9.3. Stream Enhancement Methods Some enhancement can be very simple: - Removing debris and garbage that has blocked a watercourse obstructing access to spawning and nursery areas. - Cleaning up garbage and minor pollution sources. Later in this section there are tips and rules for performing clean-ups on watercourses. - Planting trees and shrubs. Planting helps stabilize banks, increases the amount of leaf fall into the stream, and provides cover for fish. In some cases volunteers can strap bundles of willow or other vegetation to help eroding banks. - Placing fencing along the watercourse to keep grazing animals out of the water and from over grazing grasses and shrubs along the water's edge. - Repairing culverts so they do not obstruct migrating fish. Other enhancement activities may be more complex such as restoring the stream channel, putting in stream enhancement devices, fishways, or fish screens. - Restoring the stream channel includes using a combination of stream enhancement techniques to work with or help the natural flows. Structures are designed and put into the stream to help clear sand and silt out of the bottom and develop a narrower, deeper channel with well-formed pools and riffle areas. Stream flows can be very powerful and do extensive damage if not properly used. The design of instream restoration work must be done by trained professionals but be sure to accompany them when they lay out the work so you can understand what has to be done. If the work is not designed properly all of your work might be fruitless. For example, if the device is not placed in the correct place it might be washed out in the spring. Once the needs of your stream are established and a pattern developed, your group can often continue to layout the work to the next major tributary.