Storm Water

Stormwater runoff is the result of rainwater and other forms of precipitation flowing over various surfaces such as yards, concrete, asphalt, and rooftops. This runoff is easily contaminated by pollutants and debris that degrades the quality of streams, lakes, and rivers.

Your yard is an important component of healthy soil and water quality. As a homeowner, you can help clean up stormwater, minimize runoff, provide wildlife habitat, and improve soil health and the water quality of our waterways by practicing backyard conservation.  Live in Harmony with Your Yard.

Keep your yard green and our waterways clean

Green grass and landscaped yards can be seen on every street corner, but how green are these yards? Traditional lawn care products use harmful chemicals and fertilizers to enhance the look of your yard. When it rains, these chemicals are picked up by rainwater as it flows over your yard and into the nearest storm drain. Just like the fertilizer feeds the grass in your lawn, the fertilizer feeds algae and aquatic plants in streams, lakes, and rivers.  Pest Management

Organic lawn care products use safe and natural ingredients to create a green, pest-free yard. Using a combination of natural fertilizers, pesticides, and manual labor will produce a yard like is not only attractive but healthy. Natural Organic Lawn Care

Composting: Composting is a great way to put the leaves and other woody debris found in your yard to good use. Compost is the natural process of decay that changes food waste and yard debris into a material that feeds the soil your plants grow in. Healthy soil, a good foundation, will create beautiful flowers and vegetables, and turfgrass.  Compost: A Healthy Lawn from Ground Up  Article on Composting  Composting

Leave the leaves: Instead of raking and bagging your leaves, leave your leaves on the lawn. Use your lawnmower to create nutrient-packed mulch for your lawn. As the mulched leaves break down over the winter, nitrogen and other useful compounds will fertilizer your grass, saving you time and money in the spring.  Mulching

Soil health check: Some soils may have enough nutrients to produce vibrant flowers and juicy vegetables while others may lack these vital nutrients. It’s important to know which soil you have in your yard before applying fertilizer.  Importance of Soil Health  Soil-PH Fact Sheet

Shrink your lawn: Another way to promote a healthy yard is to reduce the amount of turfgrass you have to take care of. One way is by planting a native plant garden. Native plants are perennial plants adapted to your area so once established, they require little care and maintenance. Since native plants thrive in your yard’s soil, the need for fertilizer is reduced. They also crowd out weedy species so no need for herbicide. Native plants also attract beneficial insects, which will help keep pesky insects away and limit the need for pesticides. Native plants require less water, provide food and shelter for wildlife, add interest, and curb appeal.  Landscaping with Native Plants  Replace invasive plants with natives

Cover Crops: Cover crops help to retain the soil, lessen erosion, and decrease the impact of rainfall on the garden by slowing the runoff of the rainwater. They also reduce soil compaction, suppress weed growth, and reduce the leaching out of nutrients from the soil. Cover crop top growth adds organic matter when it combines with the soil. The root system also provides organic matter and opens passageways that help improve air and water movement in the soil. Scientific studies have shown that cover crops actually drill down into the soil, some as much as six feet. When they decompose, the next crop planted will follow the rooting network laid out by the cover crop.  Cover Crops? Protect Soil and improve water quality

You can plant cover crops for summer cover in any unused garden space. Colorful cover crops such as bachelor’s buttons and crimson clover will not only improve soil, they’ll beautify your garden beds as well. Cover crops planted to winter-over will protect and enrich the soil over winter months. 

Rain Gardens: Rain gardens are an attractive feature that can be planted in your yard to help reduce the amount of rainwater runoff leaving your yard. By capturing runoff, rain gardens allow water to soak into the ground. As the water drains through the rain garden, pollutants and other contaminates filter out. This helps reduce the number of pollutants entering the storm system and ultimately our streams, lakes, and other waterways.  Water Conservation

Rain gardens should be installed in a low spot or a spot that holds water in your yard. These are areas where water will naturally flow and puddle. A variety of native plants and rocks can be used to make your rain garden. Rain Garden: How to Guide

For more information on pollution prevention and other environmentally safe practices or to view upcoming events, you can participate in please view the Summit Soil & Water Conservation District website.  Summit Soil and Water Conservation District