Riparian Assesment

The Riparian Health Assessment was developed by the Cows and Fish Program in Alberta, but is extensively used throughout Saskatchewan by The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. Riparian health refers to how well the riparian area (the entire stream or a portion of the stream) is functioning in regards to its' key ecological functions. These functions include:

Ø Trapping sediment

Ø Building and maintaining streambanks
Ø Storing flood water and energy
Ø Recharging the aquifer
Ø Filtering and buffering water
Ø Reducing and dissipating stream energy
Ø Maintaining biodiversity
Ø Creating primary productivity

The riparian area receives a percentage score based on its' ability to perform these functions. The scores (ratings) are:

Ø 80-100 % - Healthy (Proper functioning)
Ø 60-79% - Healthy, with problems (Functioning @ risk)

Ø <60% - Unhealthy (Non-functional)