Maintaining healthy waters

Here in the Clearwater Valley, so much of our lives revolve around the presence of healthy lakes and streams. This valley contains the waters where our kids catch their first fish and where our families recreate to find respite from the busyness of life. These bodies of water are essential components of our economies. Here in this place and in this time, our stories as individuals and a community are deeply connected to the water.

As residents and property owners in the Clearwater Valley, we play a critical role in maintaining the health of our lakes and streams. The choices we make impact the quality of the water, the integrity of lakeshores, and in part, the amount of algae that colonizes our waters, especially towards the end of the summer season.

Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) recently launched a program called "Lakeside Living." This program seeks to work with lakeshore property owners in the Clearwater Valley, providing free one-on-one consultations that will enable homeowners to simultaneously improve their lakeshore property and the health of our lakes. Homeowners will leave the consultation equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to enhance and implement sustainable practices on their property. One-by-one, lakeshore homeowners can ensure the health of our lakes is maintained for many generations to come.

Riparian zones are among the various topics covered during the consultation. Also aptly referred to as the shoreline protection zone, an ideal riparian zone contains native plants that serve as natural buffers between uplands and the lake. When a dense mix of native shrubs and trees are present, this natural buffer of vegetation stabilizes the soil with strong root masses and reduces shoreline erosion. These plants filter out sediment, nutrients, pathogens and metals from overland flows before they reach the lake water. The presence of native plants also helps reduce the risk of flooding. Conversely, if a lakeside property has a riparian area that is compromised, bringing back healthy shoreline is possible and has a multitude of benefits.

The CRC Lakeside Living consultations also focus on septic systems. The most common type of septic system is made up of a sewage tank and a drainfield. Wastewater from the household first enters into the sewage tank where the solid waste is given time to separate from the liquid. As more wastewater enters the tank, the separated liquid is pushed out into the absorption field. Bacteria within the absorption field begins to breakdown the liquid sewage. Then, the soil filters out pathogens and leftover solids as the wastewater slowly makes its way to the groundwater. Groundwater, the water that is found beneath Earth's surface, feeds directly into our lakes.

It is particularly important to have a properly functioning septic system if your home is located near the waterfront. Old or unmaintained systems can result in untreated sewage contaminating the groundwater and ultimately lake water. Health risks are one of the most serious concerns related to failing septic systems. The disease-causing pathogens found in wastewater, such as E. coli, may make water unsafe for both drinking and swimming.

Additionally, inadequate treatment of wastes in a septic system can cause excess nutrients to enter lake water. Nutrients contribute to the growth of invasive fragrant water lilies and blue-green algae. Therefore, a properly designed and maintained septic system is beneficial to lakeshore homeowners, lake recreators and the health of the lake.

Many small, free or inexpensive actions can be taken by lakeshore property owners to improve their upland management practices. Such changes will safeguard lake health – a value that we all cherish. The CRC Lakeside Living consultations are part of the bigger picture that will protect our local economy and ensure the enjoyment of the Clearwater Valley's lakes for generations to come.

If you are a lakeshore property owner and are interested in signing up for this free, voluntary consultation, please go to crcmt.org/lakeside-living. It is possible that selected participants may be eligible for future grant funding as CRC begins its watershed restoration work in 2023-2024.

Please note that the funding for this project is time sensitive, and all consults must be completed by Sept. 30. Both weekend and weekday dates are available. Sign up for a consultation today!