Riparian buffer zones serve several important roles in linking a stream to its watershed . A main function is controlling the dynamics of sedimentation . This paper documents how siltation impacts fish communities and how proper riparian management can mitigate the negative effects of sedimentation . Two studies examined the relation between stream siltation and fish community characteristics . Community responses to siltation were poorly described by common structural indices . Community level responses to varying siltation were most consistently described by changes in functional characteristics of the resident fish species using a guild-based analysis . Herbivores, benthic insectivores and simple lithophilous spawners were most sensitive to siltation while other guilds were not . These results were repeatable in both intraregional comparisons among sites of similar size and character, and in interregional comparisons of streams which varied in characteristics besides siltation . This suggests the index may be useful in separating the effects of siltation from other environmental variables . A discussion of bufferstrip characteristics important in mitigating against, or preventing, excess siltation is presented.