Erosion observed along the dirt roads in the Sunset Lake neighborhood. Photo credit: Sara Lovitz
Lewis Creek Association (LCA), a watershed group primarily working within the Patrick Brook/LaPlatte River and Lewis Creek watersheds, has identified the neighborhood on the north side of Sunset Lake as an area with opportunities to help improve water quality. Downstream of Sunset Lake, Patrick Brook from the dam to the confluence with the LaPlatte River is identified as a stressed waterway.
Through the Ahead of the Storm program, LCA seeks to educate landowners about the impact of stormwater runoff that flows into streams and, ultimately, Lake Champlain. With partners, they’ve developed the Lake Iroquois Patrick Brook Watershed Action Plan, and have been working to identify and address priority opportunities that remediate stormwater runoff and phosphorus pollution to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and climate change resilience.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, LCA, along with Jessica Louisos, Water Resources Engineer at SLR Consulting, held a hands on workshop at the fork of Sunset Lane East and West, which is the heart of the neighborhood north of Sunset Lake. Not only were about a dozen residents of the neighborhood in attendance, including a couple of wee ones, there were several individuals from other areas in Hinesburg that have faced similar water runoff challenges.
Workshop participants walk and talk along the roads with SLR Engineer, Jessica Louisos. Photo credit: Sara Lovitz
Jessica Louisos spoke about neighborhood concerns and potential road maintenance changes and projects to improve water quality related to the private roads in the area. Jessica spoke about the importance of making sure culverts are reasonably sized, and erosion stone is placed at the downstream side. Getting water off the road into the swale before it runs down the road for a long distance will keep the road intact and keep rocks, sediment and nutrients out of the lake and stream.
As folks walked the dirt roads, Oren Guttmann, president of the neighborhood road association (Lake Sunset Road Association), and others asked questions about the culverts, road grade and swales (ditches) – or lack there-of – that most of us take for granted but, in reality, have a direct impact upon water quality statewide. Just as important, if not more so, is how poor runoff management increases hazards for drivers and increases expenses for road repair. Oren said, “The LSRA officers understand the importance of controlling the runoff and erosion to improve water quality in Sunset Lake and downstream rivers and lakes and want to do our part, but we have to balance keeping costs down for homeowners in our association while also trying to adequately maintain about a mile and a half of dirt roads. If we can obtain grant money, it will go a long way to helping us accomplish some of these bigger projects that were discussed. Some of the lower cost ideas that Jessica discussed with us will be implemented as we continue to make small improvements each year.”
Sure, looking at clogged or crushed culverts, eroded road shoulders, and, well, mud, may not sound like much fun. But this is how we learn how to improve our neighborhoods while helping the environment. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate Kelly, LCA Program Manager, at kate@lewiscreek.org and/or Sara Lovitz, Program Assistant at sara@lewiscreek.org
You can watch the video recording of the workshop on LCA’s YouTube Channel at https://bit.ly/water-quality-private-roads