15 Feet:

1
15 Feet Minimum Width for Zone 1

• Zone 1 Functions
• Bank Stabilization
• Shading (water temperature control)
• Flood Protection
• Stream Inputs
• Structural woody debris
• Detritus and other organic material as food for
  organisms.

Zone 1 Vegetation Unmanaged Woodland (trees and
shrubs)
Zone 1
Additional Benefits Corridor and/or stream
access for certain wildlife species
2
35 Feet Minimum width of zones 1 and 2 combined

• Zone 2 Functions
• Treat surface and groundwater by removal of
• Nutrients
• Sediments
• Other pollutants

Zone 2 Vegetation Woodland Trees and
Shrubs Zone 2 woodlands may be managed
Zones 1 2
Additional Benefits Corridor and/or stream
access and feeding areas for certain wildlife
species
3
35 Feet Minimum width to the beginning of zone 3
Zone 3 Function Zone 3 acts as an additional
filter where needed for abutting land areas that
pose a threat to water quality due to runoff,
erosion, or contaminationThis zone provides
treatment by trapping runoff, sediments,
nutrients, and pesticides.
Zone 3 Vegetation Grasses and Herbaceous Plants
Beginning of Zone 3
4
100 Feet Upper end of customary width for zones 1
and 2.
Zone 3 Vegetation Grasses and Herbaceous Plants
Think About It !! NRCS Standards
require that zone 1 and 2 have a combined width
of between 35 and 100 feet depending on the size
of a watercourses flood plain. You may have
additional reasons for determining your buffers
width including soil and site considerations
land use, management, and availability wildlife
and the nature of the water body. Think about the
functions you require and get as much information
as you can about the area.
Zones 1 2
5
300 Feet
In addition to the water quality functions, you
may want other benefits from your buffer. Perhaps
you want to encourage certain types of wildlife
in your area? Studies vary widely when it comes
to estimating how much area a given species needs
to survive and thrive. Heres what 300 feet looks
like on the ground.