
type of riparian area. When riparian areas are healthy, they provide these key ecological
functions:
Introduction
This site is located within the upper Swan River- Lobstick Creek subwatershed. Subdistrict members, along with representatives from
the Town of Swan River, requested the assistance of the Swan Lake Watershed Conservation District (SLWCD) in providing proper restoration of the site. Over time, erosion from surface runoff as well as natural cutting from the Swan River left the riverbank extremely
reduced, eroded and slumping. The excess sedimentation was affecting the aquatic ecosystem by significantly degrading water quality
and reducing fish habitat. This was getting to the point where it was jeopardizing the edge of the cemetery grounds. The “Swan River
Ecological Stabilization Project” was created to reduce sedimentation by stabilizing the riverbank and enhancing riparian habitat. Education is a priority for the SLWCD as they aim to educate visitors and members of the community on the need for stabilization efforts
and the value to our ecosystem by means of this long-term sustainable river project and interpretative area.
Filter and Buffer Water
Riparian areas capture sediment and other contaminants that may harm aquatic life
Plants absorb excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that would normally harm
aquatic life and promote algal blooms
Build and Maintain Banks
Captured sediment is added to the bank and promotes plant growth
Plant roots help keep riparian soil in place
Riparian areas slow water flow which reduces bank erosion
Regulate Water levels
Site Description
Riparian areas help regulate stream flow and water table levels by:
The project site encompasses a 0.6 acre
area with 60m of shoreline adjacent to the
Swan River and the Birchwood cemetery
within quarter section 21-36-27W. The
soil type for the site is a Lenswood series:
imperfectly drained Gleyed Rego Black
Chernozem; loamy fine sand-fine sandy
loam surface texture; calcareous deposits
in the A horizon. Many native tree and
shrub species including Manitoba maple,
white birch, white spruce, trembling aspen, red osier dogwood, chokecherry and
hazel surround the site. Many amphibian,
bird and mammal species call this area
home. The main fish species in the area
include white sucker, walleye, northern
pike and numerous forage fish species include minnows, daces, shiners, darters,
and sticklebacks. No species at risk have
been identified in the area.
Holding water during periods of high rainfall and snowmelt
Slowly releasing water during periods of dryness
Provide Wildlife Habitat
Riparian areas provide food and shelter for a diversity of plant, invertebrate, wildlife
and fish species
Riparian areas act as transitional zones between ecosystems, allowing wildlife to
move freely
Riparian areas are one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, being the only home
to many plant and animal species
Project Benefits to Ecosystem
Following stabilization and restoration efforts, the site provides many benefits to the ecosystem. The project significantly increased water quality by reducing sediment and contaminant
levels entering the Swan River. This enhanced habitat and spawning grounds for fish species
within the Swan River. The tree and shrub species present provide food and habitat for a diversity of birds, mammals, and amphibians. The willow and red osier dogwood shrub species on the bank provide browse for wildlife and help stabilize the bank. The Saskatoon,
chokecherry, and wild rose shrubs provide berries for wildlife during summer and fall. The
flowers at the site attract pollinators to the area. The birch trees provide shade and wildlife
habitat. The artificial nest boxes provide nesting habitat for common goldeneyes, wood
ducks, buffleheads, and mergansers. The purple martin houses provide sixteen nesting sites
per house. Purple martins are a member of the swallow family and can eat their own weight
in insects in one day. These are some of the benefits the site provides to the ecosystem.
Project Objectives
Following the environmental assessment, the SLWCD set out the following objectives to
mitigate the impacts and correct the problem:
Stop riverbank degradation through extensive internal drainage within the upper
portion of the riverbank and on the slope.
Properly stabilize the riverbank to protect property and enhance crucial fish habitat.
Restore the area back to native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs.
Restore and enhance wildlife habitat through additional structures: bird houses,
nest boxes; wildlife travel corridor.
Reduce risk of contamination to the Swan River with re-vegetation of the site.
Provide a significant education venue for both visitors and members of the community.
Provide an educational interpretative centre for all students to view a long-term sustainable riverbank project.
What Was Done
Extensive planning and hard work went into solving the problems the site was facing and creating this interpretative area. This project was underway in April of 2008 starting with the Environmental Assessment with
all licences in place. Work began in the winter of 2008 starting with rock processing. Local contractors
were hired to do the excavation, landscaping and erosion control required in correcting the issue. Drainage
measures included construction of a header trench, seven lateral trenches about ten meters apart, and a footer
trench. Three of the lateral trenches were already in place during the town’s previous efforts and were expanded upon. The trenches were lined with geo-textile cloth to catch sediment that would otherwise end up
in the river and rock was placed over. These efforts allow water to collect in the header trench, move down
the lateral trenches, and percolate into the ground from the footer trench. Rock was then placed at the bottom of the slope over one meter above the high water mark to prevent erosion during spring break-up.
Backfill was the placed and final landscaping was done by March of 2009. Top layer erosion control, which
was coconut matting, was placed shortly after. Design of the interpretative area started in May. Between
May and September, topsoil was placed and seeded with native grasses and forbs. Construction of the deck
followed and was completed by October. By December, final clean-up of the site including removal of fill
and debris was completed. Maintenance followed for the spring and summer of 2010. In August and September, the cement foundation, wheelchair-accessible ramp and interpretative sign frame were constructed.
In the summer of 2011, habitat restoration was undergone and involved planting of native trees, shrubs and
plants, and construction of duck nesting boxes and purple martin houses. This interpretative sign followed
and marked the centrepiece of the project. This interpretative area will provide further educational benefits
throughout the years as new ideas and features are added.
(Trench Diagram)
Project Message
This project was put in place to go beyond stabilization of the riverbank. It shows the importance of habitat restoration to the sustainability of our environment.
It educates us on the value of these projects and the
promotion of sustainable management of the resources
in our communities. This is something that everyone
can take part in. You can help out by:
Doing things domestically and on any managed
properties to promote water quality and sustainable use
Keeping current on the impacts on our resources
Voicing your concerns about the use of our resources and what you think should be done
Getting involved in projects promoting sustainable management
The SLWCD encourages any input on these matters
and on our behalf we would like to say,