How can lawn care management improve water quality in streams?

This fall, it is important to follow through with proper lawn care disposal skills to improve the water quality of streams, rivers, and lakes in the Saginaw region. On the recent stormwater survey posted on the Saginaw Area Storm Water Authority (SASWA) website, only 30.3% of the Michigan based participants believed the way they maintain their home, such as lawn care and pet waste disposal, have great effect on the quality of water in lakes, rivers, and streams in the community they live in. The remaining majority either didn’t know or believed their home maintenance had moderate to no effect on the water quality in their community. However, home maintenance, especially lawn care, does in fact greatly impact the water quality of our natural watercourses.

The following is summarized from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Organic Debris Disposal BMP. Refer to that BMP for the disposal of all leaves, grass, and pruned branches:

1. Leave grass clippings on the grass. They function as a free source of nutrients. When clippings are regularly removed, fertilization must be increased by 25 to 50 percent. Grass clippings do not contribute to thatch. Mulching mowers can be used to cut the grass into tiny pieces which degrade faster.

2. Mulch fallen leaves back into the turf. They provide a source of nutrients for the lawn for the next year and can help reduce the germination of weeds such as crabgrass and dandelions (Finneran, 2014, 2016).

3. Where it is necessary to remove grass clippings or leaves, dispose of them by composting (Lyman and Rieke, 2002). Information on how to construct and maintain a composting pile is discussed in the Organic Debris Disposal BMP.

4. Pruned branches should be disposed of either by chipping or by composting. Wood chips can be used as part of the landscaping.

5. Do not dispose of organic debris by dumping in or near water bodies. Do not dump or sweep leaves, grass (or anything else) into sewers--storm sewers discharge into waterbodies. Do not put debris in the floodplains of rivers or streams. Follow all other Organic Debris Disposal specifications.

Looking to learn more about lawn maintenance to improve stormwater check out: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/egle/Documents/Programs/WRD/NPS/Tech/BMP/bmp-lm.pdf?rev=cfdc031743784152aac73b0368ab96e5