Buffer strips are one of
the the most economical and effective methods available to minimize surface
run off, help prevent erosion, and absorb nutrients and pollutants before
they enter a lake.
Many of you may be
wondering, what the term buffer strip refers to.
A buffer is basically
vegetation that is placed between a house and the water and ideally consists
of four layers: trees, shrubs, ground cover (flowers), and a duff layer
(leaves/debris)
Photo on the bottom left
shows a house with a relatively poor buffer.Then on the right the same house computer enhanced to a
good buffer.Added some shrubs,
ground cover to help prevent runoff and erosion. Vegetation will absorb
water containing nutrients before they reach the lake, whereas just lawn
with just grass- water quickly washes into the lake before nutrients are
absorbed.
This just illustrates
something the is relatively simple for home owners to to to help protect
water quality.