Management of stormwater is an important aspect of the watershed, and there are a few practices that help to slow the flow of water, and keep the soil in place to prevent erosion from fast moving runoff. Above is the effect of landscaping features with native plants and grasses that have deep roots to hold the soil in place during runoff in strategic high flow areas.
By By Tori Nimrod, Environmental Education and Upper Wapsi River Watershed Coordinator
Management of stormwater is an important aspect of the watershed, and there are a few practices that help to slow the flow of water, and keep the soil in place to prevent erosion from fast moving runoff. Above is the effect of landscaping features with native plants and grasses that have deep roots to hold the soil in place during runoff in strategic high flow areas.
For the community to grow and thrive, protecting the ground and surface water resources they rely on is critical. This effort is the responsibility of all watershed residents.
This Decorah Watershed article outlines best management practices watershed residents can implement to reduce erosion on their property. Each practice uses unique strategies to slow down runoff and encourage infiltration into the landscape. Information in these articles is gathered from the Iowa Stormwater Education Partnership. To learn more about the best management practices explained visit https://iowastormwater.org/.
The first group of practices are the most basic and inexpensive options, but also manage smaller amounts of runoff water. These practices include rainwater harvesting, native landscaping, soil quality restoration and rain gardens. Rainwater harvesting is a fairly inexpensive option to begin managing water on a property, but can only manage small volumes of water. Rain barrels are connected to gutters to collect rainwater from roofs. Typical rain barrels capture between 50 to 60 gallons of water. A small 8’x10’ area of roof will generate approximately 50 gallons of water runoff during a 1-inch rainstorm. Rainwater harvested via rain barrels is typically used for watering gardens, lawns and other non-potable applications.
Landscaping featuring native plants and grasses with deep root systems, which create open space in the soil below and allow rainfall to percolate deep into the ground, are another option. They create diverse habitats that attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Once established, they don’t require fertilizer, pesticides or supplemental water to survive. When native landscaping is strategically placed, it enhances the landscape’s ability to infiltrate and manage stormwater. Many other infiltration-based stormwater management practices utilize native plants to add functionality and beauty.
Many of the best management practices also involve soil quality restoration, which is the process of improving soil health. Compacted and heavy clay soils act as an impermeable surface. By aerating the soil and adding organic matter it increases the water holding capacity of the soil. Therefore, to improve soil health start by reducing soil compaction through aeration and increasing organic matter with the addition of high-quality topsoil and/or compost. Soil quality restoration leads to healthier, more functional soils and to landscapes that can absorb more rainfall.
Lastly, rain gardens incorporate both native landscaping and soil health restoration to capture
runoff from gutters, driveways and other small impermeable surfaces. They are a small bowl-shaped garden that temporarily ponds runoff water to about 6 to 8 inches of depth, allowing it to infiltrate through the amended soil made up of organic matter, sand and the deep rooted native vegetation. Rain gardens can often be installed without the use of heavy machinery, therefore, are a great fit for DIYers looking for a beautiful yet multi-functional garden.
The next Decorah Watershed article will take these best management practices to the next level of runoff volume management, and water quality and quantity benefit through bioretention cells, bioswales and permeable pavers.
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