What is Surface Runoff? Backyard Guide

Imagine your backyard after a heavy rain: water rushing across the grass, maybe carrying leaves and soil with it. That's surface runoff in action! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines storm water as rain or snowmelt that flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces, such as concrete driveways, play a huge role in the quantity of surface runoff produced; the more you have, the greater the runoff. Understanding what is surface runoff is crucial because it directly impacts local water bodies, like the Chesapeake Bay, carrying pollutants that can harm aquatic life; and, learning how to use tools such as rain barrels can help reduce runoff from your property, making your backyard more eco-friendly.

Understanding Surface Runoff and Your Backyard

Ever wonder where all that rainwater really goes after a big storm? It’s easy to think it just vanishes, but the truth is, a lot of it becomes something called surface runoff.

What is Surface Runoff?

In simple terms, surface runoff is stormwater that doesn't soak into the ground.

Think of it like this: your lawn, garden beds, and even bare soil can absorb some rain. But when the rain falls faster than the ground can handle, or when it hits hard surfaces like driveways and patios, it starts to flow over the surface. That's runoff.

Runoff: A Backyard Issue?

You might be thinking, "Okay, runoff exists. But why should I care about it in my backyard?"

That's a great question! The truth is that your backyard plays a vital role in the overall health of your local environment.

Even seemingly small amounts of runoff from individual properties can add up to a big problem when they combine.

Why Should You Care About Runoff?

This guide is all about helping you understand surface runoff and how it affects your garden, your community, and the environment. We want to give you the knowledge and tools to manage runoff effectively.

Managing runoff in your backyard has several benefits:

• Reduced Erosion: Runoff can wash away valuable topsoil, leaving your garden barren. Controlling runoff helps keep your soil where it belongs.
• Pollution Control: Runoff picks up pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, and pet waste, carrying them into streams and lakes. By managing runoff, you can prevent these pollutants from reaching our waterways.
• Potential Water Savings: By capturing and reusing rainwater, you can reduce your reliance on municipal water supplies, saving money and conserving resources.

Understanding and managing surface runoff is not just about protecting the environment, it's about protecting your property and creating a healthier, more sustainable yard.

What is Surface Runoff, Really? Defining the Basics

Ever wonder where all that rainwater really goes after a big storm? It’s easy to think it just vanishes, but the truth is, a lot of it becomes something called surface runoff.

In simple terms, surface runoff is stormwater that doesn't soak into the ground.

Think of it like this: it's the water flowing over surfaces like your driveway, lawn, or garden during or after a rain event. But understanding surface runoff means seeing it as part of something much bigger!

Stormwater: Runoff in Its Purest Form

Stormwater is probably the most direct type of surface runoff most of us encounter. It's the rain that hits the ground and immediately starts flowing, whether it's down your street or across a field.

Because it flows quickly across various surfaces, it also picks up anything that's lying around, from loose soil to bits of trash. This is why it’s so important to manage it properly!

The Hydrologic Cycle: Where Runoff Fits In

To truly grasp runoff, it's helpful to understand the bigger picture: the hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle. This cycle describes how water moves continuously on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Runoff plays a critical role in this cycle, connecting precipitation to bodies of water.

Precipitation: The Source of Runoff

It all starts with precipitation, which is any form of water falling from the atmosphere – rain, snow, sleet, or hail. The amount and intensity of precipitation directly impact how much runoff occurs.

Heavy downpours, for example, often lead to significant runoff because the ground simply can’t absorb water fast enough.

Infiltration: When Water Soaks In

The opposite of runoff is infiltration. This is when water soaks into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies and nourishing plants.

Factors like soil type, vegetation cover, and how compact the soil is all influence how much infiltration can occur. Sandy soils, for example, infiltrate water much better than clay soils.

Watersheds: We're All Downstream

Finally, it’s important to understand how your actions connect to the larger watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains to a common outlet, like a river, lake, or ocean.

Think of it as a giant bathtub where all the water eventually flows to the drain.

This means that anything that happens in your backyard – from using fertilizers to paving over grassy areas – can eventually affect the water quality and health of ecosystems downstream. Every action counts! By understanding these basics, you're already on your way to becoming a more informed and responsible steward of water resources in your community.

The Root Causes of Runoff: Natural and Human Factors

Ever wonder where all that rainwater really goes after a big storm? It’s easy to think it just vanishes, but the truth is, a lot of it becomes something called surface runoff.

In simple terms, surface runoff is stormwater that doesn't soak into the ground.

Think of it like this: it's the water flowing over surfaces instead of seeping into them.

But what causes this runoff in the first place? It's a mix of natural factors and, perhaps more importantly, the ways we've altered our landscapes.

Let's dig into the root causes.

Natural Drivers of Runoff

Nature plays a significant role in determining how much runoff occurs. Even in pristine environments, some runoff is inevitable.

Heavy rainfall is the most obvious culprit.

When rainfall intensity exceeds the rate at which the ground can absorb water, the excess simply flows over the surface.

Think of a sudden downpour on dry, hard-packed soil.

The ground is quickly overwhelmed, and the water starts to pool and run.

Another key factor is soil type.

Different soils have vastly different infiltration rates.

Sandy soils, with their large pore spaces, allow water to drain quickly.

On the other hand, clay soils, with their fine particles, are much less permeable.

This means that water will run off clay soils much more readily than sandy soils.

The Impact of Human Activities

While natural factors are important, human activities often exacerbate runoff problems. We significantly change the landscape, influencing how water behaves.

Impervious surfaces are a major contributor.

Driveways, patios, sidewalks, and roads all prevent water from infiltrating the ground.

Instead, rainwater is forced to flow over these surfaces, increasing the volume and velocity of runoff.

Think about a typical suburban neighborhood: the combined effect of roofs, driveways, and streets creates a network of channels that quickly convey stormwater away.

Soil compaction is another often-overlooked issue.

In heavily used areas, such as construction sites or even well-trodden gardens, the soil becomes compacted.

This reduces the size and number of pore spaces, making it harder for water to penetrate.

Compacted soil behaves much like clay, even if its original composition was more favorable.

As a result, rainfall is more likely to run off than to soak in.

In summary, understanding the interplay of natural and human factors is crucial for effective runoff management.

While we can't control the weather or change the fundamental properties of soil, we can make choices that minimize the impact of impervious surfaces and soil compaction.

By addressing these human-induced causes, we can take significant steps towards reducing runoff and protecting our environment.

The Negative Effects of Runoff: Erosion, Pollution, and Flooding

We've talked about what surface runoff is and what causes it. But what are the real-world consequences when runoff isn't managed effectively? It's not just about a little extra water flowing around; uncontrolled runoff can have some serious negative impacts on our environment and communities. Let’s take a look at the chain reaction of problems that it triggers.

Erosion and Sediment Transport: Washing Away Our Future

One of the most visible effects of surface runoff is erosion. Think of a powerful stream carving a canyon over centuries – runoff does the same thing, just on a smaller (but still damaging) scale.

Topsoil Loss: The Foundation of Life

Runoff acts like a liquid bulldozer, picking up and carrying away valuable topsoil. This topsoil is the most fertile layer of earth, rich in nutrients and organic matter essential for plant growth.

When it's washed away, our gardens and landscapes suffer, and it becomes harder to grow healthy plants and crops. This can affect our food security and overall ecosystem health.

Sedimentation: Clogging Our Waterways

Where does all that eroded soil end up? In our streams, rivers, and lakes. This sediment clouds the water, reducing sunlight penetration and harming aquatic plants.

It can also clog the gills of fish and other aquatic animals, disrupt their breeding habitats, and overall reduce biodiversity. Over time, excessive sediment buildup can even alter the course of waterways and reduce their capacity to hold water.

Runoff Pollution: A Toxic Cocktail

Surface runoff doesn't just carry soil; it also picks up a whole host of pollutants along the way. This polluted runoff then flows into our waterways, contaminating our water sources and harming aquatic life.

Fertilizers and Pesticides: An Unhealthy Dose

Fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture and landscaping are easily washed away by runoff. These chemicals, while intended to help plants grow, can have devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems.

Excess nutrients from fertilizers, like nitrogen and phosphorus, can trigger algal blooms. These blooms deplete oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where fish and other aquatic life cannot survive. Pesticides, even in small amounts, can be toxic to aquatic organisms.

Other Pollutants: A Mixed Bag of Trouble

Runoff can also carry a variety of other pollutants, including oil and grease from roads, heavy metals from industrial sites, and bacteria from pet waste. All of these contaminants can degrade water quality, making it unsafe for swimming, fishing, and drinking.

This poses a direct threat to human health and the health of our ecosystems.

Flooding: When Too Much is Too Much

The connection between surface runoff and flooding might seem obvious, but it's important to understand the specific mechanisms at play. Runoff contributes significantly to the risk and severity of flooding events.

Concentrated Flow: Overwhelmed Waterways

During heavy rainfall, large volumes of surface runoff can quickly overwhelm the capacity of streams and rivers. This leads to increased peak flows, causing waterways to overflow their banks and flood surrounding areas.

The increased flow rate often means bigger particles of sediment are also displaced, increasing the turbidity and sediment load in the waterways.

Impervious Surfaces: Exacerbating the Problem

The problem is exacerbated by the increase in impervious surfaces in urban areas. Roads, parking lots, and buildings prevent water from infiltrating into the ground, leading to more runoff and a higher risk of flooding. In urban areas, flooding can damage property, disrupt transportation, and even pose a threat to human life.

Solutions for Your Backyard: Managing Runoff Effectively

We've talked about what surface runoff is and what causes it. But how can you, as a homeowner, actually do something about it? Luckily, there are many effective and even beautiful solutions you can implement right in your own backyard. Let's explore some actionable strategies to manage runoff and minimize its impact.

Smart Landscaping: Working with Nature

Your landscape can be your greatest ally in the fight against runoff. Thoughtful planning and plant selection can significantly reduce the amount of water leaving your property.

Pervious Pathways: Letting Water Soak In

Ditch the concrete! Instead of solid concrete or asphalt pathways, consider using pervious materials like gravel, mulch, or stepping stones with gaps in between.

These allow water to seep into the ground rather than running off. It's a simple change that can make a big difference.

Rain Gardens: Beautiful and Functional

Rain gardens are shallow, planted depressions designed to capture and filter runoff from roofs, driveways, and other impervious surfaces.

They're filled with native plants that thrive in moist conditions and help absorb water and filter out pollutants.

They look great and provide habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators! It's a win-win.

Filter Strips: A Vegetative Buffer

Planting dense strips of vegetation, especially native grasses and shrubs, along slopes or drainage areas can act as a natural filter.

These filter strips slow down the flow of runoff, trap sediment, and allow water to infiltrate into the soil.

Water Collection: Capturing the Rain

Don't let that rainwater go to waste! Collecting rainwater is a fantastic way to reduce runoff and conserve water at the same time.

Rain Barrels: A Simple Solution

Rain barrels are containers that collect rainwater from your roof via your downspouts. The collected water can then be used for watering your garden, washing your car, or other outdoor uses.

It's an easy and cost-effective way to reduce your water bill and minimize runoff.

Green Technology: Embracing Innovation

While some green technologies might involve a larger upfront investment, they offer long-term benefits for both your property and the environment.

Green Roofs: A Living Ecosystem on Your Roof

Green roofs are exactly what they sound like: roofs covered in vegetation. They absorb rainwater, reduce building temperatures, and provide habitat for wildlife.

While they can be more expensive to install, they significantly reduce runoff and can even increase property value.

Permeable Pavement: An Alternative to Asphalt

Permeable pavement allows water to drain directly through its surface and into the ground below. It's a great alternative to traditional asphalt or concrete for driveways and patios.

Although typically more expensive, it's a great option that will also keep your driveway much cooler in the summer.

Best Practices: A Holistic Approach

Managing runoff effectively isn't just about individual solutions; it's also about adopting a broader set of best practices.

Best Management Practices (BMPs): A Comprehensive Strategy

BMPs are a set of guidelines and techniques designed to minimize the environmental impact of stormwater runoff. They include practices like erosion control, sediment management, and pollution prevention.

Low Impact Development (LID): Mimicking Nature

LID is an approach to land development that aims to mimic natural hydrologic processes. It emphasizes infiltration, evapotranspiration, and the conservation of natural areas.

The overall goal of LID is to develop infrastructure to promote infiltration and avoid runoff.

Green Infrastructure: Natural Water Management

Green infrastructure uses vegetation and soil to manage water in a more sustainable and cost-effective way. Examples include rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements.

These systems filter pollutants, reduce runoff, and create more livable communities.

Seek Professional Advice

Not sure where to start? Don't hesitate to seek expert guidance.

Soil Testing Kits: Know Your Ground

Understanding your soil type is crucial for effective runoff management. A soil testing kit can help you determine your soil's composition, pH level, and nutrient content, allowing you to select the right plants and implement appropriate strategies.

Consult a Horticulturalist or Landscape Architect

These professionals can provide tailored advice and design solutions that meet your specific needs and budget. They can help you create a beautiful and functional landscape that effectively manages runoff.

Where to Get Help: Local Resources for Runoff Management

Solutions for Your Backyard: Managing Runoff Effectively. We've talked about what surface runoff is and what causes it.

But how can you, as a homeowner, actually do something about it?

Luckily, there are many effective and even beautiful solutions you can implement right in your own backyard. Let's explore some actionable strategies to manage runoff...

But let's face it: sometimes, you need a little (or a lot!) of expert guidance.

Navigating the complexities of soil types, drainage patterns, and local regulations can be overwhelming.

Thankfully, there are numerous resources available to help you effectively manage runoff on your property. Let's explore some key players who can offer support and expertise.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Your Local Experts

One of the best places to start is your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

These districts are county or regional entities dedicated to conserving and improving soil and water resources.

They often provide a wealth of information, technical assistance, and even financial incentives to help landowners implement best management practices (BMPs) for runoff control.

What Services Do They Offer?

SWCDs typically offer a range of services tailored to your specific needs:

• Technical Assistance: They can conduct site visits to assess your runoff issues and provide personalized recommendations.
• Educational Resources: They often host workshops, seminars, and provide publications on topics like rain gardens, erosion control, and stormwater management.
• Cost-Share Programs: Many SWCDs offer financial assistance to help offset the cost of implementing conservation practices.
• Permitting Assistance: They can help you navigate local regulations and permitting requirements related to stormwater management.

Contacting your local SWCD is a great first step to gaining a better understanding of your runoff challenges and exploring potential solutions.

City and County Environmental Agencies

Your local city or county government likely has an environmental agency or department that deals with stormwater management and water quality issues.

These agencies often have regulatory authority over runoff and may offer resources and programs to help residents comply with local ordinances.

How Can They Help?

City and county environmental agencies can provide valuable assistance:

• Stormwater Management Plans: They often have comprehensive plans outlining strategies for managing stormwater runoff throughout the community.
• Ordinance Information: They can provide information on local regulations related to stormwater, erosion control, and water quality.
• Educational Programs: Many agencies offer workshops, training sessions, and educational materials to help residents understand and address runoff issues.
• Complaint Reporting: They provide a mechanism for reporting water quality violations or illegal discharges.

Consulting Professionals: Landscape Architects and Engineers

For more complex runoff problems or larger-scale projects, consider hiring a qualified professional.

Landscape architects can help you design aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound solutions, such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and native plantings.

Engineers can provide expertise in drainage design, stormwater detention, and other technical aspects of runoff management.

What to Look For:

When selecting a professional, be sure to:

• Check their qualifications and experience.
• Review their portfolio of past projects.
• Obtain multiple bids and compare pricing.
• Ask for references from previous clients.

Investing in professional expertise can ensure that your runoff management solutions are effective, sustainable, and compliant with local regulations.

Local Nurseries and Garden Centers

Don't underestimate the knowledge and resources available at your local nurseries and garden centers.

Many of these businesses employ knowledgeable staff who can offer advice on plant selection, soil amendments, and other gardening practices that can help reduce runoff.

How They Can Assist:

• Plant Recommendations: They can recommend native plants and drought-tolerant species that thrive in your local climate and require less watering.
• Soil Improvement Tips: They can offer advice on improving soil drainage and water retention through the use of compost, mulch, and other soil amendments.
• Product Information: They can provide information on a variety of products designed to manage runoff, such as rain barrels, permeable pavers, and erosion control fabrics.

Online Resources and Educational Materials

The internet is a treasure trove of information on runoff management.

Websites like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies offer a wealth of resources, including publications, videos, and interactive tools.

Key Websites to Explore:

• EPA: Search for information on stormwater management, green infrastructure, and water quality.
• State Environmental Agencies: Find resources specific to your state's regulations and programs.
• University Extension Services: Access research-based information on gardening, landscaping, and water conservation.

By tapping into these local resources, you can gain the knowledge and support you need to effectively manage runoff on your property and contribute to a healthier environment.

So, next time you see rain puddling in your yard and flowing towards the street, remember that's surface runoff in action. Hopefully, this little guide has given you a better understanding of what surface runoff is and how you can manage it around your home to protect our environment and maybe even save yourself some soggy lawn headaches!