Living on the Edge Lake and River-Friendly Management for Waterfront Residents Elizabeth Riggs, Watershed Pla Huron River Watershed Council
Jan 15, 2016
Living on the Edge
Lake and River-Friendly Management for Waterfront Residents
Elizabeth Riggs, Watershed PlannerHuron River Watershed Council
Why are we here?
To learn about innovative, natural techniques to protect your shoreline, while at the same time enhancing the lake.
You will learn:• Why natural shorelines are important• Reasons for lake problems• How and why these new techniques work• How you can get started
Your workshop hosts
LIVINGSTON COUNTY WATERSHED ADVISORY GROUP
including Livingston County Drain & Road Commissions, Brighton, Pinckney, and Green Oak, Hartland and Marion Townships
With support from
Financial Support CSI Geoturf and Todd Services
Technical Support CSI Geoturf, Wetlands Nursery,
Native Plant Nursery
A watershed is the area of land that drains to a particular point along a stream
Define "watershed”, please
HRWC is Michigan’s first and oldest watershed council ~ a coalition of local communities and residents established under state law in 1965 to protect the Huron River and its tributary streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater.
Huron River Watershed Council
Watersheds of Livingston County
Healthy rivers and lakes matter
Storm water control Wildlife habitat
Recreation
Property valuesDrinking water
40% of remaining open space to be developed by 2030
Major threats to our freshwater
Land use
Changes to flow
Polluted runoff
Dams and lake level control structures on rivers and tributaries, loss of wetlands, drain tiles, sedimentation
Occurs when rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces prevent runoff from naturally soaking into the ground.
Polluted Water Runoff
#1 cause of water pollution in U.S.
. . . a result of our individual actions throughout the watershed
1. Metals2. Pathogens (e.g., E. coli)3. Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus)4. Sediment/siltation5. Low dissolved oxygen6. Fish consumption advisories (e.g., PCBs)7. pH8. Other habitat alterations9. Temperature modifications10. Biological impairment
Based on data from August 2005, EPA’s National Section 303(d) List
Top 10 pollutants in U. S. waters
12.5% impervious surface (2000) 19% projected
Brighton, Ore & Strawberry Lakes impaired from phosphorus pollution
Biological impacts in some creeks, but other segments retain integrity
Loss of critical wetlands
Erosion and sedimentation from poor management and unnatural flows
Quality of local rivers and lakes
carries nutrients, pesticides, bacteria, & trash
Where does it come from?Fertilization of lawns & other landscape chemicals -
carries sediments & adsorbed pollutants
Where does it come from?Lack or failure of construction controls . . .
carries excess water, oils, greases & metals
Where does it come from?Creation of hard surfaces...
Where does it come from?Lack of resource protection
Wetlands, floodplains, & buffers often are not protected by local governments
The result?Fish kills
Nuisance algal blooms& other aquatic weed growth
What can homeowners do?
• Use no phosphate fertilizers & soaps
• Mow HIGH: 3” will do the trick• Select native plants and grasses
• Spread the word to your neighbors
• Live in a walkable community
Keep trees, shrubs and grasses on shoreline slope to prevent erosion
Prevent polluted runoff from reaching the water (home, yard & garden products)
Choose stabilization techniques without hard materials
Get involved with a watershed group
What can lake residents do?
www.hrwc.org734.769.5123Elizabeth Riggs, Watershed Planner
For more information . . .