by Kathy Whitlow, Office Manager
In our 4th year of drought, erosion hasn’t really been on my mind. I never knew…
I live on a relatively flat lot in Glenshire, well away from the Truckee River. My yard doesn’t have a lot of landscaping. I keep it natural (read: “I don’t like yardwork”). Recent summer storms showed me what I often miss– I’m polluting the Truckee River.
The type of pollution I’m talking about is dirt and runoff from my property, or sediment erosion. I have a roof, a driveway and a patio. Even on my relatively flat lot, all these impermeable surfaces prevent nature from doing her normal filtering job.
While I’m not going to dig up my driveway, I can take simple steps to direct water gently towards vegetation, mulched areas or basins where it can stay on my property, soak into the ground, and filter back into our groundwater table.
Getting my free River-Friendly Landscaping (RFL) site evaluation was a great starting point. As recommended by my RFL Conservation Assistant, here is what’s on my list before fall rain and (hopefully epic!) winter snow:
- Replenish and maintain the gravel under my roof driplines and decks
- Maintain the drain rock and gravel edging my driveway and patio, slowing down water as it sheets off the concrete or asphalt
- Cover bare dirt with vegetation or organic mulch
I can do my part to prevent sediment from my property from reaching meadows, streams and (eventually) the Truckee River.
Now you know, too. And there’s still time to get your free site evaluation. Rebates of up to $1,000 may help you complete recommended work. If you’re a local homeowner, call Erin Casey today to sign up at 530-550-8760 x7.
Thank you to the donors of the Truckee River Watershed Council and the State Water Resources Control for funding RFL.
Image: A small rivulet forms on a Tahoe Donner property after a rain event. Without measures to capture and convey runoff from local properties, sediment can have a significant, negative impact on our creeks and streams. Photo: Kathy Whitlow.