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Raingardens help keep lakes clean
Water that runs off your yard and driveway eventually makes its way to the lake - often faster than you think! Along with adding to lake level increases, that water carries sediment, nutrients, and other harmful chemicals into the lake. Any time you keep water where it falls, you prevent problems downstream. Simple actions such as directing downspouts to grassy areas, aerating your lawn, using rain barrels or planting a rain garden in a low area all add up to big improvements for our lakes and streams.
Street storm drain clean up
Motor oil, gasoline, leftover paint and pesticides are all common household products that can create big problems if they reach our lakes, streams, and wetlands.
Fortunately, Scott County has a program for properly disposing of these and other household hazardous wastes. Call 952-496-8652 or click here for drop-off locations and times. And remember, NEVER dispose of these materials in storm drains, which do not lead to a treatment plant, but rather are connected to our lakes, streams and wetlands. More information on household hazardous waste can be found on the Scott County HHW Facility web site.
There are upcoming classes on shorelines and rain gardens available through the Scott Clean Water Education Program (SCWEP). Grants and technical/design assistance are available through the classes offered via SCWEP. The Blue Thumb program also provides information on plant selection, DIY designs and local sources of native plants for raingardens and native gardens.
