Landscaping at the Water s Edge: An Ecological Approach "Innovative Landscaping to Protect Water Quality: Reigning in runoff" Jeff Schloss Extension Professor and Water Resources Specialist UNH Cooperative Extension UNH Center for Freshwater Biology Lake Wicwas Association Annual Meeting August 6, 2011 Center Meredith, New Hampshire
NH Lakes Some of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the country However: Many lakes are showing signs of stress Cyanobacteria blooms are becoming more prevalent Nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) play a large role UNH studies suggest as TP and TN increase so do toxins
THE WATER CYCLE Snow Pack Evaporation Transpiration Evaporation & Transpiration Precipitation Runoff Snowmelt & Surface Runoff Infiltration Stream Flow Wetland Storage Ocean Ground Water Movement to Streams, Lakes, Wetlands & the Oceans
Development Impacts on the Water Cycle 10% 50% 55% 15%
5x 7x 18x
Carving Up the Landscape Courtesy of UCONN Cooperative Extension
Buffer Width Affects Water Quality
Importance of Layered Vegetation Transpiration Evaporation Infiltration through forest duff Forest duff and soils act as a sponge Roots stabilize soils preventing erosion and allow plants to pump up water back into the atmosphere (transpiration)
High shrubs/grasses will also discourage geese from coming on shore
Trees, tall plants and shrubs can discourage invasive species from spreading by shading
Let s Change the Approach! Landscaping does not have to be the problem
Let s Change the Approach! Landscaping can be the solution
Dealing With Home-Site Runoff Potential Contributing Waters Sources From Off-site Roads, Neighboring Properties From Your Site Driveways, Boat ramps, Foot paths, Compacted surfaces, Patios Roof Line, Gutters, Sump Pumps Seeps
Assessment & Inventory Site Drawing Wet areas Seeps/Springs Paved Areas Compacted Areas Point Sources Culvets Drains Sumps Paths/Trails Concentrated Flows Flat Areas Sloped Areas Following the Flow
Dealing With Home-Site Runoff Diversion -away from steep areas into vegetated areas Interruption- break up the flow so it can t build up velocity Spread the flow over a flat vegetated area Increase groundwater recharge through infiltration Protect shore area with riparian buffer
Infiltration (Drip) Trench Photos: AWWA
Rain barrels
Rain gardens Captures and soaks up storm water runoff Plants that tolerate temporary ponding
Photos: AWWA Rain gardens
Road, Driveway, or With a curb (curb cut needed) Parking Lot Scenario Photo Credit: Barr Engineering, Minneapolis, MN
Contributing Area From Road Photo Credit: Rusty Schmidt Drainage Area
Infiltration Steps
Waterbars Photo: AWWA Photo: AWWA
Waterbar Series Photo: AWWA
Plunge Pool/Dry Wells Photo: AWWA
Swales and Berms
Swales and Berms
Swales Can Promote Detention and Infiltration Check Dam Infiltration Trench
Minimize Imperviousness, Use Vegetation Photo: AWWA
50 ft Forested Buffer 1,500 0.06 13 1.5 X 5x 2 X 7x <3 X 18x Infiltration Trenches Previous Example with Best Practices
Contact Information and Resources Jeffrey Schloss UNH Cooperative Extension 133 Spaulding Hall, 38 Academic Way Durham, NH 03824 (603) 862-3848 jeff.schloss@unh.edu Publications: Extension.unh.edu/resources
Resources Links Landscaping at the Water s Edge: an ecological approach hard copy $20 http://extension.unh.edu/resources/ Pdf version (free): http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/resource001799_rep2518.pdf NH DES- A Shoreland Homeowner s Guide to Stormwater Management http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/publications/wd/docume nts/nhdes-wd-10-8.pdf For design guidance refer to Portland Water District/ Maine DEP environmental and conservation factsheet series: http://www.pwd.org/news/publications.php#brochures