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 . . .