What is it?

Stream crossings should be limited in number and cafefully designed to minimize damage to riparian areas, streambanks, stream hydrology, and stream habitats.

Conservation Benefits

• Minimizes impacts to stream habitats (like substrate and vegetation)
• Minimizes stream flow alteration

What does it include?

Stream crossings should consider these best management practices:

• avoid areas with imperiled species or sensitive habitats
• build at a right angle to the stream
• avoid altering streamflow
• use appropriately sized drainage structures to prevent changes in stream hydrology and promote fish passage
• minimize the use of equipment in streams and riparian areas during construction (reduction in sedimentation)
• stabilize banks and soils around the crossing after construction
• remove stream crossings once they are no longer needed