FYN Principle #8 - Reduce Stormwater Runoff
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Transcript of FYN Principle #8 - Reduce Stormwater Runoff
Reduce Stormwate
r Runoff
Stormwater Runoff
Define
Problems
Solutions
Best Management Practices (BMP)
Prevent Runoff
Vegetative Cover
-Alternative Groundcovers
Reduce Pollutants
-Fertilizer
-Pesticides
Author: Rebecca McNairEdited by: Allison Steele
Hydrologic Cycle Water on earth is constantly recycled Components of water cycle:
Soil Infiltration Evaporation Transpiration- the process by which
plants release water into the atmosphere
Surface and channel storage Groundwater storage
The soil matrix filters and somewhat detoxifies impurities from water as it travels through the ground.
UrbanizationIntensity of land use
Amount of impervious surfaces
Water quality degradation
Stormwater Runoff - Rainwater that flows off yards, roads and parking lots, carrying pollutants into our waterways.
Nonpoint source pollution Sources of pollution that can not be
pinpointed to any single cause. Usually associated with trash, car oil, chemical lawn products, and other residues that
are easily carried away by flowing water.
According to the EPA, polluted runoff is the #1 water quality issue in Florida
NutrientsNutrients Toxins Toxins
SedimentsSediments
Thermal StressThermal Stress
DebrisDebris
PathogensPathogens
Photo courtesy of NEMO
Stormwater ContaminantsMetals
zinc, cadmium, copper, chromium, arsenic, lead
Organic chemicals pesticides, oil, gasoline, grease
Pathogen
viruses, bacteria, protozoa
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
grass clippings, fallen leaves,human and animal waste
Sediment sand, silt, and other particles
Salts sodium chloride, calcium chloride
Nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus
The Problem Increased volume of surface
runoff
Increased velocity of surface runoff
Concentration of pollutants in runoff
Erosion
Sedimentatio
n
Flooding
Lowered
water
quality
Elevated nutrients can causeElevated nutrients can cause:: Polluted drinking water Polluted drinking water Excessive aquatic plant growthExcessive aquatic plant growth Lower dissolved oxygen levelsLower dissolved oxygen levels Fish KillsFish Kills
The Solution Use practices or methods to
prevent, reduce, retard, or remove stormwater runoff contaminants before reaching receiving waters
Best Management Practices (BMP) are a series of direct recommendations based upon research, evaluation and educated assumptions
Be Florida-FriendlyRegardless of the type of property you own, you can help preserve Florida’s natural resources by:
1) Preventing Runoff2) Increasing Vegetative Cover3) Reducing Pollutants
Prevent Runoff
Keep rain and irrigation water on your property and out of storm drains.
Factors Affecting Stormwater Runoff:
Rainfall intensity, flow rate, season
% Impervious surfaces Watershed size, slope Soil type, soil compaction Type of vegetation Density of vegetation Within our control
Not within our control
Minimize runoff by using pervious surfaces…
for walkways, patios, and driveways
Direct downspouts and gutters towards porous areas
If downspouts drain to planted areas, be sure to select plants adapted to periodic
flooding.
Collect Rain Water
Use a rain barrel or a cistern to collect and store runoff for irrigation purposes
Water during early morning hours Plants are already wet
Less evaporation losses Water less frequently in cooler
months Water “as needed,”
not routinely
Do not irrigate if rain is expected
Plan irrigation schedules according to the weather
Earth ShapingIf your property is sloped, you may want to make minor grade changes to divert runoff. This can be accomplished by:
Utilizing terraces
Terracing can be an attractive design
element in your yard.
Berms and Swales Creating swales (low areas) and
berms (raised earthen areas) will help to catch, hold, and filter stormwater Elevations and depressions as small
as 3-6 inches can make a huge difference
Vegetative CoverPlanting groundcovers on slopes is an excellent way to: Catch and filter stormwater Slow the velocity of water movement Reduce erosion
Turfgrass is a versatile
groundcover that is very effective at
filtering nutrients.
Attractive Insulates the soil Acts as a living mulch
that helps to build up humus levels in the soil
Provides habitat and cover for beneficial insects and other predators
Covering the ground with a carpet of vegetation has other advantages:
Blanketflower Gaillardia pulchella
Disadvantages If the ground cover is
too vigorous, it may require containment
It can compete with other plants for water and nutrients
The following factors should also be taken into account, when choosing the
right plant for the right place…
Sweet potato Ipomea batatas ‘Margarita'
Select plants based on site conditions: Acid alkaline- (test your soil’s pH) Dry moist Full sun shade Heat cold Salt Space Obstructions Periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus ‘Diva’
Alternative GroundcoversFor Shade
Lilyturf Liriope muscari (USDA Zone 6-11)
Periwinkle Vinca major (USDA Zone 8-11)
Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior (USDA Zone 8-11)
Beach Sunflower Helianthus debilis (USDA Zone 8B-
11)
Alternative Groundcovers
Perennial Peanut Arachis glabrata (USDA Zone 8-11)
Clover Trifolium repens (USDA Zone 5-11)
Alternative Groundcovers
Junipers (USDA Zone 8-
11) Juniperus spp.
For Sun
Asiatic Jasmine (USDA Zone 8-11) Trachelospermum asiaticum
Tree Canopy Incorporate trees in the
landscape Intercept rainfall
Reduce soil compaction thus improving water infiltration into soil
Increase the value of property
Energy efficient way to cool the home
Reduce Pollutants
Sweep grass and soil back onto lawns Sweep up any fertilizer on impervious
surfaces Remove trash Clean up oil spills
and leaks with cat litter
Pick up after pets
Because water can wash off our yards, it is important to reduce the amount of pollutants on our property.
It is unrealistic, and even unwise to strive for an insect, disease, and weed-free yard. Instead:
Learn to identify key pests associated with the plants in your yard
Check plants regularly for signs of pest problems
Determine what amount of damage warrants action
Manage Yard Pests Responsibly
Avoid routine applications of pesticides
Choose the least harmful method of control
Treat only affected area rather than spraying the entire yard
Fertilize Appropriately
Follow printed instructions carefully!
Do not apply fertilizer or pesticides before a heavy rainstorm
If applied improperly, excess fertilizers can run off our yards into waterways or leach into groundwater.
Further Readinghttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
SL 143: How Contaminants Reach Groundwater
PI 2: Factors Influencing Pesticide Movement to Groundwater
FRE 76 Laws Governing Use and Impact of Agricultural Chemicals: Agricultural
Chemicals and Water Pollution ENY 294: The Smart Way to Avoid
Landscape Pests and Other Problems
Thanks for your attention!
The following presentation was made possible through a grant from FL DEP and EPA. Special thanks to the following reviewers for their valued contributions:
FL114 ELM Design Team and the FYN Subcommittee
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF
Agriculture Education and Communication Department
Environmental Horticulture Department
Entomology and Nematology Department
Soil and Water Sciences Department
Florida Cooperative Extension Service in: Alachua, Broward, Clay, Hillsborough, Lake, Miami-Dade, Orange, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Volusia Counties
Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence
The Center For Wetlands, UF
United States Department of Agriculture
FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences: Division of Plant Industry