top of page
DJI_0369.JPG

Riparian Health and Conservation

What are Riparian Habitats?

Riparian is defined as relating to or living or located on the bank of a natural watercourse such as a river or lake.

​​

The map to the right shows the rivers in blue and the estimated riparian in green. These are the areas adjacent to the rivers in the Black and Paw Paw River Watersheds.

Why are Riparian Habitats Important?

Riparian Map2.jpg

Undeveloped riparian are keystone habitats that play a disproportionate role in waterway ecosystems and are critical for the functional integrity of riverscapes. Riparian habitats can reduce nonpoint source pollution while positively impacting threatened waterway designated uses by: 

  • Moderating water temperatures 

  • Stabilizing banks

  • Nutrient assimilation 

  • Silt and sediment retention 

  • Filtering out heavy metals, agrochemicals, pathogens and organic wastes 

  • Increasing groundwater recharge while moderating hydrology and hydraulics 

  • Providing wildlife habitat to preserve and bolster biodiversity  

  • Serving as a source of vegetative / woody debris needed for healthy, heterogenious waterways. 

How well are we doing with Riparian Conservation?

We began to focus more on this question in 2025 and decided to conduct a review of riparian protections and other conservation measures aimed at riparian habitats in place along our rivers (not lakes). The outcome was a white paper that gave us a better foundation in understanding this issue and how we could help. It is currently in development at will be ready for review in 2026.

In this review we found it helpful to divide the river riparian habitats into 3 categories based on potential regulations that may apply to each. These categories are listed below and you can learn more about the results of our review by selecting the buttons on the right.

​​

  • FEMA Designated Floodplains

    • The review shows that most of the townships and local municipalities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and even if they don’t, they still must apply for permits to develop within a floodplain. Floodplains are afforded some level of protection from development to minimize the impact of floods on human health, safety, and welfare.​ Select button on right to learn more.

  • Wetlands meeting Michigan's Definition

    • Michigan’s riparian wetlands are protected by federal, state and/or local regulations. However, they may still be developed under certain conditions with permits and are sometimes developed without permits. Generally speaking, Michigan’s riparian wetlands are protected. Select button on right to learn more.

  • Upland's that were not in FEMA Designated Floodplains.

    • Uplands not within a designated floodplain are regulated locally. With different regulations in place at each township and/or municipality, there is a wide range of ordinances governing these uplands and very few are aimed at conserving riparian habitat or protecting water quality.​​​

    • It is in these uplands that we can make the most impact in protecting the health of our waters and watersheds. Select button on right to learn more.

​

Learn More:

This review has allowed TRC to better understand the status of our riparian habitats and has sparked a drive to learn more about these vitally important key stone habitats in our riverscapes. The overall review results suggests that the ordinances in place do a good job at regulating for low development density (minimum lot size and frontage) along the riparian areas but do a poor job of regulating development near waterways and in upland riparian habitats (primary structure setbacks and riparian buffer widths). ​

Given the important role that riparian buffers play in protecting water quality, reducing the impact of nonpoint source pollution, and protecting natural resources it is surprising to see only three townships with a riparian buffer ordinance. Only the townships of Almena and Antwerp had riparian ordinances that met MSU Extension water quality and Michigan Natural Rivers benchmarks. ​It is worth noting that this review simply shows that we lack protection for riparian habitats but does not imply that we do not have riparian buffers. Many of our riparian areas are well buffered, but there is not likely any regulations preventing developing of the riparian habitat if it does not fall in a designated floodplain or protected wetland.  

​

It is worth noting that this review focused on rivers and not lakes. Lakes are generally, more developed with smaller lots and would need a separate evaluation.

Riparian Ownership - Rights

The State of Michigan defines riparian rights as “those rights which are associated with the ownership of the bank or shore of an inland lake or stream.” The Michigan Lakes and Streams Association website offers a simple brochure explaining some of the basic understandings for riparian ownership as well as a long library of articles covering riparian issues.

Some of the basic rights of riparian owners include:

  • Access to the water of an inland lake or stream upon which they own riparian property

  • Installation of a dock anchored to their riparian bottom land

  • Anchorage of a boat on their bottom land and/or secure mooring to their dock

  • Reasonable use of water from the lake or stream for strictly domestic purposes

  • The right of accretions: meaning ownership of the gradual accumulation of sand, silt or organic matter on riparian owned shorelines

Limitations of riparian rights for property owners include:

  • Anchor a raft or moor a boat on or above the bottom lands of another riparian owner

  • Install a dock of an unreasonable length and/or at an angle that interferes with or limits the navigability of the water body or the riparian rights of neighboring property owners

  • Dedicate the surface or any portion thereof of a lake or stream without a permit from the DEQ

  • Transfer riparian rights to another person

  • Restrict the use of the surface of a lake or stream by members of the public

  • Build a seawall or jetty closer to the water’s edge than at the ordinary high-water mark

  • Construct a seawall without a DEQ permit

  • Dredge or place fill in a like or stream without a permit from the DEQ

  • Alter or modify their riparian shoreline or remove aquatic plants without a DEQ permit

Riparian Ownership - Stewardship

Riparian owners are in a unique position to impact our waterways. As noted above, undeveloped riparian areas are keystone habitats that play a disproportionate role in waterway ecosystems and are critical for the functional integrity of riverscapes. How you use and manage the riparian area can make a significant impact on water quality and the overall health of the riverscape.​ Look Around:

  • How does your waterfront look?

  • Is the streambank or shoreline eroded?   

  • Are tree roots exposed?

  • What about the water itself?

  • Are there algal blooms?

  • Does the water look murky?​ 

  • Do you store compost or mulch near the water?  

  • Do you mow your lawn down to the water's edge?

  • Do you use the correct type of fertilizer in the appropriate quantity?

​

Many activities we conduct near the waterfront, in our lawns and gardens and around our home, impact water quality.  These activities are even more critical to riparian owners because runoff doesn't have far to travel before reaching the water.

 
When it rains or the snow melts, the water runs off streets, driveways, rooftops and lawns across the landscape and picks up various pollutants like oils, greases, nutrients, fertilizers and sediment. Impervious surfaces speed up the flow of runoff from the landscape and prevent water from soaking into the ground where it can be naturally cleansed by microorganisms that live in the soil. Many pollutants also can reach our waterways from soil erosion because many chemicals readily attach themselves to soil particles.

​

This contaminated runoff, known as non-point source pollution, flows without treatment into the nearest storm water drainage system.  This may consist of simple drainage ditches and swales, or infrastructure such as enclosed pipes, catch basins and detention ponds. If you live on a river, lake or stream, this runoff travels directly into the adjacent waterway much more quickly.

 

Non-point source pollution comes from many different sources and is difficult to trace back to one source on the landscape. Groundwater resources also can be impacted if pollutants in runoff leach through the soil. Pollutants in our waterways can harm fish and wildlife, impair recreation (fishing, boating and swimming) and contaminate drinking water supplies. Groundwater is water that is stored underground in the spaces between soil particles and fractured rocks and is a source of drinking water for most of the residents in the Two Rivers Watersheds.
 

So, how do we prevent non-point source pollution from getting into the water? We can start by being aware that our actions DO impact water quality, especially if we live along the water's edge.  We can all make a difference by practicing Healthy Habits for Clean Water.

 

Given that the number one source of water pollution today comes from storm water runoff that enters our lakes and streams without prior treatment, waterfront property owners have a special responsibility to protect our water resources. They are at the frontline of preventing pollution from property directly adjacent to our waterways. Although all human activities in a watershed can affect the water quality of our lakes and streams, activities adjacent to riparian areas are most critical.

​

The above riparian owner information was adapted from work produced by the Oakland County WRC Environmental Team. Their Waterfront Wisdom guidebook offers seven tips to help riparian owners minimize their impact on waterways. The seven tips covered in the guidebook are listed below along with additional resources. The Huron River Watershed Council offers a similar seven tips guidebook.​

  1. Minimize Stormwater Runoff from Your Property

  2. Prevent Soil Erosion and Sedimentation

  3. Maintain a Healthy Lawn and Garden

  4. Plant and Maintain a Naturalized Shoreline or Streambank Buffer

  5. Properly Manage Home, Yard, and Animal Waste

  6. Properly Maintain Your Septic System 

  7. Properly Maintain Your Boats and Other Recreational Vehicles

​​​

While the above list is helpful in educating us to become better stewards or our riparian habitats, we wanted to share a few more resources aimed at better understanding lakes. These resources touch on riparian habitats but also include valuable information on understanding your lake.

Lastly, excess phosphorus is the main culprit for algal blooms that impact both lakes and rivers. It is important as stewards of our waterways that we understand how to properly manage its use in our lawns and gardens. 

bottom of page