Earth Gauge » Groundwater

Mississippi River Watershed

espinoza — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:58:55 +0000

Did you know that the Mississippi River provides drainage for 41 percent of the continental United States? This means that if a single drop of rain falls anywhere in this area, which includes all or part of 31 states and two Canadian provinces, it becomes a part of the Mississippi River Watershed. The fate of this single drop of water then depends on several factors. If the ground is not saturated, the water will be pulled downward into the soil by gravity, where it becomes available for plants or recharges groundwater supplies. If the soil is saturated or if the water drop falls on some type of impervious surface such as rooftops, concrete or asphalt, the droplet will travel above the surface towards the nearest stream or body of water. As this drop of rain flows across the surface, it encounters a slew of possible contaminants including, but not limited to gasoline, pesticides, pet waste and fertilizers.

Viewer Tip: No matter where you are in a watershed, what you do on your property can affect the overall hydrologic system. An easy way to protect water quality at home is to keep rain water on your property by directing downspouts onto a lawn or grassy area, away from driveways and sidewalks.

You can learn more about the watershed you live in, both at a local and regional scale, by contacting your local Department of Natural Resources office or visiting their website.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters. Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Fertilizer Runoff

espinoza — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:45:29 +0000

Often, homeowners apply fertilizers to help out lawns that don’t naturally receive enough nutrients. Fertilizer helps to optimize grass growth, but you can have too much of a good thing. Over-fertilizing or improperly applying fertilizers can lead to excess nutrients in the soil, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can degrade water quality. These nutrients can seep through the ground, past the root zone and into our groundwater supplies. Fertilizers can also be washed off of a property and into the storm drain during rain storms.

Viewer Tip: There are easy steps you can take at home to prevent water pollution from fertilizing:

Try not to spill fertilizer granules. If you do have spill, do not rinse fertilizer granules away with a hose – sweep up with a broom, instead.
Avoid applying fertilizers and other yard care treatments if rain is in the forecast.
Leave grass clippings on your lawn or use them as mulch in garden beds. As the clippings break down, they will fertilize naturally, reducing the need for extra fertilizer application.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, www.epa.gov/owow; Greenscapes, http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/greenscapes/index.htm; Smart Yard, Healthy Gulf. http://www.smartyardhealthygulf.com/fertilizer-guidelines)

Nuisance Nutrients

espinoza — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:14:03 +0000

A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey found elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in many streams and groundwater supplies across the country. Elevated levels were most often found in streams near agricultural areas, particularly in the Northeast, Midwest and Northwest, as well as near urban areas. In many cases, concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in streams and groundwater supplies are two to ten times greater than EPA’s recommended levels to protect aquatic life. These nutrients can also impact drinking water quality in private wells.

Viewer Tip: Nitrogen and phosphorus in streams and groundwater supplies come from many sources, including wastewater discharges, fertilizer and manure applications on agricultural land, and rain water runoff from residential and urban areas. At home, you can help keep nitrogen and phosphorus out of our water ways with these simple tips:

Never dump chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides or pet waste in or near a storm drain.
Wait for dry weather to apply yard care treatments, like fertilizers or pesticides.
Direct home downspouts to grassy areas instead of pavement. This allows rain water to soak into the ground rather than running off into the street and storm drain.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: USGS Release: Elevated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Still Widespread in Much of the Nation’s Streams and Groundwater. http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2599; Trout Unlimited, www.tu.org; U.S. EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, www.epa.gov/owow)

Rain Gardens

espinoza — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:06:07 +0000

Rain gardens can cut down on the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30 percent. A rain garden is a planted depression that allows rainwater runoff from artificial urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways and lawn areas to be absorbed. This reduces runoff by allowing storm water to soak into the ground rather than flowing into storm drains and surface waters. Capturing storm water in a rain garden helps to reduce erosion, water pollution and flooding in our local creeks and streams, while also replenishing groundwater supplies. Rain gardens help fish and wildlife by protecting streams and rivers from pollutants carried by urban storm water like lawn fertilizer, pesticides and car fluids.

Viewer Tip: This is a great time of year to start planning a rain garden for your yard. Trout Unlimited suggests these tips for building rain gardens.

Place rain gardens at least ten feet from the house so water does not seep under the house’s foundation.
Typical residential rain gardens range from 100 to 300 square feet in size.
Rain gardens should be planted with native plants.

Helpful tips for building a garden: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/raingarden/Building.htm

Find plants that are native to your area: http://www.wildflower.org/explore/

This information is provided by Trout Unlimited. Learn more at www.tu.org.

Put Rainwater to Good Use

administrator — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:37:17 +0000

In times of drought, a rain garden is one way to put what rain we do receive to good use. A rain garden is a landscaped area of low-maintenance native plants designed to collect and use rainwater. They require less maintenance and fewer chemicals than lawns. Instead of allowing rainwater to flow from your home downspout to the ground, you can direct the downspout so that the rainwater runs to a low lying area at least ten feet from your house, where you should locate your rain garden on a level site. Sites on a steep slope are not suitable, as the rain will flow over the garden instead of soaking in. Start with a small area that can be expanded later. If the soil around your home has a high clay content, remove one to two feet of soil and replace it with a mixture of sand, topsoil and compost. The back edge of the rain garden should have a grass or groundcover border to slow down the runoff water as it enters the garden. Plant a mix of self-seeding perennials, grasses and shrubs, along with a three-inch layer of mulch. Contact your local nursery about the appropriate plants to use.

Viewer Tip: Watch your garden during a heavy rainfall. If water is running over the top, you may need to expand the garden. Another option is to build a trench to carry excess water from your rain garden to another low lying area where you can create a second rain garden.

This information is provided by the Georgia Wildlife Federation. For more information, visit www.gwf.org.

Seasons: Spring, Summer

(Sources: Windstar Wildlife Institute Website, www.windstar.org/knowledge_center.cfm; Clean Water Atlanta website: www.cleanwateratlanta.org/environmentaleducation.)

Urban Runoff

administrator — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:34:47 +0000

Earth Gauge Video is available for this tip!

When the snow melts or the rain falls, where does the water go? On a typical city block – with pavement and rooftops – more than half runs off into storm drains instead of soaking into the soil. On the way to the storm drain, water picks up oil, chemicals, pet waste, road salts and other pollutants. In many cities, water in the storm system travels directly to local streams and rivers, untreated. That means that pollutants end up in public waters used for fishing, swimming and drinking.

Viewer Tip: Let the water soak. At home, point downspouts towards grass instead of pavement to allow rain water and snow melt to soak into the ground.

Seasons: Winter, Spring

(Sources: U.S. EPA. “Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff: Clean Water is Everybody’s Business.” http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/nps_urban-facts_final.pdf)

New York Groundwater

administrator — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:36:02 +0000

Did you know that groundwater provides one quarter of New Yorkers with their drinking water, totaling around 900 million gallons of water dailyWhen rain falls, some of the water ends up in lakes and rivers, some of it is used by plants, some of it evaporates back into the atmosphere, and some seeps through the ground into aquifers – large, natural underground water storage areas. Harmful bacteria and other pollutants present on the earth’s surface can be carried into groundwater supplies during a rainstorm.

Viewer Tip: Contamination of groundwater supplies can cause serious health problems and decrease the amount of available, useable drinking water. A major source of water quality problems is improperly functioning or failing septic systems. If you have a septic system or other private system for wastewater disposal, an easy way to prevent groundwater pollution in your area is to divert rain water runoff from downspouts and other areas away from your septic drainfield. This will prevent the runoff water from transporting pollutants from the septic drainfield into groundwater supplies as it soaks into the ground.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.”Groundwater”. Available at: www.dec.ny.gov/lands/36064.html; The National Onsite Water Recycling Association, www.nowra.org)

Guard Your Groundwater

administrator — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:38:06 +0000

When rain falls, some of the water ends up in lakes and rivers, some of it is used by plants, some of it evaporates back into the atmosphere, and some seeps through the ground into aquifers – large, natural underground water storage areas. We call the water stored in aquifers “groundwater.” It is an important natural resource and more than 50 percent of the United States depends on groundwater supplies for drinking and household water usage.

Viewer Tip: Polluants that sit on the Earth’s surface can seep through the soil into groundwater aquifers when it rains. Septic and sewage systems waste sites and applied fertilizers and pesticides can all contaminate groundwater and cause problems for humans who extract this water for drinking. Keep in mind that anything you put on your lawn, or essentially anything that ends up on the ground, can eventually reach groundwater supplies. If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area. If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting groundwater quality at risk.

Learn more about the relationships between weather and watersheds in the COMET-NEEF course, Watersheds: Connecting Weather to the Environment, available at www.meted.ucar.edu/bmet_training.php (free registration required). This course counts for professional development credit under the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Program.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: EPA. Aquatic Biodiversity: Groundwater. Available at: epa.gov/bioindicators/aquatic/ground-r.html; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells)

Affected Amphipods

administrator — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:32:53 +0000

What looks like a shrimp, is related to crabs and lobsters, and is found only in small freshwater springs in Rock Creek Park? Hay’s Spring Amphipod – a tiny, blind, bacteria and fungus-eating crustacean. Both Hay’s Spring amphipod and Kenk’s amphipod are found only in the District of Columbia, surviving among wet leaves in areas where groundwater rises to the earth’s surface. While these tiny creatures may seem insignificant, amphipods are very sensitive to changes in their habitat, and can be important indicators of water quality and quantity.

Viewer Tip: Scientists note that development around the DC area might put amphipods at risk because pavement and other “hard” surfaces do not allow rain water to soak into the ground, where it recharges the groundwater supplies these creatures depend on for survival. You can help recharge groundwater supplies by directing home downspouts towards grassy or vegetated areas, instead of paved driveways or sidewalks. During the next rain, water will soak slowly into the ground, rather than running off into the storm drain.

Seasons: All

(Sources: Smithsonian National Zoological Park. “Tiny Treasures.” Zoogoer, December 2005, http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2005/6/amphipods.cfm; Fahrenhold, D.A. “On the Brink.” The Washington Post, Wednesday, August 20, 2008; US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, www.epa.gov/owow.)

Drink Up

administrator — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:44:43 +0000

Americans fill-up one billion water glasses from the tap each day, and water utilities treat more than 34 billion gallons of water daily. While our tap water is generally safe, naturally-occurring pollutants and pollutants from humans and animals can impact drinking water quality.

Viewer Tip: The best way to protect your water and health is to learn about your local drinking water supply and how to protect it.

Know where your drinking water comes from. If you get your drinking water from a public supply, your water utility will provide a yearly “Consumer Confidence Report” that gives information on your water source, potential contaminants, and possible health effects. Visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html and click on your state to find out if your report is available online.
If you depend on a household well – 15 percent of Americans do – make sure you have it tested for contaminants (bacteria, nitrates, and others) yearly. Installing a well cap or sanitary seal can protect your water supply from tampering and contamination.
Regardless of where you live, protect water quality by using household chemicals carefully. Never dump them outside or apply yard care chemicals when there is rain in the forecast. Avoid using chemicals near wells or surface waters.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: U.S. EPA. “Water on Tap: What You Need to Know.” http://www.epa.gov/safewater/wot/pdfs/book_waterontap_full.pdf; U.S. EPA. “Local Drinking Water Information.” http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/index.html)

Permeable Pavers (Chesapeake Bay)

administrator — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:31:38 +0000

In the 1990′s, the amount of impervious surface – paved areas such as roads, driveways, and sidewalks – increased five times faster than the population in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed! By 2000, more than 860,000 acres of land (about 1,343 square miles) was covered in pavement, and it is expected that an additional 250,000 acres (390 square miles)will be impervious by 2010.When naturalvegetation and soilsare replaced with pavement,rain water runs off intostorm drains and ditchesthat discharge directly to local rivers and streams, rather than soaking into the ground.This can create high flows and floodingduring rain events, but can lead to low flows after thestormhas passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: Thinking about backyard renovations for spring? If you plan to replace a walkway or patio in your yard this year, consider using permeable pavement surfaces, such as wood decks, spaced bricks, or concrete lattice, instead of solid concrete or asphalt. These surfaces allow water to soak through to the ground, preventing rain water from running off your property, and helping to replenish groundwater supplies.

Season: Spring

(Sources: The Chesapeake Bay Program. “Chesapeake Bay Watershed Development Trends (Impervious Cover and Development Pressure).” http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_impervioussurface.aspx?menuitem=19790; The Center for Watershed Protection, http://www.cwp.org/; US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds)

Reducing Runoff

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:31:30 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwaterand snowmelt to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this can create high flows and floodingduring rain/snow events, but can lead to low flows after thestormhas passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: American Rivers, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Smart Growth America. “Paving Our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates Drought.” Available from: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/PavingOurWay.pdf; EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (Patty Scott). Watershed Tips, April 11, 2005)

Reducing Runoff (Seattle, WA)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:27:52 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwaterand snow melt to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain/snow events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates that Seattle loses between10.5and24.6 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Reducing Runoff (Pittsburgh, PA)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:26:32 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwaterand snow melt to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain/snow events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates thatPittsburgh loses between13.5and31.5 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Reducing Runoff (Orlando, FL)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:25:05 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwaterand snow melt to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain/snow events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates thatOrlando loses between9.2and21.5 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Reducing Runoff (Chicago, IL)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:23:20 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwaterand snow melt to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain/snow events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates thatChicago loses between10.2and23.7 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Reducing Runoff (Boston, MA)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:22:06 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwaterand snow melt to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain/snow events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates thatBoston loses between43.9and102.5 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Reducing Runoff (Washington, DC)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:20:46 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwater to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates thatDC loses between23.8 and55.6 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Reducing Runoff (Nashville, TN)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:19:53 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwaterand snow melt to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain/snow events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates thatNashville loses between17.3 and40.5 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Reducing Runoff (Houston, TX)

administrator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:18:53 +0000

When rain falls on natural areas, it slowly soaks into the ground where it recharges groundwater supplies that eventually feed some rivers and streams. In urban areas, however, large amounts of pavement cause rainwater to run off roads, driveways, and sidewalks quickly. Instead of seeping into the ground, this water is carried through storm drains and ditches which discharge directly to local rivers and streams — this creates high flows during rain events, but can lead to low flows after the rain has passed. In areas where rivers and streams depend on groundwater to replenish their water supplies, this can mean overall lower water levels.

Viewer Tip: One study estimates thatHouston loses between12.8 and29.8 billion gallons of water that would normally soak into the ground each year due to runoff from paved surfaces in the city. You can help reduce runoff at homeby allowing water to soak into the ground on your property, instead of running off into a street, storm drain, or creek. Make sure that home gutters and downspouts are directed towards grassy areas instead of pavement. You might also consider adding a rain barrel to your home, which connects to a downspout and collects rainwater for later uses, such as outdoor watering or car washing.

Seasons:Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter