Best Practices At Home To Help Clean Up Our Creeks

Fortunate are those who have a creek running across their property. Those who have a creek need to look after it and not only for your backyard. There are several reasons why you need to look after the creek responsibly. A well maintained and clean creek will help drain stormwater and will reduce the chances of flooding and soil erosion. Additionally, a clean creek can give wildlife a place to grow. Even small streams provide a home to native fishes.

A well-maintained creek is important for your neighbors and those downstream, which includes visitors and coastal residents. Looking after our creeks is easier said than done. Here are the best practices that will help you manage and clean the creek. 

Identify plants to keep and plants to remove

You will see several native plants in the creek and there is a strong chance you love them too. They help clean the water, avoid erosion, and also thrive in droughts and floods. There are certain plans that are perfect for creeks. Depending on the area you reside in, you need to identify plants that will thrive and those that are no longer required in the creek. You will be able to find plants at the local native nursery. The professional experts can help you pick the right type of plants for your creek. Regular weeding remains essential as weeds give the native plants a tough time and do not provide the wildlife with the things they need to thrive. If the creek bed remains exposed, it will lead to erosion and a staged approach to the removal of weeds is recommended. Do not rip them all out at once. 

Creek erosion

Creek erosion is a big deal and it can lead to serious damage due to exposure to tree roots. It can wash away the foundation of sheds, fences, and houses in the nearby area. In order to identify if erosion has an impact on the waterway, you need to look for signs that include visible tree roots, exposed soil, and creek banks that might have been cut away. If you notice signs of extreme damage due to erosion, you need to speak to a professional for advice or contact a local centre for help. In order to stop erosion from occurring in the first place, plant the creek banks using sedges, shrubs, and reeds.

Avoid clogging

Think driveways, footbridges, and fences, as they can obstruct waterways and lead to trouble in case of a flood. Those who intend to make any changes in the creek bed, like placing rocks in it, creating a shed, or removing the weeds, need a water activity permit. There could be debris that is beneficial to the waterway and it will help slow down water flow. Additionally, it will reduce erosion and will provide habitats for the local species to thrive. 

Reduce pollution

It might be surprising for you but it is your responsibility to ensure that pollutants that can have a strong impact on waterways do not end up in the water system from the garden or home. You need to ensure that the creek is not polluted because of you. Gardening, outdoor cleaning, or the use of pesticides are some examples of activities that could be harmful to waterfalls. You need to take the right action so that you do not cause any pollution. What you can do is rake up leaves on any paved area of the yard so that it does not get washed in the waterway. You can use the leaves as mulch in the garden or put them inside the bin. Leaves which end up in the creek will reduce the quality of water, which makes it hard for bugs, fishes, and other animals to survive. 

Stay prepared for floods

It is not possible for you to save the creek from floods but you can try to minimize the impact. One of the top clean water best practices in Santa Rosa California is to ensure that large trees do not choke the creek and they do not grow very close together. This will avoid branches and fallen logs from getting trapped, damming the creek. When it comes to the main creek flow, low plants are the best as they bend in the flowing water. You also need to ensure that debris or fences are not blocking the creek. 

These practices will help ensure that the creek is clean and well-maintained throughout the year. You need to keep the location and the weather in mind when you clean the creek. It is not a one time job, you cannot clean it once and forget about it. You need to constantly keep a check on the creek and clean it as and when necessary.