Carson Clear Water Revival plan focuses on erosion control

Coming up with a catchy title for an erosion-control program might be a challenge, but Genie Azad, watershed program manager for the Carson Water Subconservancy District, hopes theirs will not only catch peoples' attention, but motivate them.

Carson Clear Water Revival, a play on the name of the rock group, is focused on reducing the quantity and improving the quality of storm water runoff in Carson City by motivating individual homeowners to protect their property from erosion.

"We want to teach people how to capture runoff from their property using what are best management practices, and help them draw up plans and implement them," Azad said.

According to a brochure recently inserted in city water bills, "Millions of tons of topsoil are lost from residential properties every year due to wind and water erosion."

When sediment runs off property, it can make its way into city storm drains and culverts, plugging them up. Another concern is that sediment can make its way into the Carson River where it can pollute the water and harm aquatic habitat, Azad said.

Azad encourages Carson City residents to watch for an announcement for an open house in April where participants can travel to a home showing how erosion-control practices have been put into place. Workshops also will be offered this spring where participants will learn how to create ways to save topsoil.

Those who attend the three-hour workshops will learn how to spot areas of concern on their property - including roof drip lines - and alleviate them through use of erosion-control blankets, landscaping or planting.

One solution, Azad said, is creating a rain garden or grassy swail where a garden is depressed within the lawn or elsewhere so that water can be channeled there during storms to collect for soaking flowers.

"That way you're putting the rain water to good use rather than runoff occurring," she said.

The program also includes a contest where residents can fill out a short application with photos of their property and a description of what problems they need resolved.

"We're using the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District to help. We're using their expertise, and their engineers will work on the land design for specific problems," Azad said.

Several people will win a design, and one winner will have the yard design implemented, she said.

"Many of these best management practices may seem rather simple or small, but the cumulative effect throughout the entire Carson River watershed can significantly contribute to improved storm water management and cleaner water for our community," the brochure says.