existing programs and resources for community involvement...
TRANSCRIPT
Existing Programs and Resources for
Community Involvement and Education
Kimberly Counts; Water Resources Extension Agent
Clemson University Carolina Clear Program
Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium
K. Counts
• Common Pond Problems and Their Causes
• Existing Resources for Non-Structural BMP’s
• Existing Resources for Structural BMP’s
Special Thanks to:
Rain Garden and Rainwater Harvesting Slides adapted from:
Dr. Dan Hitchcock
Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science
Creator of new stormwater pond management website!
Ben Powell
Natural Resources Extension Agent, Clemson Extension
www.clemson.edu/extension/stormwaterponds
Common Problems and Their Causes
M. Morganello
Muddy Ponds
Potential Causes:
• Unstable pond banks scoured
by wave energy
• Exposed soils in the
community and along pond
edges
• Biological factors such as fish,
turtles, and waterfowl
www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear
www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear Potential Solutions:
• Stabilize banks with vegetation
• Establish grass and vegetation in yards to prevent erosion
• If remains muddy, filtration system or additive may be needed
Surface Films and Sheens
Potential Causes:
• Pollen and atmospheric dust
• Blue-green algae
• Hydrocarbons and oils
• Insoluble compounds in the soil
K. Counts
K. Counts
Potential Solutions
• Biological Sources (pollen or algae) typically
biodegrades in a few weeks time
• Identify and eliminate source of oil
• Eliminate source of muddy water by stabilizing
banks
Foam
www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear
www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear
Potential Causes:
• Illicit discharges of soap
and detergents
• Naturally, typically associated with
algal blooms
Potential Solutions
• Identify and reduce
source of soap and
detergents
Shoreline Erosion
K. Counts
www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear
Potential Causes:
• Pond banks with grass mowed
to the edge
• Fountains
• Nuisance wildlife
Potential Solutions
• Stabilize shoreline with emergent wetland
plants or artificial material
• Move fountains to center of pond or consider
replacing fountain with other type
of circulation system
• Stop feeding ducks and geese
Note: Establishing wetland plants is the preferred method
for stabilizing pond banks, due to the many benefits
beyond erosion prevention
Polluted water
www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinaclear
D. Joyner
Potential Causes:
• Fertilizing lawns
• Pet waste
• Washing cars
• Automotive maintenance
• Pesticides
• Feeding wildlife
Potential Solutions:
Sources of pollution are best minimized by
educating the community about the effects
of stormwater pollution
All Storm Drains Lead to SC
Waterways
K. Counts
K. Counts
K. Counts
Stormwater Ponds provide critical
services:
SW Ponds prevent flooding by
suppressing surges of stormwater
runoff from houses, driveways, cars,
etc
SW Ponds protect water quality by
holding water long enough to allow
gravity and other processes to
remove sediment and pollutants
from the water before it is
discharged to nearby waterways or
beaches.
M. Morganello
What Every Resident Should Know About Stormwater Ponds
Making the Connection
M. Morganello
K. Counts K. Counts
K. Counts
Existing Programs and
Resources
Combatting Common
Threats to Water Quality
Non-Structural Best Management Practices
K. Counts
K. Counts
K. Counts
D. Joyner
Ripple Effect and Facebook
www.ashleycooper.org
This workbook provides an evaluation of yard
and yard care practices.
Each action taken earns "inches" or credits on
the Carolina YardStick.
A yard that measures up to at least 36 inches is
a Carolina Yard!
The payoff? A yard that meets the residents
needs, enhances the neighborhood and helps
protect South Carolina’s beauty and natural
resources.
For more information visit Clemson Extension’s
Home and Garden Information Center K. Counts
The Carolina YardStick Workbook
provides information on how to create
an attractive and healthy yard by
working with South Carolina's
environment, rather than against it.
New Residential Program!
Carolina Yards and Neighborhoods
Event Series at Trident Tech
April 3: “Lowcountry Lawns: The
Fundamentals of a Healthy Lawn
April 10: “Home Vegetable Gardening
101: Emphasis on Integrated Pest
Management”
April 17:Watersmart Landscaping
Storm Drain Marking Programs
Angela Crouch
Clemson Extension Agent
K. Counts K. Counts
General Awareness Campaign
• Rain barrels/cisterns
• Rain gardens
• Pervious materials
• Vegetative buffers
• Backyard wetlands
• Use of Native Plants
Structural Best Management Practices
Slide by: Dr. Daniel Hitchcock
ROOFTOP RUNOFF!!
Rainwater Harvesting – Barrels and Gardens
Slide by: Dr.
Daniel Hitchcock
• Appealing landscape ideas
for homeowners and HOAs
• Allows collection of
stormwater and infiltration
• Plants and microbes do the
work of pollutant removal
• Can be attractor for wildlife
such as birds and butterflies
• A natural way to irrigate
Why plant a Rain Garden?
Source: Dr. Bill Hunt, NCSU
www.bae.ncsu.edu/stormwater
How do rain gardens work?
EARTH FILL -
Primarily Sand
Underdrain System
(optional and technical!)
Vegetation on Surface Runoff
• > 10 ft. from building foundation
• > 25 ft. from septic system
drainfield
• Avoid shallow water tables
< 18 in. deep
• Away from utility lines
• Perk Test
• In full to partial sun, if possible
Location Considerations?
What size should our rain garden be?
• Determine the area of impervious runoff
source (rooftops + sidewalks + driveway
areas)
• Rule of thumb: estimate
the size of your rain garden
based on soil types:
Sandy soil (well-drained)
= 20% of impervious area
Loamy soil (poorly-drained)
= 20-60% of impervious area
Downspout
Rooftop Drainage Area = 25 ft. x 25 ft.
625 sq. ft.
Required Rain Garden Area @ 20% =
125 sq. ft.
8 ft.
25 ft.
17 ft.
50 ft.
X X X O X O
X X O X X O X X X
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X X O X X O X X O X O X X
X X X O X O X O X O X X O X
X X O X X O X O X O
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Rooftop
Corrugated pipe
(buried, if needed)
Rain Garden Sizing
May be limited by the space but
smaller is easier!!
The excavated area should be 6-
8” deep
The area should be typically 8-10
ft. wide in the direction of runoff
flow
Try using a kidney bean or half
moon-shaped layout with the inner
curve of the area facing the runoff
source!!
Landscaping with Native Plants
Includes Benefits: • Sense of Place
• Combat Invasive Plant Species
• Promotes Wildlife in your own backyard
• Less Maintenance (Fertilizers, Water, etc)
• Good for the Environment
Photos courtesy B. McCord
Purple Mist Flower
Eupatorium coelestinum
Coral Bean
Erythrina herbacea
Sweetgrass
Muhlenbergii capillaris
American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana Dwarf Palmetto
Sabal minor
Part Sun/
Shade
Seaside Goldenrod
Solidago sempervirens
Narrowleaf Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Blanket Flower
Gallardia pulchella
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Sun
Why install a Rain Barrel?
• Saves you $$ by lowering your
water bills
• Reduces demand on the water
supply
• Makes efficient use of a “free”
valuable resource
• Reduces flooding, erosion,
and stormwater flows and
pollution
• Gutters and a downspout – with diverters
• Storage tank – from small (55 gal)
to large (1000s of gallons) or multiples in
series
• Debris screen and lid – filters leaves
and pine needles, and provides
safety and mosquito
protection
• Distribution device – spigot and
hose, or even a pump
• Homeowners can make their own!
What do you need?
Photo: the News and Observer:
Feb. 22, 2008 - Raleigh, NC
newsobserver.com
Photo: Mark Messersmith
How much rainwater can you harvest?
Supply =
(gallons)
Rainfall
(inches)
x 0.623 x Roof Area
(sq. ft.)
= > 30,000 gallons!!! 50 inches
of rainfall x 0.623 x 1000 sq.
ft. roof area
Example: In Charleston Annual Potential of Rainwater Harvested
Rain Barrel Maintenance
and Safety
• Rainwater collected is not safe to
drink or bathe without treatment
• Frequently clean debris screen to prevent
clogging
Storage barrel cleaning
• Ensure lid is tightly fit to prevent
mosquitoes
• If you make your own, be sure the old
barrel of toxins and food
residue
www.clemson.edu/public/carolinaclear/
Check out the Carolina Clear website
to download these resources for Free!
Low Impact Development Atlas
www.clemson.edu/public/carolinaclear/
Find a location near you! The SC LID Atlas
shares information on projects that utilize
practices to address stormwater issues. Learn
by seeing!
Resources • Check out Clemson Ext. new Stomrwater Pond Management:
www.clemson.edu/extension/stormwaterponds
• Find out about upcoming ACSEC Events:
www.ashleycooper.org
• Download the Rain Garden and RWH manuals
www.clemson.edu/public/carolinaclear
• Learn More About Carolina Yards and
Neighborhoods Programs! www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resources/water/carolina_yards
• SCNPS information on gardening with natives:
www.scnps.org
• Join us on Facebook! “Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium”
Thank You!
Bird Dog
Kimberly Counts
Clemson Ext. Agent
843-722-5940 Ext 128