Rain Gardens Protect Our Lakes

1. 38 THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, September 24, 2009
ENJOYTHEWATER Get the most out of NH’s Lakes!
wHaT Is THe BIggesT THreaT To nH’s lakes?
by Andrea Lamoreaux issues of The Weirs Times the readers of this column
NH Lakes Education Director at www.weirs.com.) to implement one “lake-
Black
My response? While there friendly” landscaping proj-
“What is the biggest are a myriad of issues that ect to reduce their personal
threat to New Hampshire’s threaten the health and contribution to stormwater
lakes, and what can I do enjoyment of New Hamp- runoff and the pollution of
about it?” As an aquatic shire’s approximately 1,000 lakes, ponds, rivers and
biologist, I am often asked lakes and ponds, ranging streams.
this question, almost as from the problems associ- If you haven’t accepted
frequently as the ques- ated with exotic plant infes- this challenge, you still
tions, “What is the differ- tations to toxic cyanobac- have time!
ence between a ‘lake’ and teria blooms, most aquatic If want to learn how to
a ‘pond’?” and, “What can biologists would agree that vegetated buffer, an infil-
I do about the geese on my the number one threat to tration trench, and/or a set
shoreline property?” (For lake quality in New Hamp- of infiltration steps on your
answers to the latter-two shire, and across the Unit- property, refer to the Sep-
questions, read the July ed States, is stormwater tember 10 and 17, 2009,
16 and August 13, 2009, runoff. issues of The Weirs Times
BOAT STORAGE
at www.weirs.com. In ad-
A rain garden captures and filters stormwater runoff and dition, here are few more
can beautify the landscape. suggested projects that you
could accomplish in just
#38
What is stormwater run- lawns and farms to the a few hours on the next
Winterize, Shrink Wrap, Store up to 24 ft. on your trailer off? nearest waterbody. Storm- pleasant day this fall.
up to $700
Stormwater runoff is rain water runoff can cause
.00 water and snowmelt water excessive plant growth and Install a rain barrel to
that does not sink into the foul-smelling algal blooms collect roof runoff.
ground—instead it flows in lakes and ponds, and A rain barrel is a contain-
No Trailer, No Problem Call Us across the landscape, pick- can even contribute to toxic er that collects precipitation
ing up pollutants such as bacteria blooms which can which flows off rooftops
oil, gas, fertilizer and ma- make swimmers sick. from a downspout. The
nure on its journey across water that is captured can
parking lots, roadways, What can I do about be used on your lawn, gar-
stormwater runoff? den, and/or indoor plants.
No matter where you live, By collecting rainwater, not
Aluminum framed docks built with pride at our shop
whether you live along a only will you reduce the
in Sanbornville, NH. We use only the finest quality shoreline or miles away amount of stormwater run-
materials and vinyl decking. from the nearest water- off flowing from your prop-
Our aluminum legs have a longer life with infinite body, what you do on your erty, but you may also save
Don’t Be Fooled adjustability - no more cracked, splintered or twisted property can potentially money and water. Learn
pollute lakes, ponds, rivers how to build your own
by Imitators! posts! 6’ on center spacing offers more protection for
and streams. As wise lake rain barrel by watching
your boats as well as personal watercraft & smaller stewards, the ultimate goal an instructional video at
boats. Other docks cannot compete - we have the we should all be striving for http://www.youtube.com/
best structural integrity in the business, with crucial is to prevent stormwater watch?v=MGFDlkJOdaM
gusseting at all corners & incorporated lift points - from flowing off of our own or follow a step-by-step
with NO failures to date. individual properties. We fact sheet found at http://
all need to allow our storm- www.cwp.org/Resource_Li-
Please compare & judge for yourself!
water runoff to soak into the brary/Center_Docs/Resi-
We Also Offer: ground by vegetating and dential/rainbarrelgarden.
• Sectional & Rolling Docks • Seacycles & Kayaks infiltrating. Although this pdf. Alternatively, you can
• Our own 2-person Umbrella • SwimRafts & Boat Lifts
seat w/table
may sound like a daunting purchase a rain barrel on-
• Dock Hardware
• RAD Premium Boat Bumpers • Boat Accessories
task, the good news is that line at http://www.nerain-
The Original • Unique Solar Light Caps • Custom Applications
minimizing the amount barrel.com.
• PaddleKing Paddle Boats & of stormwater runoff that
Patent #6318932B1 Mini Pontoon Boats flows across the landscape Plant a rain garden to
Your Only Choice for a Superior Dock! and into waterbodies is
something that each of us
can participate in—it can
collect roof and driveway
runoff.
Rain gardens are attrac-
® (603) 522-5336 be easy and fun! tive and functional land-
scaped areas that are de-
Have you accepted the signed to capture and filter
DOCKING MADE EASY... challenge yet? stormwater from rooftops,
1625 White Mtn. Hwy, Rt. 16 • Sanbornville, NH 03872 This September, NH driveways, and other im-
LAKES has challenged See LAkes on 39

2. THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, September 24, 2009 39
ENJOYTHEWATER Get the most out of NH’s Lakes!
LAkes from 38 can be emailed to info@ to protecting New Hamp-
pervious surfaces. These nhlakes.org or snail mailed shire’s lakes, which are
bowl-shaped vegetated ar- to NH LAKES at 84 Silk integral to the quality of life
eas allow rainwater to soak Farm Road, Concord, NH and economic health of the
into the soil, reducing the 03301. State. For more informa-
Black
potential for erosion and Not only will you have fun tion on the organization’s
minimizing the amount of and feel good about your- lake protection efforts
pollutants flowing off the self, your lake will thank across the state and how
landscape into storm drains you by providing cleaner to help, please visit www.
or directly into waterbodies. water for you and your fam- nhlakes.org or contact
You can find directions on ily and friends to enjoy next (603) 226-0299. To receive
how to construct your own summer! NH LAKES’ free monthly e-
rain garden in manual for NH LAKES is a statewide, news blast, Shorelines, full
homeowners at http:// nonprofit, member-sup- of interesting lake-related
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/ ported organization head- information, sign up on
water/wm/dsfm/shore/ quartered in Concord. The the website.
documents/rgmanual.pdf. organization is dedicated
Divert runoff from your
driveway and footpaths
into a vegetated area.
By installing an open top An open top culvert is used to divert and direct runoff from
culvert (also known as a the gravel roadway into a stabilized vegetated which will
‘box culvert’) across your reduce the potential of stormwater runoff detaching soil
driveway or a pathway, particles off the roadway further downhill. Good
#39
stormwater runoff can be
diverted into a stable, veg-
Inventory
etated area. This polluted erty, follow the illustrated Your lake will thank on 4 Stroke
water will be absorbed by directions for open top cul- you! Outboard
plants and into the ground, vert construction found Accept the challenge this Motors!
instead of being left alone to at http://www.pwd.org/ fall to implement one lake-
run along the length of the news/publications.php. friendly landscaping project
impervious surface picking All you will need is lumber on your property. Make it
up soil particles as it erodes or timbers, some nails and fun by inviting family and
your driveway or path- bolts, a couple small pieces friends to join your land-
way. An open top culvert of wood or pipe, and a few scaping party—don’t forget
is relatively inexpensive to basic tools. to bring the hot cider! And,
build and easy to install. please be sure to send NH
To build one on your prop- LAKES “before” and “after”
photos of your project so
that we can show others
your great work! Photos
ICE DAMAGE? NEED DOCK or SHORELINE WORK?
Visit Our Stores To See
All The Boatlifts & Docks • Plan ahead - permits take time!
• Make an appointment today for a site visit!
• Schedule projects early!
www.docksource.com
www.nhpermits.com
Visit our store at 29 Gilford East Drive, Gilford, NH
29 Gilford East Drive, Gilford NH 552 Route 11, Sunapee, NH
Winter Hours (or call for appointment)
603-293-4000 603-763-6440
Open Daily From 9:00-5:00, Saturday 9:00-12:00, Closed Sunday Crank-Up Dock
Open Daily From 8:00-8:00, Saturday 8:00-12:00 (starting 4/18) Closed Sunday
A rain barrel collects runoff from a rooftop and stores the
water for domestic uses.