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© 2007 Clackamas River Basin Council |
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Slowing run-off Sustainable Stormwater Management Sustainable Stormwater Management Before the Pacific Northwest was developed, trees and vegetated land absorbed stormwater runoff before it entered into our streams and rivers. Today, stormwater sweeps over impermeable hard surfaces like driveways, streets, roofs and parking lots. As it flows across these hard surfaces it picks up pollutants and sediments along the way washing it directly into our waterways. In comparison to undeveloped surfaces, stormwater flows faster on hard impermeable surfaces causing erosion problems and increased flood events downstream. It is crucial to practice sustainable stormwater management to enhance the quality and health of our streams. In comparison to developed surfaces, native vegetation acts like a sponge absorbing pollutants and sediments carried by stormwater. Planting a native vegetation buffer (ideally 5o feetnear a waterway is an easy way to mitigate stormwater runoff. Native vegetation slows the flow of stormwater decreasing erosion problems and reducing the occurence of flood events downstream. For more information on how to practice sustainable stormwater management visit the following links: Metro: Nature friendly development Bioretention Planting native vegetation   |
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