Become a Water Watchdog!
What is a Water Watchdog?
Simply put, Water Watchdogs take action to preserve what they love about
their land and water. After years of
answering “why should I protect the watershed” we are ready to start showing
people how to do it. On your own land, with
your own hands, on a realistic budget!
Stormwater runoff – a nasty product of heavy rains falling
on roads, roofs and disturbed land, comes from everywhere. Picking up dirt, chemicals and natural
debris, stormwater entering our lakes and rivers causes algae blooms and loss
of clarity while providing fertile ground for native and invasive plants. Observe where the water flows across your
yard when it rains hard, or follow the small gullies at the edge of your lawn
to see where they lead. If all the rain
soaks in, you are in great shape. If you
have your own personal headwater, with runoff originating on your property on
its journey to the sea, you have work to do.
Here are some simple, effective and practical Best
Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce your stormwater footprint:
Reduce impervious
area – Keep the amount of pavement, roofs and lawn to a minimum. These surfaces are impervious to
infiltration, and are major causes of stormwater runoff.
Vegetated Buffers
– Leave 25 feet or more of natural vegetation next to surface water for one of
the most attractive and effective treatment systems available.
Rain Barrel – Save
the first 50-100 gallons from your downspout for later use.
Rain Garden –
Irrigate an attractive landscape feature while refilling your well.
Infiltration
Trenches – Catch runoff from eaves and driveways and recharge your groundwater.
Porous Pavement –
Repaving a driveway or building a patio?
Create a low-maintenance, puddle-free, ice-resistant surface that acts
like a stormwater sponge.
Four easy-to-build BMPs are shown in the picture below. For more ideas and information, see this brand
new NHDES stormwater control manual.
Now is a great time to become a Water Watchdog. Contact Boyd at NLRA.Boyd@Metrocast.net or
603-744-8689 to find out how easy it is to make a difference, and help tame the
stormwater threat!
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