Best Management Practices for Property Owners
Land use is the predominant influence on water quality. Forested watersheds naturally produce clean water and healthy aquatic habitat — tree canopies intercept rainfall, and root systems absorb runoff, minimizing erosion and sedimentation.
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Over time, human activity has steadily altered this balance. Timber harvesting and land clearing for agriculture have reduced natural buffers. Residential development introduces nutrient and pathogen contamination through septic systems and wastewater discharge, while urban surfaces accelerate stormwater runoff by preventing infiltration into the soil. Turf management adds another layer of risk: fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides applied without care can wash directly into nearby streams and waterways.
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All of these dynamics are categorized as non point source polluition, and the following presents practices that can be used to minimize the impact.
Controlling stormwater runoff
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Water runoff is a significant concern. Rain gardens can play an important role in detaining water and helping it absorb back into the ground and eventually to the aquifer. The root systems of the plants in a rain garden will also consume bacteria and help aviod contaminating the waterway. A riparian garden is the same concept, placed adjacent to a lake or stream.
Shoreline Erosion Control
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Whether caused by wind or boat wake, wave action is detrimental to the stability of the Reservoir shoreline, causing land loss, tree fall, and increased turbidity. Following are some initiatives undertaken by WATeR to address these issues:
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Turf Management
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Lakefront properties are among the most sought-after places to live — and among the most vulnerable to the land use practices that surround them. Homeowners play a direct role in protecting the water quality that defines the character and value of their community.
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​Click HERE for a University of Tennessee handbook on Turf Management.
Tennessee Smart Yards
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The Smart Yards program was established by the University of Tennessee as a way to engage homeowners in creating a natural environment within their own property. It presents many dimensions by which a homeowner can self certify to become a Tennessee Smart Yard. All of the elements of a Tennessee Smart Yard will contribute to a healthier lake. Click HERE for more information.
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Here's something farmers can think about:
Check out this great video about no-till farming
And Check out this great video about farm riparian buffers
