Haywood Waterways Association
Suspended Sediment Monitoring
Sediment is the number one pollutant in Haywood County. Haywood Waterways has been monitoring suspended sediment in streams throughout Haywood County since 2003. The water collection bottles are setup to automatically take water subsamples as the stream level rises. Data collected from these sites can help to identify areas where excessive sedimentation is occurring. Once identified, Best Management Practices (BMP’s) can be implemented to help reduce the sedimentation.
Sediment enters the streams by way of stormwater runoff from the land. Stormwater runoff is formed when water, from rain or melting snow, flows across the ground instead of seeping into the soil. Depending on the slope and soil type, bare soil can be as impervious as concert. Once sediment enters a stream it can harm aquatic wildlife. The fine sediment can clog the incurrent siphons of freshwater mussels, smother fish eggs, and fill in the otherwise open spaces between rocks – home for many aquatic insects. Here are a few ways to reduce the stormwater runoff at your home:
- Eliminate bare soil – plant some type of vegetation; bushes, trees or grass. The extensive root system of bushes and trees help to absorb water and hold moisture.
- Construct a rain garden - Rain gardens are a great way to collect stormwater runoff and allow the water to slowly absorb into the soil.
- Construct or purchase a rain barrel - rain barrels are great way to collect the water that flows from your roof. A 1,000 sq. foot roof can collect 600 gallons of water after a 1” rain. The water collected in the rain barrel can be used later to water plants on dry days.
Suspended Sediment Monitoring
Sediment is the number one pollutant in Haywood County. Haywood Waterways has been monitoring suspended sediment in streams throughout Haywood County since 2003. The water collection bottles are setup to automatically take water subsamples as the stream level rises. Data collected from these sites can help to identify areas where excessive sedimentation is occurring. Once identified, Best Management Practices (BMP’s) can be implemented to help reduce the sedimentation.
Sediment enters the streams by way of stormwater runoff from the land. Stormwater runoff is formed when water, from rain or melting snow, flows across the ground instead of seeping into the soil. Depending on the slope and soil type, bare soil can be as impervious as concert. Once sediment enters a stream it can harm aquatic wildlife. The fine sediment can clog the incurrent siphons of freshwater mussels, smother fish eggs, and fill in the otherwise open spaces between rocks – home for many aquatic insects. Here are a few ways to reduce the stormwater runoff at your home:
- Eliminate bare soil – plant some type of vegetation; bushes, trees or grass. The extensive root system of bushes and trees help to absorb water and hold moisture.
- Construct a rain garden - Rain gardens are a great way to collect stormwater runoff and allow the water to slowly absorb into the soil.
- Construct or purchase a rain barrel - rain barrels are great way to collect the water that flows from your roof. A 1,000 sq. foot roof can collect 600 gallons of water after a 1” rain. The water collected in the rain barrel can be used later to water plants on dry days.