Preserve native vegetation on your lakeshore, river bank, or creek

A strip of natural plants between the water and buildings, lawns or cleared areas keeps your lake, river, or creek healthy. The wider this "buffer" of native plants, the better for the water and the creatures living in it. Natural vegetation:

filters sediment and nutrients out of surface runoff provides cooling shade for salmon, trout, and the aquatic creatures they depend on for food provides food and a home for a variety of other wildlife stabilizes banks helps stop erosion and dissipates floodwaters A buffer of native plants at water's edge can also discourage waterfowl from taking over your lawn. A lawn right to a lakeshore, for example, attracts waterfowl which add waste nutrients to the lake.

Learn more about native plants: The Value of Riparian Vegetation Native Plant Resources for the Pacific Northwest Native Plant Salvage Program Native Plant Nurseries in the Northwest Live Stake Cutting & Planting Tips

Protect your lake, river, or creek from your septic system

Know your system - where it is and how to maintain it. Have your septic tank checked every other year and pumped when necessary. Conserve water to avoid stressing your septic system, and keep solvents, phosphate detergents, additives and other hazardous materials out of the system.

Consider "green gardening" for your lawn

Keep pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer use to a minimum. For example, applying fast acting fertilizer or too much fertilizer doesn't help the plants-- it just washes into and pollutes water bodies. Same with pesticides and herbicides-- recent surveys found 9 out of 10 King County streams were polluted with the common pesticide, diazinon. An alternative is to replace your lawn with ground cover or shrubs. Native trees and shrubs require little maintenance and look great.

Learn about alternatives to pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer: Safer Gardening and Pest Control Composting

Locate buildings well back from the shoreline

Build structures in accordance with local regulations. Avoid waterfront structures that require lots of tree clearing, excavating or filling. Again, keep a wide buffer of native vegetation between structures or cleared areas and the lakeside, riverbank, or creek.

Get involved with our Lakes Stewardship Program

Water and Land Resources has a program to provide technical assistance to lakeside residents and others on lake quality and management issues. The Lake Stewardship Program can provide:

• speakers on lakes and their watersheds
• training sessions on volunteer monitoring and other topics
• a newsletter on the status and health of local lakes
• assist lake groups on grant applications
• aquatic plant control techniques and survey information