2019 Calgary River Valleys Riverbank Makeover Project Follow-Up Survey

Some background information for our Riverbank Makeover Project

Recognizing the importance of fresh, clean water in our rivers and the need to protect the riverbanks from erosion, the City has recently adopted a program, the Riparian Action Program, designed to improve and maintain the health of river-adjacent areas as well as the quality and quantity of water flowing through Calgary’s rivers and creeks. Our organization, Calgary River Valleys, with funding from the City of Calgary Water Resources, as part of the implementation of the Riparian Action Program, is doing a Riparian Restoration Project along the Elbow River this year that involves three main components:

· research on people’s knowledge of riverbank issues,

· an educational component, and

· field work to modify a selected river-adjacent homeowner’s riverbank area.

By completing this survey, you will be entered into a draw to win a $150 prepaid Visa or Mastercard!

First, we would like to get an understanding of your knowledge of some terminology we have been using during our project.

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* 1. Have you heard the terms ‘riparian’, ‘riparian area’, or ‘riparian zone’ before today?

Yes

Not Sure

In your own words, how would you define or explain the term 'riparian zone'?

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* 2. One definition of riparian areas or zones is that they are the transition zones between rivers, creeks, streams, wetlands and the surrounding lands or uplands. This is land where both the soil & vegetation in the riparian zone are strongly influenced by water. See the picture below.

Riparian Graphic Link

Given what is represented in that picture and the definition of a riparian zone we have provided you, please think about these types of areas you have seen in the past, including your own property’s riparian zone, if your property is next to a river or creek.

What would you say are some of the functions a healthy riparian zone can have in the ecosystem, i.e. what role would it normally play? (Check those that apply)

Trap river sediment / filter & improve water quality

Stabilize the riverbank

Allow riverbanks to rebuild vs. erode

Reduce river energy & flow at edge

Reduce flood damage

Store water (in flood) & release water (in drought) to recharge ground water

Reduce contaminants going into river from land

Provide habitat & corridors for wildlife movement, including fish

Other (please specify)

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* 3. The next statements are opinions about riparian zones. (Please check those you agree with.)

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Not Sure	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
For erosion protection, the types of plants that are in the riparian zone don’t really matter as long as it isn’t bare ground	For erosion protection, the types of plants that are in the riparian zone don’t really matter as long as it isn’t bare ground Strongly Agree	For erosion protection, the types of plants that are in the riparian zone don’t really matter as long as it isn’t bare ground Agree	For erosion protection, the types of plants that are in the riparian zone don’t really matter as long as it isn’t bare ground Not Sure	For erosion protection, the types of plants that are in the riparian zone don’t really matter as long as it isn’t bare ground Disagree	For erosion protection, the types of plants that are in the riparian zone don’t really matter as long as it isn’t bare ground Strongly Disagree
Having shrubs and/or trees instead of lawn in the riparian zone will do a better job to help prevent erosion in the riparian zone	Having shrubs and/or trees instead of lawn in the riparian zone will do a better job to help prevent erosion in the riparian zone Strongly Agree	Having shrubs and/or trees instead of lawn in the riparian zone will do a better job to help prevent erosion in the riparian zone Agree	Having shrubs and/or trees instead of lawn in the riparian zone will do a better job to help prevent erosion in the riparian zone Not Sure	Having shrubs and/or trees instead of lawn in the riparian zone will do a better job to help prevent erosion in the riparian zone Disagree	Having shrubs and/or trees instead of lawn in the riparian zone will do a better job to help prevent erosion in the riparian zone Strongly Disagree
Hard surfaces on the riverbank like large rocks or retaining walls are the best method of dissipating the energy of floodwater	Hard surfaces on the riverbank like large rocks or retaining walls are the best method of dissipating the energy of floodwater Strongly Agree	Hard surfaces on the riverbank like large rocks or retaining walls are the best method of dissipating the energy of floodwater Agree	Hard surfaces on the riverbank like large rocks or retaining walls are the best method of dissipating the energy of floodwater Not Sure	Hard surfaces on the riverbank like large rocks or retaining walls are the best method of dissipating the energy of floodwater Disagree	Hard surfaces on the riverbank like large rocks or retaining walls are the best method of dissipating the energy of floodwater Strongly Disagree
A healthy riparian zone can make a difference to both river water quality and quantity when we have drought conditions	A healthy riparian zone can make a difference to both river water quality and quantity when we have drought conditions Strongly Agree	A healthy riparian zone can make a difference to both river water quality and quantity when we have drought conditions Agree	A healthy riparian zone can make a difference to both river water quality and quantity when we have drought conditions Not Sure	A healthy riparian zone can make a difference to both river water quality and quantity when we have drought conditions Disagree	A healthy riparian zone can make a difference to both river water quality and quantity when we have drought conditions Strongly Disagree
Healthy riparian zones along the riverbanks can help reduce the need for and the cost of City infrastructure for storm water management and flood mitigation	Healthy riparian zones along the riverbanks can help reduce the need for and the cost of City infrastructure for storm water management and flood mitigation Strongly Agree	Healthy riparian zones along the riverbanks can help reduce the need for and the cost of City infrastructure for storm water management and flood mitigation Agree	Healthy riparian zones along the riverbanks can help reduce the need for and the cost of City infrastructure for storm water management and flood mitigation Not Sure	Healthy riparian zones along the riverbanks can help reduce the need for and the cost of City infrastructure for storm water management and flood mitigation Disagree	Healthy riparian zones along the riverbanks can help reduce the need for and the cost of City infrastructure for storm water management and flood mitigation Strongly Disagree
Because the riparian zone is on the land, nothing you can do to it would help to improve habitat for fish or other creatures in the river	Because the riparian zone is on the land, nothing you can do to it would help to improve habitat for fish or other creatures in the river Strongly Agree	Because the riparian zone is on the land, nothing you can do to it would help to improve habitat for fish or other creatures in the river Agree	Because the riparian zone is on the land, nothing you can do to it would help to improve habitat for fish or other creatures in the river Not Sure	Because the riparian zone is on the land, nothing you can do to it would help to improve habitat for fish or other creatures in the river Disagree	Because the riparian zone is on the land, nothing you can do to it would help to improve habitat for fish or other creatures in the river Strongly Disagree

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* 4. Please answer Questions 4-7 if your property backs onto a river or creek. IMPORTANT: If your home does not back onto a river or creek, please skip to Question 8.

Here’s a list of some strategies that some homeowners who live next to a river or creek are using to help protect their land from erosion, protect the health of the river, and to maintain the health of the riparian zone. Please let us know which of these strategies, if any, you are using on your own property. (Check those applicable)

Replacing lawn grass with native riparian plants near the river

Limiting the use or modifying the type of fertilizer / herbicide / pesticide near river

Limiting mowing and / or trimming in riparian zone

Replacing hard surfaces in riparian zone with vegetation

Soil bioengineering of the riverbank to prevent erosion, i.e. planting live tree or shrub cuttings that will “root & grow”

Minimizing access to and from the water for both people and pets when the riparian zone is saturated with water

Picking up animal waste in your yard

Infiltration beds, rain gardens, bioswales to capture stormwater from eaves troughs and remove debris & pollutants

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Is there anything else you would like to do but haven’t yet been able to do in order to maintain a healthy riparian zone in your yard and to protect river health? What are the main reasons that have prevented you from implementing these other strategies?

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* 6. How would you describe your yard's riparian zone? Does it have: (Check all those that apply)

A retaining wall or large rocks?

A fence?

A steep slope down to the water?

Lawn or similar short grass?

Areas of bare ground or no vegetation?

If your riparian zone has bare ground or no vegetation, please estimate what size the area is or what percentage of the riparian zone that represents.

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* 7. Does your yard's riparian zone have: (Check those that apply)

One or more large trees?

Two or more shrubs?

Native species of plants?

If yes, what types of species are in your riparian zone? Do you have anything to add to the description of your yard’s riparian zone?

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* 8. What have you learned about riparian areas from the information we have distributed about this project (newsletter articles, surveys, information booths, etc.) that you did not know before?

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* 9. How did you find out about this Riverbank Makeover Project survey? (Check all those that apply)

I received a flyer in my mailbox

Friends/Neighbours

Article in my local community newsletter

Feature on radio or TV

Calgary River Valleys’ Facebook page

Calgary River Valleys’ Twitter feed

City of Calgary communication

Other social media

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Would you like to be added to Calgary River Valleys’ private contact list for occasional emails, or phone calls about Calgary River Valleys’ sponsored projects and events? If so please provide your name, email and/or phone number. (Your information will remain confidential and will not be shared.)