Managing water runoff
Runoff management can have a direct impact on lakes, wetlands, ponds and creeks. The water that runs off individual properties can carry pollutants into water resources, including phosphorous from grass clippings and leaves, bacteria from pet and geese feces, and sediment from soil. It may not seem like much, but one pound of phosphorous can create up to 500 pounds of algae.
In effect, we all live on waterfront, even though we may not see the water from our front door. Runoff that drains from our property will end up in our water resources, along with pollutants or debris it finds along the way. Remember that storm water is the community’s water, so we all have a responsibility for proper management in order to keep our lakes and wetlands clean.
- Keeping waters clean
- Five easy ways to improve water quality
- Be a watershed hero: stop water where it drops (PDF)
- Build a rain garden
- Rain barrels
- Green roofs: Minnesota Green Roof Council
- Blue Thumb: Landscaping for water quality
- Water resources
- Ramsey-Washington County Metro Watershed District resources
