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Watershed Protection for Lakes and Reservoirs Impact of land development on lakes Phosphorus loading in urban lakes Crafting a lake protection ordinance 8 tools of watershed protection for lakes Tips for protecting drinking water supply Lake Resources References Glossary

Impacts of Land Development on Lakes Decrease in population and diversity of shoreline vegetation and wildlife. Decrease in littoral zone species richness and abundance. Increased eutrophication. Introduction of invasive species. Increased sediment from shoreline erosion. Increase in pollutants that threaten drinking water. Impacts to lake residents and users.

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Eutrophication Cultural eutrophication is the premature change in trophic state, or productivity level, of a lake due to input of excess nutrients from human activities Excess phosphorus loading is most often the reason for eutrophication because lake productivity is limited by the amount of phosphorus present Half of all lakes in the U.S. are eutrophic or hyper-eutrophic (NALMS, 2001) A eutrophic lake has excess nutrients, high chlorophyll a, algal blooms, low dissolved oxygen and low secchi depth

How Land Development Affects Phosphorus Load

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Impacts of Eutrophication on Lake and Reservoir Quality Nuisance algal blooms Reduced dissolved oxygen in lake bottom Fish kills due to low dissolved oxygen Taste and odor problems with drinking water Formation of disinfection byproducts in water supplies Increased drinking water costs

Impacts of Eutrophication on Lake and Reservoir Quality (continued) Reduced water clarity Decline in fish community Blockage of intake screens by algal mats Reduced quality of recreational experience Decline in lakefront property values Floating algal mats/decaying algal clumps Increased density of aquatic weeds in shallow areas

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"Disinfection by-products (DBP" Disinfection by-products (DBP) Turbidity Loss of reservoir capacity Pathogens (e.g., cryptosporidium, giardia, fecal coliform) Organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., MTBE, diazinon) Taste and odor Spills, leaks, and accidents Drinking water treatment costs increase from most of the above problems

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Sources of Turbidity in Urban Watersheds

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Impacts of Development on Lake Residents and Users Decrease in lakefront property values Shoreline erosion Decreased quality of recreational experience Noise from boating

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Urban Lake Nuisances Trash Overgrowth of weeds Harmful algae Bacteria Swimming beaches and recreational contact impaired in many urban watersheds Stormwater concentrations exceed standards by factor of 20 to 50

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Phosphorus Loading in Urban Lakes Sources of Phosphorus Primary Sources Secondary Sources Internal Sources Phosphorus Budget

Primary Sources of Phosphorus Residential land Commercial land Roadways Industrial land Rural land Forest land Agricultural land

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Phosphorus Loads from Various Land Uses

Phosphorus Loads Associated With Different Urban Land Uses

Secondary Sources of Phosphorus Wastewater discharges Combined sewer overflows Sanitary sewer overflows Illicit connections Septic systems Hobby Farms/livestock Marinas Road sanding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Managed turf

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Internal Sources

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Phosphorus Budget A phosphorus budget is an assessment of the amount of phosphorus entering, leaving and residing in a lake ecosystem. Primary sources of phosphorus to a lake can be estimated using export coefficients for different land uses Secondary and internal sources can be estimated using various assumptions and equations (Caraco, 2001) Can be used to predict future loads and load reductions

Crafting a Lake Protection Ordinance Why lakefront development is unique The four zones of lake protection Incentives and flexibility

Why Lakefront Development Is Unique The ring around the lake Incremental development over time Water views and lake access Accessory structures Waterfront premium Density in otherwise rural areas Seasonal use/second homes

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The Four Zones of Lake Protection Shoreline Shoreline buffer Shoreland protection area Contributing watershed

The Four Zones of Lake Protection The four zone approach to lake protection is most restrictive at the shoreline, and is more flexible as one progresses further up the watershed The key criteria should be adapted to account for lake size, uses, water supply, trophic state, and existing development

Zone 1: Shoreline Point where high water mark meets the land Littoral area is important habitat and vulnerable to alteration No disturbance of natural state without permit

Shoreline: Permits Require a permit for any alteration or clearing along shoreline Avoid bulkheads, riprap and retaining walls, unless imminently needed for bank erosion protection Promote bio-engineering as an alternative Expansion of pre-existing structures

Shoreline: Use Restrictions One stairway for water access One pier or dock per frontage lot Limits on area and extension into lake Boathouse setbacks No tree clearing No stormwater outfalls

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Shoreline: Regulating Lake Uses Designate recreational use areas in lake Limit boat speeds to reduce wakes Prohibit motorized boats to reduce noise and avoid pollution potential (hydrocarbons) Role of lake association in arranging covenants for existing property

Zone 2: Shoreline Buffer Extends landward from high water mark (75 to 300 feet) Expanded to include steep slopes, wetlands, and sensitive areas Vegetative target is mature forest or native vegetation

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Shoreline Buffer: Width Recommended minimum base width is 75 feet. Expand width to 150 feet for pristine or lightly developed lakes. Expand width up to 300 feet if lake is a drinking water supply. Measured from “full pond” for reservoirs.

Shoreline Buffer: The View Corridor One corridor per lot. No more than 25% of frontage. No opening more than 250 square feet in canopy. Permit for thinning or pruning. No clearing, but a winding trail is okay.

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Shoreline Buffer: Stormwater Strategy No stormwater practices located within the buffer. No new pipes or channels can convey stormwater across buffer. Outer boundary of buffer graded to accept sheetflow.

Shoreline Buffer: Allowable Uses Shoreline access path . Limited view corridors . Boathouses (25’ ft setback). Existing structures. Public boat ramps and beaches.

Shoreline Buffer: Restricted Uses Septic systems. Paved surfaces or primary structures. Mowing or clearing. Grading or soil disturbance. Motorized vehicles. Pesticide or fertilizer application. Livestock or grazing.

Shoreline Buffer: Vegetation Vegetative target: mature forest or native vegetation. Restrict clearing to the minimum amount for access. Encourage planting with native vegetation or trees. Provide specific guidelines for tree thinning.

Benefits of Shoreline Vegetation Reduces runoff and pollutant loads Increases aesthetic value Increases property values Provides shade, leaf litter, woody debris in littoral zone

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Key Features of Buffer Management Mark buffer boundaries. Educate land owners and contractors. Ensure that new owners are fully informed about uses/limits when property is sold. Key role of lake associations in education and enforcement. Integrate with other lake education efforts.

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Zone 3: Shoreland Protection Area Special overlay zone for residential development Extends 250 to 1000 feet from high water mark Regulates development within at least two lot lengths from the lake Includes shoreline buffer

Shoreland Protection Area: Non-Conforming Uses Livestock operations. Facilities that handle hazmats. Landfills/junkyards. Industrial or commercial zones. Above and below ground storage tanks. Stormwater hotspots and golf courses. Non-residential roads.

Shoreland Protection Area: Stormwater and Septic Systems Structural practices often not feasible in the shoreland protection area Use of Better Site Design on lot development as substitute Septic systems may be setback beyond the shoreline buffer

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Better Site Design for Lakefront Lots Minimum lot sizes Minimum shoreline frontages Maximum impervious cover limit of 10% Site fingerprinting Grading limits Rooftop disconnection Limits on keyhole or backlot development Use of natural conveyance methods Permeable pavement Tree conservation

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Keyhole or Backlot Development Prohibit the development of shore lots with more than 1 owner Establish limits on the number of off-water lots served by one access lot Set minimum lot sizes for off-water lots by extending the width of the shoreland protection area further from the lake

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Zone 4: The Contributing Watershed 8 Tools of Watershed Protection: Watershed zoning and planning Land conservation Aquatic buffers Better Site Design Erosion and sediment control Stormwater treatment practices Non-stormwater discharges Watershed stewardship

A Lake Watershed A lake watershed consists of the lake and all of the surrounding land which drains toward the lake.

Incentives and Flexibility By-right open space development Density compensation Stormwater credits Buffer averaging Property tax credit Density bonus Transferable development rights Off-site mitigation

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Tool 1: Watershed Planning Develop current and future phosphorus budgets and set goals for trophic state Evaluate effect of stormwater treatment practices Assess current and future impervious cover Land use planning options Large lot zoning Land use exclusion No extension of sewer

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Tool 2: Land Conservation Land acquisition and easements Key areas: Shoreline Shoreline buffer Tributary streams Wetlands Public access areas Forest

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Tool 3: Aquatic Buffers Useful for all contributing streams in the lake watershed Improves subsurface phosphorus removal Design is different than for shorelines Distance to intake may be a factor See model ordinance at www.stormwatercenter.net

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Tool 4: Better Site Design

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Tool 5: Erosion and Sediment Control Construction sites are a major source of sediment to surface waters Erosion and sediment control practices can reduce the amount of sediment leaving the site in stormwater runoff Regulation of practices is important

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Tool 6: Stormwater Management Practices Choose and design practices to maximize phosphorus (P) removal. Establish explicit P removal goals. Compute pre and post development P loads. Developer pays with a watershed offset or fee if goal is not met.

Typical Stormwater Treatment Practice Phosphorus Removal Efficiencies

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The Best We Can Do

Tool 7: Non-Stormwater Discharges Three options for wastewater treatment: Reliance on septic systems Limited sewer relief Reliance on sewer Pump out from watershed High phosphorus treatment at wastewater treatment plant in watershed

Septic System Criteria for Lake Watersheds Designate areas of concern in the watershed Setbacks of at least 150 feet Separation distances Reserve fields Alternative technology

Phosphorus Concentrations in Wastewater

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Tool 8: Watershed Stewardship Education and outreach Enforcement Role of lake association Lake restoration techniques

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In-Lake Restoration Techniques Aquatic plant harvesting Dredging Aeration of hypolimnion Alum treatment Sediment covers Water level drawdown Hypolimnetic withdrawal Biological controls

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Tips for Protecting Drinking Water Reservoirs Lakes that serve as a source of drinking water should have more stringent requirements The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act amendments requires water providers to do a Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) to identify potential contaminants, and a Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP) to minimize these risks Of the 33 potential contaminants EPA recommends investigating as part of a SWAP, 55% are directly or indirectly associated with urban development

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Reservoir Management Issues Only 10% of reservoirs surveyed had developed a comprehensive watershed plan Few have established limits on future watershed development Long term maintenance of existing stormwater treatment practices, septic systems and buffers Inadequate staffing and funding to effectively administer protection programs

Reservoir Management Recommendations Source water assessments should measure current and future impervious cover If future impervious cover is expected to exceed 5% in the watershed, more stringent treatment practices should be adopted for new development If future impervious cover is expected to exceed 10%, a source water assessment plan that implements the 8 tools of watershed protection should be adopted to protect the water supply

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Lake Resources North American Lake Management Society: http://www.nalms.org American Society of Limnology and Oceanography: http://www.aslo.org EPA Clean Lakes Program: http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/LAKES Northern Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research: http://limnosun.limnology.wisc.edu University of Minnesota Limnological Research Center: http://lrc.geo.umn.edu University of Wisconsin Center for Limnology: http://limnology.wisc.edu Adirondack Aquatic Institute: http://www.paulsmiths.edu/aai LakeAccess: http://lakeaccess.org Wisconsin Lakes Partnership: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes

References Cappiella, K. 2001. “Crafting a Lake Protection Ordinance.” Watershed Protection Techniques 3(4). Center for Watershed Protection. Cappiella, K. and K. Brown. 2001. Land Use and Impervious Cover in the Chesapeake Bay. Center for Watershed Protection. Caraco, D. 2001. “The Limits of Watershed Treatment.” Watershed Protection Techniques 3(4). Center for Watershed Protection Caraco, D. 2000. The Watershed Treatment Model. Center for Watershed Protection Caraco, D. and T. Brown. 2001. “Managing Phosphorus Budgets for Urban Lakes.” Watershed Protection Techniques 3(4). Center for Watershed Protection.

References Kitchell, A. 2001. “Managing Lakes for Pure Drinking Water.” Watershed Protection Techniques 3(4). Center for Watershed Protection. Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission. 1995. A Guide to Illinois Lake Management. NICP. Reckhow, K., Beaulac, M., and J. Simpson. 1980. Modeling Phosphorus Loading and Lake Response Under Uncertainty: A Manual and Compilation of Export Coefficients. EPA 600/6-82-004a. USEPA. Office of Water Regulations. Washginton, DC. Schueler, T., and D. Caraco. 2001. The Prospects for Low Impact Land Development at the Watershed Level. Linking Stormwater BMP Designs to Receiving Water Impacts Mitigation. Snowmass, Colorado.

References Swann, C. 2001. “The Influence of Septic Systems at the Watershed Level.” Watershed Protection Techniques 3(4). Center for Watershed Protection. Winer, 2000. National Pollutant Removal Database. Center for Watershed Protection.