Landscaping by the Water s Edge

Transcription

1 Landscaping by the Water s Edge Dr. Cathy Neal, UNH Extension Professor and Specialist in Landscape Horticulture. Contact info: Cathy.neal@unh.edu or phone This session will provide an introduction to landscape strategies for protecting and improving water quality. Learn how to assess a site and choose the best practices to infiltrate runoff water and reduce pollutants. Incorporating features such as rain gardens and vegetated buffers will enhance your landscape while protecting our lakes and rivers.

2 Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2012

3 Land uses/activities that threaten water quality Removal of trees and shrubs near water Increasing impervious surface Soil compaction and/or erosion Increasing fertilizer and pesticide use

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5 5x 7x 18x

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7 Nutrient Impacts on Water Quality Nitrogen Usually limiting in marine systems and estuaries Soluble and mobile, goes with the water Nitrate, nitrite and ammonia can be toxic to aquatic organisms

8 Learn to Read the Fertilizer Label Look for at least half the nitrogen to be in slow-release form, or WATER INSOLUBLE NITROGEN GUARANTEED ANALYSIS Total Nitrogen (N) % 1.0 % Water Soluble Nitrogen 7.5 % Water Insoluble Nitrogen Available Phosphate (P205) % Soluble Potash (K20) % Derived from corn gluten, steamed bone meal & sulfate of potash

9 Nutrient Impacts on Water Quality Phosphorus Usually limiting in fresh water bodies Tends to be sticky so is transported with sediment and other matter Causes algae blooms, reduced sunlight penetration Use a no-phosphorus fertilizer unless a soil test indicates a need.

10 Landscaping is often perceived as the cause of the problem

11 But, landscaping can be the solution

12 The most effective landscape stormwater solutions depend on Infiltration Vegetation

13 Vegetative Buffers Areas of vegetation located between the water and human development

14 Benefits of Buffers 1. Protect banks and soils from erosion 2. Intercept and Infiltrate surface runoff water 3. Provide wildlife habitat Buffer Width 25 minimum for filtering pollutants 75 recommended on slopes

15 Importance of Layered Vegetation Soil stabilization Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

16 Stormwater Management INFILTRATION Rain Garden Infiltration Trenches Dry Well Infiltration Steps Pervious Pavers

17 Rain Garden Use plants that tolerate temporary ponding in the bottom zone Plants also need to tolerate periods of drought

18 Infiltration Trenches A stone-filled trench around the perimeter of a building or edge of a driveway. Catches and stores runoff from roof edges before soaking into the ground.

19 Infiltration Trenches

20 Dry Well A hole in the ground filled with stone. Catches and stores runoff before soaking into the ground.

21 Dry Well A hole in the ground filled with stone. Catches and stores runoff before soaking into the ground. Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

22 Infiltration Steps Stabilize paths and help water infiltrate instead of causing slope erosion.

23 Pervious Walkways & Patios Stone reservoirs under the walkway collect and infiltrate rain and snow.

24 Stormwater Practices STORAGE & CONVEYANCE Rain Barrels Vegetated Swales Water Bars

25 Rain Barrels

26 Vegetated Swale A vegetated channel that collects and directs stormwater to an area where it can soak into the ground.

27 Water Bars Intercepts water traveling down paths and diverts it to a stable area to prevent erosion.

28 Choosing a Practice Soils Site Sizing Maintenance

29 2. Site Considerations 1. Property setbacks. 2. Underground utilities. 3. Identify: a) Areas with standing water after it rains b) Water well c) Tree roots d) Septic tank or leach field e) Steep slopes (<12%) f) Water table g) Bedrock outcroppings h) Sun/shade

30 What makes sense?

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32 Size Matters

33 Preserve Effectiveness with Maintenance

34 Photo: Jeff Schloss Problem?

35 Photo: Jeff Schloss Solution: Pervious, Meandering Pathways, Infiltration Steps, Vegetation

36 1. Use plants to slow the flow 2. Select the right plant for right place for the right function 3. Include as many vegetative layers as possible Ten design principles to help protect and improve shoreland property Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

37 Ten design principles. 4. Maximize the amount of vegetative buffer along shorelines 5. Rethink the lawn 6. Protect and improve soil quality

38 Ten design principles. 7. Design for low inputs/low maintenance 8. Minimize areas of impermeable surface 9. Use appropriate runoff control techniques to divert, detain, spread out and infiltrate water 10. Remember, all of your actions on land directly affect the water body Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

39 Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

40 Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

41 Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

42 Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

43 Drawing: Lauren Chase-Rowell

44 50 Know state and local regulations and permitting requirements when working in shoreland zones

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46 Acknowledgements: Contents of this presentation are based on the book and former presentations of Landscaping at the Water s Edge. Contributions from my co-authors and line drawings by Lauren Chase-Rowell are gratefully acknowledged. UNH Cooperative Extension. For more information, please click on the link. Waters-Edge-Publications

47 Slides with the Soak up the rain NH logo were borrowed or adapted from Jillian McCarthy, formerly with the NH Department of Environmental Services Soak up the Rain program.