Many have become so accustomed to seeing such features as severely eroding streambanks, leaning trees, and silted-over stream bottoms that it all seems natural. Based on review of the literature, we believe it's not, particularly for small (first-order) streams of the basin. However, only through initiation of a monitoring program designed to measure the change over time of stream corridor cross-sections, profiles, and plan forms will we be able to quantify and differentiate changes due to purely natural processes and those caused by anthropological impacts.

One purpose of these web pages is to explain causes of and solutions to the problems. Links to the various features of the web pages are provided using the buttons on the left.

How does the waterway corridors program mesh with watershed planning? In certain cases, adverse effects and potential corrective programs are concentrated within the corridor. An example is excessive streambank erosion caused by streamside overgrazing by livestock. In other cases, the adverse effects are due to basinwide contributions. An example is excessive streambank erosion due to greatly increased high flow events responding to increased stormwater runoff caused by basinwide development. Once again, only through gathering of monitoring data will we obtain quantitative relationships of the causes and effects.

For purposes of our discussions and proposed programs, we define waterway corridors as the waters and adjacent lands of streams (including rivers), roadside ditches, drainage swales, ponds, lakes, and tidal waters. At present, however, we are concentrating on stream corridors, while recognizing the influence of roadside ditches and drainage swales.

These web pages will be updated periodically. Some of the information presented will prompt controversy; we encourage comment. We are confident that we are correctly identifying many of the problems that have arisen and continue to arise as a result of man-made activities within waterway corridors. We are also confident that we are identifying sound protection and restoration measures.

Photographic records may be the best evidence of changes to waterway corridors. We welcome any loans of pertinent, relatively early photographs of readily identifiable (year and location) sites within the basin.