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Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality. Stormwater Runoff. Definition: Rainfall that, instead of soaking into the ground, flows into water bodies picking up pollutants along the way. http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/EnvAnalysis/Stormwaterquality/Gen_info_edu.htm. River Basin.
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Stormwater Runoff • Definition: Rainfall that, instead of soaking into the ground, flows into water bodies picking up pollutants along the way http://www.kytc.state.ky.us/EnvAnalysis/Stormwaterquality/Gen_info_edu.htm
River Basin • Definition: defined area where all water within the area flows into a common water body • There are 17 different river basins in NC • You live in the Pasquotank River Basin, which has the fewest number of people and the most national wildlife refuges in the State!
NC River Basins http://www.cgia.state.nc.us/Portals/0/images/examples/nc_rivbasins.jpg
Pollution • As stormwater flows across streets and lawns, it picks up chemical pollutants • All pollution in a river basin accumulates in the common water body
Types of Pollution Point Source Pollution Nonpoint Source Pollution Definition- general and indirect water pollution from many different sources Examples Agricultural Runoff Animal Waste Residential Property Runoff Parking Lot and Road Runoff • Definition-localized source of pollution, usually industrial and coming from a pipe • Examples • Industry • Landfills http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/LCC/INTERNET/me.get?site.sectionshow&PAGE1230&BODY
What’s wrong with this picture? http://www.ncstormwater.org/pages/workbook_pollution_solutions.html
Visual Indicators of Water Quality • Diverse Organisms • Bugs as Indicators of Water Quality Mayflies and Caddisflies cannot tolerate water pollution, therefore their presence in a water body indicates good water quality. Mayfly larvae http://swittersb.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/mayfly20nymph.jpg Caddisfly larvae http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~gymfj2/Caddisfly.htm
Measuring Water Quality • Dissolved Oxygen • Water Temperature • pH • Extremely high or low levels of any of these indicate poor water quality A YSI Meter is used to measure these quantities.
How do we cleanse our waters?! • Riparian buffers • Wetlands • Stormwater Best Management Practices • Rain gardens, Cisterns, Rain Barrels, Permeable Pavement