Dog River Clearwater Revival

Learning Center

River Facts

Dog River Watershed refers to 90 square miles of land that drains into Mobile Bay. Dog River is approximately 8 miles long. This does not include the tributaries. Dog River Watershed is located in an urban setting.

What is a watershed?

Watersheds are all about what happens to rain when it hits the ground. The area of land that drains into a stream system is called a watershed. Or, a watershed is an area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. In the Dog River Watershed runoff (rainfall) flows toward Dog River. Dog River feeds into Mobile Bay and on to the Gulf of Mexico. Think of a watershed as a line that connects all of the highest points in an area. Precipitation (rain) falling inside this line flows to small streams or tributaries which join to form Dog River.

Think of a watershed as a line that connects all of the highest points in an area. Precipitation (rain) falling inside this line flows to small streams or tributaries which join to form Dog River.

You are in a watershed right now. A watershed is a way of identifying your location, though your watershed�s name may not be as familiar as your city or state. City, county and state boundary lines are drawn arbitrarily, based on political lines. Watersheds are natural boundaries based on the way land slopes. They can cross ciyy, county and state borders. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. Some are millions of square miles, others are just a few acres.

Issues Facing Dog River Watershed

Physical Characteristics of Dog River Watershed

Physical characteristics of Dog River�s watershed cannot be changed and play an important role in how the watershed works. They include:

Rainfall

Mobile�s rainfall is one of the highest in the nation, around 64 inches per year.

Slope

The slope of the land in the watershed impacts erosion and deposition. Slope determines speed at which rainfall runs off. Greater slope means water moves faster.

Soils

Soils in the Dog River Watershed are sandy hills that are easily eroded.

Tidal stream

Dog River is influenced by the tides. Saltwater enters from Mobile Bay while freshwater enters from upstream. This meeting of salt and fresh water makes sediment an even greater cause for concern.

What is a Pollutant?

A simple definition of a pollutant is anything found where it doesn�t belong. There are two groups of pollution; the type that comes out of a big industrial pipe and everything else.

1. Most people believe pollution comes from a big industrial pipe. In DRW this isn�t the issue. In fact, much progress has been made addressing this �point source� pollution nationwide. Point source pollution comes from a specific location such as a pipe or disposal site.

2. The major issue in the DRW is the �everything else� category of pollution. It doesn�t come out of a pipe. It comes from a variety of sources, a little here, a little there but, it adds up. It comes from litter, trash cans, dumpsters, septic tanks, construction sites, cars, homeowners trying to maintain a carpet of grass and many other sources. It�s called non point source pollution.

What is Stormwater Runoff?

Stormwater runoff is the flow of water from rain that �runs off� instead of seeping into the ground. When it rains, several things can happen to the water. Some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants, and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. Stormwater runoff is the rest of the water that runs off land surfaces and impervious areas (roads, roofs). In addition to rainfall, stormwater refers to water that runs off roofs, roads, water from washing cars, overwatering lawns, and other sources. Stromwater flows into storm drains that lead to streams and the river. As rainwater runs downhill, it carries pollutants such as sediment, trash, detergent and other unwanted materials into our streams, river and groundwater. The runoff is not treated in any way.

Watersheds and Stormwater: Why Should I Care?

Flooding, drainage problems, property values, quality of life, boating, fishing, seafood and nature are reasons watersheds are important. Since rainfall flows downhill, every human behavior upstream in a watershed has an impact on the health of the waters downstream.

Streams are a great place to teach children about the natural world around them.

Watershed regulations increase property values.

Clean water, trees and open spaces contribute to the quality of life and help attract business and tourists.

Watershed planning is the cheapest form of flood insurance. It helps protect public infrastructure like bridges, utilizes and roads.

It�s cool living next to a stream where kids can see and touch frogs and other wildlife.

Our streams serve as important recreational waterways for boaters and kayakers.

Seafood provides food for our citizens.

Poor drainage practices upstream contribute to flooding downstream.

Rain falling on a natural area slows the movement of rainwater. Grass, plants and trees act like a sponge, holding and absorbing rainfall. Some seeps back into underground rivers and groundwater.

As humans cover land with roads, asphalt and roofs (impervious surfaces), the water has nowhere to go and can cause serious drainage, pollutant and sanitation problems. Impervious surfaces don�t absorb water and leaves less natural vegetation to absorb the rainfall. This leads to large amounts of fast moving water, gaining in strength and volume as it goes. This is stormwater runoff and it is destructive. A poorly managed road project as far away as Schillinger Road can lead to murky water well downstream of the construction site. Stormwater runoff causes erosion, flooding, sewage leaks and carries pollutants to surface waters. Continued development causes:

Increased Imperviousness (surfaces that don�t absorb water)

Increased Runoff

Increased Pollutants

Impact to Streambanks

Erosion/Sedimentation

If I don�t live on the water, why should I care?

Streams and creeks feed into Dog River, Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. We all drink water, so we are all affected when our water is polluted. When water treatment costs rise, the price of drinking water goes up. If you like to fish, swim or boat, you may have heard or been affected by advisories warning you not to swim, fish or boat in a certain area because of unhealthy water or too much algae. Shellfish like clams and oysters cannot be harvested from polluted waters, so anyone that enjoys these foods or makes a living from the shellfish industry is affected. Money made from tourism and water recreation can also be impacted, as are businesses and home flooded by stormwater runoff. When we pollute our water, everyone is affected!

What is polluted runoff?

Water from rain either seeps into the ground or �runs off� to lower areas, making its way into streams, the river and the bay. On its way, runoff water can pick up and carry many substances that pollute water.

Some - like pesticides, fertilizers, oil and soap � are harmful in any quantity. Others � like sediment from construction, bare soil, or agricultural land, or pet waste, grass clippings and leaves � can harm creeks and rivers lakes in sufficient quantities.

In addition to rain, various human activities like watering, car washing, and malfunctioning septic tank can also put water onto the land surface. Here, it can also create runoff that carries pollutants to creeks, rivers and lakes.

Polluted runoff generally happens anywhere people use or alter the land. For example, in developed areas, none of the water that falls on hard surfaces like roofs, driveways, parking lots or roads can seep into the ground. These impervious surfaces create large amounts of runoff that picks up pollutants. The runoff flows from gutters and storm drains to streams. Runoff not only pollutes' but erodes streambanks. The mix of pollution and eroded dirt muddies the water and causes problems downstream.

What causes polluted stormwater runoff?

Polluted stormwater runoff generally happens anywhere people use or alter the land. People going about their daily lives are the number one source of stormwater pollutants. Most people are unaware of how they impact water quality. Sources of polluted runoff include:

Sediment from improperly managed construction sites.

Sediment from poorly managed road work projects.

Litter

Illegal dumping into storm drains, oil, chemicals, etc.

Detergent from car washing

Excess Fertilizer

Excess Pesticides

Leaking vehicles

Pet waste

Lawn clippings and leaves

Dumpster juice

Faulty residential septic systems

Sewage overflows

Stormwater heated from flowing across large parking lots of hot asphalt.

Oil and other chemicals dripping out of vehicles.

Stormwater runoff increases in temperature as it flows over asphalt and concrete (impervious surfaces). Elevated water temperatures can impact a water body�s ability to support certain fish and aquatic organisms.

Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen enter streams from landscaping practices (commercial and home), leaks from sanitary sewers, septic systems, and animal wastes. Excessive nutrients cause a dense growth of plant life (algae). When the plants decompose it depletes the supply of oxygen, leading to the death of animal life.

High bacterial levels may be found in stormwater runoff as a result of leaking sanitary systems, garbage, pet waste, etc. The impacts of bacteria on surface waters may affect recreational uses and aquatic life as well as impose health risks.

Oil, grease and lubricants illegally dumped into storm drains are an issue but leaky cars and trucks contribute all day, every day. Vehicle traffic, maintenance and fueling activities, leaks and spills, and manufacturing processes contribute heavily to the level of these pollutants our waterways.

Heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, chromium and cadmium may be found in stormwater runoff. Metals in stormwater may be toxic to some aquatic life and may accumulate in aquatic animals. Urban sources of metals in stormwater may include automobiles, paints, preservatives, motor oil and various urban activities.

Toxic substances may be associated with stormwater including metals, pesticides, herbicides and hydrocarbons. Toxic compounds may affect biological systems, and accumulate in bottom sediments of surface waters.

Sediment from improperly managed construction sites

Sediment is the largest pollutant in the Dog River Watershed primarily due to poor management of construction sites and roadwork sites. A number of other pollutants often attach to, and are carried by, sediment particles.

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