Urban streams have become the focus of restoration efforts in many parts of the country. Communities increasingly recognize the value of healthy aquatic systems within urban areas and are taking steps to improve the quality of their degraded streams. These efforts also enhance the urban environment and provide recreational areas.

The City's Stormwater Management Division addresses water pollution and improves the quality of Greensboro's streams. The implementation of vegetated stream buffers is one important step toward reducing pollutants in our streams. Stream buffers filter pollutants, shade and cool the water, provide channel stability and storage for flood waters. Stream buffers also allow for the development of natural stream meanders, increase the diversity of aquatic life, provide areas for recreational opportunities, filter air and noise pollution, and enhance wildlife habitat.

In the past, many of Greensboro's stream corridors on public property were mowed on a periodic basis. This practice gave the appearance of a manicured, park-like setting. Although this may have been aesthetically pleasing to certain residents, mowing stream corridors was detrimental to water quality and the stream's ecosystem. In 1994, Greensboro adopted a "no mow" policy to improve water quality by allowing vegetation to grow up along City streams.

Stormwater Management has facilitated a committee of community representatives to develop and provide recommendations for implementation of stream channel buffers on public property. In 1999, the committee finalized its "Stream Maintenance Guidelines," a revised approach to the original "no mow."

Stream corridor buffers use a two-zoned approach. Zone One is the streamside buffer that consists of woody vegetation and shrubbery of up to 50 feet on each side of the stream in most cases. Zone Two is located outside the area of woody vegetation and consists primarily of turf grass.

From 2001-2003, nearly 18,000 trees were planted in 32 park areas in various communities. Within the buffer area, native tree species were planted to help "jump start" the weedy growth of the buffer area. As the trees mature, the vegetated stream buffers will become a treasured community asset and help protect our valuable water resources. For the duration of the project, there will be limited ongoing maintenance to control invasive vines and competing vegetation. View map of location sites.

1. Arboretum / Lindley Park
2. Ardmore
3. Bingham
4. Bluford
5. British Woods
6. Bywood
7. Cone Blvd.
8. Cumberland
9. Greenhaven
10. Greentree
11. Hampton
12. Hannaford
13. Hunter Hills
14. Kersey Natural Area
15. Kings Forest
16. Lake Daniel
17. Latham
18. Lindley
19. Murchie Street
20. O’Henry Oaks
21. Randleman Road
22. Revolution
23. Rolling Roads
24. Shannon Hills
25. Shannon Woods
26. Southmont
27. Spring Valley Natural Area
28. Textile Drive
29. The Canyon (Barber Park area)
30. Twin Lakes
31. Woodlea Lakes
32. Woodmere

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer