Benthic macroinvertebrate composition in streams has been shown to respond to changes in land use within a watershed as well as just within the riparian corridor.  Nevertheless, it is hypothesized that the impact of land use changes on stream water quality conditions declines with distance from the stream, although this relationship has not been quantified.  This study examines whether land uses within a watershed effects the relationship between stream water quality and riparian wildland density. Watersheds in 4 regions of Ontario were examined that varied greatly with respect to urban and agricultural land use within the watershed.  Benthic samples were collected at stream sites to provide a water quality measure using the BioMAP index.   Satellite imagery was used to estimate riparian wildland density within a 100 m corridor upstream of each site.  A linear regression was noted between water quality and riparian wildland density in all regions.  No significant difference was found among these relationships suggesting that the land use within the riparian corridor can buffer the impact of urban and agricultural land uses within the watersheds on water quality.  Unimpaired water quality conditions were noted whenever riparian wildland density exceeded about 30 percent of land use.