Serious About Sediments
Have you heard of the Keep Tahoe Blue Campaign?
If you answered, “Yes”, then you probably also know that one of the pollutants that affects Lake Tahoe’s world-renowned clarity is sediments. But sediments don’t just affect Lake Tahoe. They are also a pollutant of concern throughout the entire Truckee River Watershed and affect the Truckee River too!
Photo Credit: Wendy Hundell Caption: A view of the Upper Truckee River flowing into South Lake Tahoe as it delivers a large sediment plume containing phosphorus and nitrogen, which are key contributors to algae growth. Development has altered the Truckee Marsh, disturbing the natural filtration process that removes sediment and pollution from water prior to reaching The Lake.
What are Sediments?
Sediments are fragments of inorganic (rocks and minerals) and organic (leaf debris) materials that are moved from one location to another. They are transported with a process called erosion, where water, wind, or ice break up and move particles down hill.
Why Are Sediments Bad?
When sediments hit waterways they make the water cloudy and decrease its clarity. This decreases light and makes it harder for aquatic plants to photosynthesize. The particles in the water can also trap heat and decrease dissolved oxygen, making waterways less hospitable for fish and other aquatic species.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Ericleb01 Caption: Sediment pollution in a creek makes the water cloudy and decreases clarity.
So as you can see, sediments decrease water quality, and it’s important to keep them out of waterways. If we want to keep Lake Tahoe blue and the Truckee River healthy, we need to get serious about sediments.
So What Can You Do?
Fortunately, this is a problem we can all help with. We have 3 River-Friendly Landscaping tips on how you can help reduce sediments starting in your own yard.
Tip #1: Use Mulches
Photo Credit: Carrie Jensen Caption: Wood mulches cover and protect soils from erosion, keeping sediments out of the Truckee River. Just be sure to place them away from the base of your home to reduce fire risk.
Mulches are like blankets that help protect soils from the forces of wind and water, making sure they don’t erode and wash away. There are many landscape mulches we can use to protect our soils from erosion, including wood chip and rock mulches.
Photo Credit: Carrie Jensen Caption: Rock mulches with small particles, like decomposed granite, can erode easily. Be sure not to place them on slopes or adjacent to sidewalks, where they can runoff causing slipping hazards and contributing sediments to the Truckee River.
Wood chip mulches have added benefits such as suppressing weeds and increasing soil organic matter. When you apply wood mulches in thick layers, they can help block out enough light to suppress germination of weeds, which can really cut down on yard maintenance in the spring when all those pesky weeds emerge. As they break down, wood mulches also add organic matter into our soils. This helps improve soil structure, supports the soil food web and increases moisture retention, which is a big plus in the desert! There are so many good things about wood mulches, but their one downside is that they are flammable. This means we have to think carefully about where we place them and prioritize areas away from the foundations of our homes to reduce fire fuels.
Rock mulches can also be great at protecting soils from erosion, and there’s a huge variety of colors and sizes to choose from for many different aesthetics. While rock mulches don’t add organic matter, they also don’t break down. This makes them ideal for low-maintenance areas where one application is preferred. And because they’re not flammable they’re perfect for mulching around roof drip lines where soil erosion is common. The only downside of rock mulches is that if they have a small particle size, like pea gravels and decomposed granites, they can erode themselves. To deal with this, just be sure to avoid placing them on slopes or next to driveways and sidewalks where they can wash off.
Tip #2: Plant Steep Slopes
If you live in the foothills of the Truckee Meadows this tip is for you! Steep slopes are highly susceptible to erosion since gravity is always pulling things downhill. One of the key ways to hold soils in place on slopes is to densely plant them. The network of plant roots holds the soils in place and defies gravity.
Photo Credit: Carrie Jensen Caption: Revegetated slopes in a neighborhood in Northwest Reno. Plant roots help hold soils in place and reduce erosion.
Tip #3: Talk to Your Contractor
Soils are most susceptible to erosion when they are being disturbed and moved around during construction. If you’re having construction work done on your property, be sure to talk to your contractor about the importance of sediment controls. There are many best management practices to protect soils from erosion and reduce sediment pollution, such as wattles, erosion control blankets, and hydromulching. For more information, direct your contractor to: https://tmstormwater.com/construction.
Photo Credit: USACE Caption: Workers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District install straw wattles along a new American River levee section in the River Park neighborhood of Sacramento.