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MUSKEGON CONSERVATION DISTRICT
| The mission of the Muskegon Conservation District is serving, educating, and empowering our community for natural resource protection by providing site-specific technical assistance and information to landowners in all aspects of natural resource management. |
| This site and content are the property of the Muskegon Conservation District |
MUSKEGON AREA MUNICIPAL STORM WATER EDUCATION
The Muskegon Conservation District provides stormwater education
services to residents throughout Muskegon County on behalf of the
Muskegon Area Municipal Storm Water Committee (MAMSWC). For
information, publications, or presentations, contact Alyssa Merten,
Project Manager at the Muskegon Conservation District.
The Muskegon Conservation District provides stormwater education
services to residents throughout Muskegon County on behalf of the
Muskegon Area Municipal Storm Water Committee (MAMSWC). For
information, publications, or presentations, contact Alyssa Merten,
Project Manager at the Muskegon Conservation District.
What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt
flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces, like roofs, driveways,
sidewalks, and streets, prevent this stormwater from naturally
soaking into the ground, and instead direct this water flow into the
nearest storm water drainage system (Ms4). Stormwater can
become polluted by picking up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other
pollutants as it flows across the land or along streets. Anything that
enters a storm water drainage system is generally discharged
untreated into the nearest lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands, the
same waters that we use for swimming, fishing, and providing
drinking water.
Storm drain systems are highly essential systems to any developed
area to effectively prevent flooding by quickly and efficiently
transferring water away from the development. However, future
investments into storm drainage systems must explore alternative
stormwater management and focus on a great reduction in pollution
and hydrologic changes to our natural water systems.
What causes pollution in stormwater runoff?
Polluted runoff generally happens anywhere people use or alter the
land. For example, in developed areas, none of the water that falls on
hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, parking lots or roads can seep
into the ground. These impervious surfaces create large amounts of
runoff that picks up pollutants. The runoff flows from gutters and
storm drains to streams. Runoff not only pollutes but erodes stream
banks. The mix of pollution and eroded dirt muddies the water and
causes problems downstream.
Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt
flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces, like roofs, driveways,
sidewalks, and streets, prevent this stormwater from naturally
soaking into the ground, and instead direct this water flow into the
nearest storm water drainage system (Ms4). Stormwater can
become polluted by picking up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other
pollutants as it flows across the land or along streets. Anything that
enters a storm water drainage system is generally discharged
untreated into the nearest lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands, the
same waters that we use for swimming, fishing, and providing
drinking water.
Storm drain systems are highly essential systems to any developed
area to effectively prevent flooding by quickly and efficiently
transferring water away from the development. However, future
investments into storm drainage systems must explore alternative
stormwater management and focus on a great reduction in pollution
and hydrologic changes to our natural water systems.
What causes pollution in stormwater runoff?
Polluted runoff generally happens anywhere people use or alter the
land. For example, in developed areas, none of the water that falls on
hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, parking lots or roads can seep
into the ground. These impervious surfaces create large amounts of
runoff that picks up pollutants. The runoff flows from gutters and
storm drains to streams. Runoff not only pollutes but erodes stream
banks. The mix of pollution and eroded dirt muddies the water and
causes problems downstream.
| Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm Due to the nature of our work, the office may be closed during regular office hours as our staff are working in the field or attending appointments with landowners. Thank You! Phone: 231-773-0008 |
People going about their daily lives are the number one source of stormwater pollutants. Most people are
unaware of how they impact water quality. Some common examples include overfertilizing lawns,
excessive or improper pesticide use, not picking up pet waste, using salt or fertilizer to de-ice driveways,
letting oil drip out of their vehicles, and littering. Developed areas in general, with their increased runoff,
concentrated numbers of people and animals, construction and other activities, are a major contributor to
pollution, as are agricultural activities. Other contributors include forest harvesting activities, roadways, and
malfunctioning septic systems.
Some pollutants – like pesticides, fertilizers, oil and soap – are harmful in any quantity. Others – like
sediment from construction, bare soil, or agricultural land, or pet waste, grass clippings and leaves – can
harm creeks, rivers and lakes if there are sufficient quantities.
In addition to rain and snowmelt, various human activities like watering lawns, car washing, and
malfunctioning septic systems can also put water onto the land surface. This can also create runoff that
carries pollutants to creeks, rivers and lakes.
How does polluted stormwater runoff affect our waterways?
Polluted water creates numerous costs to the public and to wildlife. As the saying goes, “we all live
downstream.” Communities that use surface water for their drinking supply must pay much more to clean
up polluted water than clean water.
Polluted water negatively affects the wildlife in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Dirt from erosion, also
called sediment, covers up fish habitats and fertilizers can cause too much algae to grow, which also hurts
wildlife by using up the oxygen they need to survive. Soaps hurt fish gills and fish skin, and other
chemicals damage plants and animals when they enter the water.
The quantity of stormwater is also a problem. When stormwater falls on hard surfaces like roads, roofs,
driveways and parking lots, it cannot seep into the ground, so it runs off to lower areas. To give you an idea
of the difference a hard surface makes, consider the difference between one inch of rain falling onto a
meadow and a parking lot. The parking lot sheds 16 times the amount of water that a meadow does!
Because more water runs off hard surfaces, developed areas can experience local flooding. The high
volume of water also causes streams banks to erode and washes the wildlife that live there downstream.
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people.
Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also
can destroy aquatic habitats.
Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a
process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can't exist in water with
low dissolved oxygen levels.
Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making
beach closures necessary.
Debris - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into water bodies can choke,
suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto
fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick from eating diseased fish and
shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
Quantity of water - Unnaturally high flows, caused by increased runoff over impervious surfaces, results in
significant changes to hydrology and stream channels. These high flows scour the stream banks, remove
vegetation (which leads to increased temperatures), carry away large debris critical for fish survival, and
reduce the opportunity for groundwater recharge.
Where can I find more local stormwater or watershed information?
--- Contact Alyssa Merten at the Muskegon Conservation District for stormwater information and
publications, or to schedule a presentation for your group or organization.
--- Mona Lake Watershed Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is "To restore, protect, and
maintain for future generations, the Mona Lake Watershed as a viable natural resource and to inspire
attitudes, awareness, behavior, and knowledge through the use of science and education." Their purpose
is to serve as a central catalyst, taking scientific research and education principles to the citizens and
stakeholders of the watershed to bring about effective change that will restore and protect our natural
resources.
--- The Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership (MLWP) is "a coalition of community interests dedicated to
working cooperatively for the improvement of the Muskegon Lake ecosystem, and for the delisting of
Muskegon Lake as an Area of Concern." The MLWP (formerly the Muskegon Lake Public Advisory Council)
addresses the quality of Muskegon Lake and its affiliated watersheds with activities that advise agencies,
form partnerships and express local community views for the restoration and protection of the Muskegon
Lake Area of Concern (AOC).
__________________________________________________________________________________
unaware of how they impact water quality. Some common examples include overfertilizing lawns,
excessive or improper pesticide use, not picking up pet waste, using salt or fertilizer to de-ice driveways,
letting oil drip out of their vehicles, and littering. Developed areas in general, with their increased runoff,
concentrated numbers of people and animals, construction and other activities, are a major contributor to
pollution, as are agricultural activities. Other contributors include forest harvesting activities, roadways, and
malfunctioning septic systems.
Some pollutants – like pesticides, fertilizers, oil and soap – are harmful in any quantity. Others – like
sediment from construction, bare soil, or agricultural land, or pet waste, grass clippings and leaves – can
harm creeks, rivers and lakes if there are sufficient quantities.
In addition to rain and snowmelt, various human activities like watering lawns, car washing, and
malfunctioning septic systems can also put water onto the land surface. This can also create runoff that
carries pollutants to creeks, rivers and lakes.
How does polluted stormwater runoff affect our waterways?
Polluted water creates numerous costs to the public and to wildlife. As the saying goes, “we all live
downstream.” Communities that use surface water for their drinking supply must pay much more to clean
up polluted water than clean water.
Polluted water negatively affects the wildlife in creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Dirt from erosion, also
called sediment, covers up fish habitats and fertilizers can cause too much algae to grow, which also hurts
wildlife by using up the oxygen they need to survive. Soaps hurt fish gills and fish skin, and other
chemicals damage plants and animals when they enter the water.
The quantity of stormwater is also a problem. When stormwater falls on hard surfaces like roads, roofs,
driveways and parking lots, it cannot seep into the ground, so it runs off to lower areas. To give you an idea
of the difference a hard surface makes, consider the difference between one inch of rain falling onto a
meadow and a parking lot. The parking lot sheds 16 times the amount of water that a meadow does!
Because more water runs off hard surfaces, developed areas can experience local flooding. The high
volume of water also causes streams banks to erode and washes the wildlife that live there downstream.
Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people.
Sediment can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment also
can destroy aquatic habitats.
Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a
process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can't exist in water with
low dissolved oxygen levels.
Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making
beach closures necessary.
Debris - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into water bodies can choke,
suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.
Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto
fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick from eating diseased fish and
shellfish or ingesting polluted water.
Quantity of water - Unnaturally high flows, caused by increased runoff over impervious surfaces, results in
significant changes to hydrology and stream channels. These high flows scour the stream banks, remove
vegetation (which leads to increased temperatures), carry away large debris critical for fish survival, and
reduce the opportunity for groundwater recharge.
Where can I find more local stormwater or watershed information?
--- Contact Alyssa Merten at the Muskegon Conservation District for stormwater information and
publications, or to schedule a presentation for your group or organization.
--- Mona Lake Watershed Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is "To restore, protect, and
maintain for future generations, the Mona Lake Watershed as a viable natural resource and to inspire
attitudes, awareness, behavior, and knowledge through the use of science and education." Their purpose
is to serve as a central catalyst, taking scientific research and education principles to the citizens and
stakeholders of the watershed to bring about effective change that will restore and protect our natural
resources.
--- The Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership (MLWP) is "a coalition of community interests dedicated to
working cooperatively for the improvement of the Muskegon Lake ecosystem, and for the delisting of
Muskegon Lake as an Area of Concern." The MLWP (formerly the Muskegon Lake Public Advisory Council)
addresses the quality of Muskegon Lake and its affiliated watersheds with activities that advise agencies,
form partnerships and express local community views for the restoration and protection of the Muskegon
Lake Area of Concern (AOC).
__________________________________________________________________________________