Welcome to the

Rock River Stormwater Site
a joint effort of the Rock River Stormwater Group, the University of Wisconsin-Extension
in conjunction with the Rock River Coalition

The Rock River Stormwater Group was established in 2008, for the creation and operation of a Stormwater Education Program to filfill the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources MS4 permit requirments and to promote sustainable stormwater practices in the Rock River Basin.

RRSG membership is open to any organization. There are three tiers of membership as defined in the Rock River Stormwater Group Agreement:

Full Members: are any organization who must hold an MS4 permit and include: Beaver Dam, Beloit, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Milton, Town of Beloit, Watertown, Whitewater and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Sample Resolution

Associate Members: are municipalities and agencies that do not have to meet MS4 permit requirements, but undertake responsiblity to abide by permit requirments. Members in this category include: City of Jefferson

Partners are any organization that would like to work with the RRSG in promoting waer quality and/or helping with the education and outreach program. Members include: University of Wisconsin-Extension, and the the Rock River Coalition.

RRSG Education and Outreach Activities

The RRSG work is defined through the Rock River Stormwater Group Education and Outreach Plan 2009 - 2010 and annual work plans. Earlier work includes the Rock River Stormwater Group 2008 Education and Outreach Plan.

RRSG Newsletter Articles

Rain Wealth not Waste

Upcoming Events

April 22 or 23 Construction Site Erosion Workshops Watertown and Milton (.pdf file)

April 21 and April 30 Rain Garden Workshops, Session 2, picking plants and plant sale May 9 and 16. (.pdf)

Stormwater Information for: Homeowners, Business Owners, Stormwater Professionals

Homeowners: What you can do at home:

Day-to-day activities around your home can result in soil, nutrients, heavy metals running off to the rivers and lakes in the Rock River Basin. Just the large amount of water that runs off of our roofs, sidewalks and driveways can cause significant problems for our lakes and rivers.

You can make sure that your property doesn't add to the problem by taking some simple actions. Basically you only need to keep two things in mind:

1. Water that stays on your property and soaks in is a resource helping replenish the groundwater.
2. Water that does runoff should stay as clean as possible.

Let's survey your home and see what steps you can take:

Downspouts

• Direct roof downspouts away from foundations and driveways to planting beds and lawns where the water can safely soak into the ground. Use a rain barrel where practical.
• Put splash guards on downspouts to help reduce erosion.
• Plant a rain garden and direct downspout to empty into the rain garden.
• Capture rain water in a rain barrel, and use as a resource to water plants. (Plants much prefer the slightly acid rain water to the 'hard' well water.) Sources for Rain Barrels in Southern Wisconsin

Salt/deicers

• Salt/Deicing Options

Household hazardous waste disposal

Many counties offer 'Clean Sweep' programs, check your county website for more information about when and where.

Pharmaceutical disposal

Many pharmaceuticals cause problems for aquatic life, more information on what you should do can be found on the Department of Natural Resources Pharmaceutical disposal site.

Yard and Garden

Rethinking yard care can save time and money and protect our water resources. Nutrients coming off your yard, especially phosphorus causes excess algae and aquatic plant growth. http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.rethink.pdf

• Mowing: Mow high, at least 3 inches - keeps grass healthy, more drought resistent and helps shade out weeds.http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.managlt.pdf
• Lawn Watering: http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.lawnwat.pdf
• Fertilize Step 1: Don't use phosphorus unless a soil tests says you should. Almost all of the Rock River Basin soils are already high in phosphorus. The second number on the fertilizer bag should be a '0'. The label on a fertilizer bag has three numbers indicating the percentage (by weight) of the three nutrients most essential to healthy lawns. Nitrogen (N) is always listed first, followed by phosphate (P2O5), which supplies phosphorus, and potash (K2O), which supplies potassium. Therefore, a 25 lb. bag of 25-4-5 fertilizer contains 25% (6.25 lbs.) nitrogen, 4% (1 lb.) phosphate, and 5% (1.24 lbs.) potash. The remainder is made of ingredients such as sand or ground limestone.
• Fertilize Step 2: Mulch grass clippings, this returns valuable nutrients back to the soil, meaning less work for you and less need for fertilizing
• Fertilize Step 3: Fertilize the first time annually, right around Memorial Day and then near Halloween, unless a soil tests says you need it more often. More often, means more nutrient in the runoff and money spent needlessly. Do not use a fertilizer/preemergent product in the early spring. Spring applications can actually harm lawns by promoting more top (leaf) growth than root growth. Shallow root systems are unable to sustain lawns through a drought or a harsh winter. Fall fertilizer applications, however, promote deep, healthy root systems and hardy lawns. http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.lgfert.pdf
• Natural Landscapes: Natural landscapes, such as prairies and wooded areas often require less time and money to maintain than formal landscapes, and are usually the best at preventing water pollution from runoff. This is especially important for waterfront property.
• Bare Soil: Seed bare soil and cover it with a mulch as soon as possible to minimize erosion. Disturb no more ground than necessary for a project, while preserving existing vegetation.
• Soil Testing: Contact your county UW-Extension office. Soil testing information and fertilizer recommendations for lawns and gardens, and suggestions for selecting the right plants, are available at your county UW-Extension office.
• Pesticides #1: Use pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides) sparingly, try to treat only the areas that need it: Spot spray weeds, instead of broadcast spreading, mulch to prevent weeds.
• Pesticides #2: When used in heavier-than-recommended concentrations, nearly all yard care chemicals can pose an environmental problem. This not only wastes money, but puts the applicator, family, neighbors, beneficial plants and animals, and downstream waters at risk.
• Pesticides #3: Clean up any spilled chemicals. Chemicals spilled on pavement during chemical mixing and loading can quickly be washed away with the next rain to pollute lakes and streams. If not cleaned up, a sometimes-severe health threat may also persist. http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.lgpesti.pdf
• Leaves #1: Compost your leaves into valuable mulch to place around your vegetables and flowers. Composted leaves create soil that's healthy for plants. http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.managlt.pdf www.myfairlakes.com/what_more.asp#yardgarden_compost
• Leaves #2: Unless your community requires it, never rake your leaves into the street. Cars pulverize them into fine particles, rain moves them down stormdrains which go directly to local rivers and lakes. Leaves break down, and release nutrients resulting in excess plant growth.
• Leaves #3: Chop your leaves with your mower and spread them around your trees, shrubs or in your garden. Do not however, use black walnut, as these leaves are toxic to many plants.

  Fall leaf media campaign:
  www.myfairlakes.com/loveyourlakes

Shoreline Property Owners:

For waterfront property, grow a "buffer strip" of dense, natural vegetation along the water's edge to filter pollutants and stabilize the shoreline.

More information:

• http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.shorlpl.pdf
• http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/shore.freshlook.pdf
• http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/shore.protect.pdf

Rain gardens

• Rain gardens are shallow depressions that are planted with native flowering plants and grasses, which not only looks great, but also helps soak up rain water and melted snow. The runoff soaks into the ground rather than causing erosion or carrying pollution to the nearest lake or stream.
• Cost can vary from no cost to thousands. If you do the design, digging and planting, you can save a lot of money. The biggest expense is usually the plants.
• Rain gardens require little maintenance once established. It's also that much less turf you have to mow!
• More information:
• How to Build a Rain Garden (PDF format)
• http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.gardens.pdf
• http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.rgmanual.pdf

Erosion control

Soil flowing off your land into the streets ends up in our rivers and lakes. This sediment filters covers the bottom like a blanket, destroying habitat and smothering fish eggs and insects - the base of the food chain. You can help by:

• If your garden is on a slope, plant rows along the contour, rather than up and down the slope. This helps slow runoff and decreases the rate of soil erosion.
• Spread mulch around your garden plants using compost or grass clippings to help reduce erosion, keep moisture in the soil, suppress weed growth and add nutrients.
• Build steps of logs or old railroad ties on areas with steep slopes to help prevent erosion. Between steps, spread a thick layer of wood chips to protect the soil.
• Seed exposed areas with grass or some other groundcover. After seeding spread mulch over the area to help keep the seeds moistand in place until they germinate. On steeper slopes you should cover the mulch with burlap netting for extra protection.
• Cover piles of soil with tarps to prevent it from blowing or washing away until you are ready to use it.

Animal Waste

Pets: Clean up pet wastes. Nutrients and bacteria from cats and dogs may wash toward lakes and streams especially if deposited in the street or on sidewalks. It is estimated that in the City of Watertown, 11 tons of dog waste washes into the Rock River every year from dog waste that is not picked up. What to do: Flush pet waste down the toilet, bury it in the yard or if your community allows it, dispose of it in the trash. They do make specially designed pet waste composters. Never put pet waste in or near a vegetable garden or in a compost pile that will be used in the vegetable garden. http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/home.pet.pdf

Geese and ducks: Do not feed geese and ducks. It is against the law in many areas and contributes to dense numbers of birds congregating in areas they would not otherwise gather. If you own waterfront property, plant a native buffer on the waters' edge. This will help deter waterfowl from congregating on your lawn. They instinctively like to be able to see the water, so plants blocking their view helps keep your yard free of their droppings and prevents it from washing into the lake.

Car Care

The connection between auto maintenance and water quality can be very serious and direct. Anything that drips from a motor vehicle onto pavement-oil, grease, gasoline, brake fluid, antifreeze-can quickly be flushed into lakes with a rainstorm. These materials are toxic to downstream aquatic life. Downspouts positioned to empty directly onto driveways compound the problem.

Dumping oil into a storm sewer grate has almost unthinkable consequences. Five quarts of oil can create a slick as large as two football fields and persist on mud or plants for six months or more.

Collect oil and other automotive products preferably for recycling, or tightly seal and wrap them for proper disposal.

Wash cars at a car wash where water can be treated or on the lawn, where soapy water can't quickly run toward the nearest storm sewer, picking up other pollutants as it goes.

Keep cars tuned up and in good operating condition. Check for drips and repair leaks immediately to keep nuisance oils off pavement. Better yet, walk, bike or take the bus. http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/storm.carcare.pdf

Environmental Projects

There are many projects that you and your groups can do: Check out the Environmental Projects Manual or other information below.

• Storm drain stenciling and marking: Contact the UWEX Rock River Basin Educator at 920-674-8972 for more information, or go to: http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/pdf/storm.drain.pdf
• Volunteer monitoring: The Rock River Coalition has both a stream monitoring program and a wetland monitoring program focused at Zeloski Marsh west of Rock Lake.
  

Business Owners

There are many things a business owner can do, the first is to do an environmental audit, many industries alread have their own Environmental Management System, or you can use the University of Wisconsin Small Business Environmental Audit Manual found on the UW-Extension urban runoff site.

Stormwater Professionals

The UW-Extension and the Department of Natural Resources maintains a singel website that includes regulatory information, training information, educational materials and publications at : http://runoffinfo.uwex.edu/urban.htm

Other Storm Water Links (Rock River Coalition links page)

back to Rock River Coalition