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THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, September 24, 2009

ENJOYTHEWATER
Get the most out of NHs Lakes!

wHaT Is THe BIggesT THreaT To nHs lakes?

by Andrea Lamoreaux

Black

NH Lakes Education Director

What is the biggest threat to New Hampshires lakes, and what can I do about it? As an aquatic biologist, I am often asked this question, almost as frequently as the questions, What is the difference between a lake and a pond? and, What can I do about the geese on my shoreline property? (For answers to the latter-two questions, read the July 16 and August 13, 2009,

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issues of The Weirs Times at www.weirs.com.) My response? While there are a myriad of issues that threaten the health and enjoyment of New Hampshires approximately 1,000 lakes and ponds, ranging from the problems associated with exotic plant infestations to toxic cyanobacteria blooms, most aquatic biologists would agree that the number one threat to lake quality in New Hampshire, and across the United States, is stormwater runoff.

A rain garden captures and filters stormwater runoff and can beautify the landscape.
What is stormwater runoff? Stormwater runoff is rain water and snowmelt water that does not sink into the groundinstead it flows across the landscape, picking up pollutants such as oil, gas, fertilizer and manure on its journey across parking lots, roadways, lawns and farms to the nearest waterbody. Stormwater runoff can cause excessive plant growth and foul-smelling algal blooms in lakes and ponds, and can even contribute to toxic bacteria blooms which can make swimmers sick. What can I do about stormwater runoff? No matter where you live, whether you live along a shoreline or miles away from the nearest waterbody, what you do on your property can potentially pollute lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. As wise lake stewards, the ultimate goal we should all be striving for is to prevent stormwater from flowing off of our own individual properties. We all need to allow our stormwater runoff to soak into the ground by vegetating and infiltrating. Although this may sound like a daunting task, the good news is that minimizing the amount of stormwater runoff that flows across the landscape and into waterbodies is something that each of us can participate init can be easy and fun! Have you accepted the challenge yet? This September, NH LAKES has challenged

the readers of this column to implement one lakefriendly landscaping project to reduce their personal contribution to stormwater runoff and the pollution of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. If you havent accepted this challenge, you still have time! If want to learn how to vegetated buffer, an infiltration trench, and/or a set of infiltration steps on your property, refer to the September 10 and 17, 2009, issues of The Weirs Times at www.weirs.com. In addition, here are few more suggested projects that you could accomplish in just a few hours on the next pleasant day this fall. Install a rain barrel to collect roof runoff. A rain barrel is a container that collects precipitation which flows off rooftops from a downspout. The water that is captured can be used on your lawn, garden, and/or indoor plants. By collecting rainwater, not only will you reduce the amount of stormwater runoff flowing from your property, but you may also save money and water. Learn how to build your own rain barrel by watching an instructional video at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MGFDlkJOdaM or follow a step-by-step fact sheet found at http:// www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Center_Docs/Residential/rainbarrelgarden. pdf. Alternatively, you can purchase a rain barrel online at http://www.nerainbarrel.com. Plant a rain garden to collect roof and driveway runoff. Rain gardens are attractive and functional landscaped areas that are designed to capture and filter stormwater from rooftops, driveways, and other imSee LAkes on 39

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THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, September 24, 2009

39

ENJOYTHEWATER
Get the most out of NHs Lakes!
LAkes from 38

pervious surfaces. These bowl-shaped vegetated areas allow rainwater to soak into the soil, reducing the potential for erosion and minimizing the amount of pollutants flowing off the landscape into storm drains or directly into waterbodies. You can find directions on how to construct your own rain garden in manual for homeowners at http:// www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/ water/wm/dsfm/shore/ documents/rgmanual.pdf. Divert runoff from your driveway and footpaths into a vegetated area. By installing an open top culvert (also known as a box culvert) across your driveway or a pathway, stormwater runoff can be diverted into a stable, vegetated area. This polluted water will be absorbed by plants and into the ground, instead of being left alone to run along the length of the impervious surface picking up soil particles as it erodes your driveway or pathway. An open top culvert is relatively inexpensive to build and easy to install. To build one on your prop-

can be emailed to info@ nhlakes.org or snail mailed to NH LAKES at 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301. Not only will you have fun and feel good about yourself, your lake will thank you by providing cleaner water for you and your family and friends to enjoy next summer! NH LAKES is a statewide, nonprofit, member-supported organization headquartered in Concord. The organization is dedicated

to protecting New Hampshires lakes, which are integral to the quality of life and economic health of the State. For more information on the organizations lake protection efforts across the state and how to help, please visit www. nhlakes.org or contact (603) 226-0299. To receive NH LAKES free monthly enews blast, Shorelines, full of interesting lake-related information, sign up on the website.

Black

An open top culvert is used to divert and direct runoff from the gravel roadway into a stabilized vegetated which will reduce the potential of stormwater runoff detaching soil particles off the roadway further downhill.
erty, follow the illustrated directions for open top culvert construction found at http://www.pwd.org/ news/publications.php. All you will need is lumber or timbers, some nails and bolts, a couple small pieces of wood or pipe, and a few basic tools. Your lake will thank you! Accept the challenge this fall to implement one lakefriendly landscaping project on your property. Make it fun by inviting family and friends to join your landscaping partydont forget to bring the hot cider! And, please be sure to send NH LAKES before and after photos of your project so that we can show others your great work! Photos

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A rain barrel collects runoff from a rooftop and stores the water for domestic uses.