Runoff from home lawns and gardens flows into storm sewers, combined storm-sanitary sewers or into roadside ditches connected to the Rouge River. Runoff results from rainstorms and from lawn and garden watering practices. Pollutant sources include: fertilizer, pesticides, soil eroding from bare areas, pet wastes, and oil or grease that may have leaked or spilled onto the ground.

The way in which home landscapes are designed and maintained directly affects runoff and Rouge River water quality. Landscapes can be designed to retain water on-site, encourage infiltration, and even to "treat" some pollutants through small ponds and wetlands. Trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and other plantings can be selected with water quality protection in mind.

Suggestions for environmental, low-maintenance landscaping are highlighted below.

Reduce paved surfaces
Paved surfaces block the natural infiltration of storm water into the ground. Paved surfaces increase both the volume and velocity of runoff from the site, increasing the potential for pollutants to reach sewers, drainageways, and water bodies. When paved surfaces are minimized, storm water can more readily infiltrate into the ground.

Paved surfaces are easiest to reduce when new construction is planned. When installing a new driveway or sidewalk, consider a gravel bed, bricks and flagstones, bricks or interlocking pavers, crushed shells or stone and bark chips. These porous surfaces encourage some infiltration of runoff.

Consider the design and layout of roads and pathways. Roads and pathways can also be designed with small berms, terraces or holding areas to trap storm water --especially on slopes. Designs with curves and designs which reduce standard roadway widths offer water quality benefits.

Preserve swales and low-lying areas on-site
When designing the home landscape, preserve low-lying areas such as wetlands and swales. These low-lying areas retain storm water, provide water quality filtration and may allow for some infiltration to replenish groundwater supplies. Research in Spokane, Washington, as well as Florida (among other locations) has documented the storm water quality benefits from swales and low-lying areas.

Berms and swales may also be designed into the landscape in order to slowdown the runoff. Berms and swales may be part of the site plan for an individual home or integrated into the design of an entire multiunit complex or subdivision development. Berms should be positioned to allow water to run toward the swales and away from the paved surfaces.

Connect roof downspouts and other pipes into swales or vegetated areas to reduce runoff volumes.

Design and retain small ponds, wetlands, and "rain gardens"
The value of small on-site ponds for water quality filtration and enhancement is significant. Ponds and on-site drainageways can be designed to trap runoff and to allow sediment to filter out of the water. Small ponds may function as water quality "kidneys" during small storms, with an overflow drainageway for large storms.

Rain gardens can be planned and integrated into both new and existing developments. A rain garden combines shrubs, grasses, trees and plants in depressions (about 6 inches deep) that allow water to pool for only a few days after a rain. The plants in the rain garden absorb the water and remove nutrients for a very low cost.

Rain gardens have been found to work in varying soils and landscape conditions in the Washington D.C. area --including sites with heavy Virginia clay and sites with sandy soils in neighboring Prince George's County, Maryland.

Plant and preserve diverse trees, shrubs, and groundcovers
Trees and shrubs on residential sites provide substantial environmental and water quality benefits. The tree canopy (overarching branches and leaves) buffers the impact of rainstorms, reduces soil erosion, encourage natural infiltration and helps sustain micro-climates which in turn allow native grasses and other groundcovers to survive. Tall grasses and other ground-covers hold soil in place and provide an alternative to a traditional high-maintenance or moderate-maintenance lawn.

As a landscaping concept, consider the addition of island beds (with trees, shrubs or flowers) in areas dominated by a light-maintenance or moderate maintenance lawn. The island beds provide a place to hide yard trimmings and can help trap and hold runoff.

Pest-resistant species of trees and shrubs which are hardy in Southeast Michigan should be selected--to avoid the need to toxic pesticides. Trees, shrubs, and groundcovers should be carefully selected to fit to the soil type, climate condition and the site drainage conditions.

Planting diverse trees, shrubs, and grasses leads to enhanced natural pest resistance. The pests for one species may be balanced by beneficial insects attracted to another species on the site. When planning for diversity, consider the type of plant (e.g. trees vs. shrubs); the species within the plant classification; vertical stratification and horizontal coverage.

In order to retain the natural and beneficial diversity of your landscape, remove exotic and invasive plants. Purple Loosestrife is a particular concern in the Rouge River Watershed. The plant pushes out native vegetation found in wetlands, destroying the natural diversity and wildlife habitat. For information on the identification and removal of invasive species, contact the Environmental Assistance Center, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at (517) 373-9400.

Replace large areas of high-maintenance plants with low-maintenance plants and mulches.
Some landscapes consume large quantities of water, time, fertilizers and other resources. Research at Texas A&M University in Dallas shows that selected reduced input and low-maintenance plants reduce nutrient concentrations in runoff.

Practical tips for the do-it-yourself gardener is as follows:

Amend soil with mulch compost as possible. A 2-3" layer first placed on top and then mixed into the soil will help retain water and nutrients.

Select plants which are resource efficient --requiring minimal levels of fertilizer, pesticides and water. Both native and non-native species may offer these advantages. Mulch the landscape with an organic of natural much --such as aged shredded bark; shredded leaves; grass clippings; or a mixture of these. Mulch will protect the soil, hole in water and will gradually contribute nutrients to the soil.

Establish native grass and herbaceous flowing plants in a meadow-like setting as an excellent alternative for high-maintenance landscapes. Native grass plants have low nutrient requirements but can be effective in nutrient uptake. When planning a native landscape, consider the length of time to establish he landscape and the long-term maintenance savings. Check with your municipality concerning height requirements for grasses and weeds. Try a small area before re-landscaping your entire yard.

Group plants according to similar growing and resource requirements, matching them with the existing site conditions. "Right plant . . . right place" is an important healthy garden principle.

Landscaping for wildlife.
Healthy wildlife and clean water are interrelated. Many practices which help protect water quality also enhance wildlife habitat. Habitats which encourage birds, bees, butterflies, and microorganisms help to sustain natural systems with natural pollutant reduction and soil conservation functions. Landscapes which benefit wildlife also help improve watershed water retention.

To encourage wildlife, provide the following:

Whenever possible, select pest-resistant native plants which will be enjoyed by diverse wildlife.

Retain or create vegetative buffer zones adjacent to creeks and drainageways which connect to the Rouge River.

If you live along a creek, major drainageway or branch of the Rouge River, you are a "riparian property owner." Your planning, planting and landscape maintenance activities have a direct impact on the Rouge River.

The two most important steps you can take are to (1) plant or retain a natural vegetative buffer adjacent to the waterway; and (2) prevent soil erosion along the bank of the river or creek.

A vegetative buffer includes a variety of plantings (preferably, native, pest-resistant species), which hold soil in place, buffer the impact of runoff and help shade and protect the waterway itself. Shore plants also shelter and feed all life stages of birds and small animals. Vegetated buffer areas should be as wide as possible, since wider buffers provide a greater opportunity for plants to slow and filter storm water.

Replanting disturbed vegetation along stream banks is an essential management practice. For more information about choices for plants, refer to the Stream Restoration Guidebook, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) available at county soil conservation district offices. For guidelines on how to prevent soil erosion when replacing plants, contact MSU Extension in your county.

For help with questions on: trees, lawns, flowers, fruit, pests, shrubs and vegetables, call the Garden Hotline.

Oakland County
(810) 858-0902

May - October
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - Noon & 1:00-4:00 p.m.

November - April
Hours vary please call

Wayne County
(313) 833-3268

May - October
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 1:00 p.m.

November - April
Hours vary please call

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Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.