Understand Stormwater Best Management Practices
What They Are
Do-It-Yourself Best Management Practices (BMPs) are steps homeowners can take to reduce stormwater runoff, protect water quality, and prevent erosion on their property. These practices help manage heavy rains while protecting landscaping and nearby streams.
Site Assessment and Planning
Observe water flow: Walk your property during rain to see where water collects, runs off, or causes erosion. Identify problem areas by looking for standing water, bare soil, or runoff reaching streets or streams. A property sketch is helpful to help decide where practices like rain gardens, swales, or permeable pavers might fit.
Choosing the Right BMPs
Water Diversion and Collection
- Redirect downspouts: Send water onto lawns or garden beds, not pavement
- Rain barrels: Collect roof runoff for later irrigation
- Rain gardens: Shallow basins with natives to absorb runoff
- Swales or dry creek beds: Shallow channels that slow and filter runoff
- French drains: Gravel trench with perforated pipe to carry water away
Erosion Control
- Vegetation: Use groundcovers, shrubs, and trees for soil stability
- Mulch: Protects exposed soil, slows runoff, improves soil moisture
- Riprap: Rocks placed to stabilize high-flow areas
- Terracing: Steps on steep slopes to slow water and create planting space
Reducing Impervious Surfaces
- Permeable pavers or turf strips: Let water soak through instead of running off
Water-Efficient Landscaping
- Native plants: Adapted to local climate, need less water and care
- Efficient irrigation: Use drip systems or water during cooler times
- Soil improvement: Add compost to increase absorption
Implementation and Maintenance
- Permits and regulations: Check local rules for large projects like terracing or retaining walls
- Safety first: Call 811 before digging to locate utilities
- Follow installation guides and use trusted instructions for rain gardens, permeable pavers, or other BMPs
- Inspect gutters, refresh mulch, weed gardens, and repair erosion after storms
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