Klamath Falls Urban Issues Working Group
Mission
The mission of the Urban Issues Working Group of the Klamath Watershed Partnership is to promote a healthy urban watershed through education, enhancement, protection and restoration. The goals and objectives of the working group are to protect and restore and create habitat; educate the public (regarding watershed issues in the urban areas) and develop a trail system (connecting existing and develop new systems).
The goals and objectives of the working group are:
- To protect, restore and create habitat
- Educate the public (regarding watershed issues in the urban areas)
- Develop a trail system (connecting existing and develop new systems).
Partners
- OSU Extension>
- Wing Watchers>
- Klamath Greenway Foundation>
- US Bureau of Reclamation>
- Chamber of Commerce>
- City of Klamath Falls>
- Oregon State Parks>
- Basin and Range Birding Trail>
- Klamath County>
- US Fish and Wildlife>
Are you Contributing to Non-Point Source Pollution?
Non-point source pollution (also called polluted runoff) comes from many sources and occurs when rainfall, snowmelt and water from washing your vehicles moves over and through the ground. As it moves, this runoff picks up pollutants like dirt, oil, and fertilizers and carries them to lakes, rivers, streams and even our underground sources of drinking water.
Suggestions to Reduce NPS pollution
- Keep litter, pet waste, leaves and debris out of street gutters and storm drains as these outlets drain to lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
- Apply lawn and garden chemicals sparingly and always follow directions.
- Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can eventually reach local lakes, rivers and streams.
- Depose of used oil, antifreeze, paints and other household chemicals properly, not in storm sewers or drains.
- Control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover, shrubs, and trees in erosion-prone areas.
- Purchase household detergents and cleaners that are low in phosphates to reduce the amount of nutrients discharged into our lakes, streams and rivers.
- Reduce the size of your lawn and replace with drought-tolerant plants.
- For a healthy lawn, overseed bare spots, reduce thatch, and aerate to reduce the need for lawn chemicals.
- Use compost or slow-release fertilizer and water deeply and infrequently (1-1 1/2 inches per week).
- When grass is actively growing, mow weekly to maximize turf density and prevent excess evaporation. Recommended mowing heights in summer are generally from 2.5"-3.0" for rye, fescue, and bluegrass mixes.
The Klamath Watershed Partnership Urban Issues Working Group can coordinate a storm drain stenciling project for you by providing maps, paint, exuipment, directions safety materials, guidance and educational handouts. This is a great idea for a service-learning project for scouts, schools, sports teams, youth groups, businesses, neighborhood groups, clubs, or even families. Contact Ginny Monroe at gmonroe@klamathpartnership.org or 541-850-1717 if you would like to learn more about our storm drain stenciling program.
If you would like more information about Non-Point Source Pollution, visit our watershed display at the Visitor Center in the South Portal Building, located at 205 Riverside Drive, Klamath Falls, Oregon.