Heading into fall

It's been a long, hot summer, and it's time to reap the harvest. Keeping alive the good water quality practices that you used all summer is a challenge in fall and winter, but it's just as important. Covering bare soil with a cover, either plastic or vegetation, is a good way to keep soil from eroding rain or wind over fall and winter, and polluting water sources. Paint, paint thinner, pesticides, fertilizers and any other household chemicals don't belong down a drain, no matter what the season. Take them to a hazardous waste collection center, or hang on to them until a collection day. Hayrides, snowmen, colorful leaves and sledding are all part of the fun of these seasons. Keeping water clean can be part of the fun, too.

Looking at the numbers

Just how well are conservation practices working to reduce water pollution in the Wolf Creek Watershed? Averages for statistics taken on levels of different pollutants that affect Lake Adrian, and therefore drinking water for the city of Adrian, for the years 1990 and 1995 show that conservation practices for both the agriculture producers and the homeowner have resulted in reductions in the amount of pollution measured in the surface water of Lake Adrian.

Suspended solids measured in 1990 showed an average of 64 ppm, while 1995 meaurements showed an average of 51 ppm, showing a significant reduction in suspended solids over this five year period. This is largely due to erosion control measures adopted by landusers in the Wolf Creek Watershed.

Levels for nitrates in Lake Adrian in 1990 measured 0.13 ppm, while levels in 1995 measured 0.10 ppm. This indicates a drop in nitrate levels over this period. Total phosphorus levels for this period did not show a decrease. While phosphorus levels in 1990 measured 0.20 ppm, they showed an increase in 1995 to .33 ppm, indicating a need to continue conservation practices for this pollution source over the next few years.
-MSUExtension and NRCS Staff

Do you need a permit?

There seems to be some misunderstanding among new rural landowners, that have purchased a 10 acre home site, dealing with wise land use management and environmental regulations. As a landowner, developer or contractor there are several laws that require a permit to legally do the business at hand.

We are all well aware of the permits needed from the townships for building and Health Department for a septic tank/drain field and well. Here are a few other to consider before starting your building project.

• When installing a driveway a permit is necessary from the road commission. They will assist you on the safest entry point from the property to the main road.
• Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Act requires a permit from the Lenawee County Drain Commission if you are disturbing an acre or more of land regardless or if you do any earthwork activity within 500 feet of a lake or stream.
• Inland Lakes and Stream Act requires a permit from the Department of Natural Resources if an earthwork is to be done within 500 feet of a lake or stream.
• Goemare-Anderson wetland law requires a permit for any activity within a wetland area that is five acres or more in size of if a smaller wetland area is contiguous with additional wetland areas.
• Floodplain protection act requires a permit for any activity within a designated flood plain area. These areas are found along lakes and streams that flood on a regular basis.
• There are additional laws when dealing with large tributaries such as the River Raisin. The Army Corp of Engineers has jurisdiction over certain designated rivers. Activities within these streams need permits from them.

These are the primary environmental regulations that we need to be aware of. It will save you a lot of grief by knowing what the rules are before starting your building project. It is very possible that more than one permit may be necessary depending on where the earth moving activity is.

The local Lenawee Soil and Water Conservation District has additional information on these public acts. Please contact us at 517-265-5887 for additional information.
- Thomas Van Wagner, NRCS

Garden demonstrates erosion control

Homeowners who have erosion problems on their property may have a solution that is simple and improves the appearance of their property at the same time. At the Wolf Creek HUA Demonstration Garden at Loch Erin, landscaping for erosion control is aimed at controlling erosion on a slope and lawn area by using groundcover to deflect raindrops that can encourage erosion on the property. The goal of the demonstration garden is to prevent or minimize pollution to surface water, as well as preventing loss of soil due to runoff.

Two garden beds featured at the Demonstration Garden have been planted with the intent of protecting areas of the yard that have no vegetation from the effects of water that lead to erosion. Myrtle and pachysandra were chosen as groundcovers to fill in the area because they are relatively pest-free and are quick to fill in. Pachysandra was planted at the top of a steeply sloped area that was totally exposed to wind and rain, which make erosion and runoff from compacted surfaces a concern.

Farther down on this same slope, grass was thin in a shady area. Water was badly eroding a driveway, which eventually flooded and eroded this area of the lawn. Landscape stones were placed along the border of the driveway to lessen the effects of water running downhill. Myrtle was planted to provide a vegetative cover, as well as to improve appearance. Mulch was applied to the top of the soil to cover the bare areas that will eventually be covered by the spreading myrtle in two years. The addition of mulch and groundcover will aide in controlling erosion in these area until the groundcover fills in.

Environmentally-friendly gardening practices, as laid out by the MSU Master Garden Program, are used in the garden to control insects and disease. Fewer chemicals used in gardening mean a lesser chance of pollution entering the water system.
-Julie Clemes, MSUExtension-Lenawee County

Now on the World Wide Web

Information on Wolf Creek Watershed issues is now available to those who cruise the World Wide Web. The Wolf Creek Watershed now has a page, available through the Internet, that focuses on water quality issues in Lenawee County. You can find the Wolf Creek Watershed World Wide Web page at http://www.msue.msu.edu/wolfcreek.
-Brian Ehlert, MSUExtension- Lenawee County

Shoreline Erosion Control

Your property is washing away! Each year you watch the gradual deterioration of your shoreline. The same forces of nature which you admired so much when you purchased your land are now relentlessly altering it. What can you do?

As the owner of eroding shorefront property, your first job is to be a detective. You must carefully examine your property and determine what forces are at work. They will be different depending on whether you have property on a lake, a stream or in a sheltered ocean cove.

Wave action usually occurs on lakes, ponds and sheltered ocean coves or tidal regions. The waves can be caused by wind, tidal currents and in some cases by boat traffic. Waves generally undercut the toe of the slope causing it to slump. As the owner of eroding shorefront property, your first job is to be a detective. To prevent erosion from wave action, reinforce the toe of the slope with vegetation and reduce boat speed limits.

1. Is storm runoff a factor?
2. Is most of the damage caused during spring runoff or big rainstorms?
3. During rainstorms, does rainwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and lawns, concentrate in a low spot and then channelize down a slope?
4. Is a gully forming on the slope because of it?

Sometimes you can resolve erosion problems by installing gutters and downspouts and directing runoff to another stable area. If your erosion problems are complex, you may need to consult a professional engineer.

Installing gutters at the roof edge, diverting rain water away from the slope to a stable area and transporting water down the slope in a reinforced channel or into a recharge area will all help prevent erosion due to rainfall. You may need to consult a professional engineer to solve these problems.

Are slopes too steep? Slope angle can vary with different soils. Soils form an angled slope that varies with the soil and groundwater conditions. Banks will erode until they reach their natural angle of repose. Planting vegetation, and installing riprap protection and gabions will help with this problem.

Thick, healthy vegetation contributes greatly to slope stability by holding the soil together with it's root structure. Carefully examine the quality of the vegetation on the slope. Is the soil covered with grass, groundcover or leaves? Planting the right combination of riprap protection, gabions and vegetation. Leaves and pine needles on the soil surface can also help prevent erosion.

Is seepage in the slope causing a bank failure? This is common when a coarse layer of sand overlays a less permeable soil such as clay. Water tends to move rapidly and freely in the sand. Once it reaches the less permeable clay layer, it tends to flow along the clay surface and exits the slope face. Consulting a professional engineer may be a good idea.

Is foot traffic or vehicular traffic a problem? Is bank stability threatened as vegetation is trampled by foot action? Providing footpaths with clearly defined borders and an acceptable, clearly marked parking area away from eroding slopes will help relieve this problem. Limiting access to eroding areas and slopes by installing barriers and planting prickly vegetation will also help. Vehicles parking close to the water's edge can cause compaction, and can tear up existing vegetation.

Is ice damage or fluctuating water levels a problem? Winter ice build-up along shorelines can cause damage with freezing and thawing cycles, as well as the spring thaw. If water levels vary greatly over the year, vegetation may have difficulty getting established. Vegetation, riprap protection and gabions will help alleviate the problem.

Is a combination of these problems causing the erosion? Usually your property is subject to a combination of forces. A great deal of your success depends on identifying them. Take the time to examine your shorefront carefully and determine what factors are causing the total erosion problem.
-Laura Pomnitz, NRCS

Composting Tips

A lawn mower can be used to shred leaves. Pile the leaves a few inches high, and go over them several times with the mower. Shred leaves when they are dry to prevent mower blades from clogging. Shredded leaves are great to incorporate with other materials for compost making, but less effective for mulching purposes as they decompose quickly.

If you need only a small amount of compost, you can use a plastic trash bag to compost relatvelty fine material such as shredded leaves, lawn clippings or chopped garden refuse. Make layers as in a compost pile, or mix all materials together. Add 2 quarts of water to dry material (less if it is quite moist and succulent). Tie the bag, and turn it over monthly for several months to aerate the material and distribute the moisture.

There are many ways to take advantage of your leaves. Try filling the paths between raised beds now, for fewer weeds next spring. You can also till eaves directly into the soil in the fall to break down by spring. If you have cold frames, fill bags with leaves and use as insulation. Keep leaves out of storm drains and waterways because their decomposition may lead to dense algae blooms, cloudy water and suffocation of fish and other aquatic life.

URL: www.msue.msu.edu/wolfcreek/wc4-3.html